In 1660, Charles II. before leaving Holland, formed into a troop a
body of cavalier gentlemen who had rallied round him there, which he
placed under the command of Lord Gerard. It was thus the Life Guards
originated. The corps was styled "His Majesty's Own Troop of Guards."
The Life Guards were nicknamed "Cheeses," from the old gentlemen of the
corps declining to serve in it as remodelled in 1788, saying "that it
was no longer composed of gentlemen but of cheesemongers." Also known
as "The Tin Bellies."
NOTE "A."--In full dress N.C.O.'s of the Household Cavalry do
not wear chevrons but aiguillettes. The titles of the ranks also
differ from other regiments--Corporal-Major (Sergeant-Major),
Quartermaster-Corporal-Major (Quartermaster-Sergeant),
Squadron-Corporal-Major (Squadron-Sergeant-Major), Corporal of
Horse (Sergeant), Corporal (Corporal), Trooper (Private). The
Farrier-Corporals carry polished pole axes on ceremonial parades,
and wear black plumes and blue tunics.
[Illustration]
"Dettingen," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Tel-el-Kebir," "Egypt,
1882," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa,
1899-1900."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Cloak_, Scarlet.
_Head-dress_, White metal helmet with white plume; band and
trumpeters, scarlet plume.
_Cap_, Blue, with scarlet band.
On State occasions the band and trumpeters wear a special tunic of
crimson heavily braided with gold.
A blue cord is worn in the centre of the shoulder belt.
Two scarlet stripes are worn down the side seams of the overalls.
The Regiment carries three Squadron Standards in addition to the
King's Standard.
The Silver Kettle-Drums used in the Regiment were presented by King
William IV, in 1831.