Fort Fraser Despatches; February 2016

Saint Valentine, officially Saint Valentine of Rome, is a widely recognized third-century Roman saint commemorated on February 14 and associated since the High Middle Ages with a tradition of courtly love.

Flowers, candy, red hearts and romance. That's what Valentine's Day is all about, right? Well, maybe not. The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isn't romantic at all -- at least not in the traditional sense. Father Frank O'Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, tells the real story of the man behind the holiday -- St. Valentine. "He was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudius who persecuted the church at the time. Claudius issued an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to their wives or families if they died. The idea of encouraging them to marry within the Christian church was what Valentine was about. And he married them secretly because of the edict." Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against command of Emperor Claudius the Second. In the year 269 AD, Valentine was executed.

Somehow, we prefer the image of the pudgy cherub with the little bow and arrow.

(don’t forget the flowers and candy for your sweetheart!)

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Fort Fraser Garrison AGM:

Tentatively scheduled for 19 March, 2016, the serious business of being an incorporated association, a registered charity and a registered society will be encountered. Participants will be rewarded with a tasty and nutritious luncheon! It behooves us all to ponder our personal involvement in the garrison, and our wish to support its aims and objectives. Our constitution clearly states our ambition and commitment:

1. To benefit the community by increasing the public’s knowledge and appreciation of Canadian history, in particular the Seven Years War and the role of the 78th Regiment of Foot, by means of parades, exhibitions and the dissemination of literature.

2. To receive and maintain a fund or funds and to apply all or part of the principal and income therefrom, from time to time, to qualified donees as defined in subsection 149.1(1) on the Income Tax Act (Canada).

3. To do all such things as are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the above purposes.

The mission statement of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Association of Vancouver Inc. (No. S- 51436) on record reads: The association/garrison will honour its constitution and the aims of the Regiment while providing an enjoyable and educational environment for its members as they strive to raise funds in support of the education and well-being of youth in British Columbia. Members will strive to: - support the Garrison Historical Display Unit to improve and enhance its appearance and performance. - establish an Educational Grant to further the study of Scottish Canadian History at Simon Fraser Univ. - establish an annual donation to support a children’s medical facility. - establish an annual donation to support a youth development group such as Vancouver KidSafe Project.

All this to say, again, please consider running for a Command Group position or nominate a member who you think would help in the growth and success of Fort Fraser. “now is the time for all good members to come to the aid of the garrison!”

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Fort Fraser Garrison PROPOSED 2016 EVENT SCHEDULE (all events To Be Confirmed)  06 Feb √ Garrison Burns Supper CONFIRMED  04 Mar √ joint 78th/15FD Whisky Fundraiser CONFIRMED  12 Mar Celtic Fest St. Patrick’s Day parade (HDU)*  19 Mar Fort Fraser Annual General Meeting & luncheon  06 Apr Historical Display Unit at SFU Scottish Studies (HDU)*  16 Apr Ste. Foy commemorative dinner  07 May BC Army Gala – (Fort Fraser table?)  21 May Victoria - (3 days?) (HDU)*  11 Jun Battle of the Somme dinner  18 Jun BC Highland Games (HDU)*  01 Jul Canada Day @ Port Moody Station (HDU)*  09 Jul Louisbourg BBQ  24 Sep Plains of Abraham dinner  26 Nov Feast of St. Andrew

*HDU = Historical Display Unit participating

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Driv’n by Fortune; brief excerpt:

Sam Allison’s book presents new research into the 78th from its raising until its disbandment, and provides a picture of how the regiment affected the growth of North America. A brief example: “The Fraser’s Highlanders were disbanded when the Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years War in 1763. According to the official lists, approximately eight hundred Fraser’s Highlanders took their ‘sword Money’ (discharge) in Glasgow, . Approximately 170 soldiers were discharged in Quebec, and many were drafted into North American regiments, such as the 60th Royal Americans. Major John Campbell held command of the Fraser’s because Colonel Simon Fraser left in March, 1761 to take up his seat as the elected Member of Parliament for Inverness. Thousands of veteran Highlanders returned from the Seven Years War and had a major impact on postwar Scotland.” (Chapter 6, p.130) Published by Dundurn, Toronto (Members can purchase the book from RHQ QM – [email protected])

Sam Allison was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada in 1968. He taught history at high school level and at McGill University’s Faculty of Education. Sam served on numerous committees for Quebec’s Ministry of Education, and has written educational books, articles and websites.

Oh, that dreaded Highland Broadsword: from The Fraser Highlanders by J.R. Harper The Fraser Highlanders were keen swordsmen and their natural warlike disposition and active mode of life made them formidable opponents. The broadsword is sharpened on both edges, allowing for a hefty stroke to be given on the recovery from a forward stroke; very useful if you are facing two opponents!

