Clan of the Gallant Canadians


The Clan of the Gallant Canadians is an unofficial Order created by The Calgary Highlanders of the Canadian Forces and the first such regimental order to be approved by the Canadian sovereign, and the first in the British Empire and Commonwealth since the time of Oliver Cromwell.

History

On Wednesday, 1 April 1992, the Clan of the Gallant Canadians was instituted as a Regimental award within The Calgary Highlanders, to be awarded to both serving soldiers and civilian members of the Regimental Family. Honorary Colonel Fred Mannix presented 21 awards on the occasion of the Regimental Birthday to inaugurate the Clan.
From "the Regimental Book":
The Clan was given Royal Assent in 1992.

Name

The Clan of the Gallant Canadians is patterned after the Scottish Clans, and the title is taken from the title of a poem written in honour of the 10th Battalion, CEF, and published in the Calgary Daily Herald on 10 September 1918.

Grades

Four grades are recognized by the Clan, with presentations usually done on the Regimental Birthday each year.
From highest to lowest, the grades are:
  • Toshach
  • Chieftain
  • Henchman
  • Clansman

Method of wear

The insignia of the highest three grades of the order are worn suspended on a ribbon worn around the neck. The insignia of a Clansman is worn on a miniature medal ribbon. The insignia is only permitted to be worn on civilian dress. Females may wear the neck orders in the form of a brooch.

Terms of award

Admittance to the Clan is granted by authority of the Regimental Funds Foundation, using two criteria:

Eligibility

Admittance to the Clan is open to any serving soldier, ex-soldier, or member of the public who has met the terms of the award and been selected and approved by the Regimental Funds Foundation.