A car thief has stolen a 100-year-old mace and broken the hearts of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
The regimental mace - a 1.5-metre ceremonial staff made of brass and malacca cane - was inside a red SUV that was stolen from the parking lot at Queen's Park Arena in New Westminster on Oct. 29.
The lone remaining article from the Seaforths' formation 100 years ago was still in use - it has gone to battle in two world wars, various peacekeeping missions and, recently, to Afghanistan.
"Its loss is very saddening and very disheartening," the Seaforths' commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Paul Ursich, told a news conference Tuesday.
"Considering we are celebrating our 100th anniversary (on Nov. 27), we're having a new standard of colours presented, (the mace) is an important part of our heritage."
The drum major in charge of the mace was attending an event at Queen's Park Arena and had to transport the mace in his vehicle because he was dropping it off at the armoury in Vancouver later that day, before being deployed to Afghanistan.
The 1.5-metre length of malacca cane features a brass top with accoutrements from the Seaforth Highlanders of Scotland adorning it. It is carried by the leader of the regimental marching band.
Its greatest resale value would be to a collector, said Ursich.
"For us, of course, it's priceless," he said. Chief Warrant Officer Mitchell Bain, the pipe major who will lead the band on Remembrance Day, called it "a heck of a loss."
"It's an integral part of the regiment," said Bain, a member of the Seaforths for 38 years.
"It's not just a piece of equipment, it's a piece of history. It was in the Second World War when the regiment was in Ortona, Italy. In the First World War it was at Vimy, the Somme, many many battles," he said.
Anyone with information can call the Seaforth Highlanders at 604-374-6311.