Army Navy Airforce .co .uk Home Page
Order Enquiries (UK) : 01436 820269

You currently have no items in your basket

Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
Product Search         
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

Seaforth Highlanders


Military History Army Scottish Regiments Seaforth Highlanders

[UP] - Cameron Highlanders - Seaforth Highlanders - Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - Royal Scots Fusiliers - Highland Light Infantry - Kings Own Scottish Borderers - Gordon Highlanders - The Black Watch - London Scottish - Queen's Own Highlanders - Scottish Rifles
Photographs and history of the Seaforth Highlanders, during the reign of Queen Victoria.

The Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, which forms the 1st battalion of the present regiment, and which formerly ranked as the 72nd Regiment of the Line, has had several ancestors bearing the same title.  When, in 1758, the 2nd battalions of the fifteen Line Regiments were formed into separate regiments, the second 33rd became the 72nd, and was disbanded in 1763.  The Royal Manchester Volunteers, formed in 1778, and reduced in 1783, next took the nuber; and this very reduction led to the re-numbering of the Line, so that in 1786 the former 78th became the 72nd, and was the third of the name.

The early history begins with the outbreak of the American War, when the Earl of Seaforth raised the regiment, ,010 rank and file strong, on his own estates.  The "Mackenzies", the family name of the Earl, were also known as the "Caber Feidhs", the Gallic name of the stag's antler, which belong to the Seaforth arms; and the present nickname of the "Macraes" also dates from this time, for the name "was general in the regiment".

Its first official title was the Seaforth Highlanders, and its first active duty was to resist an attempted French landing in Jersey; but it soon saw more important service in India, whither it went in 1781, at Cuddalore, Palacatcherry, and Coimbetore, and against Tippo Sahib at Bangalore, Outredroog, Savendroog, Outira Durgum, (where the two companies engaged escaladed the five walls of the fortress in succession), and at Seringapatam, where they formed part of the left division in the battle before the town.  In the war with France and Holland later on they were present at the capture of Pondicherry from the former, and Ceylon from the latter, and for their services were permitted to carry "Hindostan" on their colours.

A second battalion, raised in 1804, was disbanded in 1816; its chief service being at Maida, where so large a proportion of the men were under twenty one (about one half) that some doubt - quickly dispelled - was expressed as to their fitness to cope with seasoned French troops.

The 1st battalion next served in Sir David Baird's expedition to South Africa; and, to commemorate their gallantry there they bear the words "Cape of Good Hope, 1806", on their standards.  While in that part of the world the Highland costume, which had been worn till then, was temporarily abandoned, as being "objectionable to the people of Britain"; to be partially restored, but with trews of Royal Stuart tartan, in 1823, when the regiment received the name of the Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, after the then Commander-in-Chief, H.R.H. the Duke of York and Albany, with permission to wear his cypher, "F", and a coronet in the three corners of the regimental colours.  This was of yellow silk, with, in the centre, the number of the regiment surrounded by its title, and a wreath of roses and thistles crowned, and with the names "Hindostan" and "The Cape" on either side.

After further service of no great importance in various parts of the world, the regiment returned to South Africa in 1817, to be long engaged in the frontier war against the Kaffirs; and after a short period of home service again it was once more employed in a similar service until 1840, earning the distinction of adding "SouthAfrica, 1835" to the list of honours.  In the Crimean campaign it took part in the expedition to Kertch, and saw much arduous work in the trenches.

Its Indian service is also distinguished, for in 1858 it served in the Rajpootana field force in Major-General Roberts's division; and, in 1878, under the same general, in Afghanistan.  In the former campaign it added the names Lucknow and "Central India" to the battle roll; and Lieutenant A. S. Cameron gained the Cross for Valour at Kotah, where he stormed "a loopholed house with one narrow entrance, and killed three rebels in single combat". In doing this he was severely wounded.  The latter campaign saw it at the attack on the Peiwar Kotal, the battle of Charasiah, in the advance on Kabul, and, lastly, Kandahar, in 1880, where the colonel was killed.  

Finally, it formed part of the Highland Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir, where it led the left of that brigade, but suffered little loss.

The 2nd battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, which bore the old number of the 1st battalion, had also a forerunner in "Fraser's Highlanders", which, raised in 1757 and disbanded in 1763, was also numbered the 78th; the next that was raised became, by the reduction of the army, the 72nd, that is to say, the 1st battalion of the regiment.  It was raised in 1793, chiefly like the other battalion, from the Mackenzies, by Lord Seaforth, and two other battalions were successively added to it, but by 1817 they had merged into one.

Its service in Holland, under Lord Moira, during 1794, was brief though severe, for it lost heavily at Nimeguen, and served under Colonel Arthur Wellesley at Geldermalsen, enduring the horrors of the retreat to the coast in the winter of 1794-95.  In the latter year it accompanied his Lordship on another equally abortive expedition to the Isle of Quiberon, while the 2nd battalion proceeded to the Cape, to be joined later by the 1st battalion, when they were amalgamated.  It embarked thence for Ireland, and in 1803 served in Holland under its former brigadier, by that time General Arthur Wellesley.  It assisted in the storm of Ahmednuggur; the victory of Assaye, where it was led forward by Lord Wellesley himself; and Argaum, where the regiment behaved with the greatest gallantry, receiving as a reward the right to carry a third standard; and at Gawilghur.  At Ahmednuggur a Mahratta chief made the remark, "They came in the morning, looked at the Pettah wall, walked over it, killed all the garrison, and then turned into breakfast!"

