_Head-dress_, Brass helmet with black and red plume; band, red and white plume.
Linked Regiment, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers).
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Prince of Wales's Plume.
The 3rd Dragoon Guards, originally "Cuirassiers," was raised in 1685, and after the battle of Sedgemoor its six troops were incorporated into a regiment called "The 4th Horse." In 1746 it was named "The 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards," and in 1765 "The Prince of Wales's Regiment of Dragoon Guards." At Ramillies it captured the standard and kettledrums of the Bavarian Guards. It was the only British Cavalry Regiment to take part in the Abyssinian campaign under Gen. Napier and formed part of the British column that made the memorable march on Magdala.
Nicknamed the "Old Canaries," on account of its facings being yellow, or canary colour.
On Standard, the Harp and Crown and the Star of the Order of St. Patrick.
"Peninsula," "Balaklava," "Sevastopol," "Tel-el-Kebir," "Egypt, 1882."
Motto: _Quis separabit?_ (Who shall separate?)
_Head-dress_, Brass helmet with white plume; band, black plume.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Star of the Order of St. Patrick.
The 4th Dragoon Guards raised in 1685, was originally known as "Arran's Cuirassiers," or the "6th Horse," and in 1788 "The Fourth Dragoon Guards," and later on the words "Royal Irish" were added. Whilst on service in Ireland it obtained the name of the "Blue Horse," from its facings being of that colour. During the Crimean War the regiment took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava, a memorable feat which has hardly received the recognition it deserved. The regiment rode into the charge cheering madly and did terrible execution. They are the only regiment of Dragoon Guards with an Irish title.
Nicknames: "The Buttermilks" on account of their lengthened stay in Ireland, during which many of the men acquired farms; and the "Mounted Micks."
On Standard, the Regimental device within a union wreath.
"Blenheim," "Ramillies," "Oudenarde," "Malplaquet," "Beaumont," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Toulouse," "Peninsula," "Balaklava," "Sevastopol," "Defence of Ladysmith," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Motto: "_Vestigia nulla retrorsum_" (No going backward).