The regiment was raised in 1759 and in 1876 received its present title
of "17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers." It was present throughout
the Crimean War and fought at the Alma, Inkerman and Balaklava, where
it was one of the five regiments that took part in the famous charge of
the Light Brigade. It also fought in the Indian Mutiny.
Popularly known as the "Death or Glory Boys," and "Skull and
Crossbones," from the circumstance that its Colonel (Hole) chose
its crest of a "death's head" and its motto "_or glory_," as he
wished all to remember General Wolfe, with whom he happened to serve
in the year on which his regiment was first raised in Scotland by
Lord Aberdour. Another nickname given them was that of "Bingham's
Dandies," the uniform being of scarlet with white facings and overalls
and black plume. The late Earl of Lucan, when Lord Bingham, was
Lieutenant-Colonel of the corps, which was in his time remarkable for
the well-fitting uniforms both of the officers and men belonging to it.
[Illustration: Charging with the Light Brigade at Balaclava.]
[Illustration: Royal Engineers at Pontooning Work.]
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Scarborough.)
"Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Defence of Ladysmith," "South Africa,
1899-1902."
Motto: _Pro Rege, pro Lege, pro Patria conamur_ (We strive for
King, for Law, for Country).
_Uniform_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Busby with scarlet and white plume and blue busby bag.
_Forage cap_, Red.
Linked Regiment, 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Q.M.O. Monogram.
The silver trumpets used by the regiment were provided out of
proceeds of the sale of the captured horses at Waterloo.