It next saw service under Sir Samuel Auchmuty in Java, was present at the storm of Wettervreden in Batavia, Cornelis, and at Serondole; but the Dutch fought bravely, and the loss on all occasions was very heavy.  Like the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, it suffered the danger of shipwreck, and behaved with equal gallantry, for the "Frances Charlotte, when conveying nine companies to India, ran ashore on the Island of Preparis, but though the ship became a total wreck, and all the baggage and treasure were lost, there were but few lives sacrificed".

Up to this time the names "Hindostan", "Assaye", "Java", and "Cape of Good Hope, 1806", had been the only ones on the colours; but now the 2nd battalion, which had a separate existence until 1817, added that of "Maida", where they again distinguished themselves, having also served in Egypt in 1807, seeing much hard fighting at Alexandria, Rosetta, and El Hamet, where they lost their colonel and many men.  Returning to England, they shared in the expedition to Holland, and at Antwerp gained the approbation of General Sir Thomas Graham, who said that "no veteran troops behaved better than these men, who met the enemy for the first time, and whose discipline and gallantry reflected great credit on themselves and their officers".  The remark has been made often enough, from that time to Inkerman, that "Englishmen never fight better than in their first battle".

After general duty in various parts of the world, the battalion next took part in the Persian campaign, occupied Boorasjoon after a wet march of forty six miles; and fought at Kooshab, which name they carry on their colours; and at Mohamerah.  They were highly praised by Sir Henry Havelock for their gallantry in these actions, and at the naval operations in the landing, etc., and earned the right to add "Persia" to their distinctions.

Their adventures during the Mutiny would alone make a history.  Again serving under Havelock, they met Nana Sahib at Cawnpore (where their General exclaimed, "Well done, 78th, you shall be my own regiment!"), and marched in that portion of the campaign 126 miles in eight days, during which they fought four battles.  It is of some of them that the story is told, how finding the dead body of one of the ladies of Cawnpore, they cut off a lock of her hair, parted it between them, and vowed a fearful vengeance.  In the advance upon the Residency their loss was severe - 10 officers out of 18, 174 of the rank and file fell.  They were present at Onao, Busseertgunge, Boorbeck Chowkey, Bithoor, Bunnee, Char Bagh, the Kaiser Bagh, at Secunder Bagh, Alam Bagh, Hera Khanah, etc.; and eight officers and men won the Cross for Valour in the campaign.  The officers were Lieutenants Crowe, Boyle, and Macpherson, Assistant-Surgeon McMaster (on whom the cross awarded to the whole regiment was conferred by it), and Surgeon Jee, the latter for conspicuous and continuous gallantry in aiding the wounded under fire.  So fully did the army recognise their services in the campaign, that it is said that the troops turned out to salute them at every place they entered.  Since that campaign the 2nd battalion has seen no active service, though, being present in Candahar, previous to the evacuation in May 1881, the regiment received the medal for the campaign.

Among its regimental pets it has numbered a tame deer, presented to the 78th, in 1863, by the inhabitants of Ross and Cromarty.  "Roderick" was accustomed to do "sentry go" when on main guard, took up his position by the side of the drum-major, and had a great antipathy to the armour-sergeant.  He was finally presented to the Dublin Zoological Gardens.  Not that this is the only recorded pet, for buried in a corner of the Castle grounds, in a cemetery kept up by the officer and men of the garrison, lie "Tiney, 27/2/78", who is regretted by the old 78th, as are by the Seaforth the memories of "Don, fiver years pet dog of the sergeants first battalion Seaforth Highlanders 0 died 9 August, 1886"; of "York", with the inscription "Let sleeping dogs lie, 1 S.H. - died 21/3/87"; and of "Conas, the Seaforth Highlanders; died 5/4/87".

The scarlet uniform has yellow facings, with the Mackenzies tartan.  The collar badges are the Duke of York's cypher, crowned with the words "Caber Feidh" and the elephant.  The plate of the head dress is a stag's head from the Seaforth arms, with, above, the Duke's cyoher, crowned, and below it on a scroll the words "Cuidich'n Rhi" (I help the king).  Another motto, "Tolloch Ard" (the high hill), a war cry of Kintail, is on the waist plate, and the forage cap badge bears also the elephant and "Assaye".

There is only one battalion of militia - the Highland Rifle Militia - raised in 1798, attached to this regiment.  The Volunteer battalions are the 1st Ross-shire, 1st Sutherland, and the Elgin corps.  From their origin the 1st battalion was called the "Macraes", the 2nd the "King's Men", from their old regimental motto, which is that of the Mackenzies, from one of the clan having in past time saved the life of a Scottish King.  The regimental depot is at Fort George.

Extract from "The British Army and Auxiliary Forces" Colonel C. Cooper King, R.M.A. , 1894

Photographs of the Seaforth Highlanders. during the reign of Queen Victoria.

