Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

It was formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) (themselves the product of the amalgamation in 1922 of 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) and 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)), and The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons).[1]

The regiment has deployed on four tours of Northern Ireland in 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1980, suffering one fatality in 1972, when Trooper Ian Hunter Caie, was killed by a bomb in a beer barrel that exploded in the path of his Ferret scout car in Moybane, near Crossmaglen County Armagh.[2]

The Scots Dragoon Guards raise the regimental flag on their Challenger 2

It saw active service during the Gulf War in 1991 deploying 57 Challenger tanks[3] and in Bosnia as part of SFOR in 1996–97.[4] In 1998, it became the first regiment in the British Army to operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank.[5] It deployed to Kosovo, as part of KFOR, in 2000.[6]

The regiment deployed to Iraq for Operation Telic, the British element of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The bulk of the regiment deployed as part of the Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group with a single squadron (A Squadron) detached to the First Battalion The Black Watch Battle Group. All deployed elements of the regiment took part in the advance on Iraq's second largest city, Basra. Prior to reaching Basra, A Squadron fought in and around Az Zubayr and C Squadron was detached from the SCOTS DG BG to fight with 3 Commando Brigade in actions south of Basra that included Britain's largest tank engagement since the Gulf War, when 14 Challenger 2 tanks engaged and destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks (the so-called '14–0' engagement).[7]

The regiment deployed to Iraq in 2006, where it suffered two casualties Lieutenant Richard Palmer[8] and Corporal Gordon Pritchard.[9] The regiment also saw service in Iraq in 2008.[10] More recently in 2008, 2011 and 2013/14 the regiment deployed to Afghanistan.[11] The pipes and drums distinguished themselves, most recently winning the award for Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits.[12]

In November 2013, the unit bade farewell to its Challenger 2 tanks and converted to a Light Cavalry unit, armed with Jackal vehicles.[13] Under the Army 2020 plan, it was reroled as a light cavalry unit, and moved to Leuchars Station in summer 2015.[14] The Regiment deployed to Cyprus with the United Nations as part of the Op TOSCA 27 peace-keeping for a 6 months tour in September 2017.[15]

Jackal Vehicles in use with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

The regiment has converted to the role of light cavalry as part of restructuring in the army under Army 2020. It is now equipped with Jackal armoured fighting vehicles.[13] The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is paired up with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, an Army Reserve light cavalry regiment.[16]

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is broken into the following structure:[17]

• Regimental Headquarters based at Edinburgh Castle
  • The Mounted Troop, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Ceremonial unit based at Edinburgh Castle)
• Armoured Regiment Headquarters
  • Headquarters Squadron - Coyote and Panther CLV equipped
    • Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
  • A Squadron - Jackal equipped
  • B Squadron - Jackal equipped
  • C Squadron - Jackal equipped

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum is situated at Edinburgh Castle. Opened in 2006, the exhibits include uniforms, medals, weapons, regalia, music and the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo.[18]

The regiment's official abbreviation (as listed in Joint Service Publication 101 (Service Writing)) is SCOTS DG (note all capitals and the space), the format of which follows the traditional Cavalry line.[19]

Officers of the SCOTS DG in No.1 dress uniform

The cap badge features an eagle, which represents the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys from the French 45th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Waterloo.[20] It is always worn with a black backing in mourning for Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, who was their Colonel-in-Chief at the time of his execution. The cap badge also has the crossed carbines of the 3rd Carabiniers at the rear of the eagle.[21]

The Plume of The Prince of Wales with its motto "Ich Dien" is worn by all members of the Regiment embroidered on the upper part of the left sleeve. The right to wear this badge was granted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards in 1765, subsequently became the cap badge and later, with the crossed carabines, formed the badge of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's).[22]

The distinctive yellow zigzag (or "vandyke") cap band was inherited from the Royal Scots Greys, who had worn it since the mid-19th century.[23]

As a royal regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is permitted to wear the Royal Stewart tartan, which was a privilege granted by HM King George VI, and is worn by the regiment's pipers.[24]

• The regimental motto is Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity), also the motto of the Order of the Thistle, to which it refers.
• The regiment also uses the motto "Second to None".

The Loyal Toast is drunk at formal dinners in the Mess and is always drunk seated, except when Royalty is present. On evenings when a military band is present, besides playing "The Queen' the band also play "God Bless the Prince of Wales", an old 3rd Dragoon Guards custom, and the "Imperial Russian Anthem" in memory of Tsar Nicholas II, the Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Greys, killed during the Russian Revolution.[25] The regiment also has a mounted Drum Major who wears a distinctive white bearskin - a gift to the regiment from Tsar Nicholas during his time as Colonel of the Regiment.[26]

In 2015 the Regiment introduced a small mounted unit named the "Waterloo Squadron". Eight members of the Guards were coached by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment before making their debut at Kilmarnock on 20 June 2015, and then moved on to Edinburgh the following week for the Battle of Waterloo victory celebrations. The Duke of Kent took the salute. At the time it represented a return to horseback for the first time in eighty years. This has sparked speculation that the troop may now begin to undertake more ceremonial duties in Scotland.[27]

The Pipes and Drums on Armed Forces Day.

