Raised in 1678. In 1700 the corps was known as "The Grey Dragoons,"
and "The Scots Regiment of White Horses." In 1707, "The Royal Regiment
of North British Dragoons." In 1713, "The 2nd Dragoons." And in 1866,
"The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons, Scots Greys." At Waterloo,
the regiment with a shout of "Scotland for ever," charged the French
infantry masses and almost annihilated them. In the charge the eagle of
the 45th French Regiment was captured by Sergeant Ewart; at Ramillies
(1706) the Scots Greys captured the colours of the French "Regiment du
Roi" and for this it was permitted to wear grenadier or bearskin caps.
The men have the nicknames of "Bubbly Jocks," owing to their
dress. "Bubbly Jock" being a Scottish name for a turkey cock; "The
Birdcatchers," in commemoration of the capture of an Eagle at Waterloo;
also "The Greys."
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Bristol.)
"Dettingen," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Toulouse," "Peninsula,"
"Cabool, 1842," "Moodkee," "Ferozeshah," "Sobraon,"
"Chillianwallah," "Goojerat," "Punjaub," "South Africa, 1902."
Motto: _Nec aspera terrent_ (Nor do difficulties deter).
_Uniform_, Blue.
_Collar_, Scarlet.
_Head-dress_, Busby with white plume and garter-blue busby bag.
_Horse plume_, White. Leopard skin saddlecloth.
_Forage cap_, Red.
Linked Regiment, 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, White Horse of Hanover.
The regiment has an additional sergeant as kettle-drummer who, on
ceremonial occasions, wears a silver collar which was presented by
the wife of the Hon. Charles Fitzroy, afterwards Lord Southampton,
on his being appointed colonel in 1772.