ROSSHIRE BUFFS, THE DUKE OF ALBANY'S SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS

The regiment was formed in 1778 as the 78th Highland Regiment, and in 1786  the  72nd Highland Regiment. was added. in 1881 both Regiments became the two battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.

Battle Honours

  • 1780 - 1784  India

  • 1790 - 1792  India

  • 1789 - 1791  Mysore during the third Mysore War

  • 1806   Cape of Good Hope, against the Dutch

  • 1803 - 1815  Battle of Maida. during the Napoleonic wars

  • 1811 - Java,  War against the Dutch

  • 1835 - Sixth Kaffir War, South Africa

  • 1854, -1856 Sebastopol during the Crimean War

  • 1856 - 1857 Kooshab, The Persian War

  • 1857 - 1858  Lucknow, and Central India during the Indian Mutiny.

  • 1878 - 1890 Peiwar Kotal, Charasiah, Kabul, Kandahar Second Afghan war

  • 1882 - Tel El Kibir  The revolt of Arabi Pasha

  • 1882 - 1884  First Sudan war

  • 1895 - Chitral.  Chitral Campaign

  • 1896 - 1898  Atbara, Khartoun, reconquest of the Sudan

  • 1899 - 1902, Paardeburg, During the Boer War

  • 1914 - 1918  Marne 1916, 1918 Ypres 1915, 1917, 1918, Loos, Somme 1916, 1918, Arras 1917, 1918 Valenciennes. Palestine 1918, Baghdad. during World War One

  •  1939 - 1945  St Valery-enCaux, Caen, Rhineland, El Alamein Akarit, Sicily 1943, Anzio Madagascar, Imphal Burma 1942, 1944.

Also shown on the Colours is an Elephant inscribed Assaye.

VICTORIA CROSS AWARDS.

18 members of the Regiment have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

9 during the Indian Mutiny, 1 during the Second Afghan War,  1 in the Ashanti campaign,  and 7 during World war One.

Original magazine photo page published 1895 - 1902.  Price ?25.   Or reproduction of photograph ready mounted. Price ?25. Click here to order.  ORDER CODE 1V93

A Camp Guard of the Seaforth Highlanders at the New Forest Manoeuvres. (1895)

This little group of Highlanders shows some of the men on camp guard duty during the New Forest Manoeuvres of August 1895 when one day this photograph was taken.  These soldiers belong to the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders attached to the Aldershot command, as a part of which force they took part in the manoeuvres.  We have few, if any, better fighting men than the "Seaforths", as the soldiers of both battalions have over and over again shown themselves in times past.  They are quite ready to prove their manhood again on any other enemies of our country who may appear.

The Captain of the Highland Mounted Infantry Company. (1896)

Captain George Russell Tod, of the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, is the officer in command of the Highland Company of Mounted Infantry sent out to the Cape.  He is a Captain of seven years' standing in his regiment, which he first joined in 1880.  Captain Tod has seen war service in Egypt, and as a subaltern took part in the battle of Tel-el-Kebir.  He is an expert in Mounted Infantry work, and the Highland Company under his leadership may be trusted to render a good account of itself wherever it may be called into action.  Our photograph represents Captain Tod in the uniform of an Officer of Mounted Infantry on the Home Establishment.

