and expressed his satisfaction at the efficiency of the brigade
after so long a march. He congratulated the commanding officers on
the excellent condition of their horses, and selected a number,
of which the KING'S OWN furnished fifteen, to be given up to the
French government for the purpose of mounting the royal guard. On
the 19th of July, the brigade, having received the highest praise
from Major-General the Hon. W. Ponsonby,[38] embarked at Boulogne and
arrived at Dover on the following day, the KING'S OWN having been
absent three years, from the time of their embarkation on the 25th of
the same month, 1811.
From Dover the KING'S OWN marched through Maidstone to Brentford,
and, on the 28th of July, were reviewed on Hounslow Heath by His
Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, immediately afterwards
commencing their march to Northampton and joining the depôt (which
had marched thither from Canterbury) on the 3rd of August. On the 13th
two troops were reduced, and on the 16th, the regiment marched for
Newcastle-on-Tyne, arriving there on the 1st of September; two troops
were detached to Carlisle, and one to Durham.
On the 26th of September, the head-quarters marched into York
barracks,[39] troops being left at Newcastle, Morpeth, Carlisle,
and Workington. In these quarters the Regiment was reviewed by
Lieutenant-General Wynyard in the summer of 1815, and afterwards
marched for St. Albans.
[Sidenote: 1815]
In the meantime Napoleon Bonaparte had returned to France; a British
army had assembled in Belgium under the command of the Duke of
Wellington; the battle of Waterloo had been won, and the KING'S OWN
were ordered to form ten troops, four of which marched to Coventry, and
the remaining six, consisting of thirty-two officers, thirty-four
serjeants, six trumpeters, three hundred and seventy-one rank and
file, and three hundred and eighty-two horses, proceeded to Dover and
Ramsgate, where they immediately embarked for Ostend to reinforce the
British army in France.
The KING'S OWN disembarked at Ostend on the 24th of July, and moving
up the country into France, were, on their arrival in the vicinity of
Paris, placed in cantonments at Chaton, near Malmaison. On the 2nd of
September, the Emperor of Russia reviewed the first and eighth brigades
of cavalry, consisting of the first and second life guards, royal horse
guards, first, second, and third dragoon guards, and THIRD dragoons. On
the 22nd of the same month, the allied army was reviewed by the Duke of
Wellington on the plain of St. Denis, and on the 11th of October, the
whole of the British, Hanoverian, Danish, and Saxon contingents, were
reviewed between Paris and St. Denis, by the Duke of Wellington, the
Emperor of Russia, and the King of Prussia; after the review the KING'S
OWN marched to Nantes, where they remained several months.
[Sidenote: 1816]
On the 25th of January, 1816, the KING'S OWN forming part of the Army
of Occupation left in France after the restoration of Louis XVIII. left
Nantes, and after successively making short halts at Bonnieres, Ligny,
and Bailleul, took up quarters at Steenvoorde, on the 1st of June.
Here the regiment remained till the 1st of August, and then marched to
Theronenne, where it was twice reviewed; on the 12th of October by the
Duke of Wellington, and on the 22nd by His Royal Highness the Duke of
Kent, and the Duke of Wellington. At this last review the whole of the
British army was assembled on the plains of Denain. After the review
the regiment marched to Audricq, and remained there all the following
year; occasionally, however, moving to different towns, as Bouberg,
Louches, and the vicinity of St. Omer, for the purpose of reviews and
inspections, or to make room for troops marching to the coast for
embarkation.
[Sidenote: 1818]
In the year 1818 the reviews went on in the same way and on the same
ground, until October 18th, on which day the KING'S OWN, being ordered
to return to England, embarked at Calais for Dover, landed there on the
following day, and marched to Canterbury. On the 24th, a considerable
reduction took place in the regiment, two troops being disbanded, and
the remaining eight ordered to consist of one serjeant-major, two
serjeants, three corporals, one trumpeter, one farrier, forty-two
privates, and thirty-four horses each.
In October, 1818, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and
on the behalf of His Majesty, was pleased to direct, that the THIRD and
FOURTH Regiments of _Dragoons_ should be mounted, clothed, and equipped
as _Light Dragoon_ Regiments; the alteration of title, &c., to take
effect from the 25th December, 1818.
