Scots Greys

The Scots Greys was the unofficial and later official name of a dragoon regiment of the British Army from 1678 until 1971, when they amalgamated to form The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys).

Battle honours

The regiment has many battle honours from Blenheim in 1704 through to the Second World War. Their most famous engagement took place at Waterloo on 18 June 1815.

Related Topics:
Blenheim - 1704 - Second World War - Waterloo - 18 June - 1815

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The charge at the Battle of Waterloo

At about 1.30pm the second phase of the Battle of Waterloo opened. Napoleon launched d'Erlon's corps against the allied centre left. After being stopped by Picton's Peninsular War veterans, D'Erlon's troops came under attack from the side by the heavy cavalry commanded by Earl of Uxbridge including Major General Sir William Ponsonby's Scots Greys.

Related Topics:
Battle of Waterloo - Napoleon - D'Erlon - Picton's - Peninsular War - Earl of Uxbridge - Major General Sir William Ponsonby's

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The shocked ranks of the French columns surrendered in their thousands. During the charge Sergeant Ewart, of the Greys, captured the eagle of the French 45th Ligne. The Greys charged too far and, having spiked some of the French cannon, came under counter-attack from enemy cavalry. Ponsonby, who had chosen to ride one of his less expensive mounts, was ridden down and killed by enemy lancers. The Scots Greys lost: 102 killed, 97 wounded, with the loss of 228 horses - from the 416 who started the charge.

Related Topics:
French - Eagle - Lance

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"Ces terribles chevaux gris! Comme il travaillent!" (Those terrible grey horses, how they strive!) - Napoleon

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The charge of the Scots Greys in the picture "Scotland Forever!" by Lady Butler in Leeds City Art Gallery famously depicts the event and inspired the slow-motion shots of the charge in the film "Waterloo" directed by Sergei Bondarchuk in 1970. This engagement also gave the Scots Greys their cap badge, the eagle itself. The eagle is displayed in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards museum in Edinburgh Castle.

Related Topics:
Lady Butler - Leeds - "Waterloo" - Sergei Bondarchuk - 1970 - Cap badge - Edinburgh Castle

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