On this page is given a brief history and background of the 5th Dragoon Guards.   I would recommend anyone who wishes to learn more about the regiment to read a book called "The Fifth Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards", compiled by Major General Roger Evans. CB, MC, DL and published by Gale and Polden Ltd in 1951.

1685

Shrewsbury's Horse (The 7th Horse)
Under the authority of King James II,   this regiment was raised by the Earl of Shrewsbury originally with troops from Chester, Bridgenorth, Lichfield, Oxford and the Kingston upon Thames areas.   Allegiance was later changed to King William of Orange.

1687

1688

Coy's Horse

In 1689 a squadron of Coy's Horse took part in the relief of Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland after King James had raised his standards there.   It subsequently fought at the Battle of the Boyne.

1691

6th Horse

After service in Flanders, the regiment transferred to garrison duties in Ireland in 1695.

1697

The 5th Dragoon Guards

The regiment distinguished itself as part of the Duke of York's forces at the battles of Beaumont and Willems.

The Princess Charlotte of Wales's Dragoon Guards

This title was adopted in the honour of King George's only daughter.   The Regiment joined the Duke of Wellington's army in the Peninsula in 1811 fighting through into France.  At the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, the drum-major's staff of the French 66th Regiment of Infantry was captured and is still carried on regimental parades.  The Regiment fought with the Union Brigade at the Battle of Waterloo and also in the Crimea where, during the Battle of Balaklava, it formed part of the Union Brigade alongside the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (among others) and took part in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade which was led by a former Commanding Officer of the Regiment - General Yorke-Scarlett.

Most cavalry regiments during the latter part of the 19th century did service in India, Egypt  and in South Africa and the 5th Dragoon Guards  was no exception.   The regiment eventually returned to Ireland in 1908.  It served with distinction in the Great War of 1914 to 1918 in both mounted and dismounted operations.

The 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)

Princess Charlotte (the daughter of King George the Third) married Prince Leopold who later became King of the Belgians.   King Leopold was appointed as Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment and was succeeded by King Albert and afterwards by King Leopold the Third until his death.