1st Troop of Horse Guards

The 1st (His Majesty's Own) Troop of Horse Guards was formed from King Charles II's exiled followers in the Netherlands (the Stuart monarchs had been overthrown during the English Civil War, and replaced with the Commonwealth).

The regiment was formed in 1658, and placed on the English establishment three years later, with the official formation of the "modern" British Army. It fought at Dettingen, along with four other troops of the Royal Horse Guards, and eventually absorbed the 3rd Troop of Horse Guards and the 1st Troop, Horse Grenadier Guards. On 25 June 1788, the regiment became the 1st Regiment of Life Guards.

Colonels and former names of the 1st Troop, Horse Guards

 * 1660 Charles, Baron Gerard —Lord Gerard's Horse Guards (May 17, 1660 - September 16, 1668)
 * 1668 James, Duke of Monmouth —Duke of Monmouth's Horse Guards (September 16, 1668 - November 29, 1679)
 * 1679 Christopher, Duke of Albemarle —Monck's or Duke of Albemarle's Horse Guards (November 29, 1679 - August 1, 1685)
 * 1685 Louis, Earl of Feversham —Duras' or Earl of Feversham's Horse Guards (August 1, 1685 - April 2, 1689)
 * 1689 Richard, Viscount Lumley —Lord Lumley's or Earl of Scarbrough's Horse Guards (April 2, 1689 - March 9, 1699)
 * 1699 Arnold, Earl of Albemarle —Keppel's or Earl of Albemarle's Horse Guards (March 9, 1699 - July 26, 1710)
 * 1710 Henry, Earl of Portland —Bentinck's or Earl of Portland's Horse Guards (July 26, 1710 - July 7, 1713)
 * 1713 John, Baron Ashburnham —Ashburnham's Horse Guards (July 7, 1713 - May 10, 1715)
 * 1715 John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu —Duke of Montagu's Horse Guards (May 10, 1715 - September 20, 1721)
 * 1721 Henry, Lord Herbert —Herbert's or Earl of Pembroke's Horse Guards (September 20, 1721 - July 4, 1733)
 * 1733 John, Baron Catherlough —Lord Catherlough's or Earl of Westmorland's Horse Guards (July 4, 1733 - June 21, 1737)
 * 1737 John, Duke of Montagu —Duke of Montagu's Horse Guards (June 21, 1737 - August 30, 1737)
 * 1737 John, Baron De La Warr —West's or (1st) Earl De La Warr's Horse Guards (August 30, 1737 - March 16, 1766)

in 1746 absorbed 3rd Troop of Horse Guards

On 1 July 1751 a royal warrant provided that in future regiments would not be known by their colonels' names, but by their "number or rank".
 * 1766 John, Earl De La Warr (March 21, 1766 - December 12, 1777)
 * 1777 William, Marquess of Lothian (December 12, 1777 - June 25, 1788)

in 1788 absorbed 1st Troop, Horse Grenadier Guards

On 25 June 1788 became 1st Regiment of Life Guards