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57-719: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army , and the senior Scottish regiment . The regiment, through the Royal Scots Greys, is the oldest surviving Cavalry Regiment of the Line in the British Army. The regiment is based at Waterloo Lines, Leuchars Station , as part of 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland , a light adaptable force brigade. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh , by

114-794: A horsed cavalry role to a motorised one, re-equipping with armoured cars previously used by the Royal Tank Corps. Other regiments followed suit; in April 1939, the Royal Armoured Corps was formed to encompass the eighteen mechanised cavalry regiments of the line alongside the eight battalions of the Royal Tank Regiment , but did not include the Household Cavalry. The remaining two regular cavalry regiments were based in Palestine, and following

171-599: A number more would convert to the armoured role during the Second World War . However, in the reorganisation of the reserve forces in the late 1930s, many Yeomanry regiments were reorganised as artillery units , and transferred into the Royal Artillery . The Royal Armoured Corps itself formed a number of armoured regiments, converted from territorial infantry battalions, and the Reconnaissance Corps (taken into

228-633: A result, the Imperial Yeomanry was created in January 1900 as a volunteer cavalry corps. Some 34,000 men were sent to South Africa on one-year enlistments through 1900 and 1901, the majority coming initially from existing regiments of yeomanry. Many companies were raised and sponsored by yeomanry regiments—for example, the Leicestershire Yeomanry sponsored the 7th (Leicestershire) and the 65th (Leicestershire) Companies—and these regiments later took

285-586: Is SCOTS DG , the format of which follows the traditional Cavalry line. The cap badge features an eagle, which represents the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Waterloo. It is always worn with a black backing in mourning for Tsar Nicholas II , the last Tsar of Russia , who was their Colonel-in-Chief at

342-601: Is a theatre logistic enabling formation that operates strategic and operational Lines of Communications . 1st (UK) Division is the British Army's main contributor for land operations outside the Euro-Atlantic area and operations on NATO's flanks. 4th Light Brigade Combat Team consists of Light Infantry formations. 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team is a high readiness and highly mobile formation. 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade trains and mentors allied and partner nations' ground units. 8 Engineer Brigade commands

399-666: Is drunk at formal dinners in the Mess and is always taken seated, except when Royalty is present. On evenings when a military band is present, besides playing God Save the King the band also plays " God Bless the Prince of Wales ", an old 3rd Dragoon Guards custom, and the " Imperial Russian Anthem " in memory of Tsar Nicholas II , the Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Greys, murdered with his family during

456-535: The Army Reserve , of these, three serve as light cavalry and one as an armoured regiment . Each yeomanry light cavalry unit has been paired with a regular unit of the same role, the armoured yeomanry unit is paired with the two regular armoured units (and a further armoured unit which is not cavalry). All except the Household Cavalry are part of the British Army's Royal Armoured Corps . The British Army , in

513-849: The Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band , maintaining the percussion uniforms of the old band. Following the formation of the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps , the bearskin cap was lost, but the black and yellow pants were carried over. The Commanding Officers have been: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiners and Greys) inherited all of its antecedent regiments' battle honours when it was formed in 1971. These consist of: 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards) 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) Colonels of

570-485: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo over the years. The bass drummer parades with a distinctive white bearskin cap with red plume. Adopted in 1887 for the jubilee of Queen Victoria, it was originally worn by the mounted kettle drummer of the band. At some point, the cap passed to the pipes and drums of the regiment. Folklore has it that the white bearskin was presented to the regiment by Tsar Nicholas II,

627-535: The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards they formed the Household Cavalry. The same year, the remaining four Horse regiments were retitled as the 4th through 7th Dragoon Guards. Some thirty-four regiments of fencible cavalry — regiments raised for home service only—were raised in 1794 and 1795, in response to an invasion scare; all had disbanded by the end of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1802. At

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684-614: The Russian Civil War (1918). The regiment has its own pipe band , who were first formed in 1946 and tour widely, performing in competitions, concerts and parades. It was the first official organized pipes and drums in the history of the regiment. Their most famous piece is " Amazing Grace ", which reached number one in the charts in the United Kingdom , Ireland , Australia , New Zealand , Canada , and South Africa in 1972. The track sold over seven million copies by mid 1977, and

