Tracing the Lineage of The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada Back to 1831!

[Recce]

This is from the book written by Captain Ernest Chambers on the 5th Regiment, Royal Scots of Canada Highlanders in 1904. And confirmed by the “Stewart Military Museum”
in Montreal who have all the history and records of the old Militias of Montreal.

The Militia Act of 1855 was further amended in 1859 by 22 Victoria, Chapter 18, which made provisions that where possible the independent companies of volunteer infantry
and rifles, should be grouped into battalions. It also provided that, the volunteer militia force should drill for six consecutive days each year, with pay at the rate of one dollar
per diem per man. This act, and the increased interest in militia matters in Canada. And this is why Lineage of all Regiments are trace back to those times, since they had
Payroll records of all the Militias and the names of the men who served in them.

In 1835, the Montreal Constitutional Association, alarmed at the development of the revolutionary sentiment, resolved to organize district committees in each quarter of the
city in case union and force became necessary. The organization raised spontaneously a body of volunteer riflemen, the members asking for the recognition of their corps,
which it was proposed to be call "The British Rifle Legion," by the governor. That official, however, withheld his sanction, and the corps was afterwards dissolved at his request.
As the political agitation developed many of the leaders of the movement were deprived of their commissions in the militia, and the authorities armed trustworthy citizens
to enable order to be maintained.

When the rebellion actually broke out in the autumn of 1837, Montreal, and in fact the whole of Canada, had very little in the way of military protection. The position was very
critical indeed. In Montreal district the sedentary militia battalions were in hopeless state of disorganisation and the only volunteer corps were a troop of Calvary in Lachine
commanded by Captain Penner a troop in Montréal under the command of Colonel Davis and a rifle company commanded by Major de Bleury after whom Bleury street in Montréal
is named after. {Which these corps existed already for 6 years}.

At this same time Montreal had a miserable set of useless watchmen, and it was found a necessity for the rifle company to patrol the streets to prevent loyal citizens from
being abused. Whenever an attack was made by the Radicals upon the Constitutionalists the watchmen were never to be found.

When the authorities realized that they had a rebellion on hand they at once authorized the enrolment of volunteer corps. The cavalry was increased to two troops, Captain
Charles Ermatinger having command of one, and Captain Sweeney of the other. Colonel David was given command of the whole. The old garrison artillery corps, which had
been allowed to collapse, was reorganized under command of Major John Boston. The Montreal Rifles were increased to three companies. Major Griffin having the supreme
command. The companies were commanded by Captains de Bleury, Leclerc and Blackwood.

Volunteering for these corps proceeded with such enthusiasm, that it was decided to effect the organization of three brigades of volunteers in Montreal. The first brigade
consisted of the Montreal Cavalry (Major David), which had two troops in the city and one at Lachine, a company of artillery, (Major Boston commanding), and the Montreal
Rifles, Major Griffin, three companies. The second brigade consisted of the Montreal Light Infantry (Lt.-Col. Benjamin Holmes), six companies, and the Queen's Light Dragoons
(Capt. W. Jones), one troop. “The third brigade consisted of three battalions of wards, which drilled less and took less interest in volunteering than the other corps, but who
would have been useful and willing if called upon.

These corps were soon up to full strength, and the whole British population, and many loyal French, went in for soldiering with enthusiasm. All the available halls and warehouses
were pressed into service as drill halls, and the volunteers drilled night and day. Several whose names have since become familiar in the militia, including the late Lt.-Col. Fletcher,
C.IM.G., joined the Light Infantry. That corps used to drill every afternoon on the Champ de Mars, and every evening in the old St. Ann's market, on McGill street. Each corps had
a sergeant from one of the regular regiments attached as drill instructor, and a few weeks of such hard work as they put in, speedily got the various units into very good shape indeed.

The Montreal Light Infantry did not have the same opportunity to distinguish itself during the rebellion as did the “old Montreal Volunteer Rifles”, a company of which corps,
was attached to Sir John Colborne's force The M.L.I, was however, a splendid and efficient corps, its rank and file being largely recruited from the mechanic class of the city.
The corps deserves special mention in this history, as it possessed in one of its companies, “the first distinctively Scottish military organization ever raised in Montreal”.
And they lived in the “Saint Andrews Ward or Parish”. That severed the “Scottish” Catholic community in Montreal.

