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Royal Horse Guards
Member of the Royal Horse Guards, 1826
Active	1650–1969
Country	Commonwealth of England (1650–1660)  Kingdom of England (1660–1707)  Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800)  United Kingdom (1801–1969)
Branch	Army
Type	Cavalry
Nickname(s)	The Blues
Motto(s)	Honi soit qui mal y pense
March	Quick March: Grand March Slow March: Regimental Slow March of the Royal Horse Guards
Engagements	See Battle honours list
Commanders
Notable commanders	Richard Howard-Vyse

The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) (RHG) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.

Founded August 1650 in Newcastle upon Tyne by

. As the regiment's uniform was blue in colour at the time, it was nicknamed "the Oxford Blues", from which was derived the nickname the "Blues." In 1750 the regiment became the Royal Horse Guards Blue and eventually, in 1877, the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues).

The regiment served in the French Revolutionary Wars and in the Peninsular War. Two squadrons fought, with distinction, in the Household Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo.

In 1918, the regiment served as the 3rd Battalion,

the regiment was part of the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment.

The RHG was amalgamated with the

(Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) in 1969.

Origins and History

Restoration: Catholics v. Protestants

The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards began life in 1661 after the Venner Riots. It suited the new King Charles II and his brother, James, Duke of York, so as to make a force from expediency. Colonel Unton Croke's Regiment of Horse was used, a former Commonwealth officer, to found the Royal Horse Guards. Known as the Blues after the colour of the uniform, they first paraded at Tothill Field in London on 6 February 1661. They differed from the previous Blues, who were parliamentarians of the civil wars. However they were identifiably Protestant, although influenced by the French mousquetaire.

Early duties included escort. There were three Troops: King's Troop was at Canterbury, but one was usually at Southwark. Henry Compton's Troop, posted at Bagshot, was responsible for protecting the Navy Office at Portsmouth. They were used to round up prisoners. Early policing included the arresting of contraband tobacco smuggled from the colonies. Sir Henry Jones was a puritan dismissed from the service, but returned to London in 1673, raised a regiment to go to the Siege of Maastricht, where he was killed.

The Royal Horseguards were wealthy gentlemen, sons of the well-to-do, not controlled by parliament. By 1685, Charles II was paying the guards £283,000. But the Blues deployed almost entirely outside London; in 1666, the duke of York's 'Articles and Rules of War' attempted absolute royal control over the army. In disciplinary disputes officers appealed to the

In 1670, a scandal broke: Capt Gerard, who had assaulted

Under the new instructions started by William Blathwayt, Secretary at War, the Blues became a very respectable regiment, its commissions sought after. Officers were encouraged to move around with the regiment to avoid fraternization with the locals. But the attraction of commissions led to purchasing. Preference and place was dependant on private means. The Blues ranked as the second Cavalry regiment, so on the death of Charles II in February 1685 it was recalled to do policing duties in London.^[4]

During early eighteenth century the Blues were widely dispersed throughout the north country. They had some distinguished commanders, the Compton brothers, and during the Jacobite risings the Duke of Argyll. But the Dukes tended to be imperious; real leadership came from George Fielding, Francis Byng, and John Wyvilles. In 1740, the regiment moved from Worcestershire to Great Windsor Park for training in preparation the fields of Flanders. During the War of Austrian Succession accounts filtered back of great suffering at the hands of the surgeons, venereal disease, colds and ague. But the main problem was the heat. Officers were encouraged to keep copious notes.^[5] At the Battle of Dettingen, the Blues were in the frontline; incorporated with The Royals they numbered five battalions. Only eight were killed in the regiment. They returned to Brussels where ill-discipline spilled over into street brawls; and two desertions. More common was drunkenness. Thereafter the Household Cavalry Brigade was formed for the first time: The Life Guards, Horse Grenadiers, and Blues, under Lord Craufurd. On leaving Brussels: and we have many accidents nixt day and much confusion in passing the Gates. Attended with many inconveniences, carriages are overturned, broke down, men hurt and horses lame.^[6]

The Blues were gallant in the defeat at Battle of Fontenoy under the leadership of Lord Craufurd near the village of Vezon. The behavior of The Blue Guards is highly to be commended which must in great measure be attributed to the conduct of their Major Charles Jenkinson and his care of them.^[7] But the Blues still suffered the worst allied casualties. At Barri Wood the French cannon had ripped through their ranks causing terrible damage. Morale was a critical factor. The Duke of Cumberland transferred many regiments including the Household Cavalry to the disturbances in Scotland, but leaving The Blues behind.