741-690: The Special Reserve , rather than the Territorials, and were no longer considered Yeomanry. The last major use of conventional cavalry by the Army was in the First World War . However, the anticipated war of manoeuvre on the Western Front never took place, and the cavalry forces were never employed in their intended role; instead, many saw intermittent service as dismounted infantry. This was especially true of

798-435: The heavy cavalry (Dragoon and Dragoon Guard regiments). Henceforth, all newly raised regiments of cavalry would be denoted Light Dragoons. By 1783, the 7th to 14th Dragoons had become the 7th to 14th Light Dragoons, changing from heavy to light roles. The various troops of Horse Guards and Horse Grenadier Guards were regimented in 1788, forming the 1st Regiment of Life Guards and 2nd Regiment of Life Guards ; together with

855-566: The A Squadron lead contingent named "Dragoon Troop" and the C Squadron lead Contingent named "Balaklava Troop". Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , the unit deployed on Operation RESCRIPT where they assisted the NHS and local authorities across the UK. In 2022, the unit resubordinated to 7th Brigade Combat Team as part of Future Soldier and deployed to Mali on Operation Newcombe . The regiment converted to

912-630: The British element of the 2003 invasion of Iraq . The bulk of the regiment deployed as part of the Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group with a single squadron (A Squadron) detached to the First Battalion The Black Watch Battle Group. All deployed elements of the regiment took part in the advance on Iraq's second largest city, Basra . Prior to reaching Basra, A Squadron fought in and around Az Zubayr and C Squadron

969-444: The Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys, however this is incorrect according to the regimental history. Additionally, pictures exist of this cap in use by the regimental kettle drummer prior to 1894 when Tsar Nicholas II was crowned. Following the formation of the new regiment, the regimental bands of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and The Royal Scots Greys merged to form the Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards . The band deployed with

1026-543: The Regiment have been: Cavalry regiments of the British Army There are 13 cavalry Regiments of the British Army each with its own unique cap badge, regimental traditions, and history. Of the currently nine regular cavalry regiments, two serve as armoured regiments , three as armoured cavalry regiments, three as light cavalry , and one as a mounted ceremonial regiment. There are also four yeomanry regiments of

1083-440: The Royal Armoured Corps in 1944) several mechanised reconnaissance units, all of which were classed with the cavalry. Other war-formed units included twelve Territorial Army battalions of the Royal Tank Regiment , converted from infantry in 1938 and 1939, and six new line cavalry regiments, the 22nd through 27th. These were arbitrarily termed as hussars, lancers or dragoons, but with no meaning; none would survive past 1948. After

1140-693: The Territorial Army, all in the light reconnaissance role, with five regiments of the Royal Artillery , eight of the Royal Engineers and eleven of the Royal Signals titled as "Yeomanry" and retaining lineages from a yeomanry regiment. The 31 British cavalry regiments created by the Childers Reforms in 1881 were amalgamated into eight regiments by 2015. The table below gives an overview of this process. There are currently 9 regiments of cavalry in

1197-548: The War, this is not entirely accurate. All of the yeomanry units raised second- and third-line regiments from new recruits, and on the outbreak of war some seventeen Cavalry Reserve Regiments were formed. Few of these units saw active service, instead serving to train and equip men for the front-line regiments, or as reserve units for home defence. The Tank Corps —the forerunner of the Royal Tank Regiment—was formed in 1917, but

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1254-420: The amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) (themselves the product of the amalgamation in 1922 of 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) and 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) ), and The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) . Soon after, the regiment deployed on four tours of Northern Ireland in 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1980, suffering one fatality in 1972, when Trooper Ian Hunter Caie

1311-486: The army's two engineer specialist groups: 12 Group provides land and air force support engineering. 29 Group provides Explosive Ordnance Disposal , and Counter-Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear capabilities. 102 Operational Sustainment Brigade moves troops and equipment to the battle area and logistically sustains fighting formations. Provost Marshal (Army) polices the army and undertakes activities concerned with investigations, custodial matters and security in

