The 78th Highlanders, the Rosshire Buffs, Canadian garrison 1866-71

The 78th Highlanders, The Rosshire Buffs were the British Regiment sent to Canada from 1866-71. During that time, they were garrisoned in Montreal, Quebec, then Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 my wife standing with a female sentry of the 78th Highlanders. 

When I served in the recreated regiment as part of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association, I remembered hearing a story about some of the more colourful members.


Since the 78th had served in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, they were considered the Saviours of Indian. (Though that should probobly be Saviours of British India.) One of the Regimental mascots was an elephant. One of the Sargeants was responsible to taking care of said elephant. Since soldiers will find anyway to fend off boredom, usually in the intake of India Pale Ale, said Sgt. would have a bet on to see who could drink more ale, him, or the elephant. So they would take on bets to see who could do it. There were many times both Sgt. and elephant would be plastered.
When the regiment moved down to Halifax, the Sgt went down, the elephant didn't. This may have been due to the cold of Montreal during the winter, or copious amounts of ale. If that was the case, I suppose the poor thing died somewhat happy.