The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum

Crimean Tom - A Regimental Feline Hero.
During the Crimean War (1853-1856) British, French, Turkish and Sardinian Forces engaged the Russian Empire in a series of Battles including Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman. The war was also characterised by appalling siege conditions, mismanaged supply and logistics and poor leadership in the field. The Allied campaign was superbly captured by pioneering photographer Roger Fenton (1819-1869).
At The Battle of Balaclava in 1854 the 2nd Dra...goons were involved in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade. Sergeant Major Grieve and Private Ramage both won Victoria Crosses.
The Charge of the Light Brigade in contrast was a disaster. 118 men were killed and 127 wounded after a headlong cavalry charge straight into the Russian guns. The slaughter exposed poor leadership and appalling communication between British Officers Raglan, Lucan and Nolan.
After a yearlong siege British and French troops captured the town of Sevastopol from Russian forces on 9th September 1855. Lieutenant William Gair of the 6th Dragoon Guards was seconded to the Field Train Department. Gair was tasked with finding supplies in the ruins of the former Russian sea base.
When searching for supplies Lieutenant Gair found an unlikely survivor of the siege: a tabby cat, covered in dust and debris, curious about his newly arrived visitors.
William Gair approached this friendly cat who was surprisingly unperturbed by the commotion and destruction surrounding him. The cat was taken by Gair to the Officer's quarters and proved to be popular companion. The Officers named him Tom, Crimean Tom and Sevastopol Tom.
Crimean Tom was also adept at finding food and became rather plump. He was skilled at catching mice and his hunting led the Officers to find caches of food and supplies hidden in various places around Sevastopol. This chubby tabby cat helped save the men from starvation.
In May 1856, Crimean Tom accompanied Lieutenant Gair back to England to live as his beloved pet. Sadly, Crimean Tom died only a year later. Following a common Victorian custom, Lieutenant Gair had his cherished Tom stuffed and mounted.
Crimean Tom is now held in the collections of the National Army Museum in London.
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Captain Thomas Elliott, M.B.E. (1884 - 1948).
Born in Cumberland, Thomas Elliott joined the Second Dragoons (The Royal Scots Greys) shortly after the Second Boer War ended in 1902. He quickly rose through the ranks until he became a first-class warrant officer. Elliott was appointed to Lieutenant-Quartermaster in 1924, and then Captain in 1930. He retired from the Regiment in 1936 after 34 years of service.
Captain Elliott was a brilliant and accomplished athlete -- with ski...lls in rugby, football, hockey, cricket, squash, tennis, and golf. Indeed he was one of the most "versatile athletes" the Army has ever seen.
Thomas Elliott held the championship for mounted men at arms on more than one occasion. Indeed Captain Elliott's sublime sword skills were showcased at numerous fencing championships. He was the winner of several sabre championships at the Royal Tournament at Olympia. Elliott won four county cricket caps for Cumberland and Gloucester (pictured) and also played for the British Army's First XV Rugby Team.
Captain Elliott was not only a decorated athlete, but an outstanding soldier who was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre during his service with the Regiment in the First World War as well as being made a Member of the Order of The British Empire.
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The 25th October is Balaclava Day for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
