King's Own Scottish Borderers

King's Own Scottish Borderers
BuzzWeiser196 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Unit name	King's Own Scottish Borderers
Caption	Regimental cap badge
Dates	1689–2006
Country	Kingdom of Scotland (1689–1707), Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800), United Kingdom (1801–2006)
Branch	British Army
Type	Line infantry
Role	Infantry
Size	One battalion
Garrison	Berwick Barracks, Berwick-upon-Tweed (final)
Motto	In Veritate Religionis Confido (I Trust in the Truth of Religion), Nisi Dominus Frustra (Unless the Lord be with us, all is in vain)
Colors	Facings: Buff
March	Quick: Blue Bonnets over the Border, Slow: Garb of Old Gaul
Anniversaries	Minden Day (1 August)
Battles	Williamite War in Ireland, War of the Spanish Succession, Jacobite rising of 1715, Jacobite rising of 1745, Seven Years' War, American Revolutionary War, French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War, Indian Rebellion of 1857, Second Boer War, First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Operation Banner
Notable commanders	Sir Thomas Livingstone, 1st Viscount Teviot, Sir John Cope, Sir William Inglis, Sir Henry Havelock

King's Own Scottish Borderers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, primarily associated with the Scottish Borders region. Raised in 1689 by David Melville, 3rd Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against Jacobitism, it served for over three centuries. The regiment was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006, ending its distinguished independent lineage.

History

The regiment was first raised in Edinburgh in 1689 as Leven's Regiment for service in the Williamite War in Ireland, seeing action at the Battle of the Boyne and the Siege of Limerick (1691). It fought at the Battle of Steenkerque during the War of the Spanish Succession and helped defeat the Jacobite rising of 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. During the Seven Years' War, it served with distinction at the Battle of Minden in 1759, a victory commemorated annually. The regiment was dispatched to North America during the American Revolutionary War, fighting at the Battle of Brandywine and the Siege of Yorktown. In the Napoleonic Wars, it served in the Peninsular War, including at the Battle of Albuera, and later fought in the Crimean War at the Siege of Sevastopol. The 1st Battalion saw extensive service in the First World War, from the Battle of Mons through the Battle of the Somme to the Hundred Days Offensive, while the 2nd Battalion fought in the Gallipoli Campaign and Palestine. During the Second World War, battalions served in the Battle of France, the North African Campaign, the Italian Campaign, and the Burma Campaign. Post-war service included the Korean War, where it fought at the Battle of the Imjin River, and numerous tours during Operation Banner in Northern Ireland.

Regimental traditions

The regiment's uniform included distinctive buff facings, a legacy from its early association with the Earl of Leven. Its quick march was the lively Scottish air Blue Bonnets over the Border, while its slow march was Garb of Old Gaul. The regimental cap badge featured a star of the Order of the Thistle surrounding a depiction of Edinburgh Castle. The annual Minden Day on 1 August was a key celebration, honouring the regiment's part in the 1759 victory, with roses worn in headdress. The regiment maintained a close ceremonial link with the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, where its final depot, Berwick Barracks, was located. Its mottoes, In Veritate Religionis Confido and Nisi Dominus Frustra, reflected its Presbyterian Scottish heritage.

Battle honours

The regiment was awarded a total of 111 battle honours, with 21 selected for emblazonment on the regimental colours. Key honours from the early period include Namur (1695), Minden, and Albuera. Nineteenth-century honours encompass Sevastopol and Lucknow. First World War honours are extensive, including Le Cateau, Ypres (1915), Loos, Somme (1916), Arras (1917), Passchendaele, and Hindenburg Line. Second World War honours feature Dunkirk (1940), El Alamein, Monte Cassino, and Kohima. The honour "Korea" was awarded for its service in the Korean War.

Colonels-in-Chief and Colonels

The Colonels-in-Chief were senior members of the British royal family, providing a direct link to the crown. These included Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who was appointed in 1937. Regimental Colonels, who were often distinguished former officers, included notable figures such as Sir John Cope, who commanded at the Battle of Prestonpans, and Sir William Inglis, famed for his command at Albuera. Later Colonels included field marshals such as Sir Gerald Templer.

Victoria Cross recipients

Seven soldiers of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the British armed forces. Recipients include Private James McKechnie for his actions at the Battle of Alma in 1854 and Lieutenant William Hope for bravery during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 at Lucknow. In the First World War, Captain John Green was awarded the VC posthumously for his leadership at Richebourg-l'Avoué in 1915, while Sergeant John Meikle received it for actions at Marfaux during the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918.

Affiliations and memorials

The regiment was affiliated with several Commonwealth units, including the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) of Canada. Its principal memorial is located within Berwick Barracks, now home to the museum of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Other significant memorials include windows in St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh and panels within Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle. The regiment is also commemorated on the Minden Monument in Portsmouth.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1689 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2006