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THE SCOTTISH REGIMENTS

THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS (75TH, 92ND)

Raised by the 4th Duke of Gordon in 1794, The Gordon Highlanders, numbered the 100th, traditionally recruited from the North East of Scotland. The raising of the Regiment was famously assisted by the Duchess Jean who is said to have offered a kiss to prospective recruits with a guinea between her lips.

In 1798 the Gordons were numbered the 92nd. The Sphinx emblem was awarded for services against the French armies in Egypt in 1801 and the Tiger emblem in 1807 in recognition of the 75th's service in India. Further honours were earned in the Peninsular War and in 1815, the 92nd fought at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, taking part in the famous 'Scotland for Ever' charge with the Scots Greys.

Service further afield then brought honours in India and Afghanistan and, following amalgamation with the 75th in 1881, the Gordons earned further fame for their victory at the Dargai Heights , where two of the Regiment's 19 Victoria Crosses were won' later six VC's were won during the Boer War.

In the twentieth century, Gordon battalions have fought with distinction and great sacrifice through the two World Wars and have since been involved in operations throughout the world in Malaya, Cyprus, Borneo and Northern Ireland and service in Germany, Singapore and Berlin.

Under the 1980s programme of Defence cuts, The Gordon Highlanders were amalgamated on 17 September 1994 with the Queen's Own Highlanders to form The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons).

Museum: St Luke's, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen (Web site)