The Gordon Highlanders

Gordon Highlanders
Cap badge of the Gordon Highlanders
Active	1881–1994 (as Gordon Highlanders)
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Line infantry
Part of	Scottish Division
Garrison/HQ	Castlehill Barracks, Aberdeen (1881–1935) Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don (1935–94)
Motto(s)	Bydand
March	Cock o' the North
Engagements	Mysore Seringapatam Peninsular War South Africa 1899–1902
Battle honours	Relief of Ladysmith Battle of Kandahar
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	King Edward VIII Henry William Frederick Albert, 1st Duke of Gloucester HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB AK QSO DC
Insignia
Tartan

The Gordon Highlanders was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed for 113 years, from 1881 until 1994 when it was amalgamated with the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) to form the Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons).

The regiment was formed on 1 July 1881 instigated under the Childers Reforms. The new two-battalion regiment was formed out of the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot - which became the 1st Battalion of the new regiment - and the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot, which became the 2nd Battalion.

The 1st battalion fought at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir in September 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War and then took part in the Nile Expedition in an attempt to relieve Major-General Charles Gordon during the Mahdist War.

The 1st Battalion then took part in the Chitral Expedition and then the Tirah Campaign: it was during operations on the North West Frontier in October 1897, during the storming of the Dargai Heights, that one of the regiment's most famous Victoria Crosses was earned. Piper George Findlater, despite being wounded in both legs, continued to play the bagpipes during the assault. Another of the heroes involved the charge of the Gordon Highlanders at Dargai Heights, was Piper John Kidd. Piper Kidd was with Piper Findlater when, half-way up the heights, both pipers were shot down. Unmindful of his injuries, Piper Kidd sat up and continued to play "The Cock o' the North" as the troops advanced up the heights.