Historical Record of the Fourth, or Royal Irish Regiment of Dragoon Guards

1822

On the 10th of June, 1822, Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford again inspected the regiment, and expressed in strong terms his approbation of its appearance and discipline on this and the former occasion when he had seen the corps.

In July the regiment marched to Port Patrick, where it embarked for Ireland; and after landing at Donaghadee, the head-quarters were established at Dundalk, and detachments were stationed at Belturbet, Monaghan, Enniskillen, &c.: on the 23rd of October it was inspected by Major-General Egerton. An alteration was this year made in the shape of the helmet; and a large bear-skin crest was adopted.

1823

The regiment marched from the northern district in June, 1823, for Dublin, where it was reviewed on the 12th of that month by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, by whom its appearance and discipline were commended. In a few days after this review it was removed to Newbridge, and was again inspected by the same officer in November following.

18241825

In June, 1824, the regiment marched to the royal barracks at Dublin, where it was inspected by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant on the 12th of July; and again on the 14th of May, 1825. In June it marched to Cahir, Limerick, Clogheen, and New Ross; and on the 20th of October it was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Doyle.

1826

From these quarters the regiment was withdrawn in March, 1826, and proceeding to Dublin, was there once more inspected by Sir Colquhoun Grant, and afterwards embarked for Liverpool, where it landed on the 29th of March. On the 31st it marched for Coventry, Birmingham, and Abergavenny; and in July was inspected by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian.

In consequence of serious riots having taken place at Dudley and Wolverhampton, two troops marched to these places in the beginning of August. Serious disturbances also occurred at Lichfield during the election in the early part of September, and much mischief would have been done, but was prevented by the timely arrival of a troop of the Fourth Dragoon Guards from Birmingham. The troops were obliged to act against the people on several occasions, and a few persons were wounded.

1827

On the 8th of January, 1827, this regiment, in common with the other corps of the army, testified, by articles of mourning, the general grief on account of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief of the army. The decease of His Royal Highness occurred on the 7th of January, and the whole army had to deplore the loss of a Prince who had justly obtained the appellation of "The Soldiers' friend." He was succeeded in the command of the army by the Duke of Wellington.

After the decease of Lieutenant-General Cartwright, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Fane, G.C.B., was removed to the First Dragoon Guards, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the Fourth Royal Irish Dragoon Guards by Lieutenant-General Sir George Anson, G.C.B., by commission dated the 27th of February, 1827.

In April of this year the regiment marched to Dorchester, and occupied also Christchurch, Trowbridge, and Dursley; and was inspected on the 29th of April by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian.

In consequence of the Dorchester barracks requiring repairs, two troops and the head-quarters marched to Weymouth on the 1st of June. On the 12th of July, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Clarence (afterwards Queen Adelaide) arrived at Weymouth, and the Fourth Dragoon Guards had the honour of escorting Her Royal Highness into the town, and of mounting a guard of honour where she alighted. Her Royal Highness left Weymouth on the following day with a similar escort. The regiment had also the honour of furnishing an escort for, and of receiving, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.) when His Royal Highness passed through Dorchester.

On the 20th of August the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian; and in October the head-quarters returned to Dorchester. In December, it furnished an escort and a guard of honour for His Royal Highness Don Miguel of Portugal on his visiting Dorchester.

1828

The lace across the breast of the coats was this year discontinued, the coats were made to button in front without lace, and the skirts lengthened: four bars of lace were worn on the sleeve, and the facing was directed to be a blue velvet. The officers were ordered to wear two silver epaulettes and an aiguillette; and the men brass scales on the shoulders. At the same time the men's girdles were discontinued, but the officers continued to wear a crimson and gold sash with long pendent tassels. In the following spring the colour of the overalls was changed to dark blue, with a broad stripe of silver lace for the officers, and of white lace for the men. A blue great coat was also introduced for the officers; and horse furniture23 of dark blue cloth with a double row of broad silver lace, with the King's cypher, crown, and the star of St. Patrick on each corner: and a black bearskin flounce.