1368-465: The battle honours of their sponsored companies when they returned from overseas service. All Imperial Yeomanry battalions were equipped as mounted infantry , using infantry organisation and terminology (note "battalion" and "company", rather than "regiment" and "squadron"); this proved highly useful in South Africa, where fast-moving infantry was invaluable for a fluid war spread over enormous areas. As

1425-639: The crest of the cap and black pants lined with yellow stripes. This was a direct copy of The Royal Scots Greys band's old uniforms. In addition, the Drum Major's uniform consisted of a black bearskin with large crimson plume over the crest of the cap and yellow pants, with the tunic of the Royal Dragoon Guards. In 2006, this band amalgamated with the Cambrai Band of the Royal Tank Regiment to form

1482-559: The crossed carabines, formed the badge of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's). The distinctive yellow zigzag (or "vandyke") cap band was inherited from the Royal Scots Greys, who had worn it since the mid-19th century. As a royal regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is permitted to wear the Royal Stewart tartan , which was a privilege granted by King George VI, and is worn by the regiment's pipers. The Loyal Toast

1539-412: The current level. The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) is a high readiness corps -level command tasked to lead NATO ’s Response Force (NRF). 1st Signal Brigade provides communications elements to Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), Joint Task Force HQ (JTFHQ), and other government departments. 104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade

1596-483: The establishment by another five line regiments, along with amalgamating the regiments of the Household Cavalry . The Yeomanry had been reduced even further in the post-war years; most regiments were amalgamated in the 1950s and then reduced to cadres in the late 1960s, with a sizable fraction being converted to infantry, artillery, or support roles. By the end of the Cold War, there were five regiments of "pure" Yeomanry in

1653-502: The first contingent of volunteers returned, and the lessons of the war were absorbed by the Army, it was decided to convert the Yeomanry into mounted infantry along the same lines. The new Yeomanry regiments, appropriately retitled as "Imperial Yeomanry", comprised four companies of mounted infantry with carbines, and a machine-gun section; by 1903, an additional nineteen regiments of Imperial Yeomanry had been raised, with several perpetuating

1710-671: The forces of the Honourable East India Company . The outbreak of the South African War in 1899 caused some sharp setbacks for the British forces, leading to a high demand for additional troops to be despatched, especially light cavalry. However, it was not possible to embody the Yeomanry for overseas service; they were raised to be only liable for service in the British Isles, to resist invasion or for internal security. As

1767-416: The head and the body; the regulations of Charles II, in 1663, provided for them to be armed with "a sword and a case of pistols ... each Trooper of our Guards to have a carbine besides". By the start of the eighteenth century, the cavalry establishment had been divided into household and line units. The household establishment consisted of four troops of Horse Guards and two of Horse Grenadier Guards, while

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1824-490: The heavy cavalry, with nine regiments of hussars and five of lancers in the light cavalry. By this point, the distinction between heavy and light cavalry regiments had effectively vanished, as both fought in the same manner and were equipped in the same way—with the exception of the lancers, who retained their lances . In 1862 the army received a further four regiments of cavalry, the European light cavalry regiments formerly part of

1881-499: The lineages of volunteer units in South Africa or of previously disbanded Yeomanry regiments. In 1908, the reserve forces underwent significant reforms; the Yeomanry and the infantry Volunteers were consolidated into the Territorial Force . The Yeomanry dropped its designation of "Imperial Yeomanry", and most regiments converted back from the mounted infantry role to become lancers, hussars or dragoons. Four regiments were assigned to

1938-567: The modern sense of the standing army under the Crown, was formed following the Restoration of King Charles II in 1661. At this point, the small standing forces included the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Troops of Horse Guards and the Royal Regiment of Horse ; some of these had been raised in exile and some as part of the New Model Army . The horsemen of the period were equipped as cuirassiers , with armour on

1995-462: The names of their colonels; in 1751, in an attempt to reduce confusion, regiments were assigned numbers in order of their seniority. The cavalry regiments of the line were numbered in three separate sequences; 1st through 4th Horse, then 1st through 3rd Dragoon Guards, then 1st through 14th Dragoons. "Dragoon Guards" was a new title, and did not denote a Guards' role; it was adopted by the three senior horse regiments in 1746, when George II reduced them to

