Master Warrant Officer Bill Annand, operations officer for the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, says when he steps onto the street outside the regiment's Burrard Street armoury, often someone will approach and ask about his uniform.

"Even many people who work around here don't know what the building is used for," said Annand.

But that's about to change. The Seaforth, a reserve infantry regiment, is celebrating its 100th anniversary and inviting the public to a regimental ceilidh at the armoury May 29. "Ceilidh" is the Gaelic word for a celebration including music and dance.

Annand said the event was organized to draw attention to the Seaforth and its armoury and to honour the Seaforth troops of Task Force 309, who recently returned from duty in Afghanistan. The Seaforth Regiment is part of the Land Forces Western Area's 39 Canadian Brigade Group.

"This is important because this could potentially be the last large group of Seaforths to serve in Afghanistan due to the close-out in 2011," he said.

The event is also a fundraiser to purchase new ceremonial uniforms. The celebration is free to the public, but donations at the door will be accepted. Annand said the regiment must purchase its own uniforms, which for the Seaforths are a distinct kilt and tam o'shanter. The uniform marks the regiment's link to Scotland and the Vancouverites of Scottish descent who established the unit in November 1910.

"It's kind of hard to explain why a government organization is asking for donations for uniforms, but the regiment only gets enough money to maintain what it has," said Annand. "The original regiment was dressed by the citizens of Vancouver. We feel it's important to maintain the tradition of that distinct uniform."

The regiment has played a vital role in Canadian military history beginning with the First World War, including the bloody battle for Vimy Ridge in 1917. During the battles for Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele during the First World War, 2,515 of the 3,791 Seaforths who fought were killed.

According to the regiment's official history, the Seaforths achieved lasting fame for their urban combat efforts during the Second World War in Ortona, Italy, where a merciless street battle with elite German paratroopers lasted a week. During this battle, the Seaforths suffered the highest officer casualty rate of any Canadian unit during the Second World War. The regiment fought in Italy for another year, including the night of Oct. 21 to 22, 1944 when Private Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith earned the Victoria Cross for single-handedly fighting off a German tank and infantry counter-attack, while moving a wounded comrade to safety. Earlier in the war, Seaforth Lt.-Col. Cecil Merritt also won a Victoria Cross, the highest award for military bravery bestowed on Commonwealth forces. When the Seaforth returned home to Vancouver following the end of the war, more than 200,000 people turned out to welcome them. Members of the Seaforth have served in every Canadian overseas mission since, including conflicts in Iraq, Golan Heights, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

The Seaforth is hosting the free public event May 29 at the armoury, 1650 Burrard St. The ceilidh begins at 2 p.m. with a parade and includes performances by pipe and drum bands from the Seaforth, RCMP, VPD and City of Delta until 5 p.m.. The event includes Highland games and dances, and tours of the regimental museum. From 5 to 8 p.m., the officers' and men's mess halls, including pay bars, will be open to the public.

sthomas@vancourier.com