Seaforth Highlanders          

 The Seaforth Highlanders-Regimental District No.72-consists of the 72nd and 78th Foot.  The former date from 1778, when they were raised by the then lord Seaforth in recognition of the graceful act of the Government in restoring to him the forfeited title of his ancestors.  By a somewhat strange coincidence the first number borne by the Regiment was that of their present 2nd battalion, 78.  The first years of the regiment were somewhat tempestuous; the relations between England and the Scottish Highlanders were still somewhat strained, and each side was only too eager to allege bad faith on the part of the other.  From this feeling originated the affair of ?the wild Macraes,? a sept or small clan who had enlisted under Lord Seaforth.  They refused to embark for Foreign Service, and with colours flying and pipes playing betook themselves to Arthur?s Seat, where they continued for some days in a state of ingressive mutiny.  But this was got over by a little tact, and before long the brave Highlanders marched back to their regiment with their colonel and other officers at their head.  They then set sail for India, but on the voyage out lost their Colonel-Seaforth-from illness, an occurrence that exercised a most depressing and fatal effect on his men, many of whom sickened and died.  On arriving in India they joined Stuart?s force and marched against Cuddalore, and at that place, as at Palghantchery, Savendroog and Outra Durgum, proved how valuable an acquisition the Seaforth Highlanders were to the British Army.  Palghantchery and Outra Durgum may indeed be said to have owed their capture chiefly to the ?heroic ardour? of the 72nd.  At Seringapatam they were in the third column, to which was entrusted the storming of the Pagoda hill, under Colonel Maxwell, and not a little of the credit of the day is due to the dashing manner in which he carried out his plan.  They also served at Ponicherry, and in Ceylon; after which, in 1798, they returned home. In 1805 they embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, and at the Blaw Berg in the following year suffered somewhat severely, the list of casualties including Colonels Grant and Campbell of the regiment, while Lieutenant M?Arthur and thirty men distinguished themselves by engaging and repulsing a very superior force of Dutch.  Three years later, in accordance with a ?fad? of the government, the Seaforth Highlanders discontinued the wearing of the Highland costume, which, however, they have subsequently re-adopted.  After this, for again we must pass over much, the 72nd were employed in the Mauritius and in India, about the time of Waterloo being employed in South Africa.  During their sojourn here a somewhat characteristics incident occurred with the Boers.  The latter appealed to the British for aid against the Kaffirs who were making raids upon their homesteads, and accordingly Captain Gethin of the regiment with some men went to the scene of a recent disturbance.  Here a body of Kaffirs in ambush and cut to pieces surrounded them, Captain Gethin himself receiving no fewer that thirty-two wounds.  It will surprise no one who has studied the history of the Boers to learn that the people whom Gethin came to help looked placidly on while he and his gallant men of the 72nd were being butchered.  The regiment returned home in 1821, and two years after received the title of the ?Duke of Albany?s Highlanders,? after the then Commander-in-Chief, his Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albany, at the same time receiving the Highland costume, only with trews instead of kilt.  Their next service was again at the Cape of Good Hope and during the operations against Macumo, the hostile Kaffir chief they greatly distinguished themselves.  After another interval of rest the Duke of Albany?s Highlanders were dispatched to the Crimea, where they arrived in May 1855, and from that date to the close of the war served in all the duties, which our troops were called upon to perform.  After the Crimea followed with deadly haste the Mutiny, where the 72nd earned lasting praise.  Their chief exploits were while serving with Sir Hugh Rose?s force in Central India, and at Kotah the fortune of war decreed that their chef opponents should be the revolted 72nd na?e regiment, whose uniform in some degree resembled that of the Duke of Albany?s.  The storming party was to abide the blowing up of the great gate, and owing to the unexpected delay in doing this found them exposed for some time to the fierce ire of the enemy.  But when the explosion was heard, and the pipes struck up their martial tune, it required but a very few minutes to capture the town, thanks to the impetuous ardour of the 72nd and their comrades, who with a ringing shout-?Scotland for ever!? literally drove all before them.  Throughout the struggles in Baroda the 72nd, who were subsequently with the Rajpootana Field Force, fought well and successfully, well meriting the unstinted meed awarded to them.  The next important campaign in which the 72nd were engaged was in the Afghanistan in 1878.  Here they were brigaded under General Roberts, and rendered most signal service at the storming of the Peiwar Kotal.  Here the 72nd and the ?brave little Ghoorkas? fairly divided the honours of the day between them, though Lieutenant Munro and several rank and files were in the list of casualties.  During the march through the Sappri defile Sergeant Green gained his commission from the gallant defence he made of Captain Goad, and it it is recorded by a Scotch writer that ?a sick Highlander (of the 72nd), who was being carried in a dhooley, fired all his ammunition, sixty-two rounds, at the enemy, and as he was a good marksman, he never fired without getting a fair shot.?

           The following year they were still more actively employed, and round and about Cabul, under Roberts, came in for much more fierce fighting, from which they gained a full sheaf of honours.  Sergeant MacDonald, Cox, and M?Ilvean distinguished themselves at the assault of the Takt-I-Shah; Lieutenant Ferguson was twice wounded; Sergeant Jule (who was killed the next day) was the first man to gain the ridge, capturing at the same time two standards.  Corporal Sellars, the first man to gain the top of the Asmai heights, gained a Victoria Cross; before that day?s sun had set Captain Spens and Lieutenant Gainsford of the regiment had fallen fighting like heroes to the last; Lieutenant Egerton was badly wounded, and several rank and file put hors de combat.  The regiment fought well in the attack on Sherpur, and in Robert?s famous march to Candahar were brigaded with the Gordon highlanders and 60th Rifles.  In the attack on Candahar Sir Frederick reported that ?the 72nd and the 2nd Sikhs had the chief share of the fighting;? of the second brigade Colonel Brownlow, Captain Frowe and Sergeant Cameron were among the killed; Captain Stewart Murray and Lieutenant Munroe were badly wounded.  In 1881 the regiment resumed the kilt, adopting the Mackenzie tartan, and were engaged in the Egyptian war of the following year, when they served with Macpherson?s Indian Contingent; under Colonel Stockwell they brilliantly inaugurated their campaign by the capture of Chalouffe.  At Tel-el-Kebir they were leading on the extreme left, ?advancing steadily and in silence until an advanced battery of the enemy was reached, when it was gallantly stormed by the Highlaners? (Sir G. Wolseley?s Dispatch), and after this they pursued the flying enemy and occupied the important town of Zagazig.  Their losses were very slight, two men killed and three wounded, owing ?to the excellent arrangements made by General Macpherson,? and to the fact that the earlier attacks had so shaken the enemy that they could not withstand ?the impetuous onslaught of the Seaforth Highlanders.?

