3rd Dragoon Guards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) |
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Badge of the 3rd Dragoon Guards
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| Active | 1685–1922 |
| Country |  Kingdom of England (1685–1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) United Kingdom (1801–1922) |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Line Cavalry |
| Role | Cavalry |
| Size | One regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | RHQ |
| Nickname(s) | The Old Canaries |
| Motto(s) | Ich Dien (I Serve) |
| March | Quick - God Bless the Prince of Wales Slow - Men of Harlech |
The 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards was a special group of soldiers in the British Army. They were a type of cavalry regiment, which means they were soldiers who fought on horseback. This group was first started way back in 1685.
At first, they were called the Earl of Plymouth's Regiment of Horse. Over time, their name changed a few times. In 1751, they became the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon Guards. Then, in 1765, they were given the name 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards. This was to honor the future King George IV, who was then the Prince of Wales. This regiment served for over 200 years, even fighting in the First World War. In 1922, they joined with another regiment to form the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of the Dragoons
The 3rd Dragoon Guards started in 1685. They were formed by Thomas Hickman-Windsor, 1st Earl of Plymouth to help stop a rebellion known as the Monmouth Rebellion. At that time, they were known as the 4th Regiment of Horse.
These soldiers were very busy in the early 1700s. They fought in several major battles during the War of the Spanish Succession. These included the Battle of Schellenberg and the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. They also took part in the Battle of Ramillies in 1706, the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708, and the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709. These were all big battles in Europe!
In 1746, they were officially called the 3rd Dragoon Guards. A few years later, in 1765, they received their special name, the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards.
Later, in 1831, the regiment helped to restore order during the Bristol riots in England. After that, they served in India. They also took part in a special trip to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 1868. Around 1901, during the Second Boer War in South Africa, they were busy trying to catch a clever general named Christiaan de Wet.
When the First World War began in 1914, the regiment was in Cairo, Egypt. They soon moved to France to fight on the Western Front. There, they were part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade. They fought bravely in important battles like the First Battle of Ypres in 1914 and the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. They also took part in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.
In 1921, their name was slightly changed to 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's). But their long history came to an end the next year. In 1922, they joined forces with another regiment, the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers). Together, they formed a new group called the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards.
Where to Learn More: The Regimental Museum
If you want to see items from the 3rd Dragoon Guards, you can visit the Cheshire Military Museum. It's located at Chester Castle in England. Some items are also kept at the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Special Awards: Battle Honours
Battle honours are like special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. The 3rd Dragoon Guards earned many of these honors throughout their history.
- Early Wars: These honors were for battles before the First World War:
- Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet (from the War of the Spanish Succession)
- Warburg, Beaumont, Willems
- Talavera, Albuhera, Vittoria, Peninsula (from the Peninsular War)
- Abyssinia
- South Africa 1901–02 (from the Second Boer War)
- The Great War: These honors were for their service in the First World War:
- Ypres 1914, 1915
- Nonne Bosschen, Frezenberg, Loos
- Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917
- Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Avre, Amiens
- Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, Cambrai 1918
- Pursuit to Mons
- France and Flanders 1914–18
Images for kids
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The 4th Regiment of Horse in 1687, an early name for the regiment.
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A memorial to General Cornelius Wood, who was a colonel of the regiment from 1693 to 1712.
See also
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