Historical Record of the Third, Or the King's Own Regiment of Light Dragoons

The allies were immediately formed for action, with their left on the river, and their right extending to a wood, in which the baggage was placed. Shortly afterwards the action commenced, when Lieut. – General Clayton, who commanded the left wing of infantry, requested some squadrons to cover his flank, and the King's Own dragoons were ordered to this important post, where they suffered severely, being exposed three hours to the fire of the French batteries, as well from their front, as from the other side of the river, which commanded their flank and rear. At length the regiment was led forward, and encountering nine squadrons of household cavalry, the élite of the French army, charged these celebrated horsemen with a degree of gallantry truly astonishing. British valour was most conspicuously displayed; though over-matched with numbers, and nearly surrounded by enemies, the King's Own dragoons were seen nobly contending for victory, and mingled in close fight with their antagonists, the swift motion of their glittering sabres showed with what vehemence the gallant troopers fought for the honour of their King and country. They cut through their renowned opponents three times; distinguishing themselves in the most signal manner under the eye of their Sovereign, and contributing materially to the victory gained on that occasion. Their loss was however great. Of the three cornets who bore the standards, two were wounded, and the third, Mr. Child, the brother of Lord Castlemaine, had two horses killed under him. The standards were totally destroyed by shot and sabre-cuts, and one of them was only preserved from capture by the heroism of a private in the regiment, named Thomas Brown, a native of Kirkleatham, in Yorkshire. This gallant soldier, on the cornet's receiving a wound in the wrist, and dropping the standard, attempted to dismount in order to recover it, but in so doing lost two fingers of his bridle-hand by a sabre cut, and his horse ran away with him to the rear of the French lines. Whilst endeavouring to regain his regiment he perceived the standard, which the French had succeeded in capturing by overwhelming numbers, in the custody of a gendarme, who was conveying it to the rear. This man he attacked and killed, caught the standard as it fell, and fixing it between his leg and the saddle, succeeded in cutting his way back through the ranks of the enemy: but received, in so doing, seven wounds in his head, face, and body, and three balls passed through his hat.20 A letter, in the Gazette of July 16th, states, 'that in this action Ligonier's horse, (the seventh dragoon guards,) and the Third dragoons suffered most, and gained great reputation.' The loss of the Third was Lieutenant Baily, one serjeant, two drummers, thirty-eight private men, and one hundred and forty-one horses, killed; Major Honeywood21, Captain Brown, Lieutenant Robinson, Cornets Dawson, Monteith and O'Carrol, with three quarter-masters, six serjeants, five drummers, eighty-six private men, and fifty horses wounded22. The victory was most decisive; the French were completely defeated in their attempt, and were compelled to recross the Maine with precipitation, with the loss of many standards, colours, and four pair of kettle-drums.

The King's Own dragoons passed the night near the field of battle, surrounded by their ensanguined trophies, and, having marched to Hanau on the following day, were encamped, for some time, on the banks of the little river Kinzig, from whence they advanced with the army, in the early part of August, for the Rhine; and, having crossed that river above Mentz, were employed in operations in West Germany, where the army was joined by the Dutch auxiliaries. The enemy's entrenchments at Germersheim, in the Bavarian circle of the Rhine, were afterwards destroyed, but no general engagement occurred; and in the middle of October the army repassed the Rhine, and marched back to the Netherlands in eight divisions23. The royals, greys, and King's Own dragoons, with the Scots highlanders, forming the first division, proceeded through the duchy of Nassau, the provinces of Limburg, Liege, and South Brabant, to Brussels, where they arrived on the 16th of November, and on the following day continued their march for West Flanders, to pass the winter in quarters at Ghent.

1744

Notwithstanding its severe loss the regiment remained in Belgium, and being joined by a number of recruits, in the spring of 1744, it took the field, and in June it formed part of the army encamped on the banks of the Scheldt, near Oudenarde, in East Flanders. During the summer it was employed in operations in the province of Hainault, and in levying contributions in the French territory towards Lisle. In October it marched into quarters at Ghent: and by the Muster Rolls for this year we find its numbers were 538.

