"Cavalry standards - British Heavy Cavalry - First Coalition" Topic

Though like in the 1815 campaign they were not carried. But I would like to know was this true for earlier periods as well.

I am particularly interested for the First coalition War when the Brits were fighting in Flanders.

The valuable work "The standards and colours of the army, from the restauration, 1661, to the introduction of the territorial system, 1881", written by Samuel Milne Milne and published in 1893 (only 200 books had been printed) states some inspection reports of infantry and cavalry regiments.

And it seems that the standards had been taken into field until the peninsular war. Milne states on page 103:

"Towards the end of the century regiments ware generally augmented from the six-troop establishment to eight, and in some cases to ten troops, the number of standards being increased to an average of four per regiment, whilst in 1807, when the establishment was at its highest, viz., ten troops, five were used, the 1st Dragoon Guards, with its twelve troops, had no less than six.
Strangely enough, cavalry standards and guidons never obtained the same respect and veneration accorded to those of infantry regiments. Why this should be the case is incapable of explanation; as leading and also regimental rallying points their object apparently was the same. As far as can be ascertained, none were consecrated, no particular ceremony attended their presentation, an when worn out, or too ragged to make a respectable display, they disappeared and new ones took their place without remark."

So, the mention of "ragged standard" seems to be a prove for taking them into the field. A footnote describes some remarks from inspection reports, e.g. "10th Dragoons, inspection, August, 1776. – The two standards bad, received in 1769; the King's standard may last another year; the second standard in rags, and half blown away; standard belts much worse, and look shabby."

In contrast to the above stated Milne writes about the usage of the standards on page 167:

"A close study of inspection returns does not quite clear up the point as to whether all cavalry regiments carried their standards in the field during the earlier phases of the war in the Peninsula.
One thing is certain, they were not carried in 1812, nor in succeeding years; the inspection returns are quite decided upon this head, as the following extracts prove: l1812 half-yearly inspection, 3rd Dragoon Guards, 'no standards in the field'; 4th Dragoon Guards, 'standards left on board the admiral's ship at 'Lisbon'; 1st Royal Dragoons, 'standards with the depot in England', etc. etc."

So, I would assume the British cavalry regiments had their colours in the field during the revolutionary wars.

Greetings from Berlin to Franconia
Markus Stein

That's interesting, Markus. Thanks for the information.

Would that apply to earlier conflicts, such as the American Revolution (granted there were only two light dragoon regiments initially deployed to America) and the Seven Years War?

Jim

Thanks Markus, very interesting

I checked the Milne again but there‘s no explicit mention about the 7YW and the American theatre. But as Milne writes that he didn‘t see any original colour / guidon (except some of a light dragoon regiment) I would suppose the cavalry regiments took their colours into the field during the 18th century, too.

So, no finial prove, but perhaps a hint.

Greetings
Markus Stein

Interesting information.

Question is, do we need British cavalry standardbearers for our wargame armies for Flanders campaign? Or there are so few cavalry bases that standards only for every regiment fill all these bases entirely.

for me the answer is simple, in case they carried them, we need the standard bearers.

Perhaps the British followed the practices of their Austrian Coalition partners?

Commissioner, after reading information here, says that by different memoirs he readed, there was no Cavalry Flags for Flanders Campaign. So Flagbearers for British Cavalry are not commissioned.

maybe he could provide quotes

The Osprey by Sumner "British Colours and Standards 1747-1881" page 17 implies (but does not unequivocally state) that standards were carried in the Low Countries in 1793-95 by cavalry. The events there led to a change in regulations with standards being carried by experienced NCOs from 1796 rather than very junior officers (cornets).

An order from the Adjutant General's Office dated 1 May 1793 setting out the cavalry detachments to be sent to the Low Countries and the Brigades ordered by Lord Amherst states:

"It is Lord A's orders that the Detachts (sic) from the Several Regts of Cavalry, under orders for Foreign Service, are each to take two Standards with them." (TNA WO 3/11, p.95)

The orderly book in the Papers of Maj Gen Charles Barnett, 3rd Foot Guards, 1786-1803 includes an order dated Tournay 14 May 1794:

"On account of the great deficiency of officers of the Cav., the Regiments in future are not to take their Standards out with them, unless particularly directed" (NAM 1985-12-15)

I hope this helps

so in the future would mean from 14.5.1794 onwards? great information Paul

Hi HK

I would say so

Cheers

Paul