Sir Hussey Vivian inspected the regiment on the 13th of April, and repeated the expressions of approbation he had invariably used on former occasions, of its appearance and discipline. In May its quarters were changed to Exeter and Topsham barracks, with one troop at Dursley, and Sir Hussey Vivian made the autumnal half-yearly inspection on the 25th of August. During the summer the regiment had again the honour of furnishing travelling escorts for the Duchess of Clarence; and in September for Her Majesty the Queen of Portugal.

Gauntlet gloves were originally part of the equipment of every cavalry soldier; but were replaced by short gloves in the early part of the reign of George III.; and in December of this year the short leather gloves were laid aside and gauntlets again adopted.

18291830

The regiment marched from its quarters in Devonshire and Gloucestershire in April, 1829, for the north of England, and occupied York, with detached troops at Beverley and Newcastle upon Tyne. In September, Sir Hussey Vivian again inspected the regiment; and in April, 1830, it marched for Scotland, and occupied quarters at Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Perth. It was inspected on the 31st of May by Major-General Sir Robert O'Callaghan, K.C.B.; and on the 26th of June it was formed, with the remainder of the garrison, at the mound of Edinburgh Castle and fired a feu-de-joie, in consequence of the accession of His Majesty King William IV. to the throne.

Soon after His Majesty's accession orders were given for all the army, excepting the Royal Horse Guards, to wear scarlet; also for all the regular forces to wear gold lace and embroidery, and the militia silver. The lace and embroidery of the Fourth Dragoon Guards, which had been silver from the period of its formation, were at this period changed to Gold.

On the 27th of October the regiment was inspected by Major-General the Honourable Patrick Stewart, who expressed himself in terms of approbation of its appearance and discipline.

1831

In April and May of the following year the troops performed several marches and much extra duty in consequence of the riotous conduct of the people at the elections. Escorts were required for the voters, and so violent were the rioters, that one man was killed by a brick while proceeding to vote in charge of a party of the military. Many of the soldiers were knocked off their horses with stones, and others had their helmets broken; yet such was the exemplary patience and forbearance of the soldiers of the Fourth Dragoon Guards, under these painful and trying circumstances, that not a single civilian was hurt by them during the whole period. During the riots at Ayr the prisoners in the gaol rose against the turnkeys, whom they overpowered; but a few men of the Fourth Dragoon Guards arriving, they dismounted, entered the gaol with loaded carbines, secured the prisoners before they could effect their escape, and restored order.

The usual half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General Hon. Patrick Stuart on the 16th of June; and on the 8th of September the regiment, with the garrison at Edinburgh, assembled and fired a feu-de-joie, on the occasion of the coronation of King William IV. and Queen Adelaide.

A change of quarters took place towards the end of September, and the regiment was stationed at Glasgow, Hamilton, and Haddington. It was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H., on the 29th of September; and its present commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel James Charles Chatterton was appointed to the regiment on the 9th of December, in succession to Lieut. – Colonel Ross, who exchanged to the half-pay.

1832

In March, 1832, one troop of the regiment marched to Paisley to aid the civil power in suppressing the riots which had occurred in that town. On the 4th of April, the half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General the Honourable Patrick Stewart, and the regiment being on the eve of its departure for Ireland, the Major-General issued the following order.

'Glasgow, April, 1832.

'General Order.

'On the departure of the Fourth Dragoon Guards for Ireland, Major-General Stewart takes the opportunity of expressing to the regiment the great satisfaction its conduct has given him during the period of upwards of a year and a half that it has been under his command, and during that time frequently under very trying circumstances, when upon all occasions it has evinced that steadiness, temper, and coolness, the certain results of the high state of discipline which the regiment has so eminently maintained.

'The Major-General requests that Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton, the officers and men of the Fourth Dragoon Guards, will accept his best wishes for their future prosperity and welfare.

