The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), British Army

THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT), BRITISH ARMY

History: Raised in 1739 as the Highland Regiment (43rd Foot), redesignated 42nd Foot in 1751 and in 1758 as the 2nd Battalion of the 42nd Foot, which in 1781 become 73rd Highland Regiment. Those two Regiments in 1881 become 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
Regimental Headquarters: Balhousie Castle, Perth.

Official blazon

The Star of the Order of the Thistle, diamond cut, in silver palte; on the star a thistle wreath in gilt or gilding metal; within the wreath an oval inscribed "Nemo me impune lacessit" in gilt or gilding metal: wihtin the oval on a recessed seeded ground St Andrew with Cross in silver plate; below the wreath the sphinx in gilt or gilding metal. For other ranks the badge is in white metal.

Origin/meaning

The Order of Thistle Star indicate that the Regiment is the Senior Highland Regiment. The Sphinx Badge was awarded to the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment for the Egyptian Campaign of 1801.

Literature: Image from Regimental Badges by T.J. Edwards