Post by pureginius on Jun 26, 2009 15:12:37 GMT -6
42nd regiment of foot
Nickname: Black Watch, Forty-Twa, Black Jocks
Type: Line Infantry
Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit ("No Man Provokes Me With Impunity")
HISTORY: After the 1715 Jacobite Rising the British government did not have the resources or manpower to keep a standing army in the Scottish highlands, as a result, they recruited men from local Highland clans that had been loyal to the Whigs to keep order. This proved to be unsuccessful in deterring crime, especially cattle rustling, so independent companies (of what would be known as the Black Watch) were raised as a militia in 1725 by George Wade to keep "watch" for crime. The militia was recruited from local clans, with one company coming from Clan Munro, one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Grant and three from Clan Campbell. These companies were commonly known as the Am Freiceadan Dubh, or Black Watch, taking their name from their task and from the dark green government tartan they were issued, and eventually recruited many young gentlemen from both Jacobite and Whig clans.
The Regiment of the Line was formed officially in 1739 as the 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot under John Lindsay, 20th Earl of Crawford, and first mustered in 1740, at Aberfeldy. In May 1740, when the Independent companies were formed into the 43rd Highland regiment (later the 42nd Royal Highlanders), Sir Robert Munro was appointed lieutenant-colonel, John Earl of Crawford and Lindsay being its colonel. Among the captains were his next brother, George Munro of Culcairn, and John Munro. The surgeon of the regiment was his younger brother, Dr James Munro.