           The 2nd battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, consisting of the 78th regiment, the Ross-shire Buffs, also owes its existence to the loyal family of Seaforth, being raised in 1793 by the then head of the clan.  Their first service was under the Earl of Chatham in the disastrous Walcheren Expedition, after which they took part in the campaign in Holland under the Duke of York.  The value of the service rendered by the Highlanders during the terrible retreat to Bremen has been before mentioned; at Gildermalsen, however, the 78th ran a somewhat serious risk.  ?A regiment of the enemy?s hussars, dressed in a uniform similar to that worn by the Emigirant regiment of the Duke de Choiseul in our service, pushed on, treacherously shouting ?Choiseul!? and got close to the 78th Highlanders undiscovered.?  They were however repulsed by some scathing volleys from the Black Watch.  The 78th reserved for a time at Cape of Good hope, and in 1797 were ordered to India, where they gained the first of their many distinctions.  Under Wellesley they assisted in the capture of the strong town of Ahmednughur, and under the immediate command of the same great leader fought with splendid courage at Assaye; they were on the left of the first line, and at the close of the day were led forward by Wellesley in person to clear out the village, which they did at the point of the bayonet after some desperate fighting.  They fought at Argaum, and in 1811 were with the forces under Sir Samuel Achmuty in the operations in Java.  On returning home they experienced the misfortune which our troops seem so often to have suffered namely, that of being shipwrecked; the reports at the time speak in the most energetic terms of the courage and endurance displayed by the 78th, of whom, fortunately, not a man was lost.  But the regiment had been reaping its harvest of honour in the West as well as in the East.  Under Stuart they had been serving in Sicily, and are amongst the regiments whose colours bear the name ?Maida.?  The record of the regiment narrates that the aspect of the regiment caused the general some apprehension; they looked so very young; quite six hundred of their number were under twenty-one.  But there was nought of weakness or youthful instability in that splendid charge they made, led by their gallant Colonel, Patrick Macleod.  Opposed to them was the French 42nd regiment of Grenadiers, led by a brave and skilful commander.  But commander and troops alike were hurled back by the 78th.  The retreat became a headlong flight, and so far did the Highlanders with fierce slaughter pursue the flying foe that an aide-de-camp was sent to bid them halt.  ?At the moment the order was delivered to Macleod he was incapable of speech, and was stooping from his horse on the shoulder of a sergeant of his regiment; a rifle ball had passed through his breast within an inch of the heart, inflicting a painful and perilous wound;? yet he never quitted his saddle or the field, but remained at the head of his Ross-shire Buffs during the remainder of the battle and the long pursuit that followed it.  Again and again they charged during that day, and no regiment more nobly acquitted itself.  In 1807 they fought in Egypt and gained undying fame at the disastrous conflict at El Hamet.  Colonel Macleod with one company of the regiment and some of the 35th were surrounded and assailed by an overwhelming force.  The colonel was killed; ?there also fell Lieutenant Macrae with six more of his name; Sergeant John Macrae slew seven assailants with his claymore before his head was cloven from behind.  Of Macleod?s detachment, consisting of two hundred and seventy-five, all were killed to thirty, of whom fifteen only were unwounded.?  Strangely enough two of the prisoners of the 78th rose to high eminence in the land of their capacity.  Ibrahim Aga, the famed governor of Medina and one of the Sultan?s most able generals, was Private Thomas Keith on that dreadful day when his officers and comrades fell around him in El Hamet; Osman, ?the learned leech? of Alexandria, who acquired a large practice and a larger fortune, was a drummer boy in the 78th, whose medical training had been limited to assisting the regimental surgeon to tie bandages and mix medicines.

           The Ross-shire Buffs have ?Persia? and ?Khoosh-ab? on their colours, words which recall their conduct in a campaign in which they earned a very high encomium from Sir Henry Havelock: they ?behaved remarkably well at the battle of Koosh-ab, and during the Naval action on the Euphrates and the landing, their steadiness, zeal, and activity were conspicuous.  They never seemed to complain of anything, but that they had no further chance of meeting the enemy.  I am convinced that the regiment would be second to none in the service if their military qualities were drawn forth; they are proud of their colours, their tartan, and their former high achievements.?  On the night preceding the battle of Khoosh-ab, the enemy attempted a surprise on our forces, but thanks to steadiness and discipline, the only result was to somewhat lessen the number of the morrow?s assailants.  During this midnight attack the 78th were exposed to a somewhat bewildering ruse on the part of the Persians, one of whose buglers had learned the ?calls? in our service, and repeatedly sounded ?cease firing? close to the Ross-shires-fortunately, however, he entirely failed to mislead them.  When the mutiny broke out ?the high military qualities? of the regiment were called forth with a vengeance, and the result proved how admirably General Havelock had gauged the calibre of the corps.  We shall not attempt to follow seriatim the services the 78th rendered throughout the Mutiny; these services are matter of history, and will be recalled whenever the Indian Mutiny is mentioned.  They were with Havelcok in his march to relieve Cawnpore and Lucknow; marching in eight days a hundred and twenty-six miles, fighting four battles, and capturing a score of guns.  As is sadly well known the force arrived too late at Cawnpore, despite their heroic efforts and splendid victories, and the terrible sight that met their eyes- mangled bodies, torn clothing, children?s little frocks and toys, tresses of long hair torn out by the roots, all be dabbled with blood-lives yet, an awful memory.  Not many years before, a poet had put into the lips of a singer of old Rome the String couplet which spoke of      

?The inexpiable wrong, the unutterable shame

That turns the coward?s heart to steel, the sluggard?s blood to flame?

