Regimental Buttons

Of the 78th Highland Regiment

Sep 16, 2008 Joseph Allen McCullough

With its striking Elephant, the buttons of the 78th are among the most attractive of the British Regimental Buttons.

British Regimental Buttons

In 1751, the British army was reorganized and the regiments were all assigned a numerical designation. Previously, regiments had been distinguished by their commanding officer, but as this was always subject to change, it could lead to much confusion. In 1767, a new order was passed in the army that stated that all of the regiments should have their number stated on the buttons of their coats. Though it took decades for all the regiments to fully comply with the order. Most regiments didn’t stop with numbers, however, most added a regimental symbol, a crown if they were designated a ‘royal’ regiment, and perhaps a listing of battle honours.

The 78th Highland Regiment

The 78th Regiment was raised in 1793 by Colonel Francis Humberston MacKenzie, Lord Seaforth. The 78th wore the traditional Highland uniform with red doublets, kilts, sporrans, and feathered bonnets. The collars and cuffs of their coats were buff, and this, combined with that fact that most of the volunteers came from Ross-shire, gave the regiment the nickname the Ross-shire Buffs.

The 78th Highland Regimental Button

The most common button of the 78th Highland Regiment comes from around 1840. It depicts an elephant in the centre with a crown (Victoria’s) above and a wreath of laurels bellow. Between the elephant and the wreath is the 78. Around the top of the button are three battle honours that had been granted to the regiment: Assaye, Maida, and Java.

The Elephant and the Battle of Assaye

In 1797, after years fighting in Holland and Africa, the 78th Regiment was sent to India. While there, they served under Sir Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington). In 1803, the 78th were at the forefront of his victory at the battle of Assaye. For this action they were allowed to show the elephant and the Assaye battle honour on their buttons.

The Battle of Maida

In 1806, a newly formed 2nd battalion of the 78th joined in the British attack on Sicily. After this success, it was part of a strike force that sailed to Italy, where it helped win a brilliant, but ultimately futile victory at the battle of Maida. It earned the regiment its second battle honour to be placed on its button.

The Battle of Java

In 1811, the 1st battalion was still in India and was sent to repel French forces occupying Java. In the insuing action, the British lost under 200 men, while the French lost around 10,000. For their part in the nearly total victory, the 78th were given their third battle honour to add to their button.

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