1745

After leaving their winter quarters about the middle of April, 1745, the King's Own were encamped a short time near Brussels, where they were reviewed by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland. They were afterwards assembled with the army at Soignies. The French having assembled a numerous army and besieged Tournay, the Duke of Cumberland resolved to attempt the relief of that fortress; the army, accordingly, advanced, and on the 28th of April took post at Leuse. On the following day a squadron of the King's Own was employed, with other troops, in driving back the enemy's advanced-posts, and on the 30th the battle of Fontenoy took place; when the gallant efforts and brilliant success of the British were rendered unavailing by the failure of the Dutch. After an action of several hours the King's Own dragoons were ordered forward, and they charged the enemy with their accustomed gallantry; but under such disadvantageous circumstances that their manly efforts only retarded the fate of the day. The Duke of Cumberland ordered a retreat, and the army marched to the vicinity of Aeth. The enemy had great advantage in numbers, in artillery, and in the favourable ground they occupied; the loss was nearly equal on both sides, and the Allies lost no honour, though compelled to retire. The King's Own had nine private men, and twenty-eight horses, killed; Captain Wade, Quarter-Master Corbidge, fourteen private men, and thirty-four horses wounded; – and Cornet Bland, two non-commissioned-officers, fifteen men, and twenty-three horses missing.

The regiment was afterwards encamped on the banks of the Dender, near Lessines; from whence it proceeded with the army on the 30th of June, to Grammont in West Flanders, and was subsequently encamped before Brussels.

In the mean time Charles-Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, had arrived in Scotland, and, being joined by several of the highland clans, he asserted his father's pretensions to the throne. There being few troops in Scotland at this time, the rebellion soon made alarming progress; when orders were given for the return of several regiments from the continent, and the King's Own were among the first troops ordered home.

Having embarked at Williamstadt, the regiment, after a boisterous passage, arrived in the River Thames on the 25th of October, and immediately landed and proceeded towards the north. On the 10th of November it joined the army of Lieutenant-General Sir John Ligonier, then assembling near Lichfield. On the advance of the rebels towards Derby, the regiment formed part of the army commanded by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland; and when the highlanders retreated towards Scotland, it was sent in pursuit. It left Lichfield on this service on the 9th of November; on the 11th, it was at Macclesfield; on the 13th at Wigan, and on the evening of the 19th – after ten hours' march – it arrived on Clifton Moor, three miles from Penrith; at the same time the rear-guard of the rebel army, consisting of two battalions of highlanders and some hussars, occupied the village, and lined the hedges on both sides of the road.

The sun had set; the shades of evening were gathering over the little village of Clifton, and distant objects were scarcely discernible, when the King's Own, and a few detachments from other corps, forming the advance-guard of the royal army, having dismounted, proceeded in compact order to attack the rebels. As the troops approached the enclosures, the highlanders opened a sharp fire, which re-echoed along the vale, and was soon answered by volleys of musketry from the dragoons. After several rounds, the King's Own were ordered to retire a few paces; when the highlanders, mistaking this for a flight, raised a loud shout and rushed forward with sword and pistol; but they were well received by the dragoons with their broad-swords, and a fierce combat ensued, hand to hand, both sides displaying great bravery. Some of the highlanders broke their swords on the steel caps of the dragoons, when they drew their daggers, and continued the fight with great obstinacy. Eventually, however, the dragoons proved victorious, and the rebels made a precipitate retreat to Penrith. The loss of the King's forces on this occasion was twelve men killed and twenty-five wounded, amongst whom were four officers of the King's Own, viz., Lieutenant-Colonel Honeywood24, Captain East, and Cornets Owen and Hamilton. The rebels had about twenty killed, and Captain Hamilton of the hussars with about seventy men taken prisoners25.

The King's Own afterwards marched in pursuit of the rebels to Carlisle, and were stationed near the town during the siege, which was terminated by the surrender of the place on the 30th of December.

1746

1747

1748

The regiment continued to advance into Scotland, and is mentioned in the list of the Duke of Cumberland's army in the spring of 1746. On the 14th of February it was detached to Dundee, and after the suppression of the rebellion, returned to England, where it was employed in guarding the rebel prisoners at York. The establishment continued the same in this year, as it did in the following, but after the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, the numbers were reduced to 285, the regiment being then quartered at Bury St. Edmunds.

