| The Light Dragoons | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the Light Dragoons | |
| Active | 1 December 1992– |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Line cavalry |
| Role | Light Cavalry |
| Size |
Regiment 403 personnel[1] |
| Part of | Royal Armoured Corps |
| Garrison/HQ |
RHQ – Newcastle upon Tyne Regiment – Catterick Garrison |
| Nickname(s) | "England's Northern Cavalry" |
| Motto(s) |
Viret in aeternum (It Flourishes Forever) Merebimur (We shall be Worthy) |
| March |
Quick – Balaklava Slow – Denmark |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | King Abdullah II of Jordan |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Brigadier Angus Watson MBE |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |
 |
| Arm Badge |
NCOs – Royal Crest From 15th/19th King's Royal Hussars ORs – South Africa flash From 13th/18th Royal Hussars |
| Abbreviation | LD |
The Light Dragoons (LD) is a light cavalry regiment of the British Army. The regiment is currently organised as a 'light cavalry regiment' and specialises in mounted and dismounted reconnaissance. The Light Dragoons recruit mainly in Northern England, from the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, South Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. For this reason, the regiment is known as "England’s Northern Cavalry".[2]
Background[]
The term 'Light Dragoons' has a much earlier history. The British army experimented with light cavalry in the 1740s, prompted by the French creation of hussar regiments. However, it was not until the 1750s that the British converted some dragoon regiments into light cavalry, these regiments being officially designated 'Light Dragoons'. All British light cavalry regiments (numbered 7th and upwards) were titled Light Dragoons until 1806-1807, when four were re-classified as 'Hussars'. From 1816 more Light Dragoon regiments were reclassified as lancers or hussars, a tendency that continued throughout the 19th century.[3]
History[]
Formation[]
In 1992, as part of cuts to the armed forces following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and subsequent End of the Cold War, many old numbered regiments were merged into new 'named regiments'. Among the new units was the Light Dragoons, which was unlike the other regiments formed during the Options for Change as they opted for an older designation than the current hussar designations. As such, the new regiment formed on 1 December 1992 by amalgamating the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) and 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars became the Light Dragoons. Both these regiment's ancestors had all been light dragoons during the Napoleonic Wars.[4]
The Light Dragoons was then split into three separate groups: the Regimental Headquarters based at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne. The new regiment began recruiting from North East England, taking over the recruiting areas of its antecendents.[4]
B Squadron (The Guards) was the first squadron of the newly formed regiment to do a tour of duty; sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 1993 on peacekeeping duties. They were followed by C Squadron (The Legion) in November 1993 and later by A and D squadrons in 1994. In total the regiment did 13 operational tours of Bosnia, leading them to be described in 2001 by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Charles Guthrie as "the best regiment in the army at present: consistently the best officered, best recruited and all round most effective".[5] For all of those initial tours the Light Dragoons deployed on Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked).[6]
In July 2003, The Light Dragoons sent units to Iraq on Operation Telic 2, followed by Operation Telic 6 in May 2005.[7] Here the Regiment assisted with post conflict stabilisation, training the police force, and fighting in the counter-insurgency operations.[8]
In October 2006, elements of the regiment were deployed on a tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 5 with 3 Commando Brigade. This was followed by Operation Herrick 6 in April 2007 with 12 Mechanised Brigade.[9] The regiment deployed as a battle group on Operation Herrick 10 in April 2009 and took part in Operation Panther's Claw in the summer of 2009.[7] The regiment's last deployment to Afghanistan was on Operation Herrick 16 in April 2012.[9] Here it provided the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, Formation Reconnaissance and mentoring teams for local forces.[8][10]
In 2014, soldiers from The Light Dragoons deployed to Bosnia on Operation Althea; providing a mobile reconnaissance capability for the EU forces ahead of the Bosnian elections.[11]
Deployments since 2015[]
In 2015, The Light Dragoons subordinated to 4th Infantry Brigade and moved to a new home at Gaza Barracks in Catterick Garrison.[9]
In March 2017, A Squadron (The Empire) deployed to Poland on Op Cabrit as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence. They were followed by B Squadron (The Guards) in October 2017 and C Squadron (The Legion) in April 2020.[12][13][14]
The Light Dragoons deployed a platoon to Afghanistan in 2018 on Op Toral.[15]
In December 2020, The Light Dragoons deployed to Mali on Operation Newcombe, as part of the UK's contribution to the UN's peacekeeping force. Here they formed the Long Range Reconnaissance Group, conducting patrols of up to 1500 km in length, in order to provide intelligence to the UN forces.[16][17][18]