Granby and Seven Years War

During the Seven Years War, the Blues fought alongside Prince Ferdinand. The largest cavalry regiment, The Blues colonelcy was assumed by the Marquis of Granby. This great soldier understood the importance of morale. In the mould of Ligonier, a predecessor he established a brave and efficient force. His successor, Henry Seymour Conway was ne of the greatest colonel the regiment ever had over a twenty-five year period. Granby however, retained a passionate interest in the welfare of The Blues; his generosity and hospitality expressed later in a legion of public houses. Granby was in charge of the second division at Battle of Minden Heath. The Blues posted sentries called Vedettes, who were so close when the French attacked that the regiment was thrown back. The Blues were eager to charge in after the infantry surge to Minden walls, but owing to Sackville's orders the reinforcements were delayed. His court-martial was difficult for the regiment, whose officers were called on to give testimony.

The allies had saved Hanover, and driven Marshall Contades back towards the Rhine. By December 1759 The Blues were exhausted looking forward to a winter break at Osnabruck. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston went to recruit in England; and found Dragoon Guards who wanted to join for the superior conditions in The Blues. Granby was depressed by his son's death and that of his wife too, and the loss of his stud, so he decided to set up a Widows' Fund, and provide better regimental medical care. His cousin, Russell Manners was raised to battalion command; and King George II's interest in The Blues was inherited by George III. Granby commanded The Blues and The Royals on their march south from Paderborn. At Warburg on 31 July 1760, The Blues lined up in the centre. The British force of 8,000 stole a march on the French positions, and charging headlong into the enemy dispersed a force of 24,000. The famous 'Charge' on trumpet and bugle sent Granby's men into history.

'For we Rout'd all before us - Down precipices, over hollow ways we went like a torrent as the French general term'd it, which struck such a panick so that they [led] without firing a shot. The Marquis of Granby persued the enemy above 10 miles.^[8]

The casualties were one cornet, six corporals, twenty-three troopers.

In February 1761, The Gold Stick, Granby led The Blues and others in a brilliant campaign. The French were hunkered down when surprised by the British on the march, driving them back 50 miles over muddy roads. The regiment was present in the summer at the Battle of Vellinghausen when they took a force twice their size led by Marshall Soubise, with the flexible use of artillery fire; the cavalry unable to gallop in the terrain. 15th Light Dragoons and The Blues encountered a skirmishing force at Wilhelmstahl on 1 July 1761. The cavalry realizing the enemy's presence took the initiative, demoralizing the French while the infantry finished. ADC Henry Townshend wounded at Vellinghausen, was killed with a trooper and three horses. Henry Seymour Conway marched the regiment to a triumphal return to England in March 1763. On demobilization, the troopers were reduced from 52 to 29 men per troop.^[9] Granby used his considerable wealth to endow inns and orphanages, although was unable to prevent the reductions to the regiment.

If Granby's grief at his son's loss was saddening, the crippling reductions to The Blues, according to William Pitt the Elder doomed "the bravest men the world ever saw to be sent to starve in country villages and forget their prowess."^[10] The harvest failures of 1760's was compounded by rioting. The Blues were depressed to leave ex-comrades in Germany; they were used as militia and policing duties. Granby died in January 1770, to be replaced by General Seymour Conway as Colonel. A riding-school was built at Nottingham. The Blues were still the biggest cavalry regiment on the bigger horses at 16 and a half Hands.

Reform at Horse Guards

Through the revolutionary period the Gold Sticks still had direct access to the king. The regiments developed very differently as The Blues were always away from London. In 1788 a Committee drew up the cost of commissions; the pay rates being the highest in the army. The cost of horse and equipage was prohibitive for all but the aristocratic elites. The rank of cornets were abolished for second lieutenants.

