THE BLACK WATCH (Royal Highlanders)
The 1st Battalion (42nd Foot) was raised in 1730 from six independent companies of Highlanders for the protection of Edinburgh, as a regiment of the watch. In 1751, it was numbered the 42nd. On becoming amalgamated, the bright colours in the tartans were extracted, leaving only the dark green ground as a tartan, and from this circumstance rose the title "The Black Watch." In 1794, for gallant conduct at the battle of Guildermalsen, in Holland, it won the "red hackle" (or plume) which is worn in the men's feather bonnets.
Known as the "Forty-Twas."
(Depot, Oxford.)
(Record Office, Warwick.)
"Quebec, 1759," "Martinique, 1762," "Havannah," "Mysore," "Hindoostan," "Martinique, 1794," "Vimiera," "Corunna," "Busaco," "Fuentes d'Onor," "Ciudad Rodrigo," "Badajoz," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Nive," "Orthes," "Toulouse," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "South Africa, 1851-2-3," "Delhi, 1857," "New Zealand," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1900-02."
Uniform, Scarlet.
Facings, White.
Head-dress, Helmet.
Cap, Green with green band.
Regimental March, "Nachtlager in Granada."
Allied Regiments, 52nd Regiment (Prince Albert Volunteers) of Canada and 6th (Hauraki) Regiment of New Zealand.
The Officers, alone among the infantry, have the privilege of wearing white strip collars with the frock coat.
THE OXFORDSHIRE & BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
Raised in 1741 and was dispatched almost at once on active service, serving at Minorca, Canada (taking part in the capture of Quebec), Martinique, and Havannah. The 43rd and 52nd, with the Rifle Brigade, made up the famous Light Infantry Brigade trained by Sir John Moore at Shorncliffe, and so laid the foundation for many famous victories in the Peninsula. The splendid service rendered by the Light Infantry in subsequent years is a matter of history. The regiment was so often chosen for leading the storming parties, that a badge "V.S." (Valiant Stormer) was granted to the men.
Nicknamed "The Light Bobs," a term that was applied generally to Light Infantry regiments.
(Depot, Warley.)
(Record Office, Warley.)
The Castle and Key, superscribed "Gibraltar, 1779-83."
The Sphinx, superscribed "Egypt."
An Eagle.
"Moro," "Havannah," "Badajoz," "Salamanca," "Peninsula," "Bladensburg," "Waterloo," "Ava," "Alma," "Inkerman," "Sevastopol," "Taku Forts," "Nile, 1884-85," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Uniform, Scarlet.
Facings, White.
Head-dress, Helmet.
Cap, Blue.
Regimental March, "The Essex."
At the Battle of Salamanca, 1812, the Eagle of the 62nd French regiment of the line was captured by the 44th. This trophy is now in the Chapel of Chelsea Hospital.