“The second and third Standard and Guidon of each Corps to be of the Colour of the Facing of the Regiment, with the Badge of the Regiment in the centre, or the Rank of the Regiment in Gold or Silver Roman characters, on a crimson ground, within a Wreath of Roses and Thistles on the same stalk, the Motto of the Regiment underneath. The White Horse, on a red ground to be in the first and fourth Compartments; and the Rose and Thistle conjoined upon a red Ground in the second and third Compartments. The distinction of the third Standard or Guidon to be a figure 3 on a circular ground of Red underneath the Motto. Those Corps which have any particular badge are to carry it in the centre of their second and third Standard or Guidon, with the Rank of the Regiment on a red ground within a small Wreath of Roses and Thistles in the second and third corner.”
This warrant is remarkable from the fact that it swept aside many customs which had taken years, even centuries in some cases, to mature, and instituted new ones which, with slight modifications, have remained till to-day. The details set out for the Dragoon Guards are particularly elaborate, so much so that few people seem to know just what to make of them. Milne says that the Dragoon regulations did not come into use very rapidly because they were not understood. To support this contention, he quotes