External video

"Amazing Grace" performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards on YouTube

The regiment has its own pipe band, who were first formed in 1946 and tour widely, performing in competitions, concerts and parades. It was the first official organized pipes and drums in the history of the regiment.[28] Their most famous piece is "Amazing Grace", which reached number one in the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa in 1972. The track sold over seven million copies by mid 1977, and was awarded a gold disc.[29] The track was also featured in the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.[30]

The band released a new CD in late November 2007 through Universal Music, featuring a number of classic pipe tunes along with some modern arrangements and was recorded while the regiment was based in Iraq. The album Spirit Of The Glen was produced by Jon Cohen and released by Universal on 26 November 2007. It was a remake of their most popular song "Amazing Grace" and featured the Czech Film Orchestra. Spirit Of The Glen was officially launched at Edinburgh Castle[31] and won Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical Brits.[12][32] They have also made regular appearances at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo over the years.[33][34]

Commanding Officers have included:[35]

• 1971–1972: Lieutenant Colonel Anthony J. Bateman
• 1972–1974: Lt Col John Norman Stewart Arthur
• 1974–1977: Lt Col Stephen R. A. Stopford
• 1977–1979: Lt Col Charles A. Ramsay
• 1979–1982: Lt Col C. Roland S. Notley
• 1982–1984: Lt Col Marcus E. C. Coombs
• 1984–1986: Lt Col Jonathan Michael Francis Cooper Hall
• 1986–1988: Lt Col Melville Stewart Jameson
• 1988–1991: Lt Col John F. B. Sharples
• 1991–1993: Lt Col Nicholas D. A. Seymour
• 1993–1995: Lt Col Simon R. B. Allen
• 1995–1997: Lt Col R. Austen B. Ramsden
• 1997–2000: Lt Col Andrew M. Phillips
• 2000–2002: Lt Col H. David Allfrey
• 2002–2004: Lt Col Hugh H. Blackman
• 2004–2006: Lt Col Benjamin P. Edwards
• 2006–2009: Lt Col Felix G. Gedney
• 2009–2011: Lt Col Jonathan U. Biggart
• 2011–2013: Lt Col Jonathan G. E. Bartholomew
• 2013–2016: Lt Col Benjamin J. Cattermole
• 2016–2018: Lt Col Dominic C. D. Coombes
• 2018–Present: Lt Col J. Fraser S. McLeman

•  Australia – 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers
•  Canada – The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)
•  New Zealand – The New Zealand Scottish
•  South Africa – The Natal Carbineers
•  Royal Navy – HMS Vengeance

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiners and Greys) inherited all of its antecedent Regiments' battle honours when it was formed in 1971. These consist:

3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's)[36]

• Early Wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Warburg, Beaumont, Willems, Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, Peninsula, Abyssinia, South Africa 1901–02.
• The Great War: Ypres 1914, 1915, Nonne Bosschen, Frezenberg, Loos, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Avre, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, Cambrai 1918, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914–18.

Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)[37]

• Early Wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Warburg, Willems, Sevastopol, Delhi 1857, Afghanistan 1879-80, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, South Africa 1899-1902
• The Great War: Mons, Le Cateau, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Armentières 1914, Ypres 1915, St. Julien, Bellewaarde, Arras 1917 Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18, Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Selle, Sambre, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914-18

3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards)[38][lower-alpha 1]

• The Second World War: Tamu Road, Nunshigum, Imphal, Bishenpur, Kanglatongbi, Kennedy Peak, Shwebo, Sagaing, Ava, Mandalay, Yenangyuang 1945, Irrawuddy, Burma 1944-45

Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons)[39]

• Early wars: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Dettingen, Warburg, Willems, Waterloo, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, South Africa, 1899-1902
• The Great War: Mons, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Ypres 1914 '15, Gheluvelt, Neuve Chapelle, St. Julien, Bellewaarde, Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Somme 1918, Albert 1918, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, St Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1914-18
• The Second World War: Caen, Hill 112, Falaise, Venlo Pocket, Hochwald, Aller, Bremen, North-West Europe 1944-45, Merjayun, Syria 1941, Alam El Halfa, El Alamein, El Agheila, Nofilia, Advance on Tripoli, North Africa 1942-43, Salerno, Battipaglia, Volturno Crossing, Italy 1943

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)

• Recent wars: Wadi Al Batin,[40] Gulf War 1991,[41] Al Basrah,[42] Iraq 2003[43]

• 2 July 1971 – present: HM Queen Elizabeth II

Colonels of the Regiment have been:[44]

• 1971–1975: Maj-Gen. Ralph Younger[45]
• 1975–1979: Col. Hugh Brassey[46]
• 1979–1984: F.M. Sir John Wilfred Stanier GCB MBE
• 1984–1998: Lt-Gen. Sir Norman Arthur KCB
• 1998–2003: Maj-Gen. Jonathan Michael Francis Cooper Hall CB OBE
• 2003–present: Brig. Melville Stewart Jameson CBE

• Doyle, Peter; Foster, Chris (2010). British Army Cap Badges of the Second World War. Shire Collections. ISBN 978-0747807971.
• Nicoletti, Tony; Stephen, Aidan (2003). Shot and Captured: Photographs of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battlegroup in Iraq 2003. Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail.
• Wood, Stephen (1988). In the Finest Tradition: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers & Greys): Its History and Treasures. Mainstream Pub. Co. ISBN 1-85158-174-X.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

• "Official site".
• "Pipes & Drums site". Retrieved 14 May 2006.
• Official Universal Classics and Jazz Website
• "NPR Interview with Jon Cohen, Producer of Spirit of the Glen". Retrieved 11 November 2007.
• Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum