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."
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Dunbar).
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).
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Dark Green.
_Head-dress_, Brass helmet with red and white plume; band, red
plume.
_Forage cap_, Blue, with dark green band.
Linked Regiment, 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, White Horse of Hanover.
At Salamanca it captured the staff of the drum-major of the French
66th Regiment. This is still carried on special parades by the
trumpet-major.