Robertson tartan woven for HM Government?

[Bluescelt]

Another Robertson/government connection is the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery whose pipes and drums wear the Robertson hunting tartan.

[figheadair]

It's the regimental tartan of 225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment which when I commanded it was 225 (Highland) Field Ambulance. The Regiment's history goes back to 1739 and the stretcher bearers of the 43rd, later 42nd, Regiment of Foot.

Why Red Robertson? It's worn to honour the WW2 CO who, during the Battle of France, was away on a recce when the regiment along with much of the 51st Highland Division was captured at St. Valerie having been left as the defending screen for the BEF's escape from Dunkirk. Col Robertson, who as a doctor was protected by the Geneva Convention, voluntarily returned to surrender in order that he could command his regiment in captivity where he died in 1942.

Forgot to mention that in recognition of their origins the Regiment wears the TOS and until c2007 225 (Scottish) Med Regt was the only medical unit in the British Army to do so. More recently 205 Field Hospital adopted the TOS in preference to the Balmoral. All ranks in 225 Med Regt wear a piece of Red Robertson tartan as their capbadge backing.