[Sidenote: 1819]
On the 26th October, two squadrons, under the command of Major
Davenport, marched to Salt Hill, to attend the funeral of Her
Majesty Queen Charlotte, and on the 7th of December, the remaining
troops marched for Bristol, on their route to Ireland, disembarked
at Waterford, and detaching one squadron to Tullamore, marched into
Newbridge barracks on the 7th of February, 1819. In these stations the
regiment was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Paget, who was
pleased to express his approbation of its appearance and discipline.
[Sidenote: 1820]
In January, 1820, in consequence of the disturbed state of the province
of Connaught, two squadrons of the regiment were hastily ordered to
march thither; one troop was quartered at Ballinasloe, one at Tuam, and
the other two at Ballinrobe. In March, Generals Sir Edward Paget and
Sir John Elley arrived with all the disposable force, and from their
exertions the country assumed some appearance of tranquillity.
The KING'S OWN returned to Newbridge, and was there, on the 22nd of
May, inspected by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, who was pleased to
give them the highest praise.
On the 18th of June, the KING'S OWN marched to Dublin, and on the next
day was reviewed, for the first time, as a "LIGHT REGIMENT;" other
reviews took place on the 21st and 30th, before Lieut.-General Sir
David Baird, and the regiment returned to Newbridge.
On the 16th of August, the KING'S OWN marched into Dublin, relieving
the royal dragoons, who sailed for England, and in October, the
regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, who
issued the following order:--
'October 14th, 1820.
'The half-yearly inspection of the KING'S OWN LIGHT DRAGOONS affords
Major-General Sir C. Grant an opportunity of again expressing his
approbation of that corps. The interior arrangements, field movements,
attention of the officers, and steadiness of the men, all enable him to
make the most satisfactory report to the Commander of the Forces.'
[Sidenote: 1821]
The regiment remained in Dublin during the winter, and in January,
1821, the colonelcy was conferred on Lieut.-General Stapleton Cotton,
Viscount Combermere, K.C.B., G.C.H., in succession to General
Cartwright, who was removed to the first dragoon guards.
On the 17th of August the regiment had the honour of forming the
personal escort of His Majesty King George the Fourth, on his public
entry into Dublin. On the 18th, His Majesty reviewed the garrison,
then consisting of the THIRD and sixth dragoons, seventh hussars,
twelfth and nineteenth lancers, of the twenty-third, thirty-third,
forty-third, fifty-second, and seventy-eighth regiments of infantry.
The King remained in Dublin until the 2nd of September, on which day,
having been escorted to Powerscourt by a detachment of HIS OWN regiment
of dragoons, His Majesty embarked at Dunleary, the remainder of the
regiment forming a guard of honour at the harbour.
On the 4th and 5th of September, the KING'S OWN marched out of Dublin,
and took up quarters in the counties of Waterford and Wexford, at
Cahir, New Ross, and Fethard.[40] Here, however, they remained only a
short time, being ordered to Newcastle and Limerick, in consequence of
the disturbances which agitated that part of Ireland, particularly the
county of Limerick.
[Sidenote: 1822]
In these quarters the regiment was inspected on the 22nd of October, by
Major General Sir John Elley, and in January, 1822, the head-quarters
marched to Limerick, troops and detachments being stationed at nine
different places in the south of Ireland. The regiment was, in June,
again inspected by Sir John Elley, and being ordered to embark for
England, had the honour of receiving an order from Major-General Sir
John Lambert, commanding the district, in which the major-general was
pleased to state that 'he could not allow the regiment to leave the
district without expressing his entire satisfaction at the manner in
which most harassing duties had been performed by the head-quarters and
detachments in the disturbed part of the country.'
[Sidenote: 1823]
On the 19th and 22nd of June, the regiment embarked at Waterford, and
landing at Bristol, proceeded to Brighton, and on the 28th of October,
having marched to Chichester, was reviewed by Major-General Lord Edward
Somerset, one troop being detached to Hastings. On the 7th of November,
the regiment marched to Romford, where it remained till June, 1828, and
hence proceeded to Hampton Court and its vicinity. Here, on the 15th of
July, a grand cavalry review took place. The brigades were a cuirassier
brigade, first and second life guards, and royal horse guards,
commanded by Colonel Sir Robert Hill; a light brigade, KING'S OWN light
dragoons, seventh and fifteenth hussars, commanded by Colonel Lord
Charles Manners; and a brigade of horse artillery, commanded by Colonel
Sir Augustus Frazer. These troops, being commanded by Major-General
Lord E. Somerset, were reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke of
York, Commander-in-Chief, and on the 22nd, an order was issued highly
flattering to the whole of the regiments present.
