14th Dragoons

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised on July 22, 1715 to crush the Jacobite Rising against George I. It was originally known as the "James Dormer's Regiment of Dragoons" and ranked 14th.

During the First Jacobite Rising, on November 14, 1715, the regiment took part in the battle of Preston where Dorner was wounded.

In 1717, the regiment was transferred to Ireland where it was stationed until 1742.

In 1742, the regiment returned to England to face the Second Jacobite Rising. On September 21, 1745, it took part in the battle of Prestonpans. It also fought at the battle of Falkirk on January 17, 1746.

In 1747, the regiment returned to Ireland where it was stationed until 1795.

On July 1, 1751, when a Royal warrant reorganised the British cavalry, the regiment was designated as the "14th Regiment of Dragoons".

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:

• from November 27, 1752: Lieutenant-General Louis Dejean
• from April 5, 1757 to September 11, 1765: F.M. John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll (Marquess of Lorne)

In 1776, the regiment was converted into a Light Dragoons Regiment known as the "14th Light Dragoons".

Service during the War

As of May 30, 1759, the regiment was stationed in Ireland and counted two squadrons for a total of 180 men. It was not involved in any campaign during the war.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1758 - Source: Ibrahim90 from a template made by Frédéric Aubert

Uniform in 1758

Headgear	black tricorne laced silver with a black cockade on the left side
Neck stock	white
Coat	double breasted red coat lined lemon yellow with white buttons and very narrow white buttonholes grouped 3 by 3 Collar none Shoulder strap left shoulder: red fastened with a white button right shoulder: yellow aiguillette Lapels none Pockets long vertical pockets with white buttons and very narrow white buttonholes in a chevron pattern Cuffs lemon yellow (slashed in the British pattern) with white buttons and very narrow white buttonholes in a chevron pattern on the sleeve Turnbacks lemon yellow
Waistcoat	lemon yellow with white buttons and very narrow white buttonholes
Breeches	lemon yellow with white knee covers
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt natural leather Waistbelt n/a Cartridge Box natural leather pouch Scabbard n/a Bayonet scabbard n/a Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Housings lemon yellow with rounded corners decorated with the rank of the regiment (XIV D.) on a red ground within a small wreath of roses and thistles; bordered with a white braid with a red and green stripe Holster caps lemon yellow decorated with the King's Cypher in yellow with the Crown over it; bordered with a white braid with a red and green stripe Blanket roll lemon yellow and red

Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols and a musket.

Officers

As per the regulation of 1751, the officers wore the same uniform with the following exceptions:

• a narrow silver lace at the lapels, cuffs and pockets
• a crimson silk sash worn over the left shoulder
• crimson and gold striped sword knot
• lemon yellow housings and holster caps laced silver

NCOs

Sergeants were distinguished by a narrow silver lace on the lapels, cuffs and pockets; a silver aiguillette; a lemon yellow worsted sash about their waist.

Corporals were distinguished by a narrow silver lace on the cuffs and shoulder strap; white silk aiguillette.

Musicians

Drummers rode grey horses. They wore lemon yellow coats lined and turned up with red and laced with a white braid with a red and green stripe. Red waistcoats and breeches.

Drummers wore a mitre cap similar to the grenadier mitre cap but with a lower crown and the tassel hanging behind; lemon yellow front decorated with a trophy of guidons and drums; little frontal red flap with the White Horse and the motto “Nec aspera terrent”; red backing, lemon yellow headband with a drum and the rank of the regiment (XIV. D.) in the middle part behind.

The drums were of brass with a lemon yellow forepart carrying the rank of the regiment (XIV. D.) in golden characters on a crimson ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

Guidons

The guidons were made of silk, fringed in red and silver, and embroidered in silver. The tassels and cords were of crimson silk and gold mixed.

King's Guidon: crimson field decorated with the rose and thistle conjoined surmounted by a crown. Underneath the central decoration: the king's motto “Dieu et mon Droit”. In the first and fourth corners the White Horse in a compartment. In the second and third corners: the rank of the regiment (XIV. D.) in silver characters on a lemon yellow ground.

Regimental Guidon: lemon yellow field with its centre decorated with the rank of the regiment (XIV. D.) in silver characters on a crimson ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk. In the first and fourth corners the White Horse in a red compartment. In the second and third corners: the Rose and Thistle conjoined upon a red ground.

King's Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

Regimental Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

References

Funcken, Liliane and Fred: Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle

George II: The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1751

Lawson, Cecil C.P.: A History of the Uniforms of the British Army - from the Beginnings to 1760, vol. II

Mills, T.F.: Land Forces of Britain the Empire and Commonwealth through the Way Back Machine

Schirmer, Friedrich: Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756 - 1763. Edited and published by KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg e.V., Magstadt, 1989

Acknowledgements

Digby Smith for additional info on the regiment.