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By
the outbreak of the First World War, the 16th Lancers had amassed more battle
honours than any other British cavalry regiment and they were distinguished
by being the first regiment to use the lance in combat.
In 1914 the regiment was part of the British Expeditionary Force sent to France. They then went on to serve with distinction on the Western Front until the end of the war. It was during the Great War that they were to be the last British cavalry regiment ever to bloody their lances.
A tradition peculiar to the 16th Lancers was their starched and crimped lance pennons, which commemorated their charge at Aliwal. Their pennons became so encrusted in blood in this charge that they dried stiff in the Indian sun.
However,
their most distinguishing feature was their scarlet jackets. In 1846, while
all other light cavalry regiments reverted to blue, the 16th Lancers successfully
petitioned Queen Victoria that they may be allowed to keep their scarlet
uniforms.
The complete, illustrious history of the 16th "Scarlet" Lancers regiment can be found at:
