The Clan of the Gallant Canadians is an unofficial Order

Order (decoration)

An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...

 created by The Calgary Highlanders

The Calgary Highlanders

The Calgary Highlanders is a Canadian Forces Land Force Primary Reserve infantry regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...

 of the Canadian Forces

Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...

 and the first such regimental order to be approved by the Canadian sovereign, and the first in the British Empire

British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...

 and Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...

 since the time of Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....

.

History

On Wednesday, 1 April 1992, the Clan of the Gallant Canadians was instituted as a Regimental award within The Calgary Highlanders

The Calgary Highlanders

The Calgary Highlanders is a Canadian Forces Land Force Primary Reserve infantry regiment, headquartered at Mewata Armouries in Calgary, Alberta, Canada...

, 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":

In order to recognize the efforts of outstanding members of The Regiment and the community, an order was devised to show our appreciation for that individual's contributions. The reward is a permanent decoration and membership in the Clan of the Gallant Canadians. Persons who, by providing time and dedication, financial support, or a combination of both, have greatly improved the morale and well being of The Regiment may be considered for membership in the Clan. All Officers and Non Commissioned Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members and Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of The Calgary Highlanders are eligible to be awarded with a membership. Civilians who in any particular manner provide outstanding support to The Regiment may also be honoured in this manner.

The Clan was given Royal Assent in 1992.

George Milne, Regimental Secretary of the Calgary Highlanders in 1992, visited Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...

 to meet Sir Robin Janvrin

Robin Janvrin

Robin Berry Janvrin, Baron Janvrin, GCB, GCVO, QSO, PC was the Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II from February 1999 to September 2007. Janvrin was also a .-Early life:...

 where he presented the designs and case for the proposed Clan of the Gallant Canadians medals. He did so and was asked to return at 10:00 a.m. the next day. Sir Robin had met with Her Majesty the Queen the day before and presented the proposal. The response from Her Majesty was, according to Mister Milne: "Tell George his medals are approved and are the first regimental medals approved since the time of Cromwell. As to George’s query about my view of giving them to civilians as well, not only for auspicious service to the regiment but for donating substantial sums...I approve!"

"Tell George", she added, "that he is simply following in the footsteps of my grandfather King George V and Lloyd George, who sold our baronetcies for 20,000 pounds each in the grim days of the 1920’s."

Name

The Clan of the Gallant Canadians is patterned after the Scottish Clan

Scottish clan

Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...

s, 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 (1 April) 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:

a) meritorious service to the Regiment, or

b) monetary donations to the Regimental Funds Foundation

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.