_With Notes From Farmer’s Regimental Records._
27th.
1751-1881, The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot. Also 1758
“Lord Blakeney’s.”
1881 (from) First Battalion “The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.”
Nickname--“The Lumps.”
Notes.--Formed from three Companies of the Inniskilling
forces. It is unique in using the old Irish war-pipes. While
employed on the Isthmus of Darien all but nine of six hundred
men succumbed. For distinguished gallantry at St. Lucia, in
1696, it was directed that the French garrison in marching
out should lay down their arms to the 27th, other marks of
favor being likewise accorded to the officers and men of the
regiment.
42nd.
1749-58, 42nd Regiment of Foot (The Highland Regiment).
1758-1861, 42nd (or Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot. Also “Lord
John Murray’s,” 1758 and 59.
1881 (from) 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
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.”
1881 (from) Second Battalion “Duke of Cornwall’s Light infantry.”
Nicknames--These pertain to the late 46th; “Murray’s Buck’s” (from
Colonel name (1743-64) and its smart appearance on home duty
in Scottish Royal livery). “The Surprisers” (from an incident
(1777) in the American War). “The Lacedemonians” (its Colonel
once when under fire, made a disciplinarian speech concerning the
Lacedemonians). Also in early days, “The Edinburgh Regiment.” “The
Red Feathers.” “The Docs” (the initials).
Note.--“The Two Feathers” is a distinction of the 46th, a
Light company of which, in 1777, with others were brigaded as
“The Light Battalion.” The Americans were so harrassed by the
Brigade that they vowed “No Quarter.” In derision, to prevent
mistakes, the Light Battalion dyed their feathers red; the
46th Foot alone has retained the distinction.