Battle of Falkirk Muir (Moor), King's Colour Saved.

Sir Eyre Coote, Colonel of the 27th Regiment of Foot, 1770 to 1773. Eyre Coote was born near Limerick in 1726 and this portrait was painted circa 1763 after service with the East India Company. He returned to India in 1777 as a Lieutenant General, when appointed the Commander-in-Chief India, and died in Madras on 27 April 1783.

The Battle of Falkirk Muir saw Blakeney's Inniskillings, fighting the Jacobite Army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Young Pretender. The Inniskillings was one of the British Regiments of Foot of the Royal (Hanoverian) Army led by Lieutenant General Henry Hawley, Commander in Chief Scotland. Poor preparation, the Jacobite rout of the Hanoverian cavalry and loss of cannon spelt disaster for Hawley. The appalling weather added to the ferocity of the Jacobite Highlanders' advance which instilled panic in the Hanoverian lines. Hawley's army fell back rapidly in great disorder and the Inniskillings, who were in the second line, lost 28 killed and an unknown number of wounded.

While the hasty retreat was in progress. Ensign Coote, with great presence of mind, saved the King's Colour. Realising that the enemy was about to capture it, he removed it from its staff and, concealing it under his coat, made his way back to Edinburgh. Although Coote, who in later years became Commander-in-Chief India, was later court martialled and ‘broke’ for disgraceful behaviour in leaving the field of battle, he was reinstated because he gave as his sole reason for flight the saving of his regiment's Colour.

Although Hawley lost the battle, the Jacobites failed to take advantage of the situation. Hawley was replaced when The Duke of Cumberland was appointed Commander in Chief Scotland on 30 January 1746.