1751

A regulation was issued on the 1st July, 1751, relative to the clothing and standards of the several regiments; from which the following particulars have been extracted relative to the King's Own dragoons.

Coats – scarlet; double breasted; without lapels; lined with light blue; slit sleeves turned up with light blue; the button-holes worked with narrow yellow lace; the buttons of yellow metal, set on three and three; a long slash pocket in each skirt, and a yellow worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.

Waistcoats and Breeches – light blue.

Hats – bound with gold lace, and ornamented with a yellow metal loop, and a black cockade.

Boots – of jacked leather.

Cloaks – of scarlet cloth, with a light blue collar, and lined with light blue shalloon; the buttons set on three and three upon yellow frogs or loops, with a light blue stripe down the centre.

Horse Furniture – of light blue cloth; the holster-caps and housings having a border of royal lace, with a red stripe down the centre; the white horse within the garter, embroidered on each corner of the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and crown, with III.D underneath.

Officers – distinguished by gold lace; their coats and waistcoats bound with gold embroidery; the button-holes worked with gold; and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.

Quarter-Masters – to wear a crimson sash round the waist.

Serjeants – to have narrow gold lace on the cuffs, pockets and shoulder-straps; gold shoulder-knots or aiguillettes, and yellow and light blue worsted sashes tied round the waist.

Drummers and Hautboys – clothed in scarlet coats lined with light blue, and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their waistcoats and breeches of blue cloth.

Guidons – The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined, and crown over them, with the motto Dieu et mon Droit underneath: the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and III.D in gold characters on a light blue ground in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second and third guidons to be of light blue silk, in the centre the white horse within the garter on a crimson ground, and motto Nec aspera terrent: the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and III.D within a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second and third compartments.

1752

In 1752 Lieut. – General Bland was removed to the King's dragoon guards, and His Majesty conferred the colonelcy of His Own Dragoons on James Lord Tyrawley from the fourteenth dragoons.

1753

1754

In 1753 the King's Own lay at Colchester, and in 1754 at Croydon. In December of this year it was broken up into half troops, and employed on coast duty: being scattered along the sea coast, from Shoreham to the Isle of Wight.

1755

In April, 1755, Lord Tyrawley was removed to the second foot guards, and King George II. conferred the colonelcy of His Own Dragoons on George, Earl of Albemarle, from the twentieth foot.

1756

In June, of the same year, the whole regiment assembled at Lewes, where it remained till July, 1756. At this time the King's Own, in common with the other regiments of dragoons, received the addition, novel to the British service, of a light troop. In July it marched to Reading, and in December of the same year, to Northampton.

1757

1758

The regiment marched to Henley, Amersham, and High Wycombe in June, 1757; and war having been declared against France in May, 1758, the light troop, then commanded by Captain St. Leger, was ordered into camp on South Sea Common, for the purpose of forming, with the light troops of eight other regiments, part of the force intended for a descent on the coast of France, the whole forming a brigade, under Colonel Eliott, afterwards Lord Heathfield. The troops embarked May 19th, sailed June the 1st, and arrived on the French coast so as to land in Cancalle Bay on the 5th. On the 7th the army moved on St. Maloes, the light troops forming the advance guard, and encamping about a mile from the town.

As soon as night fell, the piquets and light dragoons were detached against the harbour and the suburbs of St. Servan, being ordered, if possible, to destroy the stores. This object they effected with equal judgment and determination, setting fire to the storehouses and vessels in the harbour, together with the magazines of tar, pitch, rope, &c., so completely performing their work, as totally to ruin the whole of the marine stores, and to destroy one man-of-war of 50 guns, one of 36, and all the privateers, some of 30 guns each; the vessels destroyed amounting to upwards of 100 sail, and the fire continuing to rage all night. The light dragoons afterwards advanced to the town of Dol, where, in several slight affairs, they showed great zeal and activity. On the 11th, they re-embarked, and the fleet sailed on the 16th, remaining, however, some time longer on the coast of France, and watching another opportunity to land. This being rendered impracticable by the weather, the fleet returned, and arrived at Spithead on the first of July. The light troops remained at Portsmouth for some time, and many experiments were made with boats of different constructions, in order to ascertain the practicability of landing men and horses in rough weather.

