The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys" — John Shaqi
The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys"Almack, Edward
History
The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys"
Almack, Edward
Great Britain. Army. Dragoons, 2nd (Royal Scots Greys)
In bidding farewell to this book before publication, I am most anxious
to thank with hearty sincerity all those who, as past or present
officers and friends of this historic regiment, have helped my
efforts. There are two names above all that I must most particularly
record--(i.) that of Colonel Coventry Williams, lately commanding
the Greys, who has helped in so many details, though I can only
particularly refer readers to pages 291, 292 and 293. Colonel Williams
is the half-brother of Captain Williams, a portrait of whom, as he
stands by his charger, I have been able to include in this volume, and
who, as named by Kinglake (quoted on page 78), brought the Greys out
of action at Balaclava. There, too, Kinglake refers to the anonymous
officer whose Crimean recollections are given on pages 80 to 84. That
officer has since died, and so, too, has Russell, the famous _Times_
correspondent, with whom he was exchanging affectionate greetings.
(ii.) In the next place I must record my gratitude to Major Lindsay,
who has shown the keen instinct native to the noble house of Crawford.
His grandfather opened his famous record with this quotation from
"Schir David Lyndesay of the Mont allias lyoun herauld king of Armes":--
"Who that antique stories reads
Consider may the famous deeds
Of our nobil progenitours;
Which should to us be right mirrours,
Their virtuous deedis to ensue,
And vicious living to eschew."
The fact is that to hold the King's commission in the Royal Scots Greys
inspires a host of chivalrous thoughts and memories. Picture the simple
pride shown in the laconic words quoted on page 293, "Greys, from your
right number off ten!" and see pages 52 to 74. Here are letters from
Francis Charlton Kinchant, who received his commission on 18th January,
1815, and was killed at Waterloo. After writing to a friend accounts
describing how zealously he was learning to practise the art of war,
he goes on: "The regiment is without doubt the best and the most crack
cavalry corps in the service. I don't think there is a private in it
under 5 feet 11 inches." The next personal allusion, describing the
uniform of the corps, is to his own father: "Our dress altogether is
extremely rich and consequently costs lots of money. The Court dress
coat alone is 40 guineas. It is covered with lace from head to foot.
The jackets are handsome, but they cost £15. 15. each. Every other
part of the equipment is equally as expensive. In fact we make a most
dashing appearance. I should like much to meet the old Buck at Bath or
Clifton. I do not think he would know his hopeful son."
It is interesting to identify the noble Colonel James Gardiner, killed
at Preston Pans, as an officer in the Greys. Of course the regiment has
always held a peculiarly interesting position. For instance, it does
not join the ordinary rota for foreign service. It shares with a very
few the privilege of having a special honorary Colonel-in-chief.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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