Forward the 42nd!

[kry]

It is always sad when governments start changing the I.d. of units, eliminating them when they so, much history! I understand that they no longer wear the BLACK WATCH tartan as well. The U.S. Army has done this as well, the Ranger barett from black to tan.

[Biathlonman]

Though the Black Watch is now a battalion in a super regiment - The Royal Regiment of Scotland - they have retained their distinctive "government" tartan while other regimental tartans like Seaforth, Gordon, and Cameron of Erracht are now history. I think it is safe to say that the Black Watch very much lives on.

They've also retained the Red Hackle and as a Royal regiment, the blue facings on their dress uniforms. On the face of it, the man who could say how things have worked out is the new member - who's likely not allowed to say, but the amalgamation and reorganization was supposed to be easier on the men, family life, career etc.

Modern armies evolve and adapt to changing external threats. Having cavalry give up horses for tanks or armoured cars must have seemed heresy once too.

As for the new US Ranger beret, a "sand" beret is the mark of an elite special forces soldier - and the Rangers seem to fit that bill sure enough.

[macwilkin]

Though the Black Watch is now a battalion in a super regiment - The Royal Regiment of Scotland - they have retained their distinctive "government" tartan while other regimental tartans like Seaforth, Gordon, and Cameron of Erracht are now history. I think it is safe to say that the Black Watch very much lives on.

The three tartans you mentioned as "history", are in fact, being worn by militia and reserve units in Canada, South Africa and Australia -- the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, the Cape Town Highlanders and the 5th Battalion, Royal Victorian Regiment (the old Victoria Scottish) and the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, for example.

The Commonwealth Scottish regiments are carrying on the traditions.

T.

[kry]

I would like to thank, eckwilson, Boldhighlander, Biathlonman, Dall Piobaire, Cajunscot, and every one else that replyed on my behalf. I will get a copy of Sons Of The Mountain; The Highland regiments In The French & Indian War. I would like to also share a web site that I found:ith: http://www.theblackwatch.co.uk/index/index

[Mike_Oettle]

Biathlonman wrote: “Having cavalry give up horses for tanks or armoured cars must have seemed heresy once too.”

One of the tragedies of the First World War was that the gentlemen at Horse Guards did see the tank (a “crazy idea” thought up by, among others, Winston Churchill) as a heresy.
It was never used to its tactical advantage until after the war had ended.
And even then it was the Panzer Korps (more than two decades later) that used it with brutal efficiency to arouse alarm and despondency in France and drive the BEF out at Dunkirk.
Regards,
Mike

[Jerry]

Welcome to the forum from rural Amelia County Virginia, and thank you for your continued service.

[Sir William]

from a retired USMC Master Sergeant in the Old Dominion. I believe part of the 42nd RHR was in Virginia back in 1780 or so! I have also followed the 42nd's trail through Pennsylvania and New York (they were there in 1763 and 1758, respectively). The BW monument at Ticonderoga is very impressive!

Welcome Sergeant Major from another retired Marine.

Orvice and I are mess-mates and I too have followed the trail of the old 42nd when they served here in the colonies.