Royal Highlanders of Canada (Black Watch) GVR Basket Hilted Sword

A scarce Royal Highlanders of Canada basket hilted sword, also known as the Black Watch of Canada. 

The regiment saw active service during both World Wars. Several battalions disembarked in France between 1915 and 1916 and fought until the end of the war.

In 1944, the 1st Battalion suffered more casualties than any other Canadian infantry battalion in Northwest Europe. During the Battle of Verrières Ridge on 25 July 1944, 325 men left the start line and only 15 made it back to friendly lines, the others being killed or wounded by well-entrenched Waffen SS soldiers and tanks. On 13 October 1944 – known as Black Friday by the Black Watch – the regiment put in an assault near Hoogerheide during the Battle of the Scheldt in which all four company commanders were killed, and one company of 90 men was reduced to just four survivors. During the Battle of Walcheren Causeway, the Black Watch suffered 85 casualties, the bulk of them suffered on the causeway.