Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
{{Short description|Cavalry regiment of the British Army, and the senior Scottish regiment}}
{{distinguish|text=Scots Guards and Royal Regiment of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
(Carabiniers and Greys)
| image = Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.jpg
| image_size = 160px
| caption = Cap badge of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
| dates = 2 July 1971 – present
| country = United Kingdom
| branch = British Army
| type = Light cavalry
| size = One regiment
| command_structure = Royal Armoured Corps
| current_commander =
| garrison = Home HQ – Edinburgh Castle
Regiment – Waterloo Lines, Leuchars Station{{Cite web|date=3 June 2016|title=The wait is over! The first elements of SCOTS DG Battlegroup have left Waterloo Lines for Kirkcudbright.|url=https://www.facebook.com/scotscav/posts/471013773098041?__cft__[0]=AZWMFNFb3F320T5sKUOLLM87ijgUoasKoZHBj5Z67z4dpxqk17U7dWcxTZrbb_cM2gCI_uXwmLihtcIu65cn8jE2YsBzhxyiSTIX7IJmy0vJ_WzBYeA-kDKqulREyUbWoTu_ZbeSUyaCVu46Vo7nzxvt&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R|access-date=18 March 2021|website=The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards – Facebook}}{{Cite web|date=5 July 2018|title=We are at Waterloo Lines in Leuchars, Fife, watching the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards receive their new Standard from Her Majesty The Queen.|url=https://www.facebook.com/britisharmy/videos/10160728331830615/?__cft__[0]=AZXJndPOM2qRNB8sRNI_Jy014cjdAYe5gzldt-gBSjh7uROsaC_Drdhc0wuDVkjMNyoxYLBafuuwd6jYwkiKQcvBx5m3fgJmWVHVcoTzyKcKDUeb4aTkNK5I6VIUGTOkHujrznIhDY2XK19PjEEitkC23kYMM-fZMGoWMxKzLm27Ng&__tn__=%2CO-R|access-date=18 March 2021|website=British Army – Facebook}}{{Cite web|author=Ali Gibson|date=29 September 2015|title=Her Majesty The Queen Visits The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|url=https://www.forces.net/services/army/her-majesty-queen-visits-royal-scots-dragoon-guards|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Forces Network|language=en}}
| commander1 = King Charles III
| commander1_label = Colonel-in-Chief
| ceremonial_chief = Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
| ceremonial_chief_label = Deputy Colonel-in-Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Brigadier Ben Edwards
| commander3_label = Colonel of the Regiment
| commander4 = WO1 Cha Lang
| commander4_label = Regimental Sergeant Major
| nickname =
| motto = Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity)
Ich Dien (I Serve)
Second to None
| colors =
| identification_symbol_2 = Prince of Wales's feathers
from 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's)
| identification_symbol_2_label = Arm Badge
| identification_symbol_3 = [http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb309/hammersfan_01/Tartans/RoyalStewart.gif Royal Stewart (Pipers kilts and plaids)]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Tartan
| identification_symbol = 100px
| identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_4 = SCOTS DG
| identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
| march = Quick (band) – The 3DGs;
(pipes & drums) – Hielan' Laddie
Slow (band) – The Garb of Old Gaul; (pipes & drums) – My Home
| mascot = Drum Horse (Talavera)
| battles =
| anniversaries = 13 April (Nunshigum)
18 June (Waterloo)
25 October (Balaklava)
| website = {{Official URL}} , https://www.scotsdg.org.uk
}}
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) is a light cavalry regiment of the British Army, and the senior Scottish regiment. The regiment, through the Royal Scots Greys, is the oldest surviving Cavalry Regiment of the Line in the British Army. The regiment is based at Waterloo Lines, Leuchars Station, and forms part of the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team.
