Regimental Badges-“The Royal Cypher within the Garter.” The badge and motto of the Order of the Thistle. Also (in each of the four corners) the Royal Cypher ensigned with the Imperial Crown. Also “ The Sphinx” (for Egypt, 1801).
Notes.—The 1st Battalion of this famous corps, the oldest Highland regiment in the British army, was raised from six Independent companies of Highlanders. Its sombre dress of black, blue, and green tartan gave rise to its popular name. To enumerate its services is simply to narrate the military history of Great Britain since the early part of the last century. Hardly a campaign has been conducted, or a battle fought, in which the Black Watch—one battalion or the other, or both in company—has not participated; always with bravery, and frequently with conspicuous gallantry. Thereto its records of services abundantly testifies. At Fontenoy, Ticonderoga, and at Bushy Run “extraordinary and unexampled” gallantry was shown. It received Royal distinction in its change of title in 1758, and was privileged to wear the red heckle in the bonnet, in recognition of its conduct at the battle of Guildermalsen in 1795. In Egypt (in 1801, for which it bears “The Sphinx”), before Alexandria, it captured the Standard of the French Invincible Legion. Since then it has heaped fame on fame, and added “honor” to “honor” to its colours. Nor has the 2nd Battalion (raised in Perthshire in 1758 as the second Battalion of the 42nd, but, renumbered, long known as the 73rd prior to the territorial restoration of the ancient status) failed to win fresh laurels as occasion arose. At Mangalore (1783) against Tippoo Sahib, and side by side with the senior Battalion at Waterloo, in the Netherlands, in the Indian Mutiny, and in the Kaffir wars of 1846-53, it has worthily sustained the undying fame of the regiment. Recent events in South Africa show that neither the officers nor the men of today have lost one iota of that traditional dash, determination, and the bravery which have won for the Black Watch so glorious a place in British military annals.
44th.
1751-82, The 44th Regiment of Foot. Also 1758, “General Abercrombie’s.”
1881 (from) The First Battalion “The Essex Regiment.”
Nicknames—“The Two Fours” (of the 44th). “The Little Fighting Fours,” (the regiment saw hard service in the Peninsula, and its men were of small average stature). “The Pompadours” and “Saucy Pompeys.” (Tradition relates that when the facings were changed in 1764 (the crimson not wearing well) the Colonel desired Blue, but the authorities objecting, he chose Purple, a favorite color of Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of Louis XV, of France).
Notes.—The 44th captured an Eagle of the 62nd French Infantry at Salamanica.
46th.
1751-82, The 46th Regiment of Foot. Also 1758 “Lieut. Gen. Thomas Murray’s.”