The Guards were deployed to keep the King's peace. Life Guards in London feared rioters backlash; and civilians were controlled in Nottingham's 'Framework-Knitters' riot' of 1783 by a detachment of The Blues. No violence was used, but 37 protesters were arrested.

On returning to civil duties again in 1795 they were expected maintain public order in Loughborough and Coventry; developing the doctrinal laws of Absolute Necessity. They also patrolled the shoreline for smugglers. The Blues for the most part remained in the East Midlands.^[11] In 1788 and 1789 The Blues were required to come to London to mount up the King's Life Guard, as there were inadequate personnel in the Life Guards thanks to reorganization and reform. The lack of recruits threatened the Expeditionary Forces viability in Holland. The Blues were part of a contingent of 3,500 cavalry who departed Northampton with Sir Charles Turner.

In June 1793 The Blues were royal reviewed at Northampton. Commanded by Lt-Colonel Sir Charles Turner, they disembarked at Ostend on 15 June. They marched to join the allied army at Valenciennes, being besieged by the Duke of Coburg. The Blues and The Royals encountered the French at Dunkirk in a sea board march. Lieutenant Board was unhorsed and killed by a cannonball. Skirmishes continued all year, and by November they retired to winter in Ghent. The new Depot System worked well, and 1794 started with promise of success. The Blues were in Major General Mansel's brigade, as the allies laid siege to Landrecies. Mansel was criticized as being slow to engage the enemy, when an large French force left Cambrai on 23 April 1794. Mansel was still in command when the allies army took a position north on Cambrai on the Beaumont road. Mansel vowed to avenge the shame of 24th, he told the Duke of York, which he did charging and scattering the enemy, but was killed. The French line caught totally offguard were broken in the open, losing 5,000 men. The Blues lost 15 men, Quartermaster John Kipling, and 25 horses. In total allied casualties were 150. The regiment earned the epithet "Immortals" in this action.^[12]

Now commanded by Ralph Dundas The Blues and The Royals pursued the French infantry northwards from Beaumont trapping them in a quagmire near the village of Baisieux. A French general was fought to a standstill and run through by Private Joseph White. The battered French army retreated to Tournai. York moved into Roubaix, but the Austrian Emperor had run out on the allies, and returned to Vienna. The Blues returned to the depot at Northampton.

The Blues find a permanent home at Windsor

In 1796 The Blues received a new sword - the curved sabre, and the Nock Pattern Carbine. A reorganization at Horse Guards posted The Blues to a new base at Windsor. George III liked the regiment, who acted as royal bodyguards. A new barracks was built on 14 acres at Clewer in 1800, where a permanent barracks was built: 62 eight-bed dormitories for the men.

Whilst life in the mess got more expensive and sociable, rates of pay stagnated. It was even more a requirement that all officers came from a moneyed background. By 1790 Cornets aged 18, stabilizing entrants qualifications, and enabling purchasing to advance promotion rapidly. Quartermaster purchases attracted very modest incomers, enabling class mobility. And by 1800 only nine regimental commissions had transferred out in 20 years. But recruitment of Cornets remained difficult in peacetime.^[13] Recruits had to pay as much as 5 guineas for a riding lesson. Officer cadets would study Regulations for the formation and Movement of the Cavalry, spending a year at regimental HQ. In 1802, the British Military Library journal was established to educate on military tactics. Stable parades happened four times daily, and great care was taken of horses. Field day drills took place in Windsor Great Park or on Winkfield Plain every Friday. Quartermaster became an increasingly responsible rank. Wives were permitted to share at Clewer Park. Messes were created for NCO's. During the Peninsular campaign gambling became fashionable amongst Blues officers. And several officers ran up huge debts. They became a popular regiment in a royal location. Duelling was common and sent up in a number of parodies as described in the Blueviad.

Under the Regency Act, the King was frequently incapacitated. The Prince Regent demanded The Blues turn out in its smartest dress with the Life Guards. They were on crowd control duties on 19 June 1811. When Princess Amelia died, they escorted the coffin. On the opening of parliament in 1812, they marched with the Regent to Westminster. More serious was the rioting of 1810 which ended in the attempted arrest of Sir Francis Burdett MP. The mob cried out for the Radical Burdett causing the government to order troops in from Clewer Park.