[Sidenote: 1824]
The KING'S OWN remained at Hounslow for some months, in the course of
which, on leaving the station of Hampton Court, the troops received a
most honourable testimonial of their character and conduct from His
Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence.[41]
On the 7th of July, 1824, the same brigades under the same officers,
were again reviewed by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and
on the 12th the head-quarters of the KING'S OWN marched for Coventry,
troops being detached to Birmingham, Hinckley, and Abergavenny.
[Sidenote: 1825]
In May, 1825, the regiment having been inspected by Major-General
Lord Edward Somerset, the head-quarters moved to Newcastle-on-Tyne,
a squadron being detached to Carlisle. On the 22nd of July, a party
was detached to Sunderland, in consequence of the riots there, in
which the associated keelmen had gained such power as to prevent any
vessels putting to sea. On the 3rd of August, these disturbances grew
to such a height that it became necessary for the military, under the
direction of the magistrates, to make use of their arms, when seven
lives were unfortunately lost; but of so good effect was this salutary
severity, that from that time order was restored, and the troops
returned to Newcastle, receiving from Major-General Harris, commanding
the district, from the Horse-guards, and from the magistrates and
inhabitants of Sunderland, the highest praise for their coolness and
forbearance, under very trying circumstances.[42]
On the 27th of May, 1825, Colonel Lord Charles S. Manners was
promoted to the rank of Major-General, and was succeeded in the
Lieutenant-colonelcy of the THIRD, KING'S OWN, LIGHT DRAGOONS by
Colonel Lord Robert Manners, from the half-pay of the Tenth Royal
Hussars.
[Sidenote: 1826]
[Sidenote: 1827]
On the 3rd of March, 1826, the KING'S OWN commenced their march for
Portpatrick, embarked there for Ireland, and took up their quarters at
Dundalk, Belturbet, and Longford, the squadron from which latter place
afterwards marched to Belfast. On the 23rd of September, the regiment
assembled at Dundalk, and was there inspected by Major-General Sir
Colquhoun Grant, the detached squadrons immediately returning to their
former quarters, and the whole marching into Dublin, in June 1827, and
occupying Portobello barracks. The regiment remained at Dublin nine
months, and then marched into Connaught, receiving the highest praise
from Lieutenant-General Sir George Murray. It was then quartered as
follows: one troop and head-quarters at Ballinrobe, two troops at
Athlone, two troops at Gort, and one at Loughrea.
[Sidenote: 1828]
[Sidenote: 1829]
The five detached troops received orders on the 30th of June to proceed
to Ennis, to assist in preserving the peace during the Clare election.
Two troops were quartered in a ruined distillery, two in the yards of
the infirmary, and one at Clare Castle, where Major-General Sir Charles
Doyle, who had arrived from Limerick, established his head-quarters.
The troops remained at Ennis ten days, and then returned to their
former stations, the regiment being stationed in Connaught for fifteen
months, and receiving on three several occasions the highest character
from Major-General Taylor, and Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot,
K.C.B., the inspecting general officers; the latter of whom was pleased
to express 'his regret at losing from his district a regiment which
had done itself such credit by its excellent conduct, while under his
command.' This order is dated 30th April, 1829; and in the beginning
of the next month, the regiment embarked at Dublin for England, being
ordered to proceed to Exeter; but on landing at Liverpool, it was
detained in the north, in consequence of some disturbances there, and
ordered to march on the evening of debarkation to Prescot, one squadron
being directed upon Manchester, and troops to Bury, Bolton, Blackburn,
and Haslingden. On the 15th of June, the head-quarters moved to
Sheffield, the troops from Bolton occupying Rochdale; and on the 5th of
July, in consequence of riots in the town of Barnsley, a troop was sent
thither, and remained there till the following spring.
In September General Viscount Combermere was removed to the first
life guards; and the colonelcy of the KING'S OWN was conferred on
Lieut.-General Lord George Thomas Beresford, G.C.H.
