The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada
 
 2067 Bleury Street
 Montreal, Quebec
 Canada H3A 2K2

T: (514) 496-1686

F: (514) 496-2758

E: info@blackwatchcanada.com

MAIN NUMBER
(514) 496-1686

ADJUTANT
224

PIPE BAND
240

CADETS
237

RECRUITING
229
recruiting@blackwatchcanada.com

RED HACKLE CLUB
238

OFFICERS' MESS
233

WO & SGT'S MESS
234

NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
No one provokes me with impunity

FOURTH

RHC

About the Black Watch

For those who are not familiar with The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada this page will serve as a general reference about its particulars. Here you will find a short history, our coordinates, and our Battle Honours.

Story of the Red Hackle - Click HERE

While the American Civil War and the creation of a large American Federal Army were creating a necessity of establishing a united Canada, Canadian citizens were demanding the creation of local militia units to guarantee the fundamental rights of British North America. Montrealers were no exception, and early in 1862 the 5th Battalion Royal Light Infantry, the forbear of The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, came into existence. From the beginning in 1862, Canada's senior Highland Regiment, has been privileged to serve Canada in its obligations not only to the Empire and Commonwealth, but also to international organizations such as NATO and the United Nations.

The Black Watch of Canada's birth and growth is thus analogous to that of the Parent Regiment, which was formed in 1739 to guarantee peace in the highlands of Scotland and eventually to fight for Monarch and Country in conflicts throughout the world. It is therefore not surprising that both Regiments share a common heritage and spirit and a distinctive highland dress. The tartan of the Black Watch and the Royal Stewart tartan of its pipers, are known the world over as hallmarks of outstanding service in peace and war.

Although members of the Regiment served side by side with the Black Watch of Scotland in the Boer War, the formal alliance between Regiments did not occur until 1905. The great battles of World War I and World War II served to strengthen the alliance, and constant liaison and exchanges of officers and other ranks are fitting expressions of our wish to maintain this valuable affiliation.

During World War I, 11,954 officers and enlisted men fought in the three battalions of the Canadian Regiment, winning twenty-six battle honours. Of those who served, 2,163 were killed, 6,014 were wounded and 821 were decorated. Six of the decorated members were awarded the Victoria Cross.

During World War II, the Canadian Regiment joined with battalions of the Black Watch from all parts of the Commonwealth in the struggle to defeat the Axis Powers. The Regiment first saw action at Dieppe, where it's "C" Company and Mortar Platoon were an essential element of the raid. Landing in Normandy shortly after D-Day, the Black Watch participated in some thirty battle actions throughout France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Members of the Regiment won 211 honours and awards for the campaign.

Canada's Armed Forces were completely reorganized at the end of World War II. When NATO was formed for Western Europe and the Korean War, the forces were expanded, resulting in the creation of three additional infantry regiments in the regular force. The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada was one of these regiments, with two regular battalions. From 1953-1970, these battalions saw service in Korea, in Germany with the NATO forces, and regular tours of duty with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

With the advent of Integration and Unification and the eventual reduction of Canada's Armed Forces, the regular battalions of the Black Watch, along with the battalions of two other regiments, were reduced to nil strength and removed from the Order of Battle. This took effect in June 1970.

The designation "3rd Battalion" has now been removed from the Militia Unit and The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada has reverted to its traditional role as being a Militia Regiment in Canada's Armed Forces. In August 1992, the Regiment was granted the Freedom of the City of Montreal. The towns of Ormstown and Huntingdon, Quebec granted the Regiment the Freedom of their cities in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

And in the fall of 1999, the City of Verdun, Quebec, bestowed the Freedom of the City upon the Regiment. Verdun has provided many Black Watch soldiers from the First War onwards. Picture on right.

Today the Black Watch is a modern infantry battalion providing trained soldiers to augment regular force units and to aid civil authorities in times of crises. Currently, the Regiment has soldiers involved in peacekeeping activities in the former Yugoslavia. To fufill these tasks, the soldiers undergo extensive infantry and more specialized training.

COLONEL-IN-CHIEF
HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER

The Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. In 1987 Her Majesty marked 50 years as Colonel-in-Chief. Members of her family have been officers of the Royal Highland Regiment for generations. Visit with her by clicking here.

HONOURARY COLONEL
Lieutenant-General Duncan McAlpine, CMM, CD

HONOURARY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL
Lieutenant-Colonel Victor G. Chartier, OMM, CD

COMMANDING OFFICER
Lieutenant-Colonel Bruce D. Bolton, MMM, CD

COLOURS OF THE BLACK WATCH

Ever since warfare began, armies have used symbols to identify themselves in battle. The Romans used eagles fixed to the tops of poles, and the knights of the Middles Ages wore their crests on jerkins worn over their chest armour. By the end of the 17th century, every company of infantry and troop of cavalry had its own colour and standard, but by 1751 this custom had been reduced to two colours per battalion of infantry. Each Cavalry regiment eventually carried one standard or guidon.

Since the Canadian army takes its traditions from the British army, each of our infantry battalions carries a Queen's (or King's) Colour and a Regimental Colour. These two colours, known as a stand of colours, represent the heart of a regiment. More than 150 years ago, colours were carried into-battle to inspire the troops and to serve as a rallying point in the heat of battle. Colours have not been carried into battle since 1881, but they remain the focal point of a regiment's customs and traditions. They treated with great respect and formality. The Queen's Colour symbolizes the regiment's loyalty to the monarch, and the Regimental Colour symbolizes the regiment's veneration to its past. This colour has embroidered on it selected battle honours from its past, along with its name and badges. The Queen's Colour has embroidered on it the Crown and name of the regiment, and uses the Canadian Maple Leaf Flag as a background. Both Colours are carried by junior officers and are escorted by three senior NCOs.

The Queen's Colour currently in use by The Black Watch was presented by HM, The Queen Mother at St. Hubert in 1974. The Regimental Colour was presented by her at Molson Stadium in 1962 when all three Black Watch battalions were presented new stands of colours as part of our 100th anniversary celebration. Once colours are retired after 15-25 years of service, they are retired to the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, where over a dozen colours from The Black Watch's history may be seen. New colours are presented in a solemn and impressive ceremony, where the old colours are marched off for the last time and the new colours are consecrated by the Regimental padre. A member of the Royal Family, the Governor General, the Lieutenant Governor of a province or a distinguished general normally present a new colour.

Hundreds of years ago, it was necessary for each soldier to be able to recognize his colours in battle so he could rally around them. To make this recognition easier, it became the custom at the end of each day to march the colours down the ranks before lodging them for the night. This custom still survives in a ceremony known as "Trooping the Colour", the world's most impressive military ceremony. The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada last trooped the colour in the presence of Her Majesty, The Queen Mother during the Regiment's 125th Anniversary in 1987.