2052-432: The nineteenth century, seeing occasional service quelling riots and helping to maintain public order. By the turn of the century, in 1801, the Household Cavalry establishment consisted of three regiments of guards, while the line cavalry had some twenty-seven regiments of dragoons and dragoon guards. The heavy cavalry consisted of twelve regiments, the 1st to 7th Dragoon Guards and the 1st to 6th Dragoons—the missing regiment

2109-637: The north part of the camp 'Waterloo Lines' in celebration of 200 years since the Battle of Waterloo . The Regiment deployed to Cyprus with the United Nations on Operation TOSCA 27, where they conducted peace-keeping for six months from September 2017. The Regiment deployed to Poland in 2019 and 2020 on Operation CABRIT as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Poland Battlegroup on two separate six month deployments with

2166-559: The outbreak of war retained their horses until 1940 (the Royal Dragoons ) and 1941 (the Royal Scots Greys ). Following mechanisation, the few remaining distinctions of unit type became meaningless; cavalry regiments moved between the heavy and light armoured roles regardless of their names. Seven regiments of the Yeomanry, previously affiliated with the Royal Tank Regiment, were taken into the Royal Armoured Corps on its formation, and

2223-614: The rank of OR-2 are called 'Troopers'. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum is situated at Edinburgh Castle . Opened in 2006, the exhibits include uniforms, medals, weapons, regalia, music and the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo. The regiment's official abbreviation (as listed in Joint Service Publication 101 (Service Writing))

2280-612: The regiment deployed to Afghanistan. The pipes and drums distinguished themselves, winning the award for Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits for Spirit of the Glen: Journey, recorded on active service. In November 2013, the unit was converted to a light cavalry unit, armed with Jackal vehicles. Under the Army 2020 plan, it was re-roled as a light cavalry unit, and moved to Leuchars Station in summer 2015. On 29 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II visited Leuchars, where she named

2337-572: The regiment on all operations, including during the Gulf War . Following significant reductions to the army in 1994, the band amalgamated with the Band of the Queen's Dragoon Guards and Band of the Royal Dragoon Guards to form the new, smaller, Band of the Dragoon Guards . The percussion section of the new band, as an ode to The Royal Scots Greys, wore bearskins with a large crimson plume extending over

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2394-559: The regiment was based in Iraq. The album Spirit of the Glen was produced by Jon Cohen and released by Universal on 26 November 2007. It was a remake of their most popular song "Amazing Grace" and featured the Czech Film Orchestra. Spirit of the Glen was officially launched at Edinburgh Castle and won Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits . They have also made regular appearances at

2451-661: The regular Army, and a further 4 Yeomanry regiments in the Army Reserve . In British terminology, a cavalry or armoured "regiment" is a battalion -sized unit. Armoured regiments are equipped with Challenger 2 main battle tanks (being replaced by Challenger 3 ): Regular: Reserve: Armoured cavalry regiments are equipped with Warrior armoured fighting vehicles (being replaced by Ajax); they have no paired reserve units: Light cavalry regiments are equipped with Jackal vehicles: Regular: Reserve: Future Soldier (British Army) The British Army will be reduced to 73,000 regular personnel by 2025. The reserves will be kept at

2508-434: The regular establishment was composed of nine regiments of Horse and eight of Dragoons. The "horse" regiments would in theory fight mounted as cavalry, while dragoons were originally mounted infantry - they would fight dismounted, but were provided with horses for swift movement. By the middle of the century, the term had come simply to mean light cavalry . Regiments were, at this time, known by semi-permanent nicknames or by

2565-472: The role of light cavalry as part of restructuring in the army under Army 2020 . It is equipped with Jackal armoured fighting vehicles . The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is paired with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry , an Army Reserve light cavalry regiment. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is broken into the following structure: In common with other cavalry regiments of the British Army, all soldiers with

2622-433: The same time, a large number of troops of volunteer cavalry were raised on a county level, consisting of local gentry and yeoman farmers; from the latter they took the description yeomanry . These troops formed into yeomanry regiments, organised broadly by county, around 1800; their history thereafter is complex, with many disbanding, reforming, and changing title intermittently. However, most remained in existence throughout

