9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2000 - Page 0073
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2000 |
| Transcription |
72 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9th/12th ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 12th (Prince of Wales’s) Light Dragoons Napoleonic Living History Unit he 12th Light Dragoons Napoleonic Living History Unit is a non-profit making organisation consisting entirely of enthusi- asts. Their aim is to provide an exciting, interesting, historically accurate portrayal of one of the finest Light Dragoon Regiments serving in the armies at Wellington’s time. The proceeds of all events are invested in the unit to renew and improve their displays. They pride themselves on the standards of their authenticity, safety and above all horsecare. They are regarded as one of the most pro- fessional and accurate living history units operating today. For more than five years the unit has provided English Heritage with displays, both individually and with other living history units, all over the UK. The 12th are also members of the Napoleonic Association and, as such, they have taken part in battle re-enact- ments abroad. Perhaps the finest was the 1995 anniversary re-enact- ment of the battle of Waterloo, staged on the field of Waterloo itself with over 3500 participants. Their dedication to the subject also led them to providing cavalry and dismounted extras for filming of the popular television series Sharpe, starring Sean Bean. Their horses are all highly schooled at stables that specialise in hors- es for film work. They are used to public attention, whether part of a battle re-enactment or standing quietly on the picket line for a photo call. The horses have been ridden by Mel Gibson in Hamlet, Kenneth Branagh in Henry V and Nigel Hawthorne in the Madness of King George. A key aspect of their public display is drill and skill at arms. All members are encouraged to acquire all the skills of horsemanship and weapon handling ofan experienced light cavalryman. To this end they practice with the sabre and lance (introduced to the British Army in 1816). Not only does this make for some of the most interesting displays for the public, but it makes the Troopers even more proficient on horseback. Just as exciting as the mélée ofbattle is riding down the skill at arms course, sabre at the guard slicing ‘the Turk’s head’ in two with one of the six approved sword cuts, running the ring through with the point of a sabre or pierc- ing the tent peg with a lance. The unit aims to portray life during the Napoleonic time through the inclusion ofan authentic encampment. Women and children wearing period costumes, help care for the horses, cook and keep busy around the tents. This has the benefit ofincluding the fam- ilies of members as well as adding a taste ofthe period’s social his- tory and costumes. 72th L/ght Dragoons Show the/r paces The camp and mounted display are made especially authentic by using equipment replicas of the time, down to the finest detail. NCOs and troopers are equipped with the 1806 pattern uniform, used until 1812 in the Peninsula campaign. The Light Cavalry had been issued with the Navy blue jacket during the Revolutionary wars of the mid 18th Century where they gained a reputation amongst a battlefield of Red coats. The uniform con- sists of an elaborately braided, tight fitting, blue Dolman jacket of Hungarian influence, worn with tight white cotton breaches. The headgear is the striking Tarleton 7 a peaked leather helmet, crest- ed with a full black bearskin ‘comb’ and finished with a silk ‘tur- ban’, brass fittings and a red and white plume. The horses furniture and accessories are equally detailed. Dressed in the hand embroidered blue and yellow Shabraque (horse cloth) carrying a numbered (XII LD) equipment roll or valise, the troop- er’s cloak and a sheepskin saddle cover, the horses are always parad- ed to the highest possible standard. Together with a full decorative military double bridle, breastplate and light cavalry saddle, the horse furniture and tack is also a near copy of the period design. The principal weapon of the time, and used by the living history unit today, is the 1796 pattern light cavalry sabre. Prized as one of the finest slashing weapons of its type ever made, the Unit practices reg- ularly with it. The Unit also uses replica flintlock pistols and car- bine muskets while mounted. These weapons were notoriously unreliable, inaccurate and difficult to use on horseback. During the year the Regiment formed close links with the Unit. It is not every modern Regiment that can boast having such a profes- sional living history unit ‘affiliated’. Many readers will have wit- nessed their fine spectacle and authentic encampment during the Mons/Moy weekend, for which we are extremely grateful. The Unit was also very generous in assisting and providing us with the horse furniture and accessories for the Regiment’s mounted contribution to our Colonel-in-Chief’s 100th Birthday Pageant, in which ZLt Guy Simpson rode with the procession dressed in full 12th Lancer cere- monial uniform. Without the Living History Unit’s help and knowledge this would have been not only near impossible, but not nearly as accurately executed. Among other equipment, a hand embroidered 12th Lancer Shabraque was made especially for the occasion. Let us hope that the Regiment and the 12th Light Dragoon Living History Unit maintain this important and increas- ingly special association in the future. MRW |
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