The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

Named after one of the most powerful Highland clans of the time, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was formed during the French Revolutionary War. It was Queen Victoria who ordered it be known as the 'Queen's Own' in recognition of its courageous service record.

Origins

• It was raised as the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameronian) Volunteers at the height of the French Revolutionary War by Alan Cameron of Erracht in 1793. 
• The regiment fought in the Dutch Helder Campaign, the Napoleonic Wars, including the final battles of Quatre Bass and Waterloo, the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. 
• Queen Victoria awarded the regiment new colours after its return from India in 1871, when it was renamed the 'Queen's Own'.
• The 79th Foot became the 1st Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders, the county regiment of Inverness-shire. Stationed in Gibraltar, it was sent to Egypt and took part in the invasion and occupation of the country, serving at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. 
• The 2nd Battalion was formed in 1897 and fought in the Second Boer War, Malta, Crete, China and India.

Facts and figures

Motto

Pro rege et patria (for king and country)

March

Many regiments have their own marches which were traditionally used to rally the troops and boost morale before battle.

• Piobroch O'Donuil Dubh (march past in quick time)
• The Cameron Highlanders (quick)
• The Garb of Old Gaul (march past in slow time)

Tartan

Cameron of Erracht

World War I

• The regiment expanded to 13 battalions, nine of which served in battle. 
• It received 10 battle honours and lost 5,930 men over the course of the war with three awarded the Victoria Cross.

Discover more at the Highlanders Museum.