Light dragoons a regimental history, 17152009 general military. The light cavalry included twentyone light dragoon regiments 7th to 29th and two regiments of german cavalry. By 1808 war with england was again threatening, and congress increased the regular army by eight regimentsone each of light dragoons, light artillery, and riflemen and five of infantry. Published with the full cooperation of the light dragoons regimental. The light dragoons ld is a cavalry regiment in the british army. The regiment landed in bremen in june 1760 for service in the seven years war.
On march 30, 1814, these were combined into one light dragoons regiment, which was disbanded after the war. The making of a regiment reprint by allan mallinson isbn. Baylors continen f kredel vtg historical military uniforms in america print american warfare in popular culture, art, in miniature and in wargames, through living history and in movies. In 1922 a reduction in the armys strength saw the amalgamation of four regiments of hussars into the th18th hussars and the. The dragoon regiment of eight companies constituted the only cavalry in the regular establishment until 1812, when a second regiment was authorized. I read this after reading mallinsons excellent history of the british army. They proved their worth and in 1759 it was decided to raise a regiment of light dragoons which became the 15th. From charles lefferts, uniforms of the armies in the war of the american revolution, 17751783 towards the end of 1776, washington formed what became known as light dragoons and partisan corps or legions. First regiment of cavalry the army of the us historical. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non book materials. Mortimer durands the thirteenth hussars in the great war, published in 1921.
This section of our website has many interesting history books and regimental journals available for download in pdf format. A regimental history, 17152009 first edition by eric hunt isbn. The 17th was sent to boston and dismounted volunteers of the regiment served at bunker hill 1775. The first light cavalry units were troops added to existing dragoon and dragoon guard regiments in 1756. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The project gutenberg ebook of historical record of the third or. The th hussars was a cavalry regiment of the british army established in 1715. Interestingly to me, the colonel in chief of the light dragoons is the king of jordon, abdullah ii, who attended sandhurst and is one of two foreign monarchs to so.
Sir john fortescue holds a preeminent place amongst british military historians, his enduring fame and legacy resting mainly on his lifes work the history of the british army,according to professor brian bond, the work was the product of indefatigable research in original documents, a determination to present a clear, accurate, and readable narrative of military operations, and a. First raised in 1759, it saw service over two centuries, including the first world war, before being amalgamated with the 19th royal hussars into the 15th19th the kings royal hussars in 1922. The thirteenth, raised as heavy dragoons mounted infantrymen as early as 1715, were also converted to the light role. In 1759 it was decided to follow the example of continental armies and form regiments of light cavalry to conduct vedette, reconnaissance, scouting and flank guard duties. In 1922 a reduction in the armys strength saw the amalgamation of four regiments of hussars into the th18th hussars and the 15th19th hussars.
Explore the history and collections of the 15th the kings hussars by visiting the displays of the light dragoons and its predecessors at the discovery museum in newcastle. The th light dragoons were at the forefront of the famous charge of the light brigade during the crimean war, and subsequently immortalised by the words of the poet tennyson. The other cavalry regiments consist of dragoon guards, heavy and light. A particularly well illustrated and produced regimental history.
It was renamed the 15th regiment of light dragoons in 1760. Lists of eligible men in each parish were known as militia ballot lists and from these, the men actually chosen appeared in the militia lists. The 15 th light dragoons were the first ever 1759, and others quickly followed including the eighteenth and nineteenth. Cavalry had one regiment of light dragoons with eight troops. In 1779 a new 20th regiment of light dragoons was raised out of the dragoon guards regiments, lasting until 1783. In the presentday british army regular army, four regiments are designated as dragoons. The 17th arrived in america just weeks before the battle of bunker hill, and were some of the last troops to leave america in 1783. This is the official fb page for the light dragoons who are englands light cavalry regiment. In the united states, there were four regiments of light dragoons and other mounted forces that fought in the revolutionary war. This book is a terrific testament to the regiments tradition of proud service in war and. The regiment is a light cavalry regiment with a history in the reconnaissance role which dates back to the early eighteenth century. The regiment was raised in the london area by george augustus eliott, 1st baron heathfield as elliots light horse as the first of the new regiments of light dragoons in 1759. The colonels written on these musters are lieutenant general george preston, late of the scots greys, 177082.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A number of regiments of dragoons have carried the title 20th regiment. The militia act of 1757 provided for men to serve in the militia at home in order to counter any threat arising while the majority of the regular army was stationed abroad. Baylors continental light dragoons, by fritz kredel. In the territorial army, one of the five squadrons of the royal yeomanrythe westminster dragoons also has the title of dragoons. History of the sixteenth, the queens light dragoons.
