  The Royals originated in a troop of Cuirassiers formed in 1661, on the marriage of Charles II with the Infanta Catherine of Portugal, and which was sent to garrison Tangier, whence they got the name of "Tangier Cuirassiers." In 1684 it was styled "The Royal Regiment of Dragoons," and each troop was furnished with a crimson Standard with badges embroidered upon them of (1) The King, (2) The Black Prince, (3) Henry V, (4) Henry VI, (5) Henry VII (Queen Mary I), (6) Queen Elizabeth. Towards the close of the 17th Century it was known as the "English Horse." At the battle of Dettingen it captured the white Standard of the French Mousquetaires Noirs. Its gallantry at the battle of Waterloo, where it formed part of the Union Brigade, is a matter of history. Nicknames: "The Birdcatchers," for the capture of a French Eagle at the battle of Waterloo, and "The Royals." Grenadier Guards.—Sergeant-Drummer in State Dress. Sergeant Ewart capturing the Eagle at Waterloo. (Depot, Dunbar.) On Guidon, the Thistle within the Circle and Motto of the Order of the Thistle. "Blenheim," "Ramillies," "Oudenarde," "Malplaquet," "Dettingen," "Warburg," "Willems," "Waterloo," "Balaklava," "Sevastopol," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902." Motto: Second to None. Uniform, Scarlet. Facings, Blue. Head-dress, Bearskin cap, with a silver badge of a white horse at the back; hackle or plume, white; band, scarlet hackle. Forage cap, Blue, with white vandyked band. Linked Regiment, 1st Royal Dragoons. Special arm badge for Sergeants, an Eagle. |
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