This day marks the anniversary of the Battle of Balaclava on the 25th October, 1854 in which the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) as part of the British Heavy Brigade halted and routed a 3,000 strong Russian cavalry force attempting to capture the British base at Balaclava.
In the attack two men of the Greys were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration in the British Army presented for valour “in the ...face of the enemy.” The two men being Sergeant Major John Grieve and Trooper Henry Ramage.
Following the destruction of the Russian cavalry the 2nd Dragoons along with the rest of the Heavy Brigade were ordered to support the notorious charge of the Light Brigade taking place in the valley to the north. Fortunately the supporting charge was called off by Lord Lucan in the nick of time so the Greys were not face the same obliteration as had been wrought upon the Light Brigade.
In gallery 2 of the museum you can find our treasures of the 2nd Dragoons when they served at Balaclava and throughout the Crimean War.
The painting shown is the “Charge of the Heavy Brigade” by Felix Philippoteaux, 1876 and its part of the Regiment’s collection. The painting depicts the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons thick in the fight against the Russian cavalry at Balaclava.
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Honnechy
9th October 1918.
Strong enemy forces around Honnechy. It was decided that the 6th Cavalry Brigade capture Honnechy and Reumont and push on to the ridge west of Le Cateau. Orders being issued to advance at 2pm.
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A New Regimental Standard.
Leuchers, 5th July, 2018.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were presented with a new Regimental Standard by the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty The Queen, on 5th July 2018.
... The Regiment was out in force on the parade ground, with guests treated to four Squadrons, a Mounted Troop and ceremonial Standard Party. A programme of music was provided by the Regimental Pipes and Drums and The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Jackal Tactical Support vehicles also helped to present an impressive show of strength.
The Standard Party comprised of Warrant Officer Class 2 (RQMS) N.J.M. Brown, Staff Sergeant D. Harley and Staff Sergeant S.D. McCall.
A Detachment of the Royal Company of Archers and Members of The Association of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were also on parade.
On this special day, the regimental family demonstrated exactly why the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are simply Second to None.
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Death of The Last Tsar
The 17th July 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918). The Last Tsar of Russia was Colonel-in-Chief of The Second Dragoons (The Royal Scots Greys) from 1894 until his execution by the Bolsheviks on 17th July 1918.
On that fateful day in Russian history, The Tsar, The Tsarina Alexandra and their five children Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei were executed at Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.
... Today, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards remain extremely proud that Tsar Nicholas II was a former Colonel-in-Chief of the Second Dragoons (The Royal Scots Greys) and continue to honour the Last Tsar by upholding related regimental traditions.
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Armed Forces Day 2018.
To commemorate all the Antecedent Regiments that are part of the historical lineage of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
Second to None.

