I have this sterling silver Birks spoon just wondering if anyone could help identify.
The 48th Highlanders of Canada,based out of Toronto use a falcon head erased, torn at the neck on their cap badge and pipe banners. This was taken from the family crest of the regiment’s first Commanding Officer, John Irvine Davidson, and is often paired with the motto Dileas Gu Brath, “Faithful Forever”.
The spoon and box is for Henry Birks, Montreal Silversmiths with a date letter lower case f, if I read it correctly, for 1961. The style is celtic point.
CRWW
The 48th Highlanders is a primary reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Armed Forces. Based at the historic Moss Park armoury, 130 Queen St East, downtown Toronto, this famous regiment is still a key component of the 32 Canadian Brigade Group.
They are known for their distinctive Scottish heritage, wearing the Davidson tartan and featuring a renowned Pipes and Drums band that has played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home game since 1931
The 48th Highlanders of Canada was formed to satisfy Toronto’s growing Scottish community, the regiment first drilled at Upper Canada College and was presented its first colours by Governor General Lord Stanley of Preston in 1892. The 48th Highlanders saw their first overseas action in the South African War, earning the regiment its very first of some 50 battle honours.
During WWI, the regiment became the 15th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914. They fought with distinction in major campaigns including Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele, earning a stellar reputation.
Mobilized again for WWII on September 1, 1939, they played pivotal roles in the Allied invasion of Sicily,Operation Husky and the Italian Campaign, including the bitter, brutal house-to-house fighting in the Battle of Ortona in December 1943. They were later moved to Northwest Europe in 1945 where they fought until the end of the war.
Today, the 48th Highlanders of Canada continues to train citizen-soldiers in downtown Toronto, operating under the 4th Canadian Division. Beyond their military duties, they maintain strong community ties through their Pipes and Drums band— one of the largest military pipe bands in the Commonwealth.
I am indebted to the 48th Highlanders Museum for the regimental history.
CRWW
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