The Highland Light Infantry,
COMPRISING
1st Batt. (formerly) The 71st (Highland Light Infantry) Regiment.
2nd Batt. ( " ) The 74th (Highlanders) Regiment; with Militia Batts.
3rd & 4th Batts. The 1st Royal Lanark Royal Militia.
The Elephant. Special Device, as on Collar Badge.
TITLES.
1st Batt.
1758-63. The 71st Regiment of Foot (raised as 2nd Batt. 32nd Foot, but separately regimented the same year: disbanded in 1763).
1764-65. The 71st (Invalids) Regiment of Foot (previously the 81st (Invalids); reduced to Independent Garrison Companies in 1769).
1775-83. The 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot: also Fraser's Highlanders (chiefly engaged in American Rebellion and afterwards disbanded).
1777-86. The 1st Batt. 73rd (Highland) Regiment of Foot.
1786-1808. The 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot.
1808-9. The 71st (Glasgow Highland) Regiment of Foot.
1809-10. The 71st (Glasgow Highland Light Infantry) Regiment.
1810-81. The 71st (Highland) Light Infantry.
2nd Batt.
1758-63. The 74th Regiment of Foot (raised as 2nd Batt. of 36th Foot in 1756; separately regimented in 1758; disbanded in 1764).
1763-65. The 74th (Invalids) Regiment of Foot; formerly the 117th Invalids; dispersed as Independent Garrison Companies.
1777-83. The 74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot: also The Argyll Highlanders: disbanded in 1783.
1787-1816. The 74th (Highland) Regiment of Foot: also "The Assaye Regiment" (1803).
1816-45. The 74th Regiment of Foot.
1845-81. The 74th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.
1881 (from). The Highland Light Infantry.
PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGNS, BATTLES, &c.
* "Honours" on the Colours, the figures showing the Battalion concerned.
1780-83. Gibraltar.
*1780-97. Hindoostan (1).
*1780. Carnatic (1).
1780. Arcot.
1781. Porto-Novo.
*1781. Sholingur (1).
1782. Arnee.
*1783. Mysore (1).
1783. Cuddalore.
1791. Bangalore.
1791. Nundy-Droog.
1791. Savendroog.
1792. Seringapatam.
1793. Pondicherry.
1795. Ceylon.
*1799. Seringapatam (2).
1800. Polygar.
1802. Ahmednuggar.
1803. Argaum.
*1803. Assaye (2).
*1806. Cape of Good Hope (1).
1806. Buenos Ayres.
1807. Monte Video.
*1808-14. Peninsula (1 & 2).
*1808. Roleia (1).
*1808. Vimiera (1).
*1809. Corunna (1).
1809. Flushing.
*1810. Busaco (2).
*1811. Fuentes d'Onor (1 & 2).
1811. Arroyo dos Molinos.
*1812. Almaraj (1).
*1812. Ciudad Rodrigo (2).
*1812. Badajos (2).
*1812. Salamanca (2).
*1813. Nivelle (2).
*1813. Vittoria (1 & 2).
1813. Maya.
*1813. Pyrenees (1 & 2).
1813. Nive (1).
*1814. Orthes (1 & 2).
*1814. Toulouse (2).
1815. Quatre Bras.
*1815. Waterloo (1).
1815. Netherlands.
*1851-53. South Africa (2).
1854-56. Crimea.
1854. Balaclava.
1855. Kertch.
1855. Yenikale.
*1855. Sevastopol (1).
*1858. Central India (1).
1858. Indian Mutiny.
*1882. Egypt (2).
*1882. Tel-el-Kebir (2).
1900. South Africa.
Uniform.—1st Batt., Scarlet, Buff facings, and the Mackenzie tartan, with chako instead of feather bonnet (from 1777). 2nd Batt., Scarlet and grass Green facings (from 1758 till 1881).