The following database is a compilation of information, with records drawn from a wide range of documents held at the british library and the national archives at kew. The term dragoon came from the nickname for their weapon, the carbine or short musket, called the dragon, which referred to the fire that emits out of the gun when fired, hence the term dragon or dragoon soldiers. The th hussars merged in 1922 to become the th18th royal hussars and recently the regiment became part of the light dragoons. These small scale wars were a common occurence at this stage of indias history in the british empire, the next action that the light dragoons were invovled in was of a similar nature. This book is far more specific, focusing almost exclusively on the regiments which have been amalgamated over the centuries to form the light dragoons, mallinsons former regiment. We are a british cavalry reenactment unit that portrays 1 of only 2 regular british army light dragoon regiments that served in america during the revolution. The united states regiment of dragoons was organized by act of congress approved march 2, 1833, becoming the first regiment of dragoons when the second dragoons were raised in 1836. The regiment were largely responsible for the victory, suffering. Campaigning on the continent led to the british cavalry learning from their enemies and allies, adopting specialities, four regiments becoming hussars, and three lancers. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Historical record of the thirteenth regiment of light dragoons containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1715.
Buy history of the sixteenth, the queens, light dragoons lancers. The 20th regiment of light dragoons, also known as the 20th inniskilling light dragoons, was formed in 1760 and disbanded in 1763. The 16th queens light dragoons, in its 18thcentury form. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to new yorks military heritage.
But with the outbreak of the first world war, the role of the light dragoons regiment began to evolve. Newyork historical society 16th queens light dragoons. The 1922 reduction in the army saw the amalgamation of four regiments of hussars into the th18th hussars and the 15th19th hussars. Now they too have been amalgamated, with a name that reverts to the titles of the four original regiments in. Although wellington had, in general, a low opinion of british cavalry he made an exception of the 12 th light dragoons who he felt, under the able command of fred ponsonby, could be trusted to stop when required and not go galloping. The 1st the queens dragoon guards, the royal scots dragoon guards, the royal dragoon guards, and the light dragoons. History of the sixteenth, the queens, light dragoons. The history of the 15th the kings hussars 19141922. His soninlaw william drudge joined the 25th light dragoons, later transferring in 1819, again to remain in india, to the 22nd light dragoons, and then the th light dragoons. It is currently based in catterick garrison north yorkshire.
The 15th the kings hussars was a cavalry regiment in the british army. Four other light dragoon regiments were raised soon afterwards which became the 16th, 17th. History of the sixteenth, the queens light dragoons lancers this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. The regiment was a player in the battle of white plains in 1776, during which george washingtons continental army retreated northward from new york city. Members of the th attack french horse artillery at albueara from a book published in 1895. The second, originally called the 18th, was renumbered the 17th light dragoons in 1769.
Another regiment was added and the two were known respectively as the first united states dragoons and the 2nd united states dragoons. Published with the full cooperation of the light dragoons regimental association and drawing on their extensive archives, this osprey title provides an intimate history of what it has meant to be a cavalry trooper through the ages. Although only formed in december 1992, the light dragoons look back to a history that began in the days of the first jacobite rebellion. Historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons. Its designation was changed to first regiment of cavalry by the act of august 3, 1861.
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