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.
12th (Prince of Wales's Royal) LANCERS
The regiment was raised in 1715, and served uninterruptedly in Ireland for 76 years. It won high reputation during the Peninsular War. It subsequently fought gallantly at Quatre Bras and at Waterloo. It was one of the regiments summoned from India to the Crimea, proceeding there by way of the Red Sea and across the desert to Alexandria. It subsequently returned to India and bore a distinguished part in the operations in Central India under Sir Hugh Rose during the Mutiny.
Nicknamed the "Supple Twelfth" at Salamanca, from its dash and rapidity of movement, in action.