Regimental Badges.—That in the Army List is "The Elephant" with "Assaye"; but on the chako-plate and collar a special design is worn, combining "The Star of the Order of the Thistle" with "The Crown" as on the collar of the Order of the Star of India (for distinction gained by each battalion in India); a Horn on the Star with monogram H.L.I, surmounting a scroll with "Assaye" and "The Elephant" (without howdah or trappings) below.
Nickname.—"The Pig and Whistle Light Infantry."
Notes.—The two veteran regiments now known as the 1st and 2nd Highland Light Infantry possess the longest "honour" record (twenty-nine in all) of any British regiment whatsoever, save the King's Royal Rifle Corps, which have thirty-two all told. The roll commences with "Carnatic," won by the 1st Batt. in the Hyder Ali campaign, seconded by the laurels of the 2nd Batt. at the Siege of Seringapatam, in which on several occasions it particularly distinguished itself. The same battalion contributed "Assaye" (with "The Elephant"). It is recorded that in this battle "Every officer present, save one, was killed or wounded, and the battalion reduced to a mere wreck." "Assaye" is an honour shared only with The Seaforths and The 19th Hussars. For its services in India the Honourable East India Company presented it (1803) with a complimentary Colour. Henceforward honours fell thick and fast on both battalions—at the Cape, particularly so throughout the Peninsula campaign, in the Kaffir wars of 1851-53 (a large draft of its men went down in the ill-fated Birkenhead), at the Crimea, in the Indian Mutiny, and more latterly in the Egyptian campaigns of the eighties.
Bibliography.—Historical Record of The 71st Regiment Highland Light Infantry. 1777-1852. Illustrated. [London: Parker. 1852.]
Historical Record of The 71st Regiment Highland Light Infantry. 1777-1876. By Lieut. Henry J. T. Hildyard, 71st Highland Light Infantry. [London: Harrison. 1876.]
Historical Record of The 74th Highlanders. 1787-1850. Illustrated. [London: Parker. 1850.]
Historical Records of The 74th Highlanders (now 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry). 1787-1887. Illustrated. [Dumfries: Macveigh. 1887.]
The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's Own Regiment of Foot).
(3 Batts.)
1st Batt. (formerly) The 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.
2nd Batt. ( " ) The 78th (Highlanders—Ross-shire Buffs) Regiment of Foot; with Militia Battalion.
3rd Batt. The Highland Rifle Militia.
The Coronet and Cypher of
The Duke of Albany.
The Elephant with "Assaye."
The Seaforth Crest.
TITLES.
1st Batt.
1756-63. The 2nd Highland Batt.: afterwards regimented as The 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot; also Fraser's Highlanders; disbanded 1763. (See Titles, 2nd Batt.)
1778-86. The Seaforth (Highland) Regiment of Foot; after establishment regimented as The 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot. (See 2nd Batt.)
1786-1823. The 72nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot. (At the peace of 1783 many regiments were disbanded.) There had previously been three 72nds—(a) The 72nd Foot (1756-63); (b) The 72nd (Invalids) Foot (1764-65); and (c) The 72nd (Royal Manchester Volunteers) Regiment of Foot (1777-84).
1823-1881. The 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.
2nd Batt.
1756-63. The 2nd Highland Batt.: afterwards regimented as The 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot; also Fraser's Highlanders; disbanded.
1793-18—. The 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot; also Ross-shire Buffs; between 1777-86 The 78th was represented in the 1st Batt. by the Seaforth Highlanders.
1881 (from). The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's).
PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGNS, BATTLES, &c.
* "Honours" on the Colours, the figures showing the Battalion concerned.
1758. Louisbourg.
1758. Montmorenci.
1759. Quebec.
*1780-97. Hindoostan (1).
*1780. Carnatic (1).
1782. Arnee.
*1783. Mysore (1).
1783. Cuddalore.
1791. Bangalore.
1791. Savendroog.
1792. Seringapatam.
1793. Pondicherry.
1794-95. Flanders.
1794. Nimeguen.
1795. Guildermalsen.
1795. Quiberon.
1803. Ahmednuggar.
*1803. Assaye (2).
