Raised as the "Royal Irish Dragoons" in 1689, and in 1858 became "The
5th (Royal Irish) Lancers." In recognition of the prominent part it
took in Marlborough's campaigns, and particularly of its distinguished
conduct at Blenheim, Marlborough directed that the captured kettledrums
should be borne at the head of the regiment, and that the establishment
should be nine troops. At Ramillies, with the Royal Scots Greys, it
cut off two battalions of the Grenadiers of Picardie, and almost
annihilated a third battalion before a body of French horse galloped to
the rescue. To this the regiment owed the privilege it formerly enjoyed
of wearing Grenadier caps like the Royal Scots Greys.
Nicknames: At one time called "The Daily Advertisers." More popularly
known as "The Redbreasts" or "Irish Lancers."
[Illustration: The Coldstreamers first meeting with the Monarch.]
[Illustration: Scots Guards--Piper in State Dress.]
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Newport, Mon.)
On Guidon, The Castle of Inniskilling, with the St. George's
Colours, and the word "Inniskilling" underneath.
"Dettingen," "Warburg," "Willems," "Waterloo," "Balaklava,"
"Sevastopol," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Primrose.
_Head-dress_, White metal helmet, with white plume; band, scarlet
plume.
_Forage cap_, Blue, with primrose band.
_Horse plume_, White.
Linked Regiment, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays).
Allied Regiment, 25th Brant Dragoons of Canada, Brantford, Ontario.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Castle of Inniskilling.