1759

In August the brigade of light dragoons proceeded on a second expedition, and a landing having been effected in the Bay des Marées, Cherbourg was taken, and the fortifications, and vessels in the harbour were destroyed. A descent was afterwards effected in the Bay of St. Lunar, and an incursion made into the adjacent country; but on re-embarking, the rear guard was attacked, and it sustained some loss. In December, the light troops landed and went into quarters, the light troop of the King's Own being quartered at Maidenhead. So completely had these troops answered the expectations entertained of them, that, in the next year, the first English regiment of light dragoons (the present fifteenth hussars) was raised under Brigadier-General Eliott; and in June, 1759, each light troop received an augmentation of one lieutenant, one serjeant, and twenty-nine privates. On the 7th of November, the King's Own marched to Hounslow and Brentford, relieving the royals, who proceeded to Essex.

1760

1761

1762

On the 21st of June, 176026, the regiment received orders to prepare for embarkation for Germany, to join the army of Prince Ferdinand. These orders were, however, countermanded, and in 1761 and 1762 the regiment was successively quartered at Romford, Colchester, Uxbridge, and Chelmsford.

1763

Peace having been restored by the treaty of Fontainbleau; in April, 1763, the light troop was disbanded at Putney; but a few men of each troop were afterwards equipped as light dragoons.

1764

In June the King's Own lay at York, and remained there till the spring of 1764, when they marched to Scotland, and occupied Dalkeith, Leith, Haddington, Musselburgh, and Linlithgow; and orders were received for remounting with long-tailed horses.27

1765

1766

In 1765, the regiment lay at Coventry and Warwick, and in the next year passed the summer at Reading, where it was reviewed on the 10th of May, afterwards taking up winter quarters at Dorchester, Blandford, and Sherbourne. At the same time the drummers on the establishment were ordered to be replaced by trumpeters.

1767

1768

The King's Own were employed on coast duty in 1767 and 1768; in the first year in Kent and Sussex, head quarters at Lewes; and the second in Suffolk and Essex, head quarters at Ipswich.

1769

1770

Five troops lay at York and one at Hull in 1769, and in the next year the regiment marched to Scotland, head quarters, with three troops, being stationed at Hamilton, and detachments at Linlithgow, Irvine, and Kilmarnock.

1771

1772

In the year 1771, the King's Own lay at Preston, Blackburn, Wigan, and Warrington; and in 1772 at Worcester, Pershore, and Bromsgrove. In October of this year the colonelcy was conferred on the Honourable Charles Fitzroy (afterwards Lord Southampton)28, from the fourteenth dragoons, in succession to the Earl of Albemarle, deceased.

1773

1774

1775

1776

In June, 1773, we find the regiment employed in aid of the revenue service on the coast of Kent, with its head-quarters at Canterbury. The year 1774 was spent at Northampton, and in April, 1775, the regiment was again marched to Scotland, being at East Retford in August, and in the autumn taking up quarters at Haddington, Dalkeith, and Musselburgh. In December of the same year, one troop was detached as far as Wakefield, and in the spring of 1776, the whole regiment followed to the south, and was quartered at Coventry, Lichfield, and Birmingham.

1777

1778

In 1777, the King's Own were reviewed at Newbury, and thence took up winter quarters at Blandford, Dorchester and Sherbourne. Early in 1778 they were ordered to Salisbury, there to be reviewed, and thence proceeded to Suffolk, and were encamped on Culford Heath, under the command of Lieutenant-General Warde, finally going into winter quarters in Sussex, and being employed there on coast duty during the remainder of the year. The regiment had, for many years, been in possession of a pair of Kettle Drums, in consequence of having taken them from the enemy, and on the 25th of December, 1778, an additional man and horse was placed upon the establishment, which gave the regiment its complement of Trumpeters besides the kettle drummer; being granted by His Majesty in compliance with a memorial from the Colonel29.

1779

In the spring of 1779, the men of the regiment equipped as light dragoons, were incorporated, with detachments from other corps, into a regiment, which was numbered the twenty-first light dragoons.

