The Pachino Day Parade is an annual event held to recognize the WWII Allied forces landing in Sicily on July 10, 1943, as part of “Operation Husky” and the start of the Italian Campaign. The fighting lasted for two years throughout Italy culminating in an Allied victory in May, 1945.

The July 10th date is significant for the 48^th Highlanders because our Regiment was deeply involved in the Campaign and won the majority of its 27 WWII battle honors in several major battles in Italy, all the while advancing north up the Italian boot towards northwest Europe and the Liberation of  Holland. This year is the 80^th anniversary of “Pachino Day” and will include numerous celebrations in Canada and Italy.

The overall Italian Campaign was costly for the 90,000 Canadian troops who participated. There were a total of almost 6,000 Canadian soldiers killed and more than 20,000 wounded. The 48^th Highlanders sustained losses of nearly 400 killed and more than 1,000 wounded as part of the First Canadian Infantry Division.

The key battle honors won in Italy by the 48^th Highlanders and which are emblazoned on the Regiment’s colors include: Landing in Sicily, Assoro, Campobasso, Ortona, Liri Valley, Hitler Line, Gothic Line, Rimini Line, and the Lamone Crossing.

Many of our older 48^th Regimental Family members will remember the colorful stories told to us over the years by our WWII veterans such as Sgt Herb Pike, Cpl Gord Outhwaite and many other “Old Sweats” who participated in the Italian Campaign. These war commentaries are shown in the special documentary DVD “That Dileas Spirit” which was produced for the Regiment’s 120^th Anniversary in 2011.

Hosting the Pachino Day Parade will be the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (Belleville), along with participation by The Royal Canadian Regiment and the 48^th Highlanders of Canada. All three Regiments landed together in Sicily in July, 1943, and have been honoring Pachino Day for decades since then.

Our veterans’ contingent will be supported by our 48^th Highlanders Association Drill Team who will carry the Regimental colors.

For those 48^th veterans and their families/friends (and Active Battalion members) who would like to march or participate in the Pachino Day Parade, here are the details:

Date:  Monday, July 10, 2023       Time: 1030 hrs (form up on parade square)

Location: Belleville Armouries, 187 Pinnacle Street, Belleville, Ontario

Directions From Toronto: Highway 401 East to North Front St exit Belleville, then south to Pinnacle St.

Dress Code for 48^th Veterans Marching in the Parade: 48^th badged glengarry, white short-sleeve dress shirt, grey slacks, black dress shoes. Medal ribbons (if you have them) to be worn above the left shirt pocket. (Note: Any Active Battalion member who would like to participate may appear in their CADPAT uniform.)

Parade: Veteran members of the 48^th, Hasty Ps and RCR will form up on the inside Armouries parade square 1030 hrs and march to the outside Armouries cenotaph for a memorial service from 1100 -1130 hrs. (If inclement weather, the service will be held inside.) This year the 48^th veterans will be the lead contingent in the parade.

Luncheon: After the parade, participants and guests are invited to a traditional spaghetti lunch served on the Belleville Armouries parade square from 1145-1400 hrs. (Cost per person is usually $15 and tickets can be purchased on site.)

Guests: All members of the 48^th Regimental Family are welcome to attend the Pachino Day Parade and memorial service. Seating is available. Local free parking is plentiful near the Armouries location.

Transportation:  Participants are responsible to provide their own transportation to Belleville. If you can assist with car-pooling that would be appreciated. VIA Rail also offers reasonable rates for return trips to Belleville from Toronto’s Union Station or elsewhere along their rail line.