With Wellington's Peninsular Army

Detachments of Blues were increased from six to eight, as four troops embarked at Portsmouth for Portugal in October 1812. Their new Colonel was the rich Duke of Northumberland, who used had served in American wars, and now wished to spend on the regimental Band. Unfortunately he clashed with Horse Guards over the modernized regimental kit. The youthful troopers dispatched they travelled with light camping equipment, and acquired a regimental mascot, a Newfoundland dog.^[14]

In April 1812 General Wellington aimed to make a decisive assault on Madrid. To capture the Spanish capital he sent a cavalry division, including The Blues under General Rowland Hill to the south to prevent Massena from coming up from the south.

In 1813, Major Packe took temporary command. They were involved in the Battle of Vitoria, traversing a deep ravine along the Pamplona road. The Blues, with Household brigade already enganged, wheeled right across the ravine. Bivouaced on the road, General Hill had orders to hold it. The deftness of the manouevre embarrassed the French generals. The defeat ended Napoleon's grip on Spain. The Blues were sent home in 1814. Demobilization was a painful experience: one officer per troop was shed to the half-pay list. The Regent ordered all regiments to act through Silver sticks and Gold sticks. A new barracks was built at King Street.

Waterloo

Robert Hill was appointed to command The Blues in his brother's stead. The eldest was ennobled, and the youngest was ADC. They were in Lord Uxbridge's Cavalry corps of 14,550. Not Wellington's first choice, Uxbridge was richly attired, powerful, with influential friends, and a showman. The Blues were in the mid-column when they marched in early hours of 16 June 1815 towards Quatre Bras via Enghien down narrow Belgian lanes. They spent an uncomfortable night; the weather was hot and humid. It rained all night. As dawn broke, heavy rain made the ground a quagmire.^[15] On the day of battle, The Blues drew up in the second line behind the Life Guards. They should have held the formation, when Uxbridge gave the order to charge. Robert Hill was wounded in the clash with the 4th Cuirassiers, shot by a Chasseur. Major Packe was run through and fell dead off his horse. Charging through the regiment was in danger of going too far from La-Haie-Sainte, they were rescued by General Somerset. They fought Ney's Cavalry to a standstill, until Blucher's Prussians appeared to the left.

One historical record that emerges is the perfunctory effectiveness of the surgery on the battlefield of Waterloo. For example, only six of the wounded fifty Blues actually died. They lost 44 killed. Some reported barbarism by the French upon prisoners. Waterloo proved the Guards were fit for active service.^[16]

...when we was about two hundred yards from the French lines a cannon ball came and took off my horses leg so i dismounted but looking around I saw a horse that somebody had been killed off so I soon got another. So we continued in that state until night the Prussians came up and began to work and the French began to run and a happy sight it was.^[17]

Trumpeter Tom Evans who had saved General Robert Hill's life, retired to start a pub in Old Windsor, called the Oxford Blue. The Cavalry left Brussels and rode on to Paris. By February 1816, they had returned to barracks in Windsor. The Blues received five standards emblazoned with battle honours won.

Battle honours

• Revolutionary and Napoleonic: Dettingen, Warburg, Beaumont, Willems, Peninsula, Waterloo

• Colonial:
  Egypt 1882

• South Africa:
  Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg

• Scarpe 1917, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914-18

• The Second World War: Mont Pinçon, Souleuvre, Noireau Crossing, Amiens 1944, Brussels, Neerpelt, Nederrijn, Nijmegen, Lingen, Bentheim, North-West Europe 1944-45, Baghdad 1941, Iraq 1941, Palmyra, Syria 1941, El Alamein, North Africa 1942-43, Arezzo, Advance to Florence, Gothic Line, Italy 1944