History
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) (themselves the product of the amalgamation in 1922 of 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) and 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), and The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons).{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28038.aspx|title=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards: History|publisher=Ministry of Defence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322053617/http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28038.aspx|archive-date=22 March 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=3 May 2014}}
Soon after, the regiment deployed on four tours of Northern Ireland in 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1980, suffering one fatality in 1972, when Trooper Ian Hunter Caie was killed by a bomb in a beer barrel that exploded in the path of his Ferret scout car in Moybane, near Crossmaglen County Armagh.{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1972.html |title=Sutton Index of Deaths|publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk|access-date=3 May 2014}}
File:Scots DG and Challenger 2 MOD 45150506.jpg
The regiment saw active service during the Gulf War in 1991 deploying 57 Challenger tanks{{cite web|url=http://britains-smallwars.com/gulf/gulfunits.htm|title=British Units in the Gulf War|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428131615/http://britains-smallwars.com/gulf/gulfunits.htm|archive-date=28 April 2014|url-status=dead}} and in Bosnia as part of SFOR in 1996–97.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/royal-scots-dragoon-guards-launch-1084009|title=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards launch £1m appeal to raise cash for injured comrades|publisher=Daily Record|date=11 October 2011|access-date=3 May 2014}} In 1998, it became the first regiment in the British Army to operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1998/jun/30/challenger-2#S6CV0315P0_19980630_CWA_70|title=Challenger 2|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=30 June 1998|access-date=20 January 2015}} It deployed to Kosovo, as part of KFOR, in 2000.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aFL0CJVouzkC&pg=PA124 |title=Tank Spotter's Guide|date=24 May 2011|page=124|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=9781849082228|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527194257/https://books.google.com/books?id=aFL0CJVouzkC&pg=PA124|archive-date=27 May 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=3 May 2014}}
The regiment deployed to Iraq for Operation Telic, the British element of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The bulk of the regiment deployed as part of the Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group with a single squadron (A Squadron) detached to the First Battalion The Black Watch Battle Group. All deployed elements of the regiment took part in the advance on Iraq's second largest city, Basra. Prior to reaching Basra, A Squadron fought in and around Az Zubayr and C Squadron was detached from the SCOTS DG BG to fight with 3 Commando Brigade in actions south of Basra that included Britain's largest tank engagement since the Gulf War, when 14 Challenger 2 tanks engaged and destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks (the so-called '14–0' engagement).{{cite web|url=http://www.pymes75.plus.com/military/ops_telic.htm|title=UK Operations - Iraq 2003|publisher=Pymes75.plus.com|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806200021/http://www.pymes75.plus.com/military/ops_telic.htm|url-status=dead}}
The regiment saw more deployments to Iraq in 2006 and 2008, where it suffered two casualties, Lieutenant Richard Palmer{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lt-richard-palmer-of-the-royal-scots-dragoon-guards-killed-in-iraq|title=Lt Richard Palmer of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards killed in Iraq|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=16 April 2006|access-date=29 July 2016}} and Corporal Gordon Pritchard.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/corporal-gordon-alexander-pritchard-killed-in-iraq|title=Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard killed in Iraq|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=31 January 2006|access-date=29 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/3402102/Scottish-pipers-record-album-while-serving-in-Iraq.html|title=Scottish pipers record album while serving in Iraq|work=The Telegraph|date=9 November 2008|access-date=29 July 2016}} In 2008, 2011 and 2013/14 the regiment deployed to Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=http://scotsdgassn.org.uk/Serving-Regiment.php|title=The Serving Regiment|publisher=Scotsdgassn.org|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714071719/http://scotsdgassn.org.uk/Serving-Regiment.php|url-status=dead}} The pipes and drums distinguished themselves, winning the award for Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits for Spirit of the Glen: Journey, recorded on active service.{{cite web|url=http://www.classicalbrits.co.uk/news/189/ |title=Classical Brits|publisher=Classicalbrits.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620002527/http://www.classicalbrits.co.uk/news/189/|archive-date=20 June 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=3 May 2014}}
In November 2013, the unit was converted to a light cavalry unit, armed with Jackal vehicles.{{cite web|author=Ministry of Defence |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-scots-dragoon-guards-receive-new-jackal-vehicles |title=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards receive new Jackal vehicles|publisher=GOV.UK |date=2013-11-20 |access-date=2014-05-03}} Under the Army 2020 plan, it was re-roled as a light cavalry unit, and moved to Leuchars Station in summer 2015.{{cite web|title=Regular Army Basing Plan - 5 Mar 2013|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136406/regular_army_basing_plan.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=3 May 2014}} On 29 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II visited Leuchars, where she named the north part of the camp 'Waterloo Lines' in celebration of 200 years since the Battle of Waterloo.
The Regiment deployed to Cyprus with the United Nations on Operation TOSCA 27, where they conducted peace-keeping for six months from September 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://www.forces.net/news/royal-dragoon-guards-assume-un-peacekeeping-duties-cyprus|title=Royal Dragoon Guards Assume UN Peacekeeping Duties in Cyprus|work=Forces Network|access-date=2017-11-04}}
The Regiment deployed to Poland in 2019 and 2020 on Operation CABRIT as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Poland Battlegroup on two separate six month deployments with the A Squadron lead contingent named "Dragoon Troop" and the C Squadron lead Contingent named "Balaklava Troop".{{cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/1066643/video-leuchars-based-royal-scots-dragoon-guards-on-nato-military-exercise-in-poland/|title=Leuchars-based Royal Scots Dragoon Guards on NATO military exercise in Poland|date=9 January 2020|publisher=The Courier|access-date=17 April 2021}}
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the unit deployed on Operation RESCRIPT where they assisted the NHS and local authorities across the UK.{{Cite web |title=Over 350 additional military personnel deployed in Scottish Covid response |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-350-additional-military-personnel-deployed-in-scottish-covid-response |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}
In 2022, the unit resubordinated to 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team as part of Future Soldier and deployed to Mali on Operation Newcombe.{{Cite web |title=The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - MACA 22 / 002 East Midlands Deployment |url=https://www.scotsdg.org.uk/articles/maca-22-002-east-midlands-deployment |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=www.scotsdg.org.uk |language=en}}
Organisation
The regiment converted to the role of light cavalry as part of restructuring in the army under Army 2020. It is equipped with Jackal armoured fighting vehicles. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is paired with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, an Army Reserve light cavalry regiment.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/scottish-and-north-irish-yeomanry/|title=Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=27 February 2018}}
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is broken into the following structure:{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mod.uk:80/scotsdg/the_regiment_today/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213210741/http://www.army.mod.uk/scotsdg/the_regiment_today/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2007 |title=The Regiment Today |access-date=2018-09-18}}
- Regimental Headquarters based at Edinburgh Castle
- Armoured Regiment Headquarters
- Headquarters Squadron - MAN Support vehicles, Land Rovers and Panther CLV equipped
- Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
- A Squadron - Jackal equipped
- B Squadron (Mutants) - Jackal equipped
- C Squadron - Jackal equipped
In common with other cavalry regiments of the British Army, all soldiers with the rank of OR-2 are called 'Troopers'.
