Description
Physical description
The Star of the Order of the Thistle, diamond cut, on which a thistle wreath. Within the wreath an oval inscribed "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT" (No-one provokes me with impunity). Above the oval an Imperial (King's) crown on either side of which a small scroll inscribed "THE ROYAL" / "HIGHLANDERS". Within the oval, St. Andrew with the cross. Below the wreath a sphinx on a tablet, on either side of which small scrolls inscribed "BLACK" / "WATCH". White metal.
History note
This pattern badge was in use from 1901 until 1936.
The predecessors of this Regiment were six independent companies of Highlanders raised in the period 1725-1729 to aid in the suppression of the Jacobites. The tartans worn at that time differed from company to company but black, green and blue predominated, earning them the name of "Am Freiceadan Dubh", The Black Watch. In 1739 the companies were brought together as The Earl of Crawford's Regiment. Known by a succession of colonel's names until 1751, they were ranked as 43rd Foot in 1747, re-numbered as 42nd in 1749 and formally so named in 1751. In 1758 they were re-designated 42nd (The Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot. In 1861 they formally adopted their earlier nickname when they were re-named as 42nd Foot (Royal Highland) (The Black Watch). By this date they had adopted the distinctive Star of the Order of the Thistle star as the basis for the badge, and the Sphinx below, awarded for service in the Egypt campaign of 1801.
In the 1881 Cardwell reforms the Regiment merged with the 73rd Foot (Perthshire) to become The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). The badge changed in 1902, including the addition of a thistle wreath and two scrolls, one each top and bottom of the oval centre. In 1936 the badge changed again, along with a change of title, the badge losing both scrolls and the Regiment becoming The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), the pattern being sealed in March 1938. Some at least in the Territorial Battalions appear, however, to have continued to wear the earlier badge.
In 2006 the Regiment became 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, wearing that Regiment's badge, with the distinction of a red hackle. The Regimental motto (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT – (no-one provokes me with impunity) survived the transition, being on a scroll at the foot of the new badge.
Inscription
The Royal HIghlanders
Black Watch
Nemo me impune lacessit