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

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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 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 1892, at which time the Regiments changed
formation - 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.

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.

Regimental Quartermaster Corporal - RQMC
(an appointment).

Laurel wreath around a crown - worn on right wrist.

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Spur Badge

Note that the Riding Instructor Spur Badge - when worn on the
Full Dress Tunic - differs in design to the one worn on the Patrol Jacket.

B1 Badge

This is to be worn only by Troopers and Lance Corporals on their
No 2 Dress Jacket, right sleeve - between Chevrons and Crown.

Trade Badges

May be worn by Corporals of Horse and below, in No 2 Dress.

Worn on the right sleeve, between Chevrons and Crown.