Historical Record of the First, or the Royal Regiment of Dragoons / Containing an Account of Its Formation in the Reign of King Charles the Second, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1839

by Richard Cannon

Thomas Garth was appointed cornet in the Royal Dragoons on the 12th of April, 1762, and he served the campaign of that year with his regiment in Germany. He was appointed lieutenant in the same corps in 1765, captain in 1775; and in 1779 exchanged to the twentieth light dragoons, with which corps he proceeded to the West Indies, where he served many years. In 1792 he was appointed major in the second dragoon guards; and, in 1794, lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Dragoons. He served under the Duke of York in Flanders; and was rewarded with the colonelcy of the Sussex fencibles, from which he was removed to the twenty-second light dragoons. He was promoted to the rank of major-general in 1798; and in 1801 he obtained the colonelcy of the Royal Dragoons. The rank of lieutenant-general was conferred on him in 1805, and that of general in 1814. He died in 1829.

Lord Robert Edward Henry Somerset.

Appointed 23rd November, 1829.

Lord R. Edward H. Somerset (third son of Henry fifth Duke of Beaufort) was appointed in 1793 cornet in the tenth dragoons, with which corps he served six years. In 1799 he was appointed major in the twelfth light dragoons; in 1800 he was removed to the twenty-eighth light dragoons; and in 1801 he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the fourth, or Queen's own dragoons, which regiment he commanded at the battles of Talavera and Salamanca, where he particularly distinguished himself. He was promoted to the rank of major-general in 1813; commanded a brigade of cavalry at the battles of Vittoria, Orthes, and Toulouse; and signalized himself at the head of the household cavalry brigade at the battle of Waterloo. He also commanded a brigade of cavalry in the army of occupation in France. His services were rewarded with a cross and one clasp; and the grand cross of the order of the Bath. He subsequently performed the duties of inspecting general of the cavalry; he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in 1825; and in 1829 obtained the colonelcy of the Royal Dragoons, from which his lordship was removed in 1836, to the fourth light dragoons.

Hon. Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H.

Appointed 31st March, 1836.

Hon. Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, second son of Frederick third earl of Besborough, was appointed cornet in the tenth dragoons in 1800, and rose in 1803 to the rank of captain in the same corps, from which he exchanged to the sixtieth regiment in 1806. In 1807 he was appointed major in the twenty-third light dragoons, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Talavera in 1809; and in 1810 was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. In 1811 he served under lieutenant-general Graham at Cadiz; and at the battle of Barossa, in March of that year, he attacked, with a squadron of German dragoons, the French cavalry covering the retreat, overthrew them, took two guns, and even attempted, though vainly, to sabre Rousseau's battalions. On the 11th of June, 1811, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth light dragoons; at the head of which corps he served under Lord Wellington, and distinguished himself, in April, 1812, at Llerena, in one of the most brilliant cavalry actions during the war. At the battle of Salamanca he charged the French infantry, broke his sword in the fight, and his horse received several bayonet wounds. He repeatedly evinced great judgment, penetration, and resolution in out-post duty, and was wounded in the retreat from Burgos, on the 13th of October, 1812. At the battle of Vittoria he again distinguished himself: his services at Tolosa, St. Sebastian, and Nive were also conspicuous; and, on the king's birth-day in 1814, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army. He commanded the twelfth light dragoons at the battle of Waterloo, where he led his regiment to the charge with signal intrepidity,—received sabre cuts on both arms,—was brought to the ground by a blow on the head,—pierced through the back by a lancer,—plundered by a tirailleur,—ridden over by two squadrons of cavalry,—and plundered a second time by a Prussian soldier; but afterwards recovered of his wounds. His services were rewarded with the following marks of royal favour:—Knight companion of the order of the Bath,—Knight grand cross of the order of St. Michael and St. George,—Knight commander of the Hanoverian Guelphic order,—a cross,—a Waterloo medal,—Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal,—and Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria. In January, 1824, he was appointed inspecting field-officer in the Ionian islands: he was promoted brigadier-general upon the staff of those islands on the 4th of March, 1824; and in June, 1825, he was advanced to the rank of major-general: he was removed to the staff at Malta, and retained the command of the troops in that island until May, 1835. In 1835 he obtained the colonelcy of the eighty-sixth regiment, from which he was removed to the Royal Dragoons in the following year. He was an ornament to his profession. In him, military talent was united with the most chivalrous bravery,—calm judgment,—cool decision,—resolute action,—and modest deportment. He died on the 10th of January, 1837.

Sir Hussey Vivian, Baronet, G.C.B., and G.C.H.

Appointed 20th January, 1837.