The regiment was raised in 1689 and called "Cunningham's Regiment of
Dragoons." It was, during the Peninsular War, jocularly nicknamed "The
Old Saucy Seventh," also "The Lily White Seventh," from its pale blue
uniform and white facings, and also "Young Eyes." It was at first a
Scotch Regiment, and it is the custom of its band to play "The Garb
of old Gaul" when marching past, and "Hieland Laddie" when trotting.
Also called the "Black Horse." It was the senior of the Light Dragoon
Regiments when first connected with Hussars. It distinguished itself
during the Indian Mutiny, particularly at the passage of the Betwa,
where it had a hand-to-hand fight with the enemy's cavalry in the bed
of the river. The name of the "Old Straws," or "Strawboots," originated
at Warburg, 1760. The boots of the troopers being worn out, straw-bands
were substituted for them.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Dublin.)
"Leswarree," "Hindoostan," "Alma," "Balaklava," "Inkerman,"
"Sevastopol," "Central India," "Afghanistan, 1879-80," "South
Africa, 1900-02."
Motto: "_Pristinæ virtutis memores_" (The memory of former valour).
_Uniform_, Blue.
_Collar badge_, The Harp and Crown.
_Head-dress_, Busby, with red and white plume and scarlet busby bag.
_Forage cap_, Red.
Linked Regiment, 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Harp and Crown.