Light Dragoons on patrol in Mali
Operational Role[]
The Light Dragoon’s primary role is Formation Reconnaissance; a varied job that primarily involves operating ahead of the main fighting force, often in enemy or unknown territory in order to find key information on the local area and any enemy within it. With this information the Light Dragoons are expected to inform the main fighting force behind them, strike opportune targets or interact with the local population to build relations, gather more intelligence and aid local planning and development.[19]
Jackal Vehicles in use with The Light Dragoons
The regiment is now equipped with Jackal armoured fighting vehicles. The Light Dragoons is paired with the Queen's Own Yeomanry, an Army Reserve light cavalry regiment.[20]
The Light Dragoons is broken into the following structure:[21]
- Regimental Headquarters, at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne
- The Regiment, at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Command & Support Squadron
- A Squadron (The Empire)
- B Squadron (The Guards)
- C Squadron (The Legion)
Regimental museum[]
The Newcastle Discovery Museum includes the regimental museum of the Light Dragoons and the Northumberland Hussars.[22]
Dress distinctions[]
The scarlet peaked cap (15/19H) is mounted with the Maltese cross which distinguished shakos of the light dragoon regiments from 1832, a bold departure from normal badging practice. The cross is superimposed with the lion and crown (15H) above a wreathed circle encompassing the monogram LD and inscribed with the mottoes Viret in aeturnum (Forever green – 13H) and Merebimur (Worth of our deeds – 15H). The badge is mounted on a scarlet backing, a 15/19H custom that is noticeable on the blue beret.[4]
Except for a buff white collar (the uniform distinction of the 13th), No. 1 dress 'blues' are 15/19H pattern: scarlet cap, box chainmail shoulders, the lion and crown NCO's sleeve badge (15LD by royal permission, 1801) and light cavalry double yellow stripe on trousers/overalls. The white collar is adorned by gold Austrian lace for officers and a badge for other ranks. The Austrian lace commemorates a charge at Villers-en-Cauchies in which the 15th Light Dragoons scattered six French infantry battalions to save Austrian Emperor Francis I from defeat during an engagement. The collar badge is composed of the lion and crown crest of the 15/19H on the Z-shape scroll that formed the backbone of the badge of the 13/18H.[4]
The blue mess dress features a buff white waistcoat in addition to the buff white collar. Cross belt pouches are mounted with a silver elephant and its battle honour 'Assaye'. These honours, given for service in India at the start of the 19th century, were worn by the 19th Light Dragoons, and authorised to the 19th Hussars in 1874.[4]
In service and combat dress a large blue/white South Africa flash is worn on the sleeve, a custom of the 13/18H. Its name comes from the helmet patch used to identify the 13th Hussars in the Boer Wars.[4]
Colonels-in-chief[]
Colonels-in-Chief have been:
- The Princess of Wales (1992–1996)[23]
- The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (1997–2002)[24]
- King Abdullah II of Jordan (2003–)[25][26]
Regimental Colonels[]
Colonels of the Regiment have been:[27]
- 1992–1995: Col. Robert John William ffrench Blake (late 13th/18th Royal Hussars)
- 1995–2000: Brig. Charles Anthony Gilbert Wells, CBE
- 2000–c.2010: Lt-Gen. Sir Roderick Alexander Cordy-Simpson, KBE, CB
- c.2010-2013: Maj-Gen. Andrew Stewart
- 2013–2020 Maj-Gen. David Rutherford-Jones CB
- 2020–present Brig. Angus Watson MBE
Commanding Officers[]
Commanding Officers have included:[28]
- 1992–1993: Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Richard Evelyn De Cardonnel Stewart
- 1993–1996: Lt Col Robert I. Webb-Bowen
- 1996–1997: Lt Col Timothy J. Checketts
- 1997–1999: Lt Col David John Rutherford-Jones
- 1999–2002: Lt Col Simon R. Levey
- 2002–2004: Lt Col David R. Amos
- 2004–2006: Lt Col Robin C. Matthews
- 2006–2009: Lt Col H. Angus Watson
- 2009–2011: Lt Col Angus G. C. Fair
- 2011–2013: Lt Col Samuel J. Plant
- 2013–2016: Lt Col James M. Senior
- 2016–2019: Lt Col Benjamin M. J. Cossens
- 2019–2021: Lt Col Thomas R. M. Robinson
- 2021–Present: Lt Col Jonathan Harris
Lineage[]
| 1881 Childers Reforms | 1922 Amalgamations | 1990 Options for Change - today |
|---|---|---|
| 13th Hussars | 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) | Light Dragoons |
| 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars | ||
| 15th (The King's) Hussars | 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars | |
| 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars |
Alliances[]
Canada – The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal)- Canada – The South Alberta Light Horse
- Australia – 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers
- India – 1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)
- Pakistan – 6th Lancers
- Pakistan – 19th Lancers
- Malaysia – 2nd Royal Armoured Regiment
- Royal Navy – HMS Northumberland
- France – 4e Chasseurs d'Afrique and nowadays 4e régiment de chasseurs / 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade
Affiliated yeomanry[]
Order of precedence[]
Notes[]
- ↑ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616.