Major James Reginald Torin Graham (1798-1865).
Born in Rickerby Hall,Cumberland, to a wealthy merchant family with connections to The East India Company. He joined the 2nd R.N.B. Dragoons in 1814 as a Cornet.
Graham served at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 as a Lieutenant in Captain Fenton's Troop. He was only 16 years of age at the time and participated in the famous charge of the Scots Greys. After the battle ended Graham commanded the men looking for wounded soldiers and b...uried the dead including Cornet Lemuel Shuldham (1794-1815).
Graham's Army Career:
20th January 1814 - Cornet 8th June 1815 - Lieutenant 18th June 1815 - Served in the battle of Waterloo 16th March 1820 - Captain 10th January -1837- Major 5th April 1844 - Retired
There is a memorial tablet in St Michael's Church, Carlisle, Cumbria, which reads "To the glory of God and the honoured memory of Major James Reginald Torin Graham, late of Richardby, son of James Graham of Barrock Lodge and Richardby, esquire. He served in the 2nd R.N.B Dragoons (Scots Greys) and was in the charge of the heavy brigade at Waterloo. Born at Barrock Lodge 23rd February 1798, died at Kensington 20th January 1865."
Graham's miniature portrait and Waterloo medal are housed at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle, Cumbria.
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The Royal Scots Greys and the Allied invasion of Normandy.
The Royal Scots Greys were part of the 4th Armoured Brigade and landed between the 7th and 9th June 1944, on the beaches north of Caen. The Regiment was equipped with Sherman II tanks. The Greys formed the left of the British 2nd Army, which had landed on Sword, Juno and Gold beaches on 6th June 1944.
The objective of the left of the Allied invasion force was to draw in German Armour to the Caen Sector and therefore ...enable the US 1st Army which landed at Omaha and Utah beaches in the West, to pivot around it, break out on the right and race towards Paris.
The Sherman tanks of the Royal Scots Greys engaged with superior German Tiger and Panther tanks around the Caen Sector. German firepower proved formidable at times. In July, well positioned German guns were ranged accurately on the ridge of Hill 112. As a result, numerous British tanks and their crews became casualties after 'brewing up.' German tanks continued to fight defensive engagements in the rolling Normandy countryside but were vulnerable to allied air superiority and the weight of allied numbers on the ground. Caen eventually fell on 13th July 1944.
in August 1944, the Regiment was part of the Allied force which inflicted heavy casualties on retreating German forces in the Falaise pocket, which effectively ended the German resistance in this area of Normandy. The action led to the destruction and abandonment of key war machinery needed to maintain the Nazis grip on France. For the Allies, the fight to liberate Europe continued.
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The Jacobite Scots Grey – John Roy Stuart (1700-1752).
Born at Knock in 1700, John Roy Stewart was a kinsman of the Stuarts of Kincardine. He served for some time as a Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the 2nd Dragoons. However, he was refused a commission in the Black Watch and left the British Army in 1730.
Perhaps due to this rejection, Stuart became a Jacobite agent, and vowed to restore the House of Stuart to power. Stuart was arrested by Hanoverian forces in 1736, but es...caped from Inverness Gaol with the assistance of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (1667-1747).
John Roy Stuart promptly escaped to France and fought in the French Army at Fontenoy on 30th April 1745 against his former regiment. Stuart rose to the rank of Captain in the Regiment Royal Ecossais and through his outstanding service in the French military, met Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), the figurehead of the planned Jacobite rising in Britain.
Roy Stuart joined the Prince at Blair Atholl, and was given the command of the Jacobite Army's Edinburgh Regiment. As a Jacobite Colonel, Stuart fought at Prestonpans, Clifton, Falkirk and Culloden. After the disastrous defeat of the Jacobite army at Culloden (16th April 1746) he became a fugitive, but was hidden by Jacobite sympathisers in the Scottish Highlands.
Colonel John Roy Stuart eventually joined Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and escaped to exile in France.
To this day, John Roy Stuart is known as a notable poet and piper that made a significant contribution to Scottish Highland Culture.
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Nunshigum Ridge, Burma, 13th April, 1944.
NUNSHIGUM a dominating hill standing almost four thousand feet above sea level and rising abruptly from the parched rice fields lay six miles from Imphal and 4th Corps Headquarters. If captured the hill would become a threat of strategic importance.
On 6th April 1944 The Japanese 51st Regiment attacked Nunshigum. The hill was lost and won again and again until finally on 11th April the enemy were firmly established on top. Only scatt...
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Private Dent was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in April 1918.
On 1st April 1918, orders came from the 2nd Cavalry Division to seize the high ground to the North-West of Moreuil Wood and the small wood about half a mile South-East of Hourges. The 4th, 5th and Canadian Dismounted Cavalry battalions attacked in three successive waves. The Carabiniers, 12th Lancers and 2nd Dragoons (The Royal Scots Greys) were kept back in reserve. The 2nd Dragoons were on the extreme... right of the line and had to move across open ground exposed to heavy machine gun and concentrated rifle fire.
