In 1660, Charles II. before leaving Holland, formed into a troop a body of cavalier gentlemen who had rallied round him there, which he placed under the command of Lord Gerard. It was thus the Life Guards originated. The corps was styled "His Majesty's Own Troop of Guards."
The Life Guards were nicknamed "Cheeses," from the old gentlemen of the corps declining to serve in it as remodelled in 1788, saying "that it was no longer composed of gentlemen but of cheesemongers." Also known as "The Tin Bellies."
Note "A."—In full dress N.C.O.'s of the Household Cavalry do not wear chevrons but aiguillettes. The titles of the ranks also differ from other regiments—Corporal-Major (Sergeant-Major), Quartermaster-Corporal-Major (Quartermaster-Sergeant), Squadron-Corporal-Major (Squadron-Sergeant-Major), Corporal of Horse (Sergeant), Corporal (Corporal), Trooper (Private). The Farrier-Corporals carry polished pole axes on ceremonial parades, and wear black plumes and blue tunics.
"Dettingen," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Tel-el-Kebir," "Egypt, 1882," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1900."
Uniform, Scarlet.
Facings, Blue.
Cloak, Scarlet.
Head-dress, White metal helmet with white plume; band and trumpeters, scarlet plume.