21st Light Horse

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised on April 5, 1760 by Lieutenant-General John Manners, Marquess of Granby, and Lord Robert Manners-Sutton. The unit was originally designated as the “21st Light Dragoons” although it was more commonly known as the “Granby's Light Horses” or "Royal Foresters".

The regiment rode dark bay horses.

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

• from 1760: Lord Robert Manners-Sutton

The regiment was disbanded at Nottingham on March 3, 1763

Service during the War

no information found yet

Uniform

We have not found any primary source describing the uniform of this regiment. Several part of our description are assumptions based on the uniforms of the regiments of dragoons.

Troopers

Uniform in 1760 - Copyright Kronoskaf

Uniform in 1760

Headgear	black boiled leather helmet; the front plate edged white and decorated with a crowned GR cypher in white; red horsehair tail; black band round the base of the helmet; white metal fittings
Neck stock	black
Coat	short double breasted red with silver buttons Collar dark blue Shoulder strap left shoulder: white epaulette Lapels dark blue half lapels with eight square loops set in pairs Pockets vertical pocket with three chevron loops Cuffs dark blue (slashed in the British pattern) with silver buttons and three chevron-lace loops above. Turnbacks dark blue
Waistcoat	white with very narrow buttonholes
Breeches	white with white knee covers
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt buff leather slung over the left shoulder Waistbelt n/a Cartridge Box buff leather pouch Scabbard n/a Bayonet scabbard n/a Footgear light calf-length black boots
Horse Furniture	Housings white with no lace and no decoration Holster caps white with a silver GR monogram within a dark blue hexagonal ground rounded by a convoluted silver hexagon Blanket roll n/a

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

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 silver striped sword knot
• ?deep green? 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 black 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 ?colour? coats lined and turned up with ?colour? and laced with the regimental braid (unknown). 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. ?colour? front decorated with a trophy of guidons and drums; little frontal red flap with the White Horse and the the motto “Nec aspera terrent”; ?colour? backing, ?colour? headband with a drum and the initials of the regiment (XXI LD) in the middle part behind.

The drums were of brass with a white forepart carrying the initials of the regiment (XXI LD) in silver characters on a crimson ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

Guidons

We have not found any primary source describing the guidons of this regiment. Several part of our description are assumptions based on the guidons of the regiments of dragoons.

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

King's Guidon: crimson 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 initials of the regiment (XXI LD) in silver characters on a blue ground in a compartment.

Regimental Guidon: blue field with its centre decorated with the silver GR monogram within a convoluted silver hexagon. 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 with the initials of the regiment (XXI LD) in silver characters.

King's Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

Regimental Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

References

To do: enumerate sources