History
The 78th Fraser Highlanders played a unique role in Canada's history during the Seven Years War (1757-1763), also known as the French and Indian War. The 1,500 Scotsmen of the Regiment laid siege to Louisbourg (1758), were at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec City in 1759 -- where they were the largest Regiment -- and in the capitulation of Montreal (1760). The regiment was disbanded while in Quebec in 1763, and the soldiers were offered land grants.
Many of the soldiers sought their fortune in these new lands, married French Canadian women, became seigneurs, assumed positions within the civil government, and set-up businesses, especially in the fur trade and later in lumber. Descendents of these intrepid Scots explored the continent naming such features as the Fraser and MacKenzie Rivers.
The Reconstituted Regiment
In 1964, with Expo 67 being planned, the Montreal Military & Maritime Museum decided to re-raise this famous Regiment to take part in the colour and festivities of the World's Fair. Colonel J. Ralph Harper undertook the research and Mr. David M. Stewart provided financial and moral support. Their collaboration created the first Student Squad in 1966.
The Student Squad
By 1967, 12 young men, between 15 and 22 years of age, paraded with the uniform and equipment used 200 years earlier. They have gone varied in strength over the years, ranging from 12 to 24 soldiers. These young men continue to represent Montreal, Quebec and Canada across North America, and even Europe.
The young men chosen to be Fraser Highlanders work during the summer months and present their 18th century military drills, with muskets or bagpipes and drums, at the Old Fort on St. Helen's Island.
“Old Boys”
Past members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Student Squad can be found the world over – everywhere from North America to Japan. Many alumnae of the squad continue to serve their country in the R.C.M.P. and the Canadian Armed Forces in Regular and Reserve Regiments. They inevitably recall their years in the Frasers as a source of structure and discipline, instilling in them the importance of teamwork, and the value of being a part of something bigger than any one individual. They also recall their years in the squad as the time when many lifelong friendships took root.
Many of the soldiers sought their fortune in these new lands, married French Canadian women, became seigneurs, assumed positions within the civil government, and set-up businesses, especially in the fur trade and later in lumber. Descendents of these intrepid Scots explored the continent naming such features as the Fraser and MacKenzie Rivers.
The Reconstituted Regiment
In 1964, with Expo 67 being planned, the Montreal Military & Maritime Museum decided to re-raise this famous Regiment to take part in the colour and festivities of the World's Fair. Colonel J. Ralph Harper undertook the research and Mr. David M. Stewart provided financial and moral support. Their collaboration created the first Student Squad in 1966.
The Student Squad
By 1967, 12 young men, between 15 and 22 years of age, paraded with the uniform and equipment used 200 years earlier. They have gone varied in strength over the years, ranging from 12 to 24 soldiers. These young men continue to represent Montreal, Quebec and Canada across North America, and even Europe.
The young men chosen to be Fraser Highlanders work during the summer months and present their 18th century military drills, with muskets or bagpipes and drums, at the Old Fort on St. Helen's Island.
“Old Boys”
Past members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Student Squad can be found the world over – everywhere from North America to Japan. Many alumnae of the squad continue to serve their country in the R.C.M.P. and the Canadian Armed Forces in Regular and Reserve Regiments. They inevitably recall their years in the Frasers as a source of structure and discipline, instilling in them the importance of teamwork, and the value of being a part of something bigger than any one individual. They also recall their years in the squad as the time when many lifelong friendships took root.