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)
The Regiment now went to Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's, and in the
autumn extended its quarters to Norwich. In 1774 it marched to York,
and again sent detachments on coast duty. In the spring of 1775 it
marched again North, and remained in Scotland until April, 1776.
After this it spent 11 months in Lancashire. Next the Regiment went
to Worcester for a summer station, passing the autumn in Gloucester,
Tewkesbury, Pershore, and Ludlow.
In 1778, when the War of Independence broke out, no heavy cavalry corps
were sent to North America; but the establishment of the Greys was
increased by some 250 men and horses, and 48 of these were equipped as
Light Dragoons. The "light" part of the Regiment now consisted of 6
sergeants, 6 corporals, and 84 private men; and in April, 1779, these
light horsemen were incorporated, with detachments from the 7th, 15th
and 16th Dragoons, into a Regiment which was numbered 21st Dragoons.
During the summer of 1779 the Greys were encamped on Salisbury Plain,
and other Dragoon Regiments with them. In November the Regiment went
into quarters at Marlborough, Chippenham, Colne, and Malmesbury.
In the autumn of 1780 they marched into Worcestershire.
In January, 1781, two troops requisitioned by magistrates on account
of disturbances, marched to Ludlow. In June the Regiment marched into
Dorsetshire.
In 1782 the Regiment was at Durham, and in 1783 went north to Scotland.
In this year, peace having been made with the United States of America,
the Regiment's establishment was reduced to 232 all told.
In 1784 they marched south, and were stationed 11 months in Manchester.
In April, 1785, they went to Worcester.
In the summer of 1786 they occupied extensive cantonments in
Dorsetshire, and early in 1787 four troops were called in to aid the
civil power in Wiltshire. In June the Regiment marched into quarters in
Hampshire.
In April, 1788, they were in quarters near Hounslow, and thence went
to Ipswich, removing in the summer of 1789 to Nottinghamshire and
Lincolnshire. Early in 1790 the Regiment marched into Yorkshire; from
there 3 troops were soon sent to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and in September
the other 3 troops marched to Durham. In the spring of 1791 they
marched to Scotland, returning in the spring of 1792, and quartering in
Lancashire. In December, 1792, an increase of 60 men was ordered.
The French Revolution having broken out, the Regiment was, in 1793,
made up to 9 troops of 54 non-commissioned officers and men each; and
soon 4 troops were ordered to be held perfectly ready for foreign
service.
On January 20th, 1793, Louis the Sixteenth was murdered. The French
envoy was at once ordered to leave England, and on February the 3rd the
Convention declared war against England. The French attacked Holland,
and a united British and Hanoverian force, commanded by the Duke of
York, went to the help of the Dutch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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