Information:
Paintings of the chaotic battle of Quatre Bras,
which the Black Watch suffered heavy casualties
Contacts:
Captain Celtic
Lieutenant Rezagh
Recruiting Serjeant Hunter
Identifiers:
BW[RH]_Rank_Name
Events Schedule:
Tuesday - Siege Event 7pm GMT
Wednesday - Training at 6.30 GMT & Linebattle 7pm GMT
Friday - NA Linebattle 8pm EST
Saturday - Training 6pm GMT & Linebattle 7.30pm GMT
Sunday - Linebattle - 7pm GMT | |
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History:
Raised from the Six Independent Companies (Highland Watch) that made up the "police force" of the unruly and troublesome Highlands. The 43rd Regiment of Foot was created. A group intended to become a fully-fledged Regiment of the British army. However, this Regiment was made up of the gentlemen of the Highlands - chief’s sons and other relatives - who were used to somewhat cushy lives, even as Highland Watch men who's hardest task was to be simply be seen.
"...it was no uncommon thing to see private soldiers riding to the exercising ground followed by servants carrying their firelocks and uniforms"
These gentlemen soon realised, though, that there officers and drill-masters were to make real soldiers out of them. They too were told they may be being shipped to the West Indies. Mutiny ensued. This mutiny was soon put aside, whose core was made up of the Highland gentry themselves. The Regiment soon found themselves at the Battle of Fontenoy were they lost huge numbers of men but showed great prowess in battle. During these events, though, the Jacobite Rising occurred and the 43rd Regiment of Foot was shipped to Ireland were they were renumbered the 42nd Regiment of Foot.
 A glimpse at the tartan of the Black Watch
World War I:
The Black Watch was reformed in 1881 when the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot - The Black Watch was combined with the 73rd Regiment of Foot to form two battalions of the new Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The Regiment expanded at an unprecedented rate during the First World War. The recruitment campaign with the message "Your country needs YOU" caused a flood of over 30,000 men to join. During the First World War over 50,000 men served in the 25 battalions of the Black Watch. They were made up of Regular (generally referring to the 1st and 2nd), Territorial (made up of part-time volunteers) and the Service Battalions (made of men recruited into Kitchener's New Army, these included the "Pal Battalions").
The Battle Honours awarded reflected the famous actions in which the battalions took part. In France and Flanders there were the battles of the Marne, Yrpes and the Somme. Battalions of the Black Watch fought all across Europe, the Balkans and Greece along with action in Mesopotamia. The 6th Battalion was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government. This was for actions at Bois de Courton and Chambrecy in 1918. When the war came to an end in November 1918. The Black Watch had lost 8,000 men. More than 20,000 had been wounded.
Further Information:
During its life and to this day, the 42nd has carried - with pride - the epithet "Am Freiceadan Dubh " [Pro;Am RAYCH-kiten Doo] "The Black Watch". This name comes from the Regiment's Independent Companies (Highland Watch) forebears. The etymology and history of this nickname may not have come from its dark tartan - considering that the scarlet jacket they wore was bright. But, comes from "black", or "dubh" being a character description and that in Highland culture "black" also means "dour" and when the "Highland Watch" was first levied folk of the Highlands - clansmen and family of said watch - felt the watchmen were being traitorous.
The Black Watch has had a long tradition of loyalty to the Church. It's first Chaplain, Dr Adam Ferguson, accompanied it in every battle and led it in worship, daily, both in peace and war:
O God, whose strength setteth fast the mountains,
Lord of the hills to whom we lift our eyes:
Grant us grace that we, of The Black Watch,
Once chosen to watch the mountains of an earthly
kingdom, may stand fast in the faith and be strong,
until we come to the heavenly Kingdom of him,
who had bidden us to watch and pary.
Thy Son, our Saviour and Lord.
Amen
*Further reading can be provided upon joining the Regiment*
or at request
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