For other units with the same regimental number, see 78th Regiment of Foot

The 78th Regiment, (Highland) Regiment of Foot otherwise known as the 78th Fraser Highlanders was a British infantry regiment of the line unit raised in Scotland in 1757, to fight in the French and Indian War.

History

The regiment was formed as the "2nd Highland Battalion" having its roots in a Highland company of 1745. With the buildup of 2nd battalions of various regiments into separate regiments it was then numbered as the 62nd Regiment of Foot, the 63rd and then finally as the 78th in 1758.

The regiment fought at the capture of Louisbourg in 1758, at the battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, at the capture of Montreal in 1760 and at the capture of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1761. In 1763 at the end of the war, they were disbanded in what is now Canada. Many soldiers remained in the area of Quebec, others returned to Scotland and some joined the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants).

A new 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot was created in 1793.

Equipment

The 78th Fraser Highlanders wore both the great kilt (feileadh mor) and the little kilt (feileadh beag). It is unknown whether they wore the government sett (Black Watch) or the modified Fraser sett, although several sources, including Benjamin West's The Death of General Wolfe, indicate the latter.

They wore a short red coat with buff facings, and red and white diced hose. Blue balmorals with bearskin hackles were issued. Sporrans and dirks were not issued, and reflected the soldier's wealth.

The 78th were issued cavalry carbines^[1]. Some of these carbines were traded with light infantry units for the long Brown Bess, but most of the unit was equipped with carbines throughout the war.

Soldiers were also issued the Clay Bec, or Scottish Small sword. Made of flexible steel, the blade was sharpened on two sides. There was also a cage that surrounded the soldier's hand offering superior protection.

Recreation

A reinactment group recreated the regiment for the 1967 World Fair in Montreal, the Regiment has grown to include many garrisons branches across North America, taking part in various cultural and reenactment activities. During the summer months, at the Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène, the Regiment performs Musket and Bagpipe demonstrations.

See also

• 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, a pipe band from Toronto with the same name.
• 71st Regiment of Foot (Frasers Highlanders)
• Official Website of the 78th Fraser Highlanders York Garrison], The largest & most active garrison in the regiment.

References

• Regimetns.org accessed 12th July 2007
• Sons of the Mountains, The Highland Regiments in the French & Indian War, 1756-1767, Volume Two, Ian Macpherson McCulloch, 2006, Purple Mountain Press (ISBN 1-896941-49-4)

External links

• Stewart Museum page on regiment's history
• reenactment group, Montreal, Quebec
• reenactment group and bagpipe band, Quebec City, Quebec
• reenactment group, Indianapolis, USA
• 78th Frasers in ''Canada: A people's History''

fr:Régiment du 78e Frasers Highlanders