HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY INFORMATION

THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY -

RANKS, BADGES OF RANK

& REGIMENTAL VARIATIONS

Ranks - WOs & NCOs

Trade & Proficiency Badges

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
RANKS -OFFICERS

The following insignia, which is worn on each Shoulder Cord,
or Shoulder Strap, is itemised in the order it appears from collar end
out to shoulder seam.

Colonel

(Commander Household Cavalry)

1 Crown and 2 Stars

Lieutenant-Colonel

(Regimental Commanding Officer)

1 Crown and 1 Star

Major

1 Crown

Captain

3 Stars

Lieutenant

2 Stars

2nd Lieutenant (LG)

or Cornet (RHG/D)

1 Star

The pattern of Crown worn since Her Majesty The Queen
came to the Throne is known as the St Edward's Crown.

However, The Life Guards continued to wear a Tudor Crown on
those items of uniform which carried Gilt insignia.

The Star, representing the Star of the Most Noble Order
of the Garter, remains unchanged.

Depending on the Order of Dress, the insignia differs
in detail as follows:

The Crown

Full Dress Tunic & Mess Dress Jacket

Silver embroidered with a raised Crimson velvet cushion.

Frock Coat, Cloak & Patrol Jacket

Gold embroidered with a raised Crimson velvet cushion.

Service Dress Jacket, British Warm Coat
& Shirt Sleeve Order

Gilt with a Crimson velvet cushion.
It is backed by Black cloth in the RHG/D.

The Star

Full Dress Tunic & Mess Dress Jacket

Silver embroidered with outer rays of Silver Plate,
edged with Pearl Purl. The Cross embroidered in Crimson.
The Garter fastening points towards the Shoulder Seam.

Frock Coat, Cloak & Patrol Jacket

Gold embroidered with the Cross in Crimson.

Service Dress Jacket, British Warm Coat
& Shirt Sleeve Order

Gilt with the Cross in Crimson and the Garter in
Royal Blue Enamel. Black cloth backing for RHG/D.

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY RANKS -
WOs & NCOs

The lack of rank of Sergeant in the Household Cavalry Regiment
is a constant source of surprise to many - the following is a brief
explanation of the Warrant Officer (WO) and Non Commissioned
Officer (NCO) rank structure, together with the relevant badges
of rank, and appropriate appointments.

The Life Guards had no Non Commissioned Officers until 1756,
although The Blues And Royals, way back in 1661, took
24 Corporals of Horse on strength.

A Regimental Corporal Major was appointed in 1803,
to assist the Adjutant.

The rank of Squadron Corporal Major dates from May 1882,
at which time the Regiments changed formatiion - into
4 Squadrons instead of 8 Troops.

The four seniorTroop Corporal Majors were appointed
Squadron Corporal Majors.

Also in 1892, there were 4 Squadron Quartermaster Corporals,
16 Corporals of Horse, and 16 Corporals.

Sixteen paid Lance Corporals were added to the establishment
on 1 September 1922 - the intention being that they would share
the duties of full Corporals, wear the same rank insignia, but
would only be paid as Lance Corporals.

In 1971, at the instigation of the Silver Stick-in-Waiting,
full Corporals were appointed Lance Corporals of Horse.

The reason for this was to enable Household Cavalry Corporals,
when detached, to share the same Mess privileges as their
counterparts in the Foot Guards - the Lance Sergeants.

However, there is some ambiguity as to the precise date of its
introduction — due to the differing paths of the Regiments that
have formed today's Household Cavalry Regiments.

Indeed, there are recorded instances of both ranks - Corporal
and Lance Corporal of Horse — in use at the same time, notably
in the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues).

WO & NCO BADGES OF RANK

All Non Commissioned Officers of the Household Cavalry
are to wear a crown above their chevrons.

Squadron Quartermaster Corporals and Staff Corporals are
to wear four inverted chevrons - surmounted by a crown -
on the forearm.

Warrant and Non Commissioned Officers are to wear
chevrons and brass crowns on No 2 Dress Jackets,
British Warms, and Greatcoats - with the exception of
Lance Corporals of Horse, who wear cloth crowns to
distinguish them from full Corporals of Horse.

Warrant Officers Class 2 of The Life Guards wear small brass
crowns, and those of The Blues And Royals wear large brass crowns.

Non Commissioned Officers of The Life Guards are to wear
their chevrons on the forearm in Greatcoats, and ranks below
Squadron Quartermaster Corporal are not to wear crowns
on their Greatcoats.

All metal badges of rank of The Blues And Royals
are to be backed in black.

Warrant Officer Class 1 - WO1 Equivalent other army rank - WO1 Royal Coat Of Arms - worn on right wrist. Regimental Corporal Major - RCM	Warrant Officer Class 2 - WO2 Equivalent other army rank - WO2 Laurel wreath around a crown - worn on right wrist. Regimental Quartermaster Corporal - RQMC (an appointment)
Squadron Corporal Major - SCM Crown - worn on right wrist	Staff Corporal - SCpl Equivalent other army rank - Staff Sergeant - S/Sgt Four inverted chevrons with a brass crown above - worn on right wrist
Corporal of Horse - CoH Equivalent other army rank - Sergeant - Sgt Three chevrons with a brass crown above - worn on the upper right sleeve	Lance Corporal of Horse - LCoH Equivalent other army rank - Corporal - Cpl Three chevrons with a cloth crown above - worn on the upper right sleeve
Lance Corporal - LCpl Equivalent other army rank - Lance Corporal - LCpl Two chevrons with a brass crown above - worn on the upper right sleeve	Trooper - Tpr Equivalent other army rank - Private - Pte

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
RANK INSIGNIA - WOs & NCOs

The following are descriptions of all the variations
of Rank Insignia for Soldiers - from WO1 (RCM)
down through the ranks to Lance Corporal.

Troopers wear no badge of rank whatsoever,
although even Troopers have a single band
of Gold Braid on the peak of the Forage Cap.

Regimental Corporal Major - RCM

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 1st Class Staff.

In addition, a small Gold and Silver embroidered Royal Arms,
on a Cloth background of Regimental facing colour,
is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

A small Gold and Silver embroidered Royal Arms,
on a dark blue cloth background, is worn on
the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

As for Mess Dress Jacket.

Service Dress Jacket

Brass Coat of Arms

A small Brass Royal Arms is worn on each lower sleeve.

Cloak

A small, Golden Yellow Worsted embroidered Royal Arms,
on a Dark Blue cloth background, is worn on the
lower right sleeve.

British Warm Coat

As for Service Dress Jacket.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A small brass Royal Arms, on a leather strap,
is worn on the right wrist.

Regimental Quartermaster Corporal - RQMC

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 2nd Class Staff.
No other insignia worn.

Mess Dress Jacket

Crown in Wreath

A Gold embroidered st Edward's Crown within
a Wreath of Laurel Leaves, on a Dark Blue cloth background,
is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

As for Mess Dress Jacket.

No 2 Dress Jacket

A Brass St Edward's Crown within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves,
is worn on each lower sleeve.

Cloak

A Golden Yellow Worsted embroidered St Edward's Crown
within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves, on a Dark Blue cloth
background, is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

As for No 2 Dress Jacket.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass St Edward's Crown within a Wreath
of Laurel Leaves, on a leather strap, is worn
on the right wrist.

Squadron Corporal Major - SCM

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 1st Class Staff.
No other insignia worn.

Mess Dress Jacket

A Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown,
on a Dark Blue cloth background, is worn
on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

As for Mess Dress Jacket.

No 2 Dress Jacket

Brass Crown

A Brass St Edward's Crown is worn on each lower sleeve.

Cloak

A Golden Yellow Worsted embroidered St Edward's Crown,
on a Dark Blue cloth background, is worn on
the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

As for No 2 Dress Jacket.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass St Edward's Crown, on a leather strap,
is worn on the right wrist.

Variations: LG - Large Crown; RHG/D - Small Crown.

Squadron Quartermaster Corporal - SQMC

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 2nd Class Staff.
No other insignia worn.

Mess Dress Jacket

4 inverted Chevrons in 1/2" Gold Lace, surmounted by
a Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown.

Both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
and worn on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

Crown & 4 Inverted Chevrons

4 inverted Chevrons in Gold Gimp, surmounted by
a Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown.

Both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
and worn on the right lower sleeve.

No 2 Dress Jacket

4 inverted Worsted Chevrons in White on a
Khaki cloth background, surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown
(Black cloth background for RHG/D). Worn on each lower sleeve.

Cloak

4 inverted Chevrons in Golden Yellow Worsted,
surmounted by a Golden Yellow Worsted St Edward's Crown.
Both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
and worn on the lower right sleeve.

No Crown is worn by RHG/D.

Mounted Greatcoat

As for No 2 Dress Jacket.

Shirt Sleeve Order

4 small inverted Chevrons surmounted by a Crown
in Brass, on a leather strap, is worn on the right wrist.

Corporal of Horse & Lance Corporal of Horse -
CoH & LCoH

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 2nd Class Staff.
No other insignia worn.

Mess Dress Jacket

3 Chevrons in 1/2 inch Gold Lace, surmounted by a Gold,
embroidered St Edward's Crown, both on a dark blue
cloth background, and worn on the upper right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

CoH Rank

3 Chevrons in Gold gimp, surmounted by a Gold,
embroidered St Edward's Crown.
Both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
and worn on the upper right sleeve.

No 2 Dress Jacket

3 Chevrons in White Worsted on a Khaki cloth background,
surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown, worn on
each upper sleeve. Black cloth background for RHG/D.

Cloak

CoH Chevrons

3 Chevrons in Golden Yellow Worsted on a Dark Blue
cloth background, worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

3 Chevrons in White Worsted on a Khaki cloth background,
surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown, worn on each
lower sleeve. Black cloth background for RHG/D.

No Crown is worn by LG.

Shirt Sleeve Order

3 small Chevrons surmouned by a Crown, in Brass,
mounted on a Light Green Brassard, is worn
above the rolled-up right sleeve.

Lance Corporal - LCpl

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes only. No other insignia worn.

LCpl Chevrons

Insignia on other uniforms is as for Lance Coporal of Horse
- except that 2 Chevrons only are worn.

Farrier Corporal Major
- Equivalent to a WO2 (Staff)

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 1st Class Staff.
In addition, a Gold embroidered Horse Shoe, surmounted
by a Gold St Edward's Crown, both on a Scarlet
cloth background, are worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

A Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown within a Wreath
of Laurel Leaves, on a Dark Blue cloth background,
is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

As for Mess Dress Jacket.

No 2 Dress Jacket

A Brass Horse Shoe, surmounted by a Brass
St Edward's Crown within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves,
is worn on the lower right sleeve.

The Crown and Wreath badge only is worn on
the left lower sleeve.

Cloak

A Golden Yellow Worsted embroidered St Edward's Crown,
within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves, on a Dark Blue cloth
background, is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

A Brass St Edward's Crown, within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves,
is worn on each lower sleeve.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass St Edward's Crown within a Wreath of Laurel Leaves,
on a leather strap, is worn on the right wrist.

Farrier Staff Corporal - Equivalent to a SQMC

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 2nd Class Staff. In addition,
a Gold embroidered Horse Shoe, on a Scarlet cloth
background, is worn on the upper right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

4 inverted Gold Lace Chevrons, surmounted by a Gold
embroidered St Edward's Crown, both on a Dark Blue cloth
background, are worn on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

A Gold embroidered Horse Shoe above 4 inverted
Gold Gimp Chevrons, surmounted by a Gold embroidered
St Edward's Crown, all on a Dark Blue cloth background,
are worn on the lower right sleeve.

No 2 Dress Jacket

A Brass Horse Shoe above 4 inverted White Worsted
Chevrons, on a Khaki cloth background, surmounted by a
Brass St Edward's Crown, are worn on the lower right sleeve.

The Crown and Chevrons are only worn on the lower left sleeve.

Cloak

4 inverted Golden Yellow Worsted Chevrons, surmounted by
a Golden Yellow Worsted St Edward's Crown, both on a Dark Blue
cloth background, are worn on the lower right sleeve.

No Crown for RHG/D.

Mounted Greatcoat

4 inverted White Worsted Chevrons, on a Khaki cloth
background, surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown,
are worn on each lower sleeve.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass Horse Shoe on 4 small inverted Brass Chevrons,
surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown, all on
a leather strap, are worn on the right wrist.

Farrier Corporal of Horse
& Farrier Lance Corporal of Horse

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes and Shoulder Cords, 2nd Class Staff. In addition,
a Gold embroidered Horse Shoe, on a Scarlet cloth
background, is worn on the upper right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

3 Gold Lace Chevrons, surmounted by a Gold embroidered
St Edward's Crown, both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
are worn on the upper right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

A Gold embroidered Horse Shoe above 3 Gold Gimp Chevrons,
surmounted by a Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown, all on a
Dark Blue cloth background, are worn on the upper right sleeve.

No 2 Dress Jacket

A Brass Horse Shoe above 3 White Worsted Chevrons, on a
Khaki cloth background, surmounted by a Brass
St Edward's Crown, is worn on the upper right sleeve.

The Crown and Chevrons only are worn on the upper left sleeve.

Cloak

3 Golden Yellow Worsted Chevrons, on a Dark Blue cloth
background, worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

3 White Worsted Chevrons, on a Khaki cloth background
(surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown for RHG/D),
worn on each lower sleeve.

No Crown is worn by LG.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass Horse Shoe on 3 small Brass Chevrons, surmounted
by a Brass St Edward's Crown, both mounted on Light Green
cloth Brassard, worn above the rolled-up right sleeve.

Farrier Lance Corporal

Full Dress Tunic

Aiguillettes. In addition a Gold embroidered Horse Shoe, on a
Scarlet cloth background, is worn on the upper right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

2 Gold Lace Chevrons, surmounted by a Gold embroidered
St Edward's Crown, both on a Dark Blue cloth background,
are worn on the upper right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

A Gold embroidered Horse Shoe above 2 Gold Gimp Chevrons,
surmounted by a Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown, all on a
Dark Blue cloth background, are worn on the upper right sleeve.

No 2 Dress Jacket

A Brass Horse Shoe above 2 White Worsted Chevrons, on a
Khaki cloth background, surmounted by a Brass St Edward's
Crown, is worn on the upper right sleeve.

The Crown and Chevrons only are worn on the upper left sleeve.

Cloak

LCpl Chevrons

2 Golden Yellow Worsted Chevrons, on a Dark Blue cloth
background, worn on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

2 White Worsted Chevrons, on a Khaki cloth background
(surmounted by a Brass St Edward's Crown for RHG/D),
worn on each lower sleeve.

No Crown is worn by LG.

Shirt Sleeve Order

A Brass Horse Shoe on 2 small Brass Chevrons, surmounted
by a Brass St Edward's Crown, both mounted on Light Green
cloth Brassard, worn above the rolled-up right sleeve.

Trumpet Major

A Trumpet Major of the Household Cavalry may be
either a WO2 or SQMC.

As a consequence, the term Badge of Rank will appear
where the insignia could be:

A St Edward's Crown with a Wreath of Laurel Leaves (for WO2), or

4 inverted Chevrons surmounted by a St Edward's Crown (for SQMC).

The Crossed Trumpets badge is worn in equivalent circumstances
to the Horse Shoe of the Farrier Corporal Major and Farrier Staff Corporal.

State Coat

No insignia at all.

Full Dress Tunic

Gold embroidered Crossed Trumpets, surmounted by a
Gold embroidered St Edward's Crown, both on a cloth
background of Regimental facing colour, worn on
the lower right sleeve.

Mess Dress Jacket

The Badge of Rank, on a Dark Blue cloth background,
is worn on the lower right sleeve.

Patrol Jacket

As for Mess Dress Jacket.

No 2 Dress Jacket

Brass Crossed Trumpets and Badge of Rank are worn
on the lower right sleeve.

The Badge of Rank only is worn on the lower left sleeve.

State Cloak

No insignia at all.

Regimental Cloak

The Badge of Rank, on a Dark Blue cloth background, is worn
on the lower right sleeve.

Mounted Greatcoat

The Badge of Rank is worn on each lower sleeve.

Shirt Sleeve Order

Brass Badge of Rank, on a leather strap, is worn on the right wrist.

Badges Of Rank

Rules applying to the wearing of Badges of Rank

Brassards

Lance Corporals to Corporals of Horse are to wear Rank Badges
on a plain Green Brassard when in Maintenance Order.

Junior NCO's Brassard

No 2 Dress

All NCOs from Lance Corporal to Staff Corporal are to wear
Household Division Chevrons.

Lance Corporals, Corporals of Horse, and Staff Corporals
are to wear Brass Crowns.

Lance Corporals of Horse are to wear Cloth Crowns.

RHG/D are to have a Black Felt backing to Crowns.

Barrack Order

Warrant Officers

Brown Leather Wristband (LG), Black Leather (RHG/D).

LG WOs are to wear the small St Edward's Crown,
and RHG/D to wear the large St Edward's Crown.

RHG/D to have Black Felt backing to Crown.

Maintenance Order

Warrant Officers

iBrown Leather Wristband (LG), Black Leather (RHG/D)

LG are to wear the small Brass St Edward's Crown.

RHG/D to wear a large St Edward's Crown with Black Backing.

Staff Corporals

Brown Leather Wristband (LG), Black Leather (RHG/D).

RHG/D to wear Brass Chevrons with Black Backing.

Corporals of Horse

Household Division Chevrons with Brass Crown (LG).

Brass Chevrons and Crown with Black Felt backing (RHG/D).

Lance Corporals of Horse & Lance Corporals

Household Division Chevrons.

Lance Corporals of Horse are to wear a Cloth Crown,
and Lance Corporals a Brass one.

RHG/D are to wear Black Felt backing behind Crown.

Combat/Working Order

Only DPM Rank Slides are to be worn.

Lance Corporals, Lance Corporals of Horse, Staff Corporals,
and WO2s are to wear Rank Slides with Golden/Beige
embroidered Rank Insignia as issued.

Corporals of Horse are to wear Black embroidered Rank Insignia.

Tropical/Desert Combats

Lance Corporal to Corporal of Horse

Combat style Rank Insignia is to be sewn onto the right arm,
below the Household Division Flash.

Staff Corporal to WO2

Combat style Rank Insignia on a DPM Wristband, worn on the right wrist.

Trade & Proficiency Badges

- Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

These are usually Gold and/or Silver embroidered when
required for Dress Uniforms, and Brass for others
(RHG/D are to have a Black Felt backing to Brass Badges).

A badge is backed by cloth of Regimental facing colour when
intended for use on a Full Dress Tunic, whilst that for a
Patrol Jacket is backed only in Dark Blue cloth.

Rather surprisingly, they are not worn on Mess Dress Jackets.

Airborne Trained - Parachute & Wings Badges

Airborne - State Tunic (LG)