           There were neither cowards nor sluggards in this band of heroes, and men told at the time how the Ross-shire Buffs, finding amongst the blood-boltered debris a tress of black hair torn from the head of one of poor, murdered General Wheeler?s daughters, divided it amongst their number, each vowing, like the knight of Snowdon, to stain it deep in rebel blood.  Splendidly did they fight at the Alumbagh, when, at last, Lucknow was taken.  A countryman, each having for its hero a piper of the 78th, records two incidents.  In one case the piper was wounded and a couple of his comrades were carrying him off, when they saw, to their dismay, a rebel trooper approaching with drawn sword.  The position was critical, but the piper was equal to the occasion; ?going through the ordinary manoeuvres of loading a gun he lifted the longest shank of his pipes to is shoulder and pointed it at the Sepoy?s head.?  As a result the latter ?turned tail and ran off.?  On another occasion-the capture of Lucknow- a piper found himself alone, lost in the tortuous streets, with gun discharged and bayonet unfixed.  ?To him enter,? round a sudden corner, one of the rebel cavalry, who forth with made at him.  Whatever views may be with held of the relative merits of sword and bayonet, there can be but opinion as to the superiority of the former when the latter is not fixed.  The days of the brave 78th mad seemed numbered.  ?Suddenly,? he wrote, ?a bright idea struck me; all at once I seized my pipe, put it in my mouth, and gave forth a shrill note which so startled the fellow that he bolted like a shot, evidently imagining it was some infernal machine; so my pipe saved my life.? The 78th gained to many of those crosses inscribed ?For Valour? for us to be able to do more than quote some of the circumstances.  Private James Hollowell, 78th Highlanders, received the Victoria Cross for conduct officially described as follows: - ?A party on the 26th September, 1857, was shut up and besieged in a house in the city of Lucknow by the rebel Sepoys.  Private James Hollowell, one of the party, behaved throughput the day in the most admirable manner; he directed, encouraged, and led the others, exposing himself fearlessly, and by his talent in persuading and cheering, prevailed on nine desperate men to take a successful defence in a burning house, with the enemy firing through the windows.? ?Assistant surgeon Valentine Munbee M?Master, 78th Highlanders, was recommended for the Victoria Cross for the intrepidity with which he exposed himself to the fire of the enemy in bringing in and attending to the wounded on the 25th September, at Lucknow.  He had served in the Persian War and in all Havelock?s operations for the succour of the Residency.  After arriving at the latter place he accompanied many sorties and was wounded.  He was with out ram?s force at the Alumbagh, and took part in the Rohileund campaign.? 

           ?Surgeon Joseph Jee was selected by his brother officers for the Victoria Cross.  On September 25th, 1857, the 78th Highlanders had been left behind to protect the passage of the Char Bagh Bridge.  The enemy. Seeing their isolated position, gathered round them from every quarter, occupying all the neighbouring buildings.  From the tops of these came a perfect hail of musket bullets, while two heavy guns were enfilading the regiment with deadly accuracy.  Ordered not to move until every bullock had crossed the bridge, the regiment for a long time remained halted.  At length, becoming desperate, they charged the guns, dashing up the street with a loud cheer, led by their Adjutant, whose horse had been shot under him.  A volley received them, and men dropped in numbers; but the survivors preserved, reached the guns, and after a short, sharp struggle captured them.  Dr. Jee contrived, by great personal exertions, in getting the wounded that had been hit in the charge carried off on the backs of their comrades, till he had succeeded in collecting the dhooly-bearers who had fled.  He is said to have exposed himself in the most devoted manner.  Later on, while trying to reach the Residency with the wounded under his charge, he was obliged to throw himself into the Moti Mehal, where he remained besieged the whole of the following night and morning.?  The official account says that he repeatedly exposed himself to a heavy fire ?in proceeding to dress the wounded men who fell while serving a 24-pounder in a most exposed situation.  He eventually succeeded in taking many of the wounded, through a cross fire of ordnance and musketry, safely into the Residency, by the River Bank, although repeatedly warned not to make the perilous attempt.? The gallant adjutant who led the 78th Highlanders in the brilliant charge above mentioned was Lieutenant Herbert Taylor Macpherson, afterwards the Sir Herbert Macpherson who commanded the Indian contingent in the Egyptian War, and is now a C.B. After Lucknow the 78th joined Rochilcund Field Force, where they, needless to say, did yeoman?s service.  The following years were passed in Gibraltar, Canada, and Ireland; after this they served under general Phayre in Afghanistan, but were not actively engaged.  No important operations coming within the scope of this sketch have since that date fallen to the lot of the gallant Ross-shire Buffs.  Extracted from 'Her Majesty?s Army '  

