History of the Black Watch Regiment Multiple Choice Quiz | History

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Black Watch Regiment raised following the First Jacobite Rebellion. In what year did this happen?

Answer: 1715

The Black Watch was raised in an unique way. In the wake of the 1715 Jacobite rebellion companies of trustworthy Highlanders were raised from loyal clans, Campbells, Grants, Frasers and the Munros.

They were stationed in small detachments or companies and distributed across the Highlands to stop fighting between clans, deter raiding and assist enforcing the laws against the carrying of weapons.

2. Why was the Black Watch so called?

Answer: Their unpopular nature and their dark green tartan

The original uniform was a twelve yard long plaid of the dark tartan which is now so well known as The Black Watch tartan. This was fastened around the body with a leather belt. The jacket and waistcoat were scarlet with buff facings and white lace and a blue bonnet was worn. The men were armed with a musket and bayonet, a broadsword and generally also a pistol and dirk (long dagger).

The title "The Black Watch" was derived from the dark colour of the tartan and the original role of the Regiment to "watch" the Highlands . The name has remained and is now incorporated in the official name of the Regiment.

3. In 1739, the King George II was so impressed with the Black Watch that he authorised the addition of four additional companies to make it a line Regiment. The helped finally defeat the Jacobite Rebellion in what was the last battle to take place on British soil in 1746. What was the name of this battle?

Answer: Cullodon

Cullodon is widely recognised as the last battle to take place on British soil.

The Battle of Bosworth Field was in 1485 and ended the War of the Roses.
The Battle of Naseby was a decisive battle that took place during the British Civil War in 1645. The Battle of Preston took place in 1715 as rebel victory during the Jacobite rebellion of the same year.

4. In 1749, the Black Watch Regiment was given a numerical ranking. What was this ranking?

Answer: 42nd Regiment

The full title given to the regiment was the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot - the The Black Watch.

5. The Black Watch established a reputation as a fighting formation and took part both the French and Indian Wars in North America. In 1776 they were involved in one of the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War and defeated George Washington in what battle?

Answer: Long Island

This was one of the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War, otherwise known as the Battle of Brooklyn. A British victory, it gave the British control of New York.

Ticonderoga was a small confrontation during the Indian Wars in 1759.
Quebec was a pivotal battle against the French during the Seven Years War in 1759.
Fort William-Henry was a French Victory against the British in 1757.

6. In 1795, the Black Watch adopted what on their Tam o'Shanter Bonnets?

Answer: The Red Hackle

The origin of the wearing of the Red Hackle is uncertain. There is evidence that it was worn by the 42nd Regiment in North America in the 1770s, however a 19th century tradition ascribes the award of the Red Hackle to an action at the battle of Geldermalsen in 1795 when the 11th Light Dragoons retreated, leaving two field guns for the French. The Black Watch promptly mounted an attack and recovered the guns.

All of the other answers are made up!

7. The Black Watch continued to gain many battle honours through the French Wars including fighting in actions in Egypt and the Peninsular Wars in Spain. The Regiment was mentioned in dispatches for its role in a significant action during the battle of Waterloo. Where did this action take place?

Answer: Quatre Bras

Quatre Bras was an engagement on 16 June 1815 and was a preliminary battle prior to the decisive Battle of Waterloo that occurred two days later. It was widely seen as a tactical French victory as it stopped the British Army from assisting the Prussian Army at Ligny, where it was defeated by the French on the same day.

Hougoumont and Belle Alliance were engagements fought at the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th June, but this didn't involve the Black Watch.

8. The Regiment continued to gain battle honours and saw action during the Crimea War (1854-56), the Indian Mutiny (1857-59), the Egyptian Campaign (1882) and what other war?

Answer: Second Boer War (1899-1902)

The Black Watch were involved the Battle of Magersfontein in December 1899 which was trying to relieve the British at Kimberley.

9. During World War I, the regiment raised how many battalions for service in France and Flanders, Palestine and Mesopotamia?

Answer: 25

By the time of the Armistice in November 1918 over 8,000 members of the regiment had lost their lives.

10. Following actions on the Western Front, what nickname did the Germans give the Black Watch Regiment?

Answer: Ladies from Hell

They were given the nickname "Die Damen aus der H�lle" by German troops, allegedly on account of their kilts and fighting qualities.

The Kiddies is a nickname given to the Scots Guards.
The Blues is a nickname of the Royal Horse Guards.
The Dandies was a nickname given to the Grenadier Guards.

Source: Author JJMcGiver

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

History of the Black Watch Regiment Quiz

This is intended to be a history of the Famous Black Watch Regiment from its original inception to the end of World War I (1715-1918).

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>