11th (Prince Albert's Own) HUSSARS
Raised in 1697, and afterwards disbanded. Raised again in 1715 and later received the title of the "Prince Albert's Own," because it formed Prince Albert's escort, from Dover to Canterbury, on his arrival in England in 1840, to be married to Queen Victoria. The regiment was present at the Alma and at Inkerman, and was one of the five regiments which, under the leadership of Lord Cardigan, its former Colonel, rode "into the jaws of death," at Balaklava. One of the regiment, Trooper Hope, also rode in the charge of the Heavy Brigade on the same occasion. He did so without permission and started without arms.
Nicknames: "The Cherry Pickers," also "The Cherubims," from its crimson overalls, being the only regiment in the British Army entitled to wear overalls of that colour. Also known as "Lord Cardigan's Bloodhounds."
(Depot, Woolwich.)
The Sphinx superscribed "Egypt."
"Peninsula," "Waterloo," "South Africa, 1851-2-3." "Sevastopol," "Central India," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Uniform, Blue.
Facings, Scarlet.
Head-dress, Lance Cap, black leather, with upper part and top of scarlet cloth; scarlet plume.
Forage cap, Scarlet.
Allied Regiment, 12th Manitoba Dragoons of Canada.
Linked Regiment, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Prince of Wales's Plume.
It has been the custom in this regiment for the band to play five hymns every evening at tattoo. One version of the legend is that it was a punishment for breaking into a monastery during the Peninsular War, the punishment to last a hundred years. Another version is that these hymns were presented to the officers by Pope Pius VI for the band to play. Whoever originated the custom we can all sympathise with the unfortunate bandsmen who have to carry out the bequest.