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1745 to 1800
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Fontenoy

Picture of Fontenoy 1745 by Skeoch Cumming

The Regiment was first in action at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. Although this was a British defeat, The Black Watch gained great distinction but its conduct being described by a French officer as "Highland Furies who rushed in on us with more violence than ever did the sea driven by tempest"

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Ticonderoga

The Regimen was next engaged in the French-Indian War and especially at the Battle of Ticonderoga in 1758 where during the attack on the fort of that name more than half the men became casualties. By this time the Regiment had been allocated the numerical slot "42nd" in seniority, a number which was to render illustrious all over the world.
Picture of The Black Watch in Ticonderoga 1758

In recognition of its worth it was now granted the title "Royal" and raised a Second Battalion.

In 1786 this Battalion became a separate regiment in its own right, the 73rd and was much in action in India and Ceylon playing a prominent part in the capture of Mysore and Serinapatam.

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The Americas

Meanwhile the 42nd had been busy in the West Indies in Guadaloupe in 1759 and in Martinique and Havanna for which it was to receive its first battle honours. It was later deployed to North America where it became involved in the American War of Independence.

The Regiment took part in the successful action at Brooklyn, New York against George Washington's forces in 1776 ad undertook much skirmishing against the rebels during the remainder of that war.

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The Red Hackle

It was in 1795 that The Black Watch is known to have adopted the Red Hackle in its bonnets, the most distinctive feature of the Regiments uniform. The stories relating to its origin are numerous but it was certainly issued to the men at Royston, Hertfordshire that year.

Others began to copy this but in 1822 an Army Order laid down that it was "to be used exclusively by the 42nd Regiment".

Picture of The Red Hackle
Since then it has been worn in action in many parts of the world and is a much prized and distinguishing mark.

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