Blackwatchcanada

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The Toronto Association was actually formed by World War One members from the imperial side of our family in 1921. In 1935 the Association opened a club on Wellington Street and the Saturday and Wednesday night dances were very popular. The Saturday night dances continued until the close of the clubrooms. The first Red Hackle Dinner was held on January 12, 1928 in the King Edward Hotel. With our move to York street as described below, the Dinner moved to the Royal York Hotel and remained there until 1987 when we moved the venue to the 48th Highlanders Sergeants' and Warrant Officers' Mess in Moss Park Armouries. Until the 40's, all Regimental members were from the Imperial Black Watch. The first "Canadians" (to which the new Regimental members were referred) did not arrive until the Second World War. From Wellington, we moved to York Street across form the Union Station in 1969 and had at our peak 550 members (mostly associate) possibly attracted by the delta in beer and liquor prices between ourselves and the Royal York Hotel directly opposite. However, all members knew the meaning of Regiment and family; for it was in those days we would have as many as 200 members on the annual November 10th evening Remembrance Day Parades. Alas, the building on York Street was put up for sale in 1982 and although we had a large general membership, the managers of the Club had to be Black Watch Regimental personnel. This group was getting few in number, so the decision was made to close clubroom operations. However, we did go out in a blaze of glory in that on February 22, 1982 (the day after our last meeting), the electrical vault under the street outside blew up and the building went on fire. It has subsequently been demolished. Since the loss of the formal clubrooms, we have been meeting in the Naval Club and in the Sergeants' and Warrant Officers' Mess of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. The current branch executive is as follows: President: William (Bill) Carlisle This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Vice-President: John Furlong This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Secretary: Ian MacIntosh This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Treasurer: Keith O'Brien This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Membership Chairman: Johan Draper This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Immediate Past President: William "Bill" Davis Directors: Kevin Brackley, Hugh Dimock, William Landry, Johan Draper Although the majority of our soldiers at back on home soil, we still have a small contingent on operations in Afghanistan and Haiti. These soldiers all received packages in a down sized Operation Santa 2009. All 2010 membership dues have been allocated to boost the ASF. This money along with your donations will be targeted to support our next rota of troops overseas in the Fall of this year. For those of you who have supported our Active Service Fund, we thank you. For those of you who might be considering supporting our Black watch Soldiers on operations by sending them some creature comforts, you may send your donations to: TBWA Active Service Fund 22 Duke Road Brampton, Ontario L6T 3K2 Be assured that 100% of the money or product donated to the ASF stays with the ASF. It can NOT be spent on any other activity. Any questions regarding the Active Service Fund may be directed to the President via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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