1780

In consequence of the alarming riots in London in 1780, the regiment was ordered thither, and was quartered about Islington, furnishing the piquets in Portman Square during the trial of Lord George Gordon, and having a party stationed in Apsley House, then the property of Lord Chancellor Bathurst.

1781

1782

1783

In 1781, having been reviewed by His Majesty in Hyde Park, the King's Own marched into Suffolk; and in 1782, were quartered at Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham, thence proceeding to Manchester in the autumn. In 1783, after the spring review they marched to Newcastle-on-Tyne and Durham, assembled at the latter place for inspection in September, and then returned to their old quarters for the winter.

1784

1785

1786

The King's Own, for the third time in fourteen years, entered Scotland in 1784, and took up their old quarters at Dalkeith, Leith, and Haddington. Here they were inspected by Major-General Mackay, and soon after detached a troop to Dumfries. In July, 1785, the six troops were at Manchester, and thence, in 1786, proceeded to Worcester, then a general place of inspection for cavalry. At this station they were inspected by Major-General Philipson, and, after a stay of about six weeks, went into winter quarters at Hereford, Ludlow, and Leominster.

1787

1788

In May, 1787, the regiment assembled at Hereford to be reviewed by Major-General Douglas. It was ordered, on the rumour of a Russian armament, to hold itself in readiness to join any force that might be assembled; but, nothing taking place, it went into winter quarters at Dorchester, Blandford, and Poole. In 1788, it moved to Salisbury, was there reviewed, and then quartered at Winchester.

1789

1790

Early in 1789, the regiment marched to Reading. It was there reviewed by His Majesty, George III., on Ashford Common, and marched to Ipswich, where it remained until 1790, and, being then reviewed at Stamford, took up winter quarters at York and Lincoln.

1791

1792

At York all the troops assembled for inspection in the spring of 1791, and, for the fourth time marched to Scotland and were for two years quartered at Dumfries, being in that period twice inspected by Major-General Leslie.

1793

1794

In the spring of 1793, the King's Own received an order to augment three troops, and, after a short halt at Manchester, proceeded to Birmingham. From this place, four troops, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Waller, were detached back to Scotland, in consequence of serious riots in that part of the kingdom. In 1794 the regiment was ordered to furnish one hundred men, towards forming a regiment of cavalry for service in the West Indies; the newly-formed regiment was numbered the twenty-sixth light dragoons, and afterwards, on a reduction of regiments taking place, the twenty-third. In the same year a squadron from the troops in England, and one troop from those in Scotland, were ordered to embark to join the troops on the continent. The troop in Scotland marched a day or two, and was then recalled in consequence of the disturbed state of the country; and the squadron embarked at Blackwall, and was actually at sea, when it was recalled by a king's cutter, landed, and sent to Watford.

1795

1796

In 1795, the troops returned from Scotland, having had most harassing duty for two winters; and in the spring of 1796, the whole regiment assembled at Salisbury under Lord Cathcart, thence proceeding to the camp at Weymouth, and finally taking up winter quarters in Exeter.

1797

The colonelcy of the King's Own Dragoons was conferred in March 1797 on Major-General Francis Lascelles from the eighth dragoons, in succession to Lord Southampton, deceased.

During the summer, the King's Own were again encamped at Weymouth; and on the breaking up of the camp, marched to Northampton, where the ninth troop was reduced.

1798

In May, 1798, the regiment marched to Nottingham, where an entire change took place in the arms and clothing; the long skirt was abolished, and instead of the musket and brace of large pistols before used, the men received the carbine and single pistol.

1799

On the 10th of June, 1799, the regiment marched to form part of the cavalry camp on Swinley Downs, near Windsor, at which place it received orders to join the armament under Lieut. – General Sir Ralph Abercromby, then about to proceed to the Helder. These orders, however, were countermanded; and, at the breaking up of the camp, the regiment marched to Reading. During the time of encampment, Lt. – Colonel Callow30 being appointed deputy governor of Quebec, was succeeded by Lt. – Colonel Waller, and on the 4th of September, General Sir Charles Grey from the eighth dragoons succeeded General Lascelles as colonel. At this period the tails of the horses were again shortened, having been worn of the natural length since 1764.