Colonels —with other names for the regiment

• 1650 - 1661 Sir Arthur Haselrig —Haselrig's Regiment of Cuirassiers
• 1661 - 1688 Aubrey, Earl of Oxford —de Vere's or Earl of Oxford's Regiment
• 1688 - 1688 James, Duke of Berwick —FitzJames's or Duke of Berwick's Regiment
• 1688 - 1688 James, Earl of Arran —Hamilton's or Earl of Arran's Regiment
• 1688 - 1703 Aubrey, Earl of Oxford —de Vere's or Earl of Oxford's Regiment
• 1703 - 1712
  George, Duke of Northumberland
  — FitzRoy's or Duke of Northumberland's Regiment
• 1712 - 1712 Richard, Earl Rivers —Savage's or Earl Rivers' Regiment
• 1712 - 1715 Charles, Earl of Peterborough —Mordaunt's or Earl of Peterborough's Regiment
• 1715 - 1717 John, Duke of Argyll —Campbell's or Duke of Argyll's Regiment
• 1717 - 1735 Charles, Marquis of Winchester —Powlett's or Marquis of Winchester's Regiment
• 1735 - 1740 John, Duke of Argyll —Campbell's or Duke of Argyll's Regiment
• 1740 - 1742 Algernon, Earl of Hertford —Seymour's or Earl of Hertford's Regiment
• 1742 - 1742 John, Duke of Argyll —Campbell's or Duke of Argyll's Regiment
• 1742 - 1750 Algernon, Duke of Somerset —Seymour's or Earl of Hertford's or Duke of Somerset's Regiment

from 1750 Royal Horse Guards Blue

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".

• 1750 - 1753 Charles, Duke of Richmond —Lennox's or Richmond's Regiment
• 1753 - 1758 Sir John Ligonier
• 1758 - 1770 John, Marquess of Granby
• 1770 - 1795 Henry Seymour Conway
• 1795 - 1806 Charles, Duke of Richmond
• 1806 - 1813 Hugh, Duke of Northumberland
• 1813 - The Duke of Wellington

from 1877 Royal Horse Guards (The Blues)

from 1969

Royal Dragoons

See also

• Horse Guards Regiment
• Governor General's Horse Guards
• British cavalry during the First World War

References

1. ^ White-Spunner, p.70
2. ^ Sir G. Arthur, The Story of the Household Cavalry, 1, p.92.
3. ^ Arthur, p.149
4. ^ White-Spunner, p.83
5. ^ White-Spunner, p.200-3
6. ^ Dr Buchanan's Diary, cited in White-Spunner at p.212.
7. ^ Dispatches of the Duke of Cumberland, cited in White-Spunner, p.215
8. ^ Diary of Edmund Cox, cited in White-Spunner, p.242
9. ^ White-Spunner, p.249
10. ^ White-Spunner, p.252
11. ^ 5 locations: Hertford, Hertfordshire; Peterborough, Cambridgeshire; Stamford, Lincolnshire; Derby, Derbyshire. London for George III's Ceremonial duties
12. ^ It was the Duke of York's words. The story was handed down to Edmund Packe by his father, who joined The Blues in 1799 and fought at Waterloo.
13. ^ White-Spunner, p.277
14. ^ White-Spunner, p.304
15. ^ Private Peel, The Blues, a letter to his sister, (Household Cavalry Museum, f.22/572/2)
16. ^ White-Spinner, p.338
17. ^ Private Robert Peel, HCM, no.22/572/2

Bibliography

Books

• Arthur, Sir George (1909). The Story of the Household Cavalry, vols 1 and 2 (1660-1902). Constable and Co.
• Arthur, Sir George (1926). The Story Household Cavalry Vol.3 (1914-1918). William Heineman.
• Atkinson, C T (1921). Marlborough and the Rise of the British Army. New York.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Cooper, Leo (1973). British Regular Cavalry 1644-1914. Mercury Press, Northampton.
• Fortescue, J W (1910). A History of the British Army. Vol. 20 vols. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Hills, R J T (1970). A Short History of The Royal Horse Guards. Leo Cooper.
• Houlding, J A (1981). Fit for Service: The Training of the British Army 1713-1795. Oxford.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Orr, Michael (1972). On Dettingen 1743. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Packe, Edmund (1847). A Historical Record of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards or Oxford Blues.
• Warner, J N P (1993). The Story of the Blues and Royals. Leo Cooper Pen and Sword Books.

Articles

• Fitzmaurice Stacke, Henry (October 1934). "Cavalry in Marlborough's Day". Cavalry Journal.

External links

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