Regimental museum
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum is situated at Edinburgh Castle. Opened in 2006, the exhibits include uniforms, medals, weapons, regalia, music and the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo.{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/treasures/|title=Treasures of the Regiment and Museum|publisher=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623032832/https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/treasures/|url-status=dead}}
Official abbreviation
The regiment's official abbreviation (as listed in Joint Service Publication 101 (Service Writing)) is SCOTS DG, the format of which follows the traditional Cavalry line.{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsdgshop.com/|title=The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Shop|publisher=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|access-date=29 July 2016|archive-date=13 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013211905/https://www.scotsdgshop.com/|url-status=dead}}
Accoutrements and uniform
The cap badge features an eagle, which represents the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Waterloo.{{cite web|url=http://www.britishbattles.com/waterloo/waterloo-army-greys.htm |title=Battle of Waterloo|publisher=British Battles|access-date=29 July 2016}} It is always worn with a black backing in mourning for Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, who was their Colonel-in-Chief at the time of his execution. The cap badge also has the crossed carbines of the 3rd Carabiniers at the rear of the eagle.{{cite web|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/detail.php?acc=1989-02-157-1|title=Collar badge, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys), 1971|publisher=National Army Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809114733/http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/detail.php?acc=1989-02-157-1|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=29 July 2016}}
The Plume of The Prince of Wales with its motto {{Lang|de|Ich Dien}} is worn by all members of the Regiment embroidered on the upper part of the left sleeve. The right to wear this badge was granted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards in 1765; it subsequently became the regiment's cap badge and later, with the crossed carabines, formed the badge of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's).Doyle & Foster, p. 37
The distinctive yellow zigzag (or "vandyke") cap band was inherited from the Royal Scots Greys, who had worn it since the mid-19th century.{{cite book|last1=Wood|first1=Stephen|title=Those Terrible Grey Horses: An Illustrated History of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|year=2015|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|location=London}}
As a royal regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is permitted to wear the Royal Stewart tartan, which was a privilege granted by King George VI, and is worn by the regiment's pipers.{{cite web|url=http://pipingpress.com/history-army-regiments-and-their-pipers-part-6/|title=Army Regiments and their Pipers, part 6|publisher=Piping Press|access-date=29 July 2016}}
Regimental mottos
- The regimental motto is {{Lang|la|Nemo Me Impune Lacessit}} (No one provokes me with impunity), also the motto of the Order of the Thistle, to which it refers.
- The regiment also uses the motto "Second to None".
Traditions
The Loyal Toast is drunk at formal dinners in the Mess and is always taken seated, except when Royalty is present. On evenings when a military band is present, besides playing God Save the King the band also plays "God Bless the Prince of Wales", an old 3rd Dragoon Guards custom, and the "Imperial Russian Anthem" in memory of Tsar Nicholas II, the Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Greys, murdered with his family during the Russian Civil War (1918).{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/the-colonelcy/|title=Colonels-in-Chief|publisher=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum|access-date=29 July 2016|archive-date=13 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013211904/https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/the-colonelcy/|url-status=dead}}
Pipes and drums
File:Military pipers marching down the Mound on Armed Forces Day - geograph.org.uk - 1387376.jpg]]
{{External media
| video1 = {{YouTube|M8AeV8Jbx6M|"Amazing Grace" performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards}}
}}
The regiment has its own pipe band, who were first formed in 1946 and tour widely, performing in competitions, concerts and parades. It was the first official organized pipes and drums in the history of the regiment.{{cite web|url=https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/assets/pac/pressroom/pdf/48_royalscotsdragoonguardsbio.pdf|title=The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)|publisher=University of Nevada|access-date=5 January 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806203735/https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/assets/pac/pressroom/pdf/48_royalscotsdragoonguardsbio.pdf|url-status=dead}} Their most famous piece is "Amazing Grace", which reached number one in the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.7697.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - June 10, 1972}} and South Africa in 1972. The track sold over seven million copies by mid 1977, and was awarded a gold disc.{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| year= 1978
| title= The Book of Golden Discs
| edition= 2nd
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| location= London
| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/320 320]
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6
| url-access= registration
| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/320
