The 48th Highlanders of Holland Pipes and Drums, as our full name is, was founded in Apeldoorn on January 15, 1991. In 2021 our band will be 30 years old . A number of enthusiastic local residents then took the initiative to erect a living monument. A monument, because they wanted to give something back to the liberators of Apeldoorn and surroundings.
This place and its surroundings were liberated in the first half of April 1945 by the Canadian army in particular, with an important role for the Regiment 48th Highlanders of Canada. That regiment had its own pipe band. The players of this band have also played their part in the battle.
Many of them died here in those April days and gave their lives for our freedom. Every year, veterans from Canada come to our country and to our surroundings to commemorate and remember them. In the month of April we organize an annual commemoration for the fallen Canadian soldiers and in particular the soldiers of the Regiment 48th Highlanders of Canada at the Canadian war cemetery in Holten.
Because we are happy with our freedom and because we want to give something back, our credo is:
“we do remember”
Because we never want to and should never forget…
Our band is affiliated with the Regiment 48th Highlanders of Canada and still wears the same uniform as was worn by the Regiment when they liberated Apeldoorn. Of course permission has been granted for this by the Regiment 48th Highlanders of Canada. We cooperate with commemorations and various musical events, such as tattoos at home and abroad.