1803. Argaum.
*1806. Maida (2).
*1806. Cape of Good Hope (1).
1807. Egypt.
1807. Rosetta.
*1811. Java (2).
1814-15. Netherlands.
1814. Antwerp.
*1835. South Africa (1).
1854. Kertch.
*1855. Sevastopol (1).
*1856-57. Persia (2).
1857-58. Indian Mutiny.
*1857. Koosh-ab (2).
1857. Cawnpore.
*1857. Lucknow (2).
*1858. Central India (1).
*1878. Peiwar Kotal (1).
*1879. Charasiah (1).
*1878-80. Afghanistan (1 & 2).
*1879. Kabul (1).
*1880. Kandahar (1).
*1882. Egypt (1).
1882. Kassassin.
*1882. Tel-el-Kebir (1).
*1895. Chitral.
*1898. Atbara.
*1899. Khartoum.
1900. South Africa.
Uniform.—1st Batt., Scarlet with Buff facings, and the "Mackenzie" tartan (from 1778, but in 1823 the tartan was changed to "Stuart," as directed by the Commander-in-Chief, Duke of York and Albany; subsequently the "Mackenzie" tartan was revived). The hackle is white. 2nd Batt., Scarlet with Buff facings and the "Mackenzie" tartan; from date of "linking" the facings have matched those of the 1st Batt.
Regimental Badges, Mottoes, &c.—The Coronet and Cypher of the late Duke of York (who was also Duke of Albany); also, subsequently, the Cypher of the late Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany; also a Stag's Head (the cognisance of the Earls of Seaforth); also an Elephant (without howdah and trappings) with "Assaye" on scroll underneath; also a Thistle bearing the Star of the Order of the Thistle, with circle superimposed, within which is the Cypher (F) of the late Duke of York, surmounted by the Ducal Coronet. Mottoes.—(1) Cuidich'n Righ (Help, to the King): this, with the Stag's Head, appertains to the Mackenzies, and, according to tradition, was bestowed through the founder of the clan having saved the life of King Alexander II. of Scotland when attacked by a wounded stag. Borne by the Ross-shire Buffs from the first: officially recognised in 1825. (2) Caber Feidh (The Antlers of the Deer), the Seaforth slogan; and (3) Tulloch ard (The High Hill), the old gathering-ground of the Mackenzies on Loch Duich in Ross-shire.
Nicknames.—(1) "The Regiment of the Macraes" (from the large proportion of men of this name in the 72nd when raised); also (2) "The Wild Macraes" (when in Edinburgh their doings seriously frightened the inhabitants); (3) "The King's Men" (from the ancient motto of the 78th, "Help, to the King").
Notes, &c.—Both Batts. are successors of the old 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot—Fraser's Highlanders—which saw much service under General Wolfe; disbanded in 1763. The second 78th was raised in 1778 by Kenneth Mackenzie, Earl of Seaforth, was renumbered as the 72nd in 1786, and is the direct ancestor of the present 1st Seaforth Highlanders. Seven years later the present 2nd Seaforth Highlanders were raised as The 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot, being also known, shortly afterwards, as the Ross-shire Buffs. The combined battle-roll of honour is much the same as that of the Black Watch and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. "Assaye" (in 1803) was specially recognised by the Honourable East India Company presenting honorary colours to the late 78th (2nd Batt.). Half a century later, during the Mutiny, it rendered unparalleled service under Havelock, Outram, and Clive, adding "Lucknow" to the Colours, while its achievements in "Central India," "Afghanistan," "Kabul," "Kandahar," "Egypt," and "Tel-el-Kebir" are well within living memory.
Bibliography.—Historical Records of The 72nd Regiment, or Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders. 1778-1848. [London: Parker. 1848.]
Historical Records of The 72nd Highlanders, now 1st Batt. Seaforth Highlanders. 1777-1886. [Edinburgh: Blackwood. 1886.]