'By Order of the Major-General,'P. Edwards, Major and A.D.C.'

The regiment embarked at Glasgow in steam-vessels for Belfast, and, after landing, occupied quarters at Dundalk, Belturbet, Ballyshannon, and Monaghan. On the 11th of May Major-General Macdonell made the usual half-yearly inspection.

During the summer and autumn of this year, the election riots, and other disturbances which occurred in Ireland, occasioned the regiment much harassing duty, detachments being almost constantly on the march to aid the civil power.

On the 20th of September Lieut. – General Sir Hussey Vivian inspected the regiment, and complimented the officers and men very highly on their appearance after the harassing duties they had lately performed. On the 7th of October the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Macdonell.

Ireland continued in a disturbed state, and during the autumn and winter the regiment was employed in most fatiguing and painful services. In one month the regiment furnished fifty-one parties to assist the civil power in making tithe-collections, quelling riots at fairs, dispersing illegal meetings, or suppressing election riots; and each of these parties was under the command of one or more officers.

1833

In the spring of 1833 the head-quarters were removed to Cahir, and the regiment occupied also Limerick, Clonmell, and Carrick-on-Suir; and on the 16th of April Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton had the satisfaction to receive a letter from Major-General Macdonell, expressing 'his perfect approbation of the exemplary and excellent conduct of the regiment during its service in the northern district.'

The half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General Sir James Douglas in the beginning of June. In September a squadron was employed in suppressing the riots at Cahir races, where two violent parties attacked each other, and the Dragoon Guards separated the combatants; but unfortunately several lives had been lost, and many of the peasantry dangerously wounded.

On the departure of the Marquis of Anglesey from Ireland the following order was issued.

'Adjutant-General's Office,'26th September, 1833.

'General Order.

'Lieut. – General Sir Hussey Vivian has the greatest satisfaction in publishing to the troops in Ireland the accompanying expression of the Lord Lieutenant's approbation of their conduct and services, on the occasion of his Excellency's departure from this country.

'The Lord Lieutenant cannot quit these shores without reiterating to the army of Ireland the high sense he entertains of its admirable and truly soldier-like conduct.

'To the Lieut. – General commanding the forces he need hardly express his approbation and esteem, a feeling won for him by forty years' knowledge of his excellent qualities as a soldier and a man.

'Of the zeal, intelligence, and assiduity of the general officers and staff of the army he cannot speak in terms of too high praise. He desires that the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, as well of the army now present, as of those corps which have served here during the government of the Lord Lieutenant, will be assured he feels he cannot too highly appreciate and applaud their excellent conduct.

'Their patience, firmness, and forbearance (under circumstances that it may reasonably be hoped will never occur again), while they have salutarily supported the administration of the laws, have, with their mild demeanour, won the approbation and applause of all parties.

(Signed) 'Anglesey.'Phœnix Park, 25th September, 1833.

'By command of the Lieut. – General Commanding,

'George D'Aguilar, D.A.G.'

Major-General Sir James Douglas inspected the regiment on the 11th of October.

1834

On the 27th of April, 1834, the following gratifying address was presented to Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton, K.H., and the assembled Officers of the regiment, by James Archer Butler, Esq., attended by a large deputation of the gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood of Cahir.

'At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Cahir, held at Cahir Castle Hotel on the 27th of April, 1834; James Archer Butler, Esq., in the Chair, the following address to Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton, K.H., the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Fourth Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, was unanimously agreed to.

'Whilst we consider your departure from Cahir barracks with unfeigned regret, permit us to express our high admiration of the gentlemanly and soldier-like conduct of every officer in your gallant corps. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates we feel the utmost pleasure in bearing testimony to their orderly conduct, evidently the result of inclination as well as of the high state of discipline, and the good feeling which so happily subsisted between them and the inhabitants of every class during their stay in these quarters.

