mounted infantry who would dismount to fight, but became light cavalry units. The origin of the name could be from draconarius, a Roman standard-bearer. Alternatively, they were named after the short muskets, or ‘dragons’, carried by horse soldiers.
THE ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS
Formed in 1971 by amalgamation of ancient regiments. Through one of them, the Royal Scots Greys, this is the oldest cavalry line regiment in the British Army. Victorious at Waterloo against Napoleon.
THE ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS
Formed in 1992 from the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, the 5th Dragoon Guards, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and the 7th Dragoon Guards, regiments dating back to 1685–1689. Served in Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Motto: QUIS SEPARABIT – ‘Who shall separate us?’
THE QUEEN’S ROYAL HUSSARS
Formed in 1993 from the Queen’s Own and the Royal Irish. Challenger 2 tanks. Winston Churchill joined the Hussars as a young man.
THE ROYAL LANCERS
(Queen Elizabeth’s Own). Raised in 1715, they are the last regiment to retain the word ‘Lancers’ – referring to the ancient weapon of armoured knights. Today, they are a modern armoured cavalry reconnaissance regiment, using tracked fighting vehicles. Motto: DEATH OR GLORY.
THE KING’S ROYAL HUSSARS
First raised in 1715. Modern armoured regiment, using Challenger 2 tanks and Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles to seek out and destroy the enemy.
THE LIGHT DRAGOONS
Uses Jackal 2 armoured vehicles. Originally formed in 1759 as a fast, light cavalry unit. Took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.
1ST ROYAL TANK REGIMENT
Formed when tanks were invented by the British in WWI, this is the oldest tank regiment in the world. Uses Challenger 2 tanks as well as Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.
INFANTRY
The five Foot Guard regiments all have a dual role – active service in war, and protection and guard duty in royal palaces in London and Windsor. They wear red uniforms and the famous bearskin hat – taken from Napoleon’s Guards at the Battle of Waterloo.
THE GRENADIER GUARDS
Active from 1656. Motto: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE – ‘Evil be to him who evil thinks’.
THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS
Formed 1650. The oldest continuously serving unit in the British Army. Captured New York in 1776. Motto: NULLI SECUNDUS – ‘Second to none’.
THE SCOTS GUARDS
Mechanised infantry. Uses Mastiff and Jackal vehicles. Motto: NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT – ‘No one attacks me with impunity’.
THE IRISH GUARDS
Formed in 1900 by Queen Victoria. Light and fast infantry as well as the guarding role. Motto: QUIS SEPARABIT – ‘Who shall separate us?’
THE WELSH GUARDS
Formed in 1915 by King George V. Motto: WALES FOREVER. They wear a metal leek as a cap badge. Sniper rifles, machine guns and Foxhound vehicles.
THE LONDON REGIMENT
A Reserve regiment formed in 1908 that provides reinforcements to the five Foot Guard regiments. Sniper, heavy machine gun, mortar, assault rifle.
THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND
Formed in 2006 from ancient Scottish regiments stretching back to 1633.
1ST BATTALION:
The Royal Scots Borderers
2ND BATTALION:
The Royal Highland Fusiliers
3RD BATTALION:
The Black Watch
4TH BATTALION:
The Highlanders – mechanised infantry
5TH BATTALION:
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
6TH BATTALION RESERVE:
52nd Lowland
7TH BATTALION RESERVE:
51st Highland
THE PRINCESS OF WALES’S ROYAL REGIMENT
– ‘The Tigers’. Formed in 1992 as an amalgamation of regiments going back to 1572. Warrior and Bulldog vehicles. Mortars and machine guns.
THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
Modern regiment created in 1968. Originally raised in 1674, named after the ‘fusil’ musket.
THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT
Light infantry. Formed in 1964 from regiments that went back to 1685. Based in Woolwich, London, and Cyprus.
THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENT
– ‘Kingsmen’. Raised in 1680 by Charles II. Modern regiment formed in 2006. Uses Jackal 2 vehicles, as well as mortars, grenade machine gun and heavy machine gun. Note red rose of Lancaster.
Motto: NEC ASPERA TERRENT – ‘Nor do hardships terrify’, or alternatively ‘Difficulties be damned’.
THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
Originally raised in 1685. Close combat and urban operations. Uses Warrior, Foxhound and Bulldog armoured vehicles. Main weapon SA80 A2 assault rifle. Motto: FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE. Note white rose of York.
