Army Regiments - Cavalry regiments - 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons/Hale's Light Horse/17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons/3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons/17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons/17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Lancers)/Bingham Dandies/17th R
Below is some genealogy information on the 17th Lancers and Duke of Cmabridge's Own Lancers cavalry regiment of the British army that may help searches for military ancestors.
Theatres of War, Army Regiments, Naval Detachments, RAF
Description: Formed in 1759 as the 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, known as Hale's Light Horse. In 1761 is was renamed the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. In 1766 was renamed 3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons. In 1769 it was renamed the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. They saw action in the American War of Independence, fighting at Bunker Hill. During the Napoleonic Wars they were stationed in the West Indies, acting as marines about Royal Navy ships. In 1806 they took part in two invasions of Spanish-held South America. In the latter they captured Montevideo. In 1817 they saw action in India, and were renamed the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Lancers). They saw action in the Crimean War becoming known as Bingham's Dandies. They participated in the battle of Balaclava, famous for its Charge of the Light Brigade (led by the 17th). Of the 147 who charge, only 38 survived. They also saw action at the battle of Inkerman and Alma. In 1857 they saw action in the Indian Mutiny although it was largely voer before they had any impact. In 1861 they were renamed the 17th Regiment of Lancers. In 1876 they were renamed the 17th (The Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers, named after Prince George. In 1900 they took part in the Boer Wars but saw only small actions. During the First World War they saw action at the battles of Cambrai, Festubert, Amiens and Hindenburg Line. In 1921 they were renamed the 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own). In 1922 they were amalgamated with the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's) forming the 17th/21st Lancers. In 1993 they were amalgamated with the 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers forming the Queen's Royal Lancers. Their nickname is The Death or Glory Boys or The Horse Marines.
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