Black Watch Highlander, Second Boer War, 1899 (Consign)(RD)

It was during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) that the 42nd Highland Division adopted khaki to replace the traditional scarlet tunics that they had worn into battle since the 18th C. The "Thin Red Line” was taking on a new appearance commensurate with the modernization of warfare in which camouflage and concealment became more important in the age of the Maxim and Gatling guns. Khaki was first used for military clothing in 19th C India. The word "khaki” is derived from a Hindi word meaning earth or dustcolored. Uniforms in khaki were worn by Indian troops serving under British command in 1840s India, where textile production had been established to produce this type of cloth.

The traditional kilt pattern worn by members of the 42nd Highland Division is known as "Black Watch” plaid. The Black Watch’s origins go back to 1739 when infantry companies were formed in Scotland from different clans. The Black Watch was originally composed of the Campbell, Fraser and Grant clans. It was the Campbell tartan that was chosen for the kilts worn by the Black Watch. The plaid used in the Campbell tartan is a blue, black, and dark green. It has been suggested that the dark color of the tartan may be the source of the name "black”. The designation "watch” refers to one of the original duties of keeping watch over the Highlands. In military usage the Black Watch tartan is referred to as the "government sett”.

The Boer War like the Zulu War of 1879 was fought by the British in South Africa in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There were two Anglo-Boer Wars. The first occurred between 1880 and 1881. The second lasted from 1899 to 1902. The Museum Collection figure represents a Black Watch Highlander from the second conflict.

The second Boer War was Britain’s last major colonial war prior to the World Wars of the 20th Century. The Boer wars pitted the British not against a native population such as the Zulus, but against the European Dutch who had colonized South Africa beginning in 1652. By the 19th C these Dutch settlers were referred to as "Boers” which means farmers. They were a pastoral, devoutly religious, and independent people. In the early 19th C the British began to colonize South Africa eventually leading to fierce rivalry and conflict with the Dutch settlers.

The Black Watch became involved in the second Boer War in its first year. The Museum Collection private accurately represents one of those 1899 members of the Highland Division, who took part in key battles such as Modder River (November 28, 1899) and Magersfontein (December 11, 1899). At the Modder River, the rifle fire was so intense that many of the Highlanders were forced to lay prone for hours while the 108 degree heat of the sun burned their bare legs. At Magersfontein, the Highlanders were surprised by Boers, hidden in deep trenches and firing repeating rifles. The 42nd took numerous casualties including their commanding officer Major General Andrew Wauchope.