BACKGROUND: The Glengarry’s origins may be traced to Alasdair MacDonell (1771-1828) of Glengarry, Scotland, and was adopted by the British Infantry in 1868, and the Canadian militia in the 1870s. It was worn on dress occasions, by traditionally Scottish Infantry Regiments, during both world wars. The Black Watch was founded January 31 1862 as the 5th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles in response to the growing American military might during the American Civil War. Six Montreal Scottish chieftains responded to governments call to raise militia regiments by each raising an infantry company for the 5th Battalion. Eventually a total of eight companies were raised. It has the distinction of being the first Canadian unit to be allied with their Parent regiment in Scotland. Of note: All members of the Regiment wore the Red Hackle in their bonnets during its early days but the Canadian units of the Black Watch did not wear the Red Hackle during the First World War because of its legend as a battle honor. So impressed was the commander of the Imperial Black Watch of the gallantry of the Black Watch in the Battle of Vimy Ridge an order was given to allow the Canadian regiment to wear the red hackle in the bonnet in place of the cap badge. There are only two regiments in the Commonwealth that wear a battle honor in place of the cap badge, that being the Canadian Black Watch and the Imperial Black Watch. The cap badge was only worn on the Glengarry.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This black woven wool "wedge" cap has a red wool Touri (pom-pom) to its crown, black rayon edging along its base, with the rayon ribbons. Its lack of a diced band along its sides is typical of a regiment affiliated to the Black Watch of Canada. The interior is lined, with a small paper label that shows the size as being "6 5/8". One of the rayon ribbons is torn along its sewn connection to the cap, but is in place. The wool shows typical wear.