}} The track was also featured in the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.{{cite web |title=Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - Soundtracks - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077745/soundtrack |website=IMDb |access-date=6 January 2020}} In Canada, the originating LP, Farewell To The Greys, was number nine for four weeks, beginning 24 June 1972.{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.7698.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Albums - June 24, 1972}}
The band released a new CD in late November 2007 through Universal Music, featuring a number of classic pipe tunes along with some modern arrangements, which was recorded while the regiment was based in Iraq. The album Spirit of the Glen was produced by Jon Cohen and released by Universal on 26 November 2007. It was a remake of their most popular song "Amazing Grace" and featured the Czech Film Orchestra. Spirit of the Glen was officially launched at Edinburgh Castle{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Bagpip%20Bands&vxClipId=1380_SMG1374&vxBitrate=300|title=Scotland on TV - Videos about Scotland and all things Scottish|publisher=Scotlandontv.tv|access-date=3 May 2014}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and won Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits.{{cite news|title=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards band wins Classical Brit award|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/music-news/royal-scots-dragoon-guards-band-1022976|publisher=Daily Record|date=15 May 2009|access-date=3 May 2014}} They have also made regular appearances at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo over the years.{{cite web|url=http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/the-experience/scottish-regiments/|title=Scottish Regiments|publisher=Edinburgh Tattoo|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503165918/http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/the-experience/scottish-regiments/|archive-date=3 May 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/regimental-music/ |title=Regimental Music - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards |publisher=Scotsdgmuseum.com |access-date=2020-04-01 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806174822/https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/regimental-music/ |url-status=dead }}
The bass drummer parades with a distinctive white bearskin cap with red plume. Adopted in 1887 for the jubilee of Queen Victoria, it was originally worn by the mounted kettle drummer of the band. At some point, the cap passed to the pipes and drums of the regiment. Folklore has it that the white bearskin was presented to the regiment by Tsar Nicholas II, the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys, however this is incorrect according to the regimental history. Additionally, pictures exist of this cap in use by the regimental kettle drummer prior to 1894 when Tsar Nicholas II was crowned.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/scotsdgpipesanddrums/posts/pfbid02X3uKQh5HNFCrhZiuoc6obUw4aMecMaadNqmCCo13md5qyDwVMdA7dtrzC3vS3z4Gl|title=The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes and Drums|website=www.facebook.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniformology.com/HEAVY-CAV-10.html|title=HEAVY-CAV-10|website=www.uniformology.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsdg.org.uk/history/regimental-music|title=The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Regimental Music|website=www.scotsdg.org.uk}}
Band
Following the formation of the new regiment, the regimental bands of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and The Royal Scots Greys merged to form the Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. The band deployed with the regiment on all operations, including during the Gulf War. Following significant reductions to the army in 1994, the band amalgamated with the Band of the Queen's Dragoon Guards and Band of the Royal Dragoon Guards to form the new, smaller, Band of the Dragoon Guards. The percussion section of the new band, as an ode to The Royal Scots Greys, wore bearskins with a large crimson plume extending over the crest of the cap{{Cite web|title=Regimental Music|url=https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/regimental-music/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806174822/https://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/regimental-music/|url-status=dead}} and black pants lined with yellow stripes. This was a direct copy of The Royal Scots Greys band's old uniforms. In addition, the Drum Major's uniform consisted of a black bearskin with large crimson plume over the crest of the cap and yellow pants, with the tunic of the Royal Dragoon Guards.{{Cite web|date=2007-12-28|title=Corps of Army Music [UK]|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/corps/music.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228105032/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/corps/music.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-12-28|access-date=2021-03-27}}{{Cite web|date=2008-03-03|title=The Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/bands/hccband/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303172621/http://www.army.mod.uk/bands/hccband/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-03-03|access-date=2021-03-27}}{{Cite web|date=2005-03-09|title=Dragoon Guards Band|url=http://usite.army.mod.uk/cam/dragoonguards.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309143416/http://usite.army.mod.uk/cam/dragoonguards.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-03-09|access-date=2021-03-27}}
In 2006, this band amalgamated with the Cambrai Band of the Royal Tank Regiment to form the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, maintaining the percussion uniforms of the old band. Following the formation of the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps, the bearskin cap was lost, but the black and yellow pants were carried over.
