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The United Kingdom's oldest infantry Regiment was
raised by a
warrant from the
Privy Council of Scotland, given under King Charles I's
authority at Whitehall on 28th March 1633
Most are now aware of the dangers posed by the Secretary
of State’s proposals to merge all the remaining Scottish
Regiments into a new “Royal Regiment of Scotland”. These
proposals include combining the the UK’s oldest
Regiment, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) with the
King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB).
On 24th April
1633 Sir John Hepburn raised a regiment of 1,200 men in
Edinburgh under a warrant from the Privy Council of
Scotland, given under King Charles I's authority at
Whitehall on 28th March.
Sir Robert
Douglas recaptures the Colour at the Battle of
Steenkirke,1692
The Regiment
when raised was formed of units which had served since
the mists of time. It is the oldest regiment of infantry
in the British Army and is the 1st Regiment of Foot. The
Royal Scots have served throughout practically every
major campaign in the last 372 years, up to and
including the Gulf War in 1991, with honour and
distinction. Many know the saying "Steady the Buffs..."
but less well known is the last part "...stand fast the
Queens and let the Royals go by." For it was the Royal
Scots who had the honour of the Right of Line to be the
first in any conflict. The Regiment's nickname is
"Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard", consequent upon its
antiquity.
In its early days, in service in
France, the Royals were quartered next to the Regiment
of Picardy, which claimed
to be older, having been on guard at the crucifixion.
The Royals replied, they were there too, making a much
better job of guarding the Governor of Palestine. Many
legends have a basis in fact. It is now thought
that
Pontius
Pilate may have been born in Perthshire, and the Roman
Legions recruited from every part of the Empire.
In World War I
100,000 men served in The Royal Scots. The Regiment was
awarded 71 Battle Honours, 10 of which appear on their
Colours. 6 Victoria Crosses (VC), 32 Distinguished
Service Orders (DSO), 217 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM),
158 Military Crosses (MC) and 337 Military Medals (MM).
11,213 were killed and 40,000 wounded, a casualty rate
of over 50% over 4.5 years of war.
In WWII there were 4 Battalions, the 1st, 2nd, 7th/9th
and 8th. The Regiment was awarded 38 Battle Honours, 10
of which appear on their Colours. There was 1 George
Cross (GC), there were 14 DSOs, 42 MCs, 10 DCMs and 40
MMs. 97 Officers and 1,151 Warrant Officers, Non
Commissioned Officers and Soldiers were killed.
Links
Prints of
The Royal Scots through their history.
1st Battalion Website
The Royal Scots RHQ
and Museum site
 The
Royal Scots Association Pipe Band
The Royal Scots in
Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
This page
includes Colonels and the names given to the Regiment and its
Battalions throughout its history, badges, and VC awards
Last updated
18/12/2006
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