Officers and men ( OR’s) of this company, of which the bugler, was a lad who was afterwards, to become well known in the Canadian Militia, as Lieut.-Colonel John Fletcher,
C.M.G., were exclusively Scottish, and they wore stripes of tartan plaid on their trousers, as a distinguishing mark.{Just like the Black Watch} Thus, was modestly introduced
among Montreal's citizen soldiers, the idea of a distinctively Scottish unit, an idea which has a splendid realization today in the “Fifth Royal Scots of Canada”.


The “Old” Montreal Volunteer Rifles and “The Montreal Light Infantry”. Their names date back to 1837. The same Regiment names from 1862 that would be the start
of the Lineage according to the Militia Act off 1855 amended in 1859 of the Black Watch. Well that’s were the 5Th Battalion or 5th, comes into play in the name from
1862 till 1904. According to Queens Regulations to Militias and Regiments Names establishing of a new regiment and the disbandment of its immediate
predecessor bearing the “same number”.

According to military ordinary practice Clearly states; {Some regimental represent a series of regiments, with, in certain cases, considerable intervals
between the establishment of a new regiment and the disbandment of its immediate predecessor bearing the .same number.
(Capt O. 1. Perry's "Rank Badges and Dates in Her Majesty's Army and Navy," page 145. ) }

A permanent record of this interesting incident in the history of the 5th Royals Scots, an event which, according to the ordinary practice of military history
establishes on the part of the 5th Royal Scots a right to claim direct descent from the “old” Montreal Light Infantry, exists in the shape of the printed
company order issued.

Previous to the event by the Officer commanding the company. This order reads as follows: —

"In obedience to orders from Lieut-Colonel Routh, No. 2 • Company will formally join the Battalion of "Royals," on Tuesday evening, the 9th January.

"The men will muster at the City Hall Armoury, at half-past seven o'clock p.m., in full winter uniform, with greatcoat, tunic, waist belt, and pouch belt,
being careful to have everything neat, trim, and soldier-like.

"For the honour and fair name of the company, the Captain expects the Captain expects every man will be present.

“KENNETH CAMPBELL
Captain No. 2 Royals”


This company order was issued under authority of the following' communication.

Militia Brigade Office, Montreal, 9th .Jan, l866.


Sir:—

I have the honour, by direction of the commandant, to acquaint you that the Adjutant General of Militia has approved of the company
under your command being transferred to the Royal Light Infantry under command of Lieut.-Colonel Routh.

"You are therefore requested to return to the Provincial storekeeper, the arms, accoutrements and clothing, with stores issued to you
for the service of No. 2 Company, “Montreal light Infantry”.

"As your company is intended to replace one of the vacant companies of the Royal Light Infantry the commanding officer of that
corps will be prepared to furnish you with the requisite arms, accoutrements and clothing.

"I have the honour to be "Sir, your most obedient servant,
“ JOHN MACPHERSON, LT-Colonel. Brigade Major. Militia

Captain K. Campbell, “commanding Volunteer Company Montreal”


I still stated the Lineage of the Black Watch can be traced to 1831.Therefore the answer lies in, finding out
who was 5th Battalion and where were they situated in Montreal? And I have that information.
I have to go to the Saint Andrews Parish, Which all the Old Regimental Colours of the Black Watch are kept.
To confirm my information that I have discovered. Yes 5th Batt was a Montreal Regiment in
the Saint Andrews Parish in 1831. West of Saint Laurence Street. The Black Watch are situated West of
Saint Laurence Street, on de Bleury Street.


Yes I'm going to get A Regimental Flogging for "Rocking The Boat". I've even heard the RSM has a brand new
Hickory Stick for the likes of me. So be It!


Lest We Forget. Spañiard over and out,,……………

[Recce]

I left This page Blank To provide the information of 1831!