'When we recollect the unexampled exertion of yourself and the officers to promote the amusement and good fellowship of this neighbourhood (which it fell to the lot of most of us to enjoy), it is but natural that your removal should cause pain and sorrow; but we have the consoling hope that events may occur to cause your speedy return to these barracks.

'In taking leave of you, Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the truly distinguished Fourth Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, we wish you, in the sincerity of our hearts, every happiness and prosperity.

(Signed)'James Archer Butler, Chairman.'To Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton, K.H., &c. &c. &c.'

The regiment marched from Cahir and the out-stations on the 28th and 29th of April, and proceeded to Cork, where the head-quarters were established with detached parties at Ballincorrig and Buttevant; and on the 4th of May a communication was received from Major-General Sir James Douglas, K.C.B., expressing his 'perfect satisfaction at the conduct and high state of discipline of the regiment whilst under his orders in the South-western district.'

On the 23rd and 24th of May, the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., and again, by the same officer, on the 22nd of October; also by Lieut. – General Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., on the 3rd of the latter month.

The lawless resistance of the peasantry to the collection of tithes gave rise to additional duty during the autumn and winter of this year; and their violent conduct brought on collisions, which had the painful result of producing loss of life. Several persons were wounded at Ballincorrig on the 18th of December. On the 20th a large and tumultuous assembly of the peasantry at Gortroe, near Rathcormac, showed much obstinacy and lawless violence, attacking the military with sticks and stones, and were fired upon, when ten were killed and several wounded. The greatest excitement prevailed, and the military were obliged to assemble again on the 21st of December, and for several days afterwards.

This year a new-pattern brass helmet with bear skin crest was adopted, and the trumpeters' clothing was directed to be Scarlet, distinguished by lace.

1835

The elections which took place in January, 1835, occasioned the regiment much extra duty and many harassing marches; and its conduct, with that of the other regiments in Ireland, elicited the following communications.

'DISTRICT MEMORANDUM'Adjutant-General's Office,'Cork, 30th January, 1835.

'The Major-General is most happy to notify to the commandants of corps, that it appears from communications which he has received from the magistrates of this district, that the conduct of the detachments called out in aid of the civil power during the late elections, was, without exception, remarkably good. That the troops, to their praise be it said, never entered into party spirit on one side or the other, and that they never were employed except to protect the voters, and acting under the magistrates for the preservation of the peace.

(Signed) 'Charles Turner,'Asst. Adjutant General.''Adjutant-General's Office,'Dublin, 30th January, 1835.

'General Order.

'Lieut. – General Sir Hussey Vivian experiences the greatest gratification in communicating to the troops serving in Ireland the subjoined letter, received from His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant, expressive of His Excellency's approbation of their conduct during the late elections.

'To a testimony so valuable, and emanating from so high a quarter, the Lieut. – General feels that any addition on his part must be quite unnecessary; but he cannot refuse himself the satisfaction of uniting with it his own individual acknowledgments to the general officers and men serving under his orders, and of congratulating them on the possession of a tribute so honourable to themselves, and so calculated to confirm their zeal in the service of their King and Country.'

'By command of the Lieut. – General commanding,(Signed) 'G. D'Aguilar, D.A.G.''Dublin, 30th January, 1835.

'Sir, – The elections being now over, and the service on which so many of the troops under your command have been for some weeks past engaged being now nearly at an end, I feel myself called upon to express to you the high sense I entertain of the admirable conduct of both officers and men, while employed in the performance of a duty in its very nature harassing and unpleasant.

'According to all the reports which have been under my cognizance, nothing could have exceeded their coolness, patience, and forbearance.

'Their presence in aid of the police and civil power (whose conduct is also above all praise) generally insured the peace, where, but for their the few occasions on which they were called upon to act, they did so, strictly, in self-defence, and not till they had been themselves assailed, and in many instances severely injured.

'I have to beg you will convey to them my best acknowledgments, and the assurance that I will, without loss of time, lay before His Majesty their claims to His Royal approbation.