In the course of this year a squadron was detached to Doncaster, in
consequence of riots at the races there; and the regiment was inspected
by Major-General Sir H. Vivian, when Colonel Lord Robert Manners
received the directions of the Major-General to express his approbation
of the state of the regiment, and in addition to the flattering terms
in which the General expressed his opinion of the officers and men on
the parade, he directed the commanding officer to issue an order,
entirely approving of all he had seen, which order he desired might not
only be entered in the regimental order book, but likewise inserted in
the regimental records.
[Sidenote: 1830]
On the 6th of April, 1830, the KING'S OWN marched into York, detaching
one troop to Newcastle-on-Tyne: and on the 21st of May, they were
reviewed by Major-General Sir H. Bouverie, commanding the northern
district.[43] On the 25th of November, the regiment left York _en
route_ to Nottingham, being ordered there to replace troops employed
in quelling disturbances in the south of England. On the 6th of
December, one troop was detached to Loughborough, in consequence of
riots there, and returned on the 17th, receiving a vote of thanks from
the magistrates of Leicestershire for their readiness and promptitude.
On the 22nd, the regiment was ordered to complete its establishment to
the full numbers, and accordingly detached parties to Loughborough and
Derby; and on the 29th, the first division, immediately followed by the
others, left Nottingham and returned to York. At York an increase in
the number of horses took place, the number per troop being fixed at
forty-five.
[Sidenote: 1831]
In consequence of a sudden order received on the night of the 2nd of
March, 1831, for the regiment to march on the following morning, one
squadron moved to Leeds, and the second to Burnley; but on the 4th of
April, the latter squadron returned to Leeds to succeed the first,
which had marched to Newcastle. On the 25th of the same month, a troop
marched to Chester-le-Street, near Durham; and on the 5th and 6th of
May, the remaining part of the regiment left Leeds for Newcastle. In
this quarter the regiment was employed in the suppression of riots
among the colliers, and was inspected by Major-General Dalbiac.
[Sidenote: 1832]
On the 23rd of September, the KING'S OWN marched in three divisions to
Edinburgh, where they remained for eight months; and in April, 1832,
proceeded to Glasgow and Hamilton.
[Sidenote: 1833]
[Sidenote: 1834]
[Sidenote: 1835]
Returning to England in the spring of 1833, the regiment was stationed
at Ipswich and Norwich; in the summer of 1834 it was removed to
Hounslow and took the King's duty; and in the summer of 1835 it
embarked for Ireland, and occupied quarters at Cork, Ballincollig, and
Limerick.
[Sidenote: 1836]
[Sidenote: 1837]
In June, 1836, the KING'S OWN were stationed at Cahir and Clonmel;
and returning to England in the spring of 1837, they proceeded to
Canterbury. On the 19th May, 1837, Colonel Joseph Thackwell, late of
the 15th Hussars, exchanged from the half-pay with Lieutenant Colonel
Stisted.
The regiment, having been selected to proceed to the East Indies,
embarked in July, 1837, for Bengal, and landed at Calcutta on the 13th
of November following, under the command of Colonel Thackwell.
[Sidenote: 1838]
The regiment was encamped in January, 1838, at Calcutta; in February at
Burkee; in March at Kusseah; in April at Cawnpore, where it continued
until the end of the year.[44]
[Sidenote: 1839]
In February, 1839, the regiment was encamped at Chibbermold; in March
at Meerut, at which station it remained until December, when it
returned to Cawnpore.
The decease of Lieutenant-General Lord George Thomas Beresford, G.C.H.,
having taken place on the 26th October, 1839, Her Majesty was pleased
to confer the colonelcy of the THIRD, OR KING'S OWN LIGHT DRAGOONS,
on Lieutenant General Lord Charles Somerset Manners, K.C.B., on the
8th November, 1839: Lord Charles Manners had commanded the regiment as
Lieutenant-Colonel from 1812 to 1825, when he was promoted to the rank
of Major-General.
On the 13th December, 1839, Lieut.-Colonel Michael White was promoted
by purchase in succession to Lieut.-Colonel G. G. Tuite.
[Sidenote: 1840]
[Sidenote: 1842]
The regiment remained at Cawnpore until October, 1840, when it
proceeded to Kurnaul. It marched from thence on 28th January, 1842,
_en route_ for Ferozepore, having been selected to form part of the
force which had been ordered to proceed under Major-General Pollock to
relieve the troops under Colonel Sir Robert Sale, who had gallantly
defended Jellalabad; and also for the purpose of inflicting retribution
upon the Affghans, whose treachery had caused the loss of so many brave
officers and soldiers.
The THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS continued their advance on Peshawur, and
a squadron of the regiment, under Lieutenant Unett, protected the
column of attack under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, of
Her Majesty's Ninth Regiment of Foot, which captured the heights on
the right entrance to the _Khyber Pass_, on the 5th April, 1842.
Major-General Pollock, in his despatch announcing the successful
advance of the troops into the Khyber Pass, states: 'there were some of
the enemy's horse in the vicinity of Ali Musjid, but I regret they did
not wait for Brigadier White (Lieutenant-Colonel of the KING'S OWN) and
his brigade to make an example of them.'
The regiment arrived at Jellalabad in April, 1842, where it remained
until the 14th August following, when it proceeded to Futteabad,
detaching one squadron to Mammoo Khail on the 23rd of that month. The
THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS left Futteabad on the 2nd September, and on
arriving at _Jugdulluck_, the summits of the hills, which command the
road through the pass, were perceived to be occupied by a considerable
number of the enemy, who were assembled in bodies under different
chieftains, each having a distinguishing standard; their position
was one of singular strength and difficulty of approach. The heights
occupied by the Ghilzies formed an amphitheatre, inclining towards
the left of the road, on which the troops were halted, while the guns
opened; and the enemy were thus enabled, on this point, to fire into
the column, a deep ravine preventing the troops coming in contact with
them.
The British troops, however, on attacking one of their hill-forts, gave
an animated and enthusiastic cheer, which so dismayed the enemy, that
they fled down the heights without waiting the collision, and were
thus enabled to escape chastisement by the nature of the ground, which
was so well calculated to favour their retreat. At this moment, Major
Lockwood with the THIRD, KING'S OWN LIGHT DRAGOONS, galloped up, and
nearly succeeded in overtaking the enemy's cavalry, who effected their
safety by flight.[45]
The loss of the regiment at the storming of the heights of _Jugdulluck_
on the 8th of September, 1842, was limited to two men wounded.
Major-General Pollock, in his despatch, speaks of the conduct of the
troops employed in the following terms:--
'It gratifies me to be enabled to state, that we have thus signally
defeated, with one division of the troops, the most powerful tribes,
and the most inveterate of our enemies, the original and principal
actors in those disturbances which entailed such disasters on our
troops last winter.'
The regiment was also engaged with the enemy in the _Tezeen_ valley,
which is completely encircled by lofty hills; the pass of Tezeen
affords great advantages to an enemy occupying the heights, and Mahomed
Akbar-Khan neglected nothing to render its natural difficulties
as formidable as possible; accordingly on the morning of the 13th
September, the Affghans appeared in great force on every height which
had not been occupied by the British army. Two squadrons of the THIRD
LIGHT DRAGOONS, a party of the first light cavalry, and of the third
irregular cavalry, with two guns, were left to guard the mouth of
the Tezeen pass. The enemy's horse appeared in the valley with the
intention of falling upon the baggage; but the Light Dragoons and
native cavalry made a most brilliant charge, and completely routed
the whole body of the enemy's force, cutting down a great number of
them. The fight continued during the greater part of the day, the
Affghans appearing resolved to prevent our ascending the _Huft Kotul_;
one spirit, however, pervaded all, and the determination to conquer
overcame the obstinate resistance of the foe, who were at length forced
from their numerous and strong positions, and the British troops
mounted the _Huft Kotul_, giving three cheers on reaching the summit.
Here Lieutenant Cunningham, with a party of sappers, pressed the enemy
so hard, that they left in their precipitation a twenty-four pounder
howitzer and limber, carrying off the draught bullocks. Information
being received that another gun had been seen, a squadron of cavalry
under Captain Tritton, of the THIRD LIGHT DRAGOONS, and two horse
artillery guns, under Major Delafosse, were detached in pursuit; the
gun (a twelve-pounder howitzer) and bullocks sufficient for the two
guns, were soon captured. The Light Dragoons again got among the
enemy, and succeeded in destroying many of them. Captain Broadfoot,
with the sappers, advanced, and with the dragoons happened to fall
in with another party of Affghans, of whom upwards of twenty were
killed. It was ascertained, that the enemy numbered sixteen thousand, a
considerable portion being cavalry; and that Mahomed Akbar-Khan, with
several other powerful chiefs, was present[46].