The regiment was founded on the formation of the Volunteer Force in 1859. Originally as part of the Volunteer Force sponsored by The Highland Society of London and The Caledonian Society of London, a group of individual Scots raised The London Scottish Rifle Volunteers under the command of Lt Col Lord Elcho, later The Earl of Wemyss and March. The regiment became the 7th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps and then, in 1908, the 14th Battalion, London Regiment.
First World War
The 1/14th Battalion was mobilized on the outbreak of war, departing for France on 15 September 1914. On 31 October 1914 the battalion encountered German forces at Messines in Belgium. The 2/14th Battalion embarked for France in June 1916 but was then transferred to Salonika and Palestine.
The London Scottish raised three battalions during the Second World War, two of which served overseas. Both of the overseas battalions served with the Middle Eastern Forces in Sicily and Italy. The battalions were:
Raised as a 'duplicate' of the 1st Battalion, with a core of officers and senior NCOs from that battalion. The battalion initially served in the 141st Infantry Brigade, 47th Infantry Division.
3rd Battalion
When the duplicate battalion was formed in April 1939, the regiment had enough recruits to form a third battalion; permission was granted provided it was formed as an anti-aircraft regiment of the Royal Artillery. It was designated 97th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA and formed with HQ and two batteries at Westminster. It served in 1st AA Division defending London during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. In March 1943 it left for North Africa where it joined British Eighth Army, and served with it in the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italian Campaign. With the depletion of the Luftwaffe and the reduced requirement for AA defences, it was converted in November 1944 into 97th Garrison Regiment, RA, later designated 610 Infantry Regiment, RA. When the TA was reconstituted in 1947, 610 Regiment was reformed as 497th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA at Hammersmith, later renamed 497th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA, without any London Scottish connection.
Post-war
In 1967 the London Scottish tradition was resurrected on the formation of G Company 1st Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers. Since 1992, the tradition has been carried on by A Company of the London Regiment, which provides Reserve support to the Foot Guards.
London Scottish Cadet Corps
The London Scottish Cadet Corps, which was formed around 1902, had three companies, a pipe band and its own colours and was sponsored by the regiment. The corps evolved to become 235 Westminster Detachment, part of 23 Company Middlesex and North West London Army Cadet Force: it is based at the Rochester Row Army Reserve Centre in Westminster and is the sole surviving cadet unit maintaining the traditions of the regiment.
Uniforms
From its establishment in 1859 The London Scottish wore Hodden Grey uniforms with dark blue facings. This unique colour remained as full dress for the entire regiment until 1914 and survives in the modern kilts and mess dress.
