At this period, the war on the Continent had involved most of the European states; and the extended and active operations which were taking place in Germany rendered it necessary for a British force to join the Allied Army under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. This gave rise to a further augmentation of the Army; and the increased estimation in which Light Cavalry was held induced the King to give directions for the raising of entire Regiments of Light Dragoons, in addition to the five Regiments of Horse, three of Dragoon Guards, and fourteen of Dragoons, already on the British and Irish establishments. The following corps were accordingly embodied:—
Light Dragoons.
Incorporated in 1759.
Fifteenth, in England, by Colonel George A. Eliott;—now the Fifteenth, or the King's Hussars.
Sixteenth, in England, by Lieut.-Colonel John Burgoyne;—now the Sixteenth, or the Queen's Lancers.
Seventeenth, in Scotland, by Captain Lord Aberdour;—disbanded in 1763.
Eighteenth, in England, by Lieut.-Colonel John Hale;—now the Seventeenth Lancers.
Nineteenth, in Ireland, by Lieut.-Colonel Lord Drogheda;—numbered the Eighteenth in 1763; constituted Hussars in 1807; and after performing much valuable service at home and abroad, it was disbanded at Newbridge, in Ireland, in 1821.
Incorporated in 1760.