The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Cap Badge of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Active	1 July 1881 – 14 May 1968
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Rifles
Size	2 Regular battalions 2 Militia battalions 2 - 4 Territorial and Volunteer battalions Up to 12 hostilities-only battalions
Part of	Lowland Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Hamilton Barracks, Hamilton (1881–1947) Winston Barracks, Lanark (1947–1968)
Nickname(s)	(from the 1960's) The Poison Dwarfs. Not a popular nickname as it was derogatory.
March	Quick – Within a mile of Edinburgh Toon Slow – The Garb of Old Gaul
Commanders
Colonel in Chief	HM King Gustaf VI Adolf
Colonel of the Regiment	Major General Henry Templar Alexander, CB CBE DSO
Insignia
Tartan

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a rifle regiment of the British Army, the only regiment of rifles amongst the Scottish regiments of infantry. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 26th Cameronian Regiment and the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry. In 1968, when reductions were required, the regiment chose to be disbanded rather than amalgamated with another regiment, one of only two infantry regiments in the British Army to do so, with the other being the York and Lancaster Regiment. It can trace its roots to that of the Cameronians, later the 26th of Foot, who were raised in 1689. The 1881 amalgamation coincided with the Cameronian's selection to become the new Scottish Rifles.

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 26th Cameronian Regiment and the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry. After the amalgamation, the 1st Battalion preferred to be known as "The Cameronians" while the 2nd preferred to be known as "The Scottish Rifles". The 2nd Battalion saw action at the Battle of Spion Kop in January 1900 during the Second Boer War.

Two Militia battalions were formed from the former 2nd Royal Lanark Militia. The 3rd battalion was embodied in May 1900 for service during the Second Boer War. More than 600 men embarked for South Africa in April 1901, and returned in June 1902, following the end of hostilities. The 4th battalion had been embodied already in December 1899, also for service in the same war, and 600 officers and men embarked for South Africa in late February 1900.