JOSEPH JEE  (Surgeon, afterwards Inspector-General, C.B.)  78th Regiment (Ross-shire Buffs; 2nd Seaforth Highlanders)            On September 25th 1857, when Havelock?s relieving column was forcing its way into Lucknow, Surgeon Jee displayed the greatest courage and devotion to the wounded that had fallen during the charge of the 78th Highlanders at the Char Bagh Bridge.  He succeeded in getting them to some cots and by this means, as well as on the backs of his men; he was able to have them conveyed in the direction of the Residency until the dhoolie-bearers who had fled were collected and persuaded to carry out their duties.  Later in the day, while still occupied in directing the conveyance of the wounded, he and his party were besieged in the Mote-Mehal by an overwhelming number of the enemy.  Here he remained during the whole night and following morning, exposing himself freely to the hail of bullets while proceeding to tend the wounded who had fallen while serving a 24-pounder gun, in a most open position, and, by his endeavours and intrepid conduct, was enabled to get many of them safely into the Residency by way of the river bank through a heavy cross fire ordnance, although he had been repeatedly warned not to attempt the perilous task. Surgeon-General Jee was the son of Christopher Preston Jee, of Atherstone, Warwickshire, and joined the 1st Dragoons as Assistant-Surgeon in 1842, becoming Surgeon 1854.  Served through Persian War 1857-8, including battle of Koosh-ab and bombardment of Mohammera; Indian Mutiny under Havelock in first relief of Lucknow Residency, and its subsequent defence, also taking part in the operations in Rohilkund 1858, and capture of Bareilly.  After many years of retirement died at Queeniborough Hall, Leicestershire March 17th 1899.

VALENTINE MUNBEE McMASTER  (Assistant-Surgeon)  78th Regiment (The Ross-shire Buffs; 2nd Seaforth Highlanders)

HENRY WARD  (Private)  78th Regiment (Ross-shire Buffs; 2nd Seaforth Highlanders)          On the night of September 25th 1857, during the advance of Outram?s relieving force into Lucknow, Captain Havelock (afterwards Lieut. ?General Sir H. M. Havelock-Allan, V.C.) was severely wounded.  He was placed in a hoolie and Private Ward remained by him all through the night, guarding it.  The next morning Private Thomas Pilkington was wounded and took refuge in the same dhoolie.  Ward escorted both men through a terrific fire of ordnance and musketry, keeping the bearers to their work by his exertions, bravery, and splendid example, finally succeeding in having both safely conveyed to the Baillie Guard.

JAMES HOLLOWELL  (Private)  78th Regiment (The Ross-shire Buffs; 2nd Seaforth Highlanders)          On September 26th 1857, nine men were shut in and besieged in a house in Lucknow by the Sepoys during the advance of Outram and Havelock to the relief of the Residency.  James Hollowell, one of the party, displayed conspicuous courage, exposing himself most bravely, and by his fine example prevailed on the men with him to keep up a splendid defence, in the face of terrible odds and fearful circumstances.  The Sepoys set fire to the house, and crept near enough to shoot through four of the windows, but the little defending party held out until ultimately rescued.

ANDREW CATHCART BOGLE  (Lieutenant, afterwards Major)  78th Ross-shire Buffs-2nd Seaforth Highlanders   He and his handful of men, exposed to a most harassing fire, attacked a loophole house strongly held by Sepoys.  This they succeeded in capturing, clearing it of the enemy.  During the attack he was terribly wounded.  After twenty-five years retirement, Major Bogle died in December 1890.  He entered the 78th Highlanders as Ensign on December 28th 1849, and took part in the Persian War, 1856; was promoted Captain in the 10th Foot on august 31st 1858.

JOSEPH P. H. CROWE  (Lieutenant, afterwards Lieut. ?Colonel 10th Foot)  78th The Ross-shire Buffs (2nd Seaforth Highlanders)            The 78th were hotly engaged at Busherut Gunge on August 12th 1857.  Here a redoubt was strongly held by the enemy from which they were firing heavily on our men.  Preparations were made to carry the place by storm, there being no guns at hand, darkness setting in, and men falling fast.  While marksmen played on the place to keep down the fire, the gallant Highlanders dashed forward, each man trying to be ?first in.?  Lieutenant Crowe, who outstripped all the others, won the race and, being followed by his men, in a few minutes the place was captured and the enemy scattered. Colonel Crowe, after being some years in command of a battalion of the Lincoln Regiment, died in February 1876.

STEWART McPHERSON  (Colour-Sergeant)  78th Regiment (The Ross-shire Buffs; 2nd Seaforth Highlanders)             On September 26th 1857, at the relief of the Lucknow Residency, one of out men was lying badly wounded, in a most exposed situation, under a very heavy fire.  McPherson rushed out and, with great coolness, under a storm of bullets, lifted him up and carried him into safety.  He was also distinguished in many other occasions by his daring, and gallantry in action.  

AYLMER SPICER CAMERON  (Lieutenant, Now Colonel, C.B.)  72nd Regiment (1st Seaforth Highlanders)             In March 1858, the 72nd were marching and fighting day and night in the jungle between Neemuch and Gwalior.  On the 30th an armed band, which was strongly posted in a loop holed building in Kotah, was attacked.  Lieutenant Cameron headed a small party of his regiment and stormed the place, killing, single-handed, three of the defenders.  He was severely tulwar (native sword) cut.  Colonel Cameron, born August 12th 1833, son of Lieut. ?Colonel W.G. Cameron, of the Grenadier Guards, served also in the Crimean War.  Was A.A.G. 1877-81; commanded the King?s Own Borderers 1881-3; chief of Intelligence Branch 1883-5; and from 1886 to 1888 was Commandant of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.  

