The 42nd fought its first pitched battle at Fontenoy, in Flanders, on 11 May 1745. The Duke of Cumberland let the Highlanders fight in their own fashion. When the French levelled their muskets, the whole regiment dropped to the ground and let the volley pass over, then sprang up to fire and close with the enemy before he could reload. Their commander, Sir Robert Munro, was past sixty and heavily built and could not get down and up again without help. So he stayed on his feet with the colours behind him while his men went flat around him. The army lost the battle, but the Highlanders came out of it with a reputation.

All eight Highlanders fire together in two ranks, muskets levelled and bayonets fixed. They wear blue bonnets, red coats with the buff facings and white lace of the 42nd before 1758, and dark Government-sett tartan with leather sporrans. Broadswords hang at their hips, linen haversacks at their sides, and their hose is diced red and white. They make the firing line for the rest of the battalion: add 42nd Highland Regiment for the officer, sergeant and advancing men. Put Grenadier Company 42nd Highland Regiment and the second grenadier set on the right.

Tradition of London set 614. Eight foot figures on square gloss bases. 54mm scale (approximately 1/30). All toy soldiers cast in quality white metal and individually hand-painted in gloss enamels. Packed in the Classic Tradition Red Box. Please allow 2–3 weeks for shipping.