The 8th Hussars was raised in Ireland in 1693 and has always been
closely associated with the Emerald Isle. It was known as "St.
George's" from its Colonel's name in 1740-55; also as the "Cross
Belts" in 1768 from the circumstance that it was permitted to wear
the sword belt over the right shoulder, in place of round the waist
as usual in dragoon regiments, for its gallant conduct at the battle
of Saragossa, where it captured the belts of the Spanish cavalry. The
regimental motto "_Pristinæ virtutis memores_," was specially conferred
on their corps in commemoration of its brilliant gallantry at the
battle of Leswarree in India. During the Crimean War it formed one of
the regiments in the famous charge of the Light Brigade at the battle
of Balaklava. The 8th Hussars and 17th Lancers have seen much service
together, and they call themselves from their numbers "The Twenty
Fives."
In the Indian Mutiny five Victoria Crosses were won by the regiment.
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Woolwich.)
"Peninsula," "Punniar," "Sobraon," "Chillianwallah," "Goojerat,"
"Punjaub," "Delhi, 1857," "Lucknow," "Charasiah," "Kabul, 1879,"
"Kandahar, 1880," "Afghanistan, 1878-80," "Modder River," "Relief
of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Blue.
_Facings_, Scarlet.
_Head-dress_, Lance cap of black leather, with the upper part and
top of blue cloth; black and white plume.
_Forage cap_, Blue, with scarlet band.
Linked Regiment, 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Queen Adelaide's Cypher and Crown.
The Officers wear a gold instead of a silver pouch.