2679-462: The status of dragoons in order to save money. The first "light horse" regiment was raised in 1745, for service in the Second Jacobite rising , and proved so successful that light troops were added to most cavalry regiments in 1755. In 1759, five complete regiments (the 15th to 19th) of Light Dragoons were formed, and the distinction was made between the light cavalry (Light Dragoon regiments) and

2736-416: The time of his execution. The cap badge also has the crossed carbines of the 3rd Carabiniers at the rear of the eagle. The Plume of The Prince of Wales with its motto Ich Dien is worn by all members of the Regiment embroidered on the upper part of the left sleeve. The right to wear this badge was granted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards in 1765; it subsequently became the regiment's cap badge and later, with

2793-440: The traditions and honours of both "parents" to be perpetuated. Before the Second World War , cavalry recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 2 inches tall, but could not exceed 5 feet 9 inches. They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve. In October 1928, a new era began as the 11th Hussars became the first regular cavalry regiment to "mechanise", to change from

2850-410: The war, the regular cavalry was quickly reduced to its pre-war establishment, and reduced further by the 1957 Defence White Paper ; as a result of this, seven regular cavalry regiments were lost through amalgamation, leaving two household, sixteen line regiments. The subsequent round of cuts, in 1969–71, saw a further three line regiments disappear, and the 1990 Options for Change defence review reduced

2907-460: The yeomanry regiments; indeed, the 74th (Yeomanry) Division was composed entirely of yeomanry regiments serving as infantry, and in 1918 many regiments began to be formally converted to infantry units. However, mounted cavalry did play a major role in the Sinai and Palestine theatre , most notably at the Battle of Beersheba . While it generally appears that no new regiments of cavalry were raised during

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2964-465: Was awarded a gold disc . The track was also featured in the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers . In Canada , the originating LP, Farewell To The Greys , was number nine for four weeks, beginning 24 June 1972. The band released a new CD in late November 2007 through Universal Music , featuring a number of classic pipe tunes along with some modern arrangements, which was recorded while

3021-496: Was detached from the SCOTS DG BG to fight with 3 Commando Brigade in actions south of Basra that included Britain's largest tank engagement since the Gulf War , when 14 Challenger 2 tanks engaged and destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks (the so-called '14–0' engagement). The regiment saw more deployments to Iraq in 2006 and 2008, where it suffered two casualties, Lieutenant Richard Palmer and Corporal Gordon Pritchard. In 2008, 2011 and 2013/14

3078-649: Was killed by a bomb in a beer barrel that exploded in the path of his Ferret scout car in Moybane, near Crossmaglen County Armagh . The regiment saw active service during the Gulf War in 1991 deploying 57 Challenger tanks and in Bosnia as part of SFOR in 1996–97. In 1998, it became the first regiment in the British Army to operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank . It deployed to Kosovo , as part of KFOR , in 2000. The regiment deployed to Iraq for Operation Telic ,

3135-439: Was not considered as "cavalry" until the 1940s. Following the War, and the subsequent reduction in the strength of the Army, it was apparent that future warfare would involve much less of a role for cavalry. As such, the regular force was reduced from 31 regiments of cavalry to 22. Unlike previous reductions, however, this was carried out by the amalgamation of regiments rather than the disbanding of junior regiments; this allowed

3192-431: Was the 17th Light Dragoons . In 1806, the 10th Light Dragoons became the 10th Hussars , taking a title made popular by Continental cavalry; the 5th, 15th and 18th followed in 1807. In 1816 three more regiments changed their title to "Lancers", and in 1818 two more dragoon regiments became light dragoons. By 1861, the last light dragoons retitled as hussars, leaving three regiments of dragoons and seven of dragoon guards in

3249-479: Was the 5th Dragoons , disbanded for mutiny in 1799 without renumbering younger regiments—while the light cavalry consisted of the 7th through 29th Light Dragoons and two regiments of German cavalry on the British establishment. Many of the light cavalry regiments were disbanded after the Napoleonic Wars ; at their peak in 1794, there had been some 33 regiments of light dragoons, but by 1822 the most junior regiment

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