8th (King's Royal Irish) HUSSARS
The 8th Hussars was raised in Ireland in 1693 and has always been closely associated with the Emerald Isle. It was known as "St. George's" from its Colonel's name in 1740-55; also as the "Cross Belts" in 1768 from the circumstance that it was permitted to wear the sword belt over the right shoulder, in place of round the waist as usual in dragoon regiments, for its gallant conduct at the battle of Saragossa, where it captured the belts of the Spanish cavalry. The regimental motto "Pristinæ virtutis memores," was specially conferred on their corps in commemoration of its brilliant gallantry at the battle of Leswarree in India. During the Crimean War it formed one of the regiments in the famous charge of the Light Brigade at the battle of Balaklava. The 8th Hussars and 17th Lancers have seen much service together, and they call themselves from their numbers "The Twenty Fives."
In the Indian Mutiny five Victoria Crosses were won by the regiment.
(Depot, Woolwich.)
"Peninsula," "Punniar," "Sobraon," "Chillianwallah," "Goojerat," "Punjaub," "Delhi, 1857," "Lucknow," "Charasiah," "Kabul, 1879," "Kandahar, 1880," "Afghanistan, 1878-80," "Modder River," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Uniform, Blue.
Facings, Scarlet.
Head-dress, Lance cap of black leather, with the upper part and top of blue cloth; black and white plume.
Forage cap, Blue, with scarlet band.
Linked Regiment, 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, Queen Adelaide's Cypher and Crown.
The Officers wear a gold instead of a silver pouch.