R.C.[[12]]—The Royal Cypher within the Collar of the Order of the Thistle, with the badge appendant. In each of the four corners the thistle within the circle and motto of the Order, ensigned with the imperial crown. The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.”
The Collar of the Order of the Thistle is made of gold, and consists of alternate thistles and sprigs of rue enamelled in proper colours. The badge is a golden image of St. Andrew, dressed in purple and green, holding a cross before him. The motto is “Nemo me impune lacessit.”
The honorary distinctions are: Tangier, 1680; Namur, 1695; Blenheim; Ramillies; Oudenarde; Malplaquet; Louisburg; Havannah; St. Lucia, 1803; Egmont-op-Zee; Corunna; Busaco; Salamanca; Vittoria; St. Sebastian; Nive; Peninsula; Niagara; Waterloo; Nagpore; Maheidpoor; Ava; Alma; Inkerman; Sevastopol; Taku Forts; Pekin, 1860; South Africa, 1899-1902.
The Royal Scots hold the distinction of being the oldest regiment in our army. It was raised under the name of Le Regiment de Douglas, about 1633. King George V. presented colours to the second battalion in 1913.
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment).—Facings for the first four battalions, blue; for the fifth, scarlet.
R.C.—The Cypher of Queen Catherine, within the Garter. In each of the four corners the Paschal Lamb, with motto, “Pristinæ virtutis memor” (The memory of former valour). Below the central badge, the motto, “Vel exuviæ triumphant” (Arms triumph surely). A naval crown, superscribed “1st June, 1794.” The Sphinx, superscribed “Egypt.” This device was granted after the campaign of 1801.
The Paschal Lamb is often spoken of as being a badge of the House of Braganza, but Sir Sibbald Scott, an authority on these matters, declares that it was never an emblem of the royal house of Portugal; it gained this reputation by figuring in a picture which Sir Peter Lely painted of Catherine. The regiment used the lamb “without any obvious meaning, and that quite lately it assumed the paschal attributes.”
The honorary distinctions are: Tangier, 1662-80; Namur, 1695; Vimiera; Corunna; Salamanca; Vittoria; Pyrenees; Nivelle; Toulouse; Peninsula; Affghanistan, 1839; Ghuznee, 1839; Khelat; South Africa, 1851-2-3; Taku Forts; Pekin, 1860; Burma, 1885-7; Tirah; Relief of Ladysmith; South Africa, 1899-1902.
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).—Facings, buff.
R.C.—The Dragon. In each of the four corners, the united Red and White Rose, ensigned with the imperial crown. Motto, “Veteri frondescit honore” (By its venerable honour may it flourish). This flag is shown in Fig. 27.