Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders | |
---|---|
Active | 1793 - 1961 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Army |
Type | Line Infantry |
Part of | Highland Brigade |
Garrison/HQ | Cameron Barracks, Inverness |
Motto(s) | Pro rege et patria (For King and country) |
March | Quick: The Cameron Highlanders |
Commanders | |
Colonel-in-Chief | HRH The Duke of Edinburgh |
Insignia | |
Tartan | Cameron of Erracht |
- For other units with the same regimental number, see 79th Regiment of Foot
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was a regiment of the British Army. The regiment was raised from among the members of the Clan Cameron in 1793 by Sir Allan Cameron of Erracht (1753-1828) as the 79th Highlanders in 1793 on the Irish establishment, it became part of the British Army in 1804. During the American Civil War, the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders were named in honor of the British military unit. The regiment was given the title "Queen's Own" by Queen Victoria in 1873, and was amalgamated with the Seaforth Highlanders in 1961 to form the Queen's Own Highlanders. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was the only infantry regiment, after the 1881 Childers Reforms, not to gain a 2nd Battalion by amalgamating with another regiment. Instead, a 2nd Battalion was raised in 1897. Major-General Douglas Wimberley, a successful divisional general in World War II joined the 1st Battalion in 1915, served with the 2nd Battalion in Ireland and in 1938 took command of the 1st Battalion. He served as the last honorary Colonel of the regiment before it was amalgamated with the Seaforth Highlanders in 1961 to form the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons).