|
|
|
 |
THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY - BRIEF REGIMENTAL HISTORY OF THE LIFE GUARDS 1660-1815 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
THE LIFE GUARDS 1660 - 1815 |
 |
|
1660 |
Just
before the restoration of King Charles II, a Royal mounted bodyguard was formed in Holland, from eighty Royalists who had gone into exile with the King after the Battle of Worcester (1652). In March 1660, the King appointed officers to three Troops of Horse Guards, which formed at the King's return to England in May 1660. These three Troops were originally commanded by Lord Gerard of Brandon, Sir Charles Berkeley and Sir Phillip Howard. |
|
1661 |
A
Fourth (Scots) Troop was raised in Edinburgh, 2nd April 1661, commanded by James, Earl of Newburgh. This Troop joined the English establishment early in the reign of Queen Anne. |
|
1678 |
Three
Troops of Horse Grenadier Guards (mounted infantry) were added to the three English Troops of Horse Guards in 1678. They were disbanded in January 1680 but re-raised in 1684. |
|
1685 |
The
Horse Guards were engaged at Sedgemoor (Monmouth Rebellion). |
Private Gentleman of the 1st or This Regiment dates its origin The corporals were commissioned officers ranking with the "eldest Lieutenant of Horse" in other regiments of cavalry.
|
1742
Trooper of Horse Grenadiers The Horse Grenadiers were formed The details of the dress are taken |
1740-60
Negro Trumpeter At about this period, there The uniform was almost identical with that worn on state occasions by the bands today, except that he wore a cocked hat instead of the velvet cap. HHH
|
1689 - 1693 |
The
Horse Guards and Horse Grenadier Guards took part in the Jacobite wars in Flanders and Ireland, and fought at Walcourt, the Boyne, Steenkirk and Landen. |
1742 - 1746 |
3rd
and 4th Troops of Horse Guards and 2nd Troop Horse Grenadiers served on the continent during the War of Austrian Succession. They played a leading role in the rout of the French Household Cavalry at Dettingen (1743) and covered the infantry's retreat after Fontenoy (1745). |
1746 |
The 3rd and 4th Troops of Horse Guards were disbanded. |
1753 |
The
Horse Guards building was completed, near to the site of It
was then the official - and only - entrance to the King's gham Palace, which it still is today. This is why The Queen's Life Guard is posted here, and the name |
1st Scots Troop of Life Guards - 1698 |
2nd Scots Troop Horse Grenadiers - 1751 |
The above images are from a series of post cards published by Geoff White (reproduced from original watercolour paintings by Douglas N Anderson) |
 |
1st Life Guards |
2nd Life Guards |
1788 |
The
Troops of Horse Guards were disbanded and re-formed as the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Life Guards. In 1922 the 1st and 2nd Life Guards amalgamated and until 1928 were styled 'The Life Guards (1st and 2nd)'. In 1928 the name of the Regiment became 'The Life Guards'. |
1811 |
The
beginning of the Regency marked the large number of drastic changes in dress which continued until the present-day State uniform of the Regiment became fixed early in Victoria's reign. |
1813 - 1814 |
Both
1st and 2nd Life Guards participated in the Peninsular Campaign; a Squadron of the 1st Life Guards was the first to enter Vittoria after the battle (21st June 1813). |
1815 |
The
1st and 2nd Life Guards formed the front charging line of the Household Cavalry Brigade at Waterloo. The famous charge against the French Cuirassiers took place at the height of the battle and saved the British centre from being overrun. |
Officer's Sword, 1st Life Guards Below are some illustrations of the Sword and Scabbard of
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