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H.D.U. (Historical Display Unit)

1of 4: the Guard Unit The uniformed unit, aka “The Guard”, is most often the image of the 78th Fraser Highlanders in the mind of the public, our trademark, if you will. As are all “Frasers”, members of the guard are Officers of the Regiment, that is to say “gentlepersons of good breeding “, well trained as leaders and respected as such by the enlisted ranks. All members are encouraged to wear “the Scarlets” and of the 78th, and to learn the foot, musket and sword drill of our 18th century predecessors. This requires a certain commitment of time and money - a little or a lot of each - but the rewards are plentiful as we “parade, exhibit and disseminate” according to our constitution. A garrison “lease to own” program is available, and the basic uniform may be acquired on a “loan” basis. Uniformed officers must own their personal items of kit such as hose, shoes and bonnet.

As a member of the Fort Fraser Guard Unit you will be part of an important historical display which exists to inform and educate as well as to be the public face of the Fort Fraser Garrison and the international organization known as The 78th Fraser Highlanders. Your membership in the Guard Unit will require that you: - commit to the aims and requirements of the Garrison - know the history of the Regiment and inform others well - know the drill and regulations of the Regiment and perform them well - know the uniform and weapons of the Regiment and wear them well - regularly and enthusiastically attend training sessions and performances.

Still to come: 2 of 4 - 18th Century Civilians display unit 3 of 4 - Modern Kilted Unit 4 of 4 - Blazer Unit

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The Clans: the Frasers. The late and lamented Brigadier the Right Honourable Simon Fraser , D.S.C., M.C., C.St.J., T.D., LL.D., J.P., D.L., 24th Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat writing from Balblair, Beauly, by Inverness, Scotland in his foreword to Col. Harpers’ book The Fraser Highlanders, explained: “In the Highlands we first hear of Frasers in Scotland early in the twelfth century. There was the Bishop of Saint Andrews, but the greatest was Sir Simon Fraser, chieftain of the Frasers of Oliver Castle, known as the Patriot. Fighting as first general under William Wallace and , he added the three crowns to the strawberries (fraises) in the Fraser shield for defeating three English armies in succession at Roslyn Moor. He later suffered the same fate as poor William Wallace in the Tower of London; being hung, drawn and quartered while still alive, with his head nailed above the gate. The Fighting Frasers prided themselves on courage and endurance. History records that one diehard clansman fighting for the Stuart under the great Montrose during the winter foray against Campbell of Argyle, furiously kicked a snowball pillow from under the head of one of his sleeping sons lying exhausted in the snow, declaring that in all his campaigns he had never met such degenerate and effeminate behavior!” The Frasers of Philorth, Lords Saltoun: There is no doubt that the first name of Frasers come from Western , but the spelling of the name varies among Fraser, Frazer, Frazier, Frizel, Fraise, Freze, Freser, and Frazee. The Frasers of Philorth are descended from the Frasers of Touchfraser, and the present “Chief of the Name Fraser” is Lady Saltoun. Lady Saltoun is Chief of the whole Name and Arms of Fraser. She is an elected member of the House of Lords, and spends 3-4 days a week in London. Her home is now in Aberdeenshire, near Braemar. Some people are confused as to the relative positions of Lady Saltoun and Lord Lovat. It is not easy. Lady Saltoun is Chief of the name of Fraser. That means she is head of the senior line of Frasers. People who are of Fraser blood are her kin. But Lord Lovat, who is descended from a younger brother of Sir Alexander, the Chamberlain, is Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat, and many of the names associated with Clan Fraser, probably owe their allegiance in the first instance to him, rather than to her.

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“take pride in the heritage”

The 78th Fraser Highlanders raised in Scotland January 1757 by Hon. Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat eventually designated 78th Regiment of Foot, 2nd Highland Battalion 82 Officers, 65 Sergeants 30 Pipers and Drummers 1365 Other Ranks

distinguished in action at: SEIGE of LOUISBOURG, June - July 1758 wintered in New York Province, 1758 – 59 moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 1759 landed with Wolfe at Ile d’Orleans, July 1759 skirmished at Montmorency & Beauport Flats

BATTLE for QUEBEC . 1759 – August 1760 Battle of the Plains of Abraham, September 1759 Battle of Ste. Foy/Sillery, April 1760

CAPTURE of MONTREAL September 1760

BATTLE FOR St. John’s, September 1761 quartered in Québec and Nova Scotia, 1759 – 63

Disbanded in Canada December, 1763

Clan Motto “Je Suis Prest” (Fraser of Lovat) Pipes: “Lord Lovat’s Lament”

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A bit o’ Burns in advance of our delayed celebration:

From “Scots wha hae…”

Wha will be a traitor knave? Wha will fill a traitor’s grave? Wha sae base as be a slave? Let him turn and flee! Wha, for Scotland’s king and law freedom’s sword will strongly draw? Freeman stand or Freeman fa’, Let him on we me!

( we’re certain that The Bard will forgive our later Burns Supper date; after all he did realize that “the best laid plans o’ mice and men gang aft agley”! )

Remember to be kind to one another, these are troubled times. ……slainte mhath!

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