Commanding Officers
The Commanding Officers have been:{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/REGIMENTAL%20COs.pdf|title=Regiments and Commanding Officers, 1960 - Colin Mackie|page=16|access-date=19 July 2021}}
- 1971–1972: Lt.-Col. Anthony J. Bateman
- 1972–1974: Lt.-Col. John Norman Stewart Arthur
- 1974–1977: Lt.-Col. Stephen R. A. Stopford
- 1977–1979: Lt.-Col. Charles A. Ramsay
- 1979–1982: Lt.-Col. C. Roland S. Notley
- 1982–1984: Lt.-Col. Marcus E. C. Coombs
- 1984–1986: Lt.-Col. Jonathan Michael Francis Cooper Hall
- 1986–1988: Lt.-Col. Melville Stewart Jameson
- 1988–1991: Lt.-Col. John F. B. Sharples
- 1991–1993: Lt.-Col. Nicholas D. A. Seymour
- 1993–1995: Lt.-Col. Simon R. B. Allen
- 1995–1997: Lt.-Col. R. Austen B. Ramsden
- 1997–2000: Lt.-Col. Andrew M. Phillips
- 2000–2002: Lt.-Col. H. David Allfrey
- 2002–2004: Lt.-Col. Hugh H. Blackman
- 2004–2006: Lt.-Col. Benjamin P. Edwards
- 2006–2009: Lt.-Col. Felix G. Gedney
- 2009–2011: Lt.-Col. Jonathan U. Biggart
- 2011–2013: Lt.-Col. Jonathan G. E. Bartholomew
- 2013–2016: Lt.-Col. Benjamin J. Cattermole
- 2016–2018: Lt.-Col. Dominic C. D. Coombes
- 2018–2021: Lt.-Col. J. Fraser S. McLeman
- 2021–2022: Lt.-Col. Graeme G. Craig
- 2022–present: Lt.-Col. Ben Parkyn
Order of precedence
{{s-start}}
{{order of precedence
| before= 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
| title= Cavalry Order of Precedence
| after= Royal Dragoon Guards
}}
{{s-end}}
Lineage
class="wikitable" | |||
1881 Childers Reforms | 1922 Amalgamations | 1957 Defence White Paper | 1966 Defence White Paper - today |
---|---|---|---|
3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) | rowspan="3" colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) | |||
6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) | |||
colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) |
Alliances
=Bonds of Friendship=
- {{navy|UK}} – HMS Vengeance
- {{navy|UK}} – HMS Glasgow
=Affiliated yeomanry=
- {{Army|UK}} – Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry
= Former =
Battle honours
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiners and Greys) inherited all of its antecedent regiments' battle honours when it was formed in 1971. These consist of:
3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's){{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/DG3.htm|title=3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's)|access-date=30 March 2007|last=Mills|first=T.F.|work=regiments.org |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070227063643/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/DG3.htm |archive-date =27 February 2007}}
- Early Wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Warburg, Beaumont, Willems, Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, Peninsula, Abyssinia, South Africa 1901–02.
- The Great War: Ypres 1914, 1915, Nonne Bosschen, Frezenberg, Loos, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Avre, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, Cambrai 1918, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914–18.
