The regiment was raised in 1759. It served with distinction throughout
the Peninsular War, from Talavera to Toulouse, during the greater part
of which time it was attached to the Light Division. Subsequently, it
fought at Quatre Bras and at Waterloo, where it lost heavily. It was
the first Lancer regiment to serve in India, and the first British
Lancers to use the lance in action. During a tour of service in India
extending over a quarter of a century it won great fame on many fields.
At the battle of Aliwal (where Sir Harry Smith, with a force of 12,000
men with 32 guns, defeated 19,000 Sikhs with 68 guns) it specially
distinguished itself.
The 16th Lancers, being the only Lancer corps wearing the scarlet
tunic, received the sobriquet of the "Scarlet Lancers."
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Woolwich.)