The King’s Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. It was raised on 18th March 1689 by the Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of James II. It is said that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours.
The Regiments first action was at the Battle of Killiecrankie on 27th July of the same year. Although this battle was a defeat for the government army the Jacobite commander Viscount Dundee (Bonny Dundee) was killed by a volley fired by Leven’s Regiment bringing an end to James II attempt to save his throne. The Regiment was judged to have performed well and was granted the privilege of recruiting by beat of drum in the City of Edinburgh without prior permission of the provost. For a period it was known as Semphill’s Regiment of Foot, the name under which it fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. When the British infantry were allocated numerical positions in the ’line’ of Infantry the regiment was numbered 25th Foot (based on its formation date) in 1751. The Regiment fought at the Battle of Minden on 1st August 1759 with five other regiments; this battle honour was celebrated by the Regiment each year on 1st August. The 25th was the county regiment of Sussex from 1782 to 1805, before its recruiting area was moved to the Scottish Borders region. From then it was known as the King’s Own Borderers, becoming the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1887. The Regiment was affectionately known by the Scottish public as the "Kosbies" but this term was never used within the Regiment.
"Hi all - can you recall the 4th Btn. KOSB (TA) in 1955-6 at annual camp on Salisbury Plain for the massive battle exercise - we were a mobile armoured unit. Made many friends too even as Provost Sergt.! and enjoyed being part of the regiment - learned the Bren Carrier on the exercises which was a neqw one for me. John"
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Kings Own Scottish Borderers
" A few more were Army Catering Corps - Andy Clydes Commandos. For those too young to remember Andy Clyde was a low-brow (very low-brow) slapstick comedian who made dozens of short films in the thirties and forties. The sad thing is that at one time I thought he was funny. The 5th ..."
" Capital send-off for Royal Scots HMS Edinburgh sails in with Britannia in the foreground Thousands of well wishers are expected to turn out for the Royal Scots on their last parade in Edinburgh. Friday’s event, which will mark the end of the Edinburgh regiment’s 373-year ..."
" hi all Im Donna Marie White from Glasgow, currently researching my family tree and looking for any info on the Kings Own Scottish Borderers 1st batallion Robert Lockhart Dunn the regiment my maternal grandfather served in from 1937-1944. Ive already had some uselful and friendly replies for which I am truly grateful for, thanx Donna Marie "
" Hi Roly, This is what I have so far. The image was lacking in detail so hopefully I have them correct. You will be able to Google them now to confirm. 1. The Black Watch – Officers Cap Badge and Red Hackle. On 28 March 2006, became The Black Watch 3rd Battalion ..."
"Hi all - can you recall the 4th Btn. KOSB (TA) in 1955-6 at annual camp on Salisbury Plain for the massive battle exercise - we were a mobile armoured unit. Made many friends too even as Provost Sergt.! and enjoyed being part of the regiment - learned the Bren Carrier on the exercises which was a neqw one for me. John"