- ↑ "Hundreds gather in Barnsley to welcome the Light Dragoons". army.mod.uk. 14 November 2012. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hundreds-gather-in-barnsley-to-welcome-home-the-light-dragoons.
- ↑ Haythornthwaite, P.J. (1989) Wellington's Military Machine, Spellmount, Staplehurst, Kent, pp. 18-20
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Griffin, pp. 38–42
- ↑ Mallison, Allan (2006). The Light Dragoons (2006 ed.). Pen and Sword. p. 321. https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Light_Dragoons/ECTAAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=allan+mallinson+light+dragoons&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ↑ "British units deployed to Bosnia". Britain's small wars. http://britains-smallwars.com/Bosnia/bosnia-units.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Light Dragoons". British Empire. http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/ltdragoons1992.htm.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "History". Light Dragoons Association. http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/history.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Light Dragoons". British Army units 1945 on. http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-armoured-corps/light-dragoons.html.
- ↑ "Brigade Reconnaissance Force". Elite UK Forces. https://www.eliteukforces.info/brigade-reconnaissance-force/.
- ↑ "Light Dragoons deploy to Bosnia ahead of autumn elections" (in en). GOV. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/light-dragoons-deploy-to-bosnia-ahead-of-autumn-elections.
- ↑ "Op CABRIT ~ Light Dragoons Exercise In Poland". 11 May 2020. https://www.joint-forces.com/exercise-news/32166-op-cabrit-light-dragoons-exercise-in-poland.
- ↑ "Historic First for Light Dragoons". MOD. https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/10/historic-first-for-light-dragoons/.
- ↑ "History". Light Dragoons Association. http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/history.html.
- ↑ "Light Dragoons". https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/light-dragoons/.
- ↑ Mali, Larisa Brown, Defence Editor in Tessit. "Islamists melt into Mali desert as British troops advance" (in en). The Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/islamists-melt-into-mali-desert-as-british-troops-advance-skd9pjnh6.
- ↑ "The world's 'most dangerous peacekeeping mission'". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-56949408.
- ↑ "300 British troops deploy to Mali on UN Peacekeeping Mission" (in en). UK GOV. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/300-british-troops-deploy-to-mali-on-un-peacekeeping-mission.
- ↑ LD History. "Light Dragoons". British Army. https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/light-dragoons/.
- ↑ LD History. "Queen's Own Yeomanry". MOD. https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/queens-own-yeomanry/.
- ↑ Mallinson, Allan (11 June 2012). "Light Dragoons: The Making of a Regiment" (in en). Pen and Sword. https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Light_Dragoons/ECTAAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=allan+mallinson+light+dragoons&printsec=frontcover.
- ↑ "Charge! The story of England's Northern Cavalry". Light Dragoons. http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/museum.html.
- ↑ "History". Light Dragoons Regimental Association. http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/history.html.
- ↑ "HRH The Princess Margaret". British Empire. http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/ltdragoons1992margaret.htm.
- ↑ "No. 57032". 19 August 2003. p. 10318. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/57032/supplement/10318
- ↑ "New Royal Colonels appointed". British Monarchy. https://www.royal.uk/new-royal-colonels-appointed.
- ↑ "The Light Dragoons". regiments.org. http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/D13LD.htm.
- ↑ Regiments and Commanding Officers, 1960–.
References[]
- Light Dragoons: The Making of a Regiment By Allan Mallinson . Pen and Sword books . 362 pages . 2006. ISBN 1-84415-448-3
- Griffin, P. D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Modern British Army Regiments. Stroud, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 978-0750939294. OCLC 71347771.
External links[]
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The original article can be found at Light Dragoons and the edit history here.