The Black Watch was an elite military Regiment whose history stretches back almost three centuries. This website aims to provide comprehensive information on everything 'Black Watch' from the history of the Regiment to its current activities and exists to celebrate and sustain that unique heritage and tradition.
The 73rd Regiment
The 73rd Regiment plays an important part in the early history of the Black Watch. It was first raised as a 2nd Battalion of the 42nd (The Royal Highland) Regiment in 1779 and became a separate Regiment in 1786. In 1881 it rejoined the 42nd Regiment to form The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), of which the 73rd became the 2nd Battalion.
During its 95 year history the 73rd Regiment served worldwide. It first campaigned in India, where it won its first major victory against Tippoo Sahib at Seringapatam in 1799. It quashed mutinying British colonists in New South Wales between 1810 and 1813 and a short lived 2nd Battalion (1808-17) fought Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. In 1838 and 1839 the Regiment quelled unrest in Canada and then fought in the South African Frontier Wars from 1846 until 1858. In 1858 it also arrived in Calcutta, where it helped suppress the Indian Mutiny. In addition to overseas duties, the Regiment kept the peace at home by putting down riots in the manufacturing towns of Yorkshire in 1826.
In 1862 the 73rd was redesignated the 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment and received new Colours. It finally rejoined with the 42nd in 1881.
Image: A Field Officer of the 73rd Regiment in Levee dress from circa 1816. Plaster statue by Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson (1887-1973)
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