1st.
1751-1812, The 1st, or The Royal Regiment of Foot, also the
“Royals.”
1881 (from) The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).
Nickname--“Pontius Pilate’s Body-Guard.” It is a legend of the
Regiment that the Romans carried off a number of wild, war-like
Highlanders as prisoners after their conquest of Britain, and these
men and their descendants became soldiers of the Roman Empire and
as such they guarded the tomb of Our Saviour after the crucifixion.
This Scottish company, for it only consisted of one hundred men
under a centurion, was kept distinct from the Roman Army proper. At
the time of the crucifixion they were called Pontius Pilate’s Scots
Guards, and their descendants were the nucleus of the First Royal
Scots in later years.
Notes.--The oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army.
Traditionally regarded as the ancient body-guard of the
Scottish kings, this famous corps was in the service of
Sweden, as “Hepburn’s Regiment,” from 1625 to 1633; and in
that of France from 1633 to 1678, when (under Dumbarton) it
came to England. It received its title in 1684 in recognition
of the capture of a Colour from the Moors at Tangier. At
Sedgemoor (1685) it also captured the Duke of Monmouth’s
Standard.
17th.
1751-82, The 17th Regiment of Foot. Also “Forbes.”
1881 (from) “The Leicestershire Regiment.”
Nicknames--“The Bengal Tigers” (from its badge); “The Lily-whites”
(from its facings).
Notes.--Mainly raised near London; twelve regiments in all
were formed in 1688, but this and the 16th (The Bedfordshire)
are alone in commission now.
27th.
See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.
42nd.
See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.
55th.
See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.
77th.
1756-63, The 77th (Montgomery Highlanders) Regiment; disbanded
1763.
80th.
See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.
Royal Artillery.
See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.
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