Description
Physical description
A white metal hollow-backed headdress badge of The Glasgow Highlanders, Highland Light Infantry, being a diamond-cut the Star of the Order of the Thistle with St Andrew and Saltire in the centre encircled by motto circlet reading "NEMO IMPUNE LACESSET" which is itself surrounded by a wreath of thistles and surmounted by an Imperial (King's) crown overlaying the top point of the Star. On either side of the crown is a scroll reading "THE GLASGOW / HIGHLANDERS" and below the wreath is a further scroll inscribed "LIGHT / HIGHLAND / INFANTRY" separated by a Sphinx on a blank tablet overlaying the bottom point of the star. Remnants of a pair of lugs on the reverse.
History note
Badge of pattern worn 1939 to 1959.
The predecessor of this unit was formed in 1868 as the 105th Lanarkshire (Glasgow Highland) Rifle Volunteer Corps from Highlanders resident in Glasgow. At that time there were few if any centralised controls over how volunteers equipped themselves and during the 1880s the unit adopted Black Watch dress and badge, including the Sphinx battle honour on the latter, to which the Volunteers were in no way entitled.
In the Cardwell/Childers reforms of 1881 they were designated as a Volunteer Battalion of the newly-formed Highland Light Infantry, but somehow retaining the Black Watch badge. With the establishment of the Territorial Force in 1908 they were again re-designated, now as the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry and at this point they amended the badge to include GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS on the upper scroll and 9th BATN. H.L.I. on the lower. One version of this badge has been recorded as including BLACK WATCH on the lower scroll. Again following Black Watch custom, a bi-metal version of this badge was produced for senior NCOs.
At the end of the First World War, along with all units of the Territorial Force, the Glasgow Highlanders were briefly disbanded. In 1920 the Territorial Army was formed and the Glasgow Highlanders reformed as a single battalion. On the outbreak of war in 1939 a second battalion was raised and King George VI granted them permission to be styled 1st and 2nd Battalions The Glasgow Highlanders (Highland Light Infantry). The badge, still in Black Watch style, changed to a three-part lower scroll bearing LIGHT / HIGHLAND / INFANTRY.
The badge survived until at least 1959 when the Highland Light Infantry amalgamated with the Royal Scots to become The Royal Highland Fusiliers in the Lowland Brigade.
Inscription
THE GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS. HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY. NEMO IMPUNE LACESSET.