'I cannot conclude this letter without offering you my best thanks for the readiness with which you have attended to every call made upon you, for your judicious arrangements of the force under your command, and for the zeal, promptitude, and ability by which your conduct has been distinguished.

'The same thanks are due to the general commanding the garrison of Dublin, and to the general and superior officers in the different military divisions, for the able manner in which their duty was performed, whether in giving orders upon the spot when called upon by the civil power for protection, or in obeying the orders they received from head-quarters.

'I am, &c.,(Signed) 'Haddington.'To Lieut. – General the Right Honourable'Sir Hussey Vivian, &c. &c. &c.'

The regiment having completed three years' service in Ireland, embarked at Cork on board of steam-vessels in May, 1835, for Bristol, from whence it marched to Brighton, with detached troops at Canterbury, Chichester, and Horsham; and relieved the Grenadier Guards in the duty at the Royal Pavilion.

In July the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, who expressed himself much pleased with its steadiness and discipline; and on the 10th of August it was inspected by Lieut. – General Lord Hill, the General Commanding-in-Chief, who was pleased to direct Lieut. – Colonel Chatterton to issue an order, stating that 'the appearance of the men and horses, and the discipline and interior economy of the regiment were such as to merit his fullest approbation; and that the squadron he had lately inspected at Canterbury was also in the most perfect order.'

A riotous assemblage of people having taken place at Steyning in opposition to the poor-laws, one troop marched thither on the 11th of September, and its timely arrival rescued the magistrates and relieving officer from a situation of very great danger. A troop also marched to Horsham for a similar purpose on the 15th of September; and another troop from Canterbury to Bath on the 20th of October.

The Colonel of the Fourth Dragoon Guards Lieut. – General Sir George Anson, G.C.B., inspected the regiment on the 26th of October, and directed the following paragraph to be inserted in the orderly books.

'Lieut. – General Sir George Anson has the greatest satisfaction in expressing his entire approbation of the general appearance of his regiment, and of the zeal and attention manifested by all ranks to good order and discipline.'

Their Majesties King William IV. and Queen Adelaide having arrived at the Royal Pavilion, the Fourth Dragoon Guards had the honour of being on the King's duty for the first time since the reign of William III. His Majesty heard the records of the regiment read in the early part of November, and expressed great interest and gratification at hearing their contents.

In December a detachment of the regiment was employed in aiding the civil power at Horsham; and a letter of thanks was received from the Duke of Richmond and magistrates assembled at that town, 'for the conduct of the detachment of the regiment there when called upon to assist the civil power, as well as for their excellent behaviour since quartered in that town.'

1836

On the 17th of December Colonel Lord Frederic Fitz-Clarence, with a number of noblemen and general officers from the Pavilion, saw the regiment; and on the 27th of January, 1836, it was inspected by His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Phillipstal, who was pleased to say to Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton – 'I have heard from every quarter the greatest praise of your regiment, but what I have seen has surpassed my utmost expectation, and I shall not fail to mention to His Majesty the pleasure I have experienced in seeing so fine a corps.' His Majesty was afterwards pleased to express his royal satisfaction at what Prince Ernest had reported; and also his approbation, and that of the Queen, at the excellent performance of the band at all times when playing at the Pavilion; and at the good conduct of the regiment during their Majesties' sojourn at Brighton.

A change of quarters took place in May, and the regiment was stationed at Dorchester, Trowbridge, and Weymouth, and was inspected on the 11th and 12th of July by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac.

1837

During the following summer the regiment marched for Manchester, and was stationed at Hulme barracks; and on the 29th of May took part in a grand procession and spectacle at Manchester in honour of His Majesty's birth-day.

The decease of King William IV. having taken place on the 20th of June, the Fourth Dragoon Guards, 48th regiment, and artillery, took part in a grand procession on the 23rd of that month, at Manchester, on the occasion of the proclamation of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria to the throne. On the following day the regiment assumed the usual mourning for His late Majesty.