Regimental Histories - Year 1960-1985 - Brockbank - Page 0014
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INTRODUCTION The Regiments of Dragoons which were later to become the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers and the 12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales’s) were raised in July 1715 as a result of the revolt of the supporters of the Stuarts against the rule of King George I, The King had lately succeeded Queen Anne as the Protestant heir to the throne of Great Britain. At this time Regiments were not oflicially numbered, they were known by the name of their Colonel, however it will be easier to refer from the start to both Regiments by the numbers they were later to adopt. The 9th Dragoons were raised by Major General Owen Wynne and the 12th by Brigadier Phineas Bowlest Both oflicers were veterans of Marlborough’s Wars with distinguished records of service The 9th were first in action and suffered casualties in the defeat of the rebel forces at Preston on the 11th November 1715‘ The 12th were employed in escorting state prisoners to London On 25th June 1717, the 9th crossed the sea to Ireland, they were followed by the 12th in 1718‘ Both Regiments remained in Ireland for many years In 1751 the Regiments were officially styled the 9th and 12th Dragoons In 1768 King George III conferred upon the 12th the honour ofbearing the title “The Twelfth or Prince ofWales’s Regiment of Light Dragoons”, the 12th at the same time became a corps of Light Cavalry, In 1783 the 9th also became a Light Cavalry Regiment being styled “The 9th Light Dragoons”. From 1789— 1791 Lieutenant the Hon Arthur Wellesley, later to become the Duke of Wellington, served in the 12th In 1793 Great Britain declared war on France and the 12th went on active service for the first time. They were sent to the Mediterranean; part ofthe Regiment were present at the taking 13 |
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