- Early Wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Warburg, Willems, Sevastopol, Delhi 1857, Afghanistan 1879–80, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, South Africa 1899–1902
- The Great War: Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1915, St. Julien, Bellewaarde, Arras 1917 Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18, Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Selle, Sambre, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914–18
3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards){{cite web |url=http://www.regiments.org:80/regiments/uk/cav/DG3carb.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204140219/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/DG3carb.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2005 |title=3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=18 December 2018}}{{efn|Themselves having inherited the battle honours of the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) and the Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards) upon amalgamation in 1922.}}
- The Second World War: Tamu Road, Nunshigum, Imphal, Bishenpur, Kanglatongbi, Kennedy Peak, Shwebo, Sagaing, Ava, Mandalay, Yenangyuang 1945, Irrawuddy, Burma 1944–45
- Early wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Dettingen, Warburg, Willems, Waterloo, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, South Africa, 1899–1902
- The Great War: Mons, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Ypres 1914 '15, Gheluvelt, Neuve Chapelle, St. Julien, Bellewaarde, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Somme 1918, Albert 1918, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914–18
- The Second World War: Caen, Hill 112, Falaise, Venlo Pocket, Hochwald, Aller, Bremen, North-West Europe 1944–45, Merjayun, Syria 1941, Alam El Halfa, El Alamein, El Agheila, Nofilia, Advance on Tripoli, North Africa 1942–43, Salerno, Battipaglia, Volturno Crossing, Italy 1943
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
- Recent wars: Wadi Al Batin,{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1993/oct/19/gulf-battle-honours#S6CV0230P0_19931019_CWA_22|title=Gulf Battle Honours|publisher=Hansard.millbansystems.com|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|date=19 October 1993|access-date=20 January 2015}} Gulf War 1991,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gulf-battle-honours-1511977.html|title=Gulf battle honours|date=20 October 1993|work=The Independent|access-date=17 December 2018}} Al Basrah,{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo051110/wmstext/51110m01.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Ministerial Statements for 10 Nov 2005 (pt 1)|publisher=Publications.parliament.uk|access-date=20 January 2015}} Iraq 2003{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/iraq-battle-honours-for-two-scots-regiments-1-1108965|title=Iraq battle honours for two Scots regiments|date=11 November 2005|publisher=The Scotsman|access-date=17 December 2018}}
Colonel-in-Chief
- 1971–2022: Queen Elizabeth II
- 2023–present: King Charles III{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-08-11/further-military-appointments-for-members-of-the-royal-family|title=Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family|work=The Royal Family|date=11 August 2023|access-date=11 August 2023}}
= Deputy Colonel-in-Chief =
- 1994–present: Field Marshal Prince Edward, Duke of Kent {{post-nominals|country=GBR|KG|GCMG|GCVO|CD|ADC|FRS}}
Regimental Colonels
- 1971–1975: Major General Ralph Younger
- 1975–1979: Colonel Hugh Brassey
- 1979–1984: Field Marshal Sir John Wilfred Stanier
- 1984–1992: Lieutenant General Sir Norman Arthur
- 1992–1998: Major General Charles Ramsay
- 1998–2003: Major General Jonathan Michael Francis Cooper Hall
- 2003–2008: Brigadier Sir Melville Stewart Jameson
- 2008-2013: Brigadier Simon Allen
- 2013-2021: Brigadier David Allfrey
- 2021–Present: Brigadier Ben Edwards
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Bibliography
- {{Cite book|last1= Doyle|first1= Peter|last2=Foster|first2= Chris |title=British Army Cap Badges of the Second World War|publisher=Shire Collections|year=2010|isbn=978-0747807971}}
- {{Cite book|last=Nicoletti|first=Tony|author2=Stephen, Aidan |title=Shot and Captured: Photographs of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battlegroup in Iraq 2003|year=2003|publisher=Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail}}
- {{Cite book|last=Wood|first=Stephen|title=In the Finest Tradition: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers & Greys): Its History and Treasures|year=1988|publisher=Mainstream Pub. Co|isbn=1-85158-174-X}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140810021549/http://www.classicsandjazz.co.uk/plink/Royal+Scots+Dragoon+Guards Official Universal Classics and Jazz Website]
- {{cite web | title = NPR Interview with Jon Cohen, Producer of ''Spirit of the Glen |website = NPR| url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16197024 | access-date = 11 November 2007 }}
- [http://www.scotsdgmuseum.com/ Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum]
{{Royal Scots Dragoon Guards}}
{{Royal Armoured Corps}}
{{Royal Regiment of Scotland}}
{{British Army navbox}}
{{UK best-selling singles (by year)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cavalry regiments of the British Army
Category:Military units and formations established in 1971