GEORGE SELLAR  (Lance corporal, afterwards Sergeant)  72nd (Seaforth) Highlanders             On December 14th 1879, during the attack on the Asmai Heights, round Cabul, Lance Corporal Sellar, in a most gallant manner, led the attack and under a very severe fire, dashed up the slope in front of his party, and engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand combat with an Afghan who sprang out to meet him.  He was severely wounded.

Colonel R H Murray, Major J A Campbell and Lieutenant C J Ramsden

Officers and Non-commissioned Officers, 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders


Scots Regiments of the British Army by Richard Simkin.


Scots Regiments of the British Army by Richard Simkin.

Seaforth Highlanders, Royal Scots, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, Cameronians, Black Watch, Highland Light Infantry, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Scots Guards, Gordon Highlanders, Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
Item Code : DHM0105Scots Regiments of the British Army by Richard Simkin. - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Open edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 23 inches x 10 inches (58cm x 25cm)noneHalf
Price!
Now : £22.00

Quantity:
SAVE MONEY WITH OUR DISCOUNT PRINT PACKS!

Buy With :
Irish Regiments in the British Army by Richard Simkin.
for £46 -
Save £42


Deputy Inspector General Joseph Jee VC by Hussaly.


Deputy Inspector General Joseph Jee VC by Hussaly.

Winning his VC at the Relief of Lucknow, for attending the wounded of the 78th Highlanders and getting them to safety, 25th September 1857.


More Text...
Item Code : VAR0483Deputy Inspector General Joseph Jee VC by Hussaly. - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Open edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm)none£6 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £10.00

Quantity:


Seaforth Highlanders by Richard Simkin


Seaforth Highlanders by Richard Simkin



More Text...
Item Code : UN0246Seaforth Highlanders by Richard Simkin - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Open edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 9 inches x 12 inches (23cm x 31cm)none£6 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £10.00

Quantity:
ANTIQUE
CHROMOLITHOGRAPH
Original chromolithograph.
Full Item Details
Image size 10 inches x 13 inches. none£140.00

Quantity:


Assistant Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC by Hussaly.


Assistant Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC by Hussaly.

Winning his VC during the relief of Lucknow, while serving with the 78th Highlanders, for exposing himself to enemy fire while bringing in and attending the wounded.


More Text...
Item Code : VAR0480Assistant Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC by Hussaly. - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Open edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm)none£6 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £10.00

Quantity:


Seaforth Highlanders Officer Review Order 1914 by Haswell Miller


Seaforth Highlanders Officer Review Order 1914 by Haswell Miller



More Text...
Item Code : UN0093Seaforth Highlanders Officer Review Order 1914 by Haswell Miller - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Open edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 8 inches x 12 inches (20cm x 31cm) Few copies available.noneAdd any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£24.00

Quantity:
PRINTOpen edition reprint.
Full Item Details
Image size 9 inches x 13 inches (23cm x 33cm)noneAdd any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£24.00

Quantity:


History of the Fourth Battalion The Seaforth Highlanders y Lieut-Colonel M M Haldane.


History of the Fourth Battalion The Seaforth Highlanders y Lieut-Colonel M M Haldane.

A great deal of care has gone into the production of this fine battalion history which has some unusual features - the number of colour plates depicting battlefield scenes, the drawings at the head of each chapter, and the system whereby events between successive chapters are described in a brief synopsis, thus preserving continuity in the narrative. There are two short sections on the second and third line battalions, neither of which went on active service. There is a list of Honours and Awards, grouped under the year in which they were awarded and in order of the date of the London Gazette notifying them, and these awards included a posthumous VC - to Sgt J.Meikle for gallantry in July 1918. From time to time casualty figures are given in the narrative and there is a plate showing 273 officers and 3783 other ranks served overseas with the battalion of whom 60 officers and 1110 other ranks died. This table also summarises the Honours awarded. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders were in th.........


More Text...
Item Code : NMP6996History of the Fourth Battalion The Seaforth Highlanders y Lieut-Colonel M M Haldane. - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
BOOK Illustrated paperback.
Full Item Details
372 pages. none£25.50

Quantity:


Seaforth Highlanders by Harry Payne.


Seaforth Highlanders by Harry Payne.



More Text...
Item Code : UN0037Seaforth Highlanders by Harry Payne. - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINTOpen edition print.
Full Item Details
Image size 7 inches x 12 inches (18cm x 31cm)none£6 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £10.00

Quantity:


The 72nd Seaforth Highlanders by Frank Feller (P)


The 72nd Seaforth Highlanders by Frank Feller (P)



More Text...
Item Code : UN0481The 72nd Seaforth Highlanders by Frank Feller (P) - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
ANTIQUE
CHROMOLITHOGRAPH
Original chromolithograph published 1880.
Full Item Details
Image size 9 inches x 6 inches (23cm x 15cm)none£70.00

Quantity:


Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Join us on Facebook!

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: Email Us

Follow us on Twitter!

Return to Home Page