As a result, heavy casualties were sustained including three officers wounded, seven other ranks killed and fifty wounded. Nevertheless, the Greys attained their objective, consolidated it and held it until they were relieved at midnight.
Sergeant Atchison received a bar to his Military Medal for his gallant conduct on this occasion, but, perhaps, the most conspicuous bravery was shown by the Regimental stretcher bearers – Privates Dent and Handley.
From 10am to 5pm they continued to carry wounded men across the ground that was swept by machine gun and rifle fire. They did this double journey of 800 yards, which included a village street under heavy shell fire, no less than six times during the day and once after dark. Through their efforts every wounded man in the sector was brought in. Private Dent was made a Corporal for his actions on this occasion, and both men were recommended for the Victoria Cross.
Private Dent is pictured below:
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The German Spring Offensive, Villeselve and the 3rd Dragoon Guards 1918
By February 1918, the Allies realised the enemy had regained the initiative on the Western front. Following the peace agreement between the Bolshevik Government of Russia and the Central Powers, Germany was able to redirect 1 million troops to the Western Front and launch a major offensive against the Allies. On the 21st March the enemy bombardment began along the Third and Fifth Armies. The German Spring... Offensive caused the allies to fall back under immense pressure.
On the 24th March the remnants of the Third Cavalry Division, comprising 23 Officers and 150 Other Ranks, were assembled. The cavalry detachment moved up to a position north-east of the village of Villeselve to protect the left flank of the 14th Division.
At 2pm the 6th Cavalry Brigade Mounted Detachment, about one squadron in strength was sent to attack some hostile infantry and machine guns on the line of 81-Copse and to take objectives ‘A’ and ‘B’. It was hoped that a successful mounted attack would rally the British infantry and regain some of the lost ground.
The 3rd Dragoon Guards under Lieutenant A.B.P. L. Vincent MC were ordered to attack Copse ‘B,’ to charge any Germans met, and secure the right flank. The 10th Hussars and the Royals were to make a frontal attack on Copse ‘A’.
As soon as Vincent moved off, he came under enemy fire. 1,200 yards of ploughed land had to be crossed to reach the objective. The Germans stopped firing at 200 yards, and ran from the charging cavalry. Many were sabred and shot as they fled. 4 machine guns were captured and 12 prisoners taken. Both objectives were taken and the right flank secured. The mounted detachment had sabred about 100 of the enemy and sustained 73 casualties themselves. The infantry were encouraged by the operation and advanced beyond their original position.
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The 1992 Sprot Cup.
The race was held on Saturday 5th December, 1992, in the Bedale Country at Yafforth Grange. There were fourteen starters, with the course being mainly pasture and some arable land. The Going was soft, with some heavy patches; the weather was fine and bright. Runners were faced with a three mile flat course, including twenty-six jumps and ditches. Two thirds of the jumps were timber fences, the reminder being hedges.
During the race, Mr Ramsay and Major W...heeler established a commanding advantage, ahead of the rest of the field. Chaos ensued amongst the chasing pack. Mr Trotter fell at the fourth after being crowded out, Captain Cummins fell at the fifth and Mr Galbraith went at the sixth. Mr Ramsay, riding Bunswark began to break away from Major Wheeler on Charlie Fox, however the sixteenth fence proved his downfall. This left Major Felix Wheeler to gain a decisive lead and win the race despite a late challenge from Captain Henry Cummins on Paddy, who had remounted and continued despite two falls.
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The 1978 Sprot Cup.
The race took place at Hilton in the Zetland Country on 16th December 1978, thanks to the kind permission of Lord Barnard and Master John Snowdon. The course was 3.5 miles long, and formed of 19 fences of thorn hedge, post and rails. The race was over stubble and old grass, with the exception of 150 yards of ploughed field. Nineteen riders took part and the Raby Estate proved fair going.
The good going on the old grass suited Hugh Humphrey’s Point to Poin...ter. A fine jump by Kippen at the last fence enabled Lieutenant Hugh Humphrey to win the race in a closely contested finish with Captain Lennox Hannay’s Shannon.
The 2018 Sprot Cup will be run in Kelso on Sunday 18th March.
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The 1971 Sprot Cup.
Held in the Berwickshire country on January 9th. The course started at Blackburn Mill and ended at Drakemire. Fifteen officers past and present each received a half tumbler of whisky from the owner of the first three fields, before setting off toward the first obstacle.
The course led down-hill, over the Butterdean-Moorhouse road to the Eye Water, up over the Grantshouse-Duns road, past Fawcett Wood and then across five fields over Drakemire to the post. Major Ramsay and Major Arthur came down on the road. In a close and thrilling finish, Captain Horne’s Crownland won the race by a neck.

The 1958 Sprot Cup.
The race was held on Mr Christie’s Jervaux Estate in the Bedale Country on Tuesday 17th December. Estate Manager Ralph Maughan laid out a three mile course, south of the River Ure comprising of thirty fences, two roads and a bridge over a deep wooded ravine. The Field consisted of eleven serving officers and one ex-officer, Brigadier Teddy Swetenham.
During the race a kind farm labourer opened a gate at the second fence and in the rush to go through two... riders collided and landed in the ‘midden.’
After several ‘spills’ Captain Ronnie Cunningham-Jardine managed to hold on to Whorlton and remounted; Lennox Hannay was not so lucky and failed to catch Starlight until helped by some kind soldiers; Colonel Alec Lewis was thrown heavily against a timber fence and was knocked out for a short while and was left with a nasty cut to the head.
Ronnie Cunningham-Jardine, having remounted, then went the wrong side of a farm and got into a maze of wire netting. However he became un-entangled and joined Brigadier Swetenham in leading the other Point to Pointers - Norman Arthur, Charles Ramsay and Brian Allfrey.
The dramatic finale was neck and neck, with Captain Ronnie Cunningham-Jardine winning the race and becoming the first officer to win the cup two years running on the same horse.
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The Battle of The Admin Box.
The British counter-offensive in Burma continued in February 1944. British thrusts in the Arakan led to the Japanese deploying large numbers of troops to protect their flank and rear, meaning these soldiers could not be used in their main offensive directed at Imphal. Air superiority helped supply British troops cut off by Japanese outflanking movements.
On 1st February 1944, plans were drawn up for the 7th Indian Division to attack Buthidaung sup...
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The Sprot Cup (Regimental Cross Country Race).
A History and Traditional Rules.
The Sprot Cup was presented to the Royal Scots Greys by Lieutenant Mark Sprot in 1906. It was intended for the winner of the Regimental Steeple Chase. The Race has been run since 1908 and is traditionally held when the Regiment is stationed in Britain. Only once has the race been abandoned due to snow in 1937. Only serving and ex-officers of the Regiment are eligible to compete.
... The course is approximately 3 miles. Riders take their own line but are given rough directions. The concept of the race is as near an old fashioned steeple-chase as possible. The riders are briefed but don’t walk the course.
The race is open to serving officers and attached officers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and to ex-officers who have held commissions in the 3rd Carabiniers, Royal Scots Greys or Royals Scots Dragoon Guards.
Serving Officers may compete on their own horse, regimental or Army Saddle Club horses or on horses belonging to other officers in the Regiment. Ex-Officers may compete on their own horses. All horses must have been regularly hunted and out of training during the current season.
Competitors will not be asked to weigh-out but must wear correct hunting dress and use a proper hunting saddle. Lightweight clothing or equipment is specially excluded.
The Sprot Cup will be presented to the winner after the race. The silver statuette cup is formed in the shape of a Heron and bears the Sprot family motto - Parce qu’il me plait.
Lieutenant Colonel A M Sprot MC has traditionally made the presentation. He is the son of Mark Sprot who presented the trophy in 1906. Lt. Col Sprot joined the Royal Scots Greys in 1941 and retired in 1962, having commanded the Regiment from 1959-1962.
In 2018, the Sprot Cup race will be held on March 18th at Friars Haugh, Kelso at 11am. There will be one circuit of the course approx 1.25 -1.5 miles including 12 fences. The Sprot Cup will be held prior to the Buccleuch's Hunt Point-Point. By kind permission of The Duke of Roxburghe & The Duke of Buccleuch's Hunt.
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Небольшой, но интересный музей в Эдинбургском замке.

The Memorial Chapel was very moving a Krystal member of staff gives us a tour she made it all come alive.

Небольшой, но интересный музей в Эдинбургском замке.

The Memorial Chapel was very moving a Krystal member of staff gives us a tour she made it all come alive.

Небольшой, но интересный музей в Эдинбургском замке.

The Memorial Chapel was very moving a Krystal member of staff gives us a tour she made it all come alive.

Небольшой, но интересный музей в Эдинбургском замке.

The Memorial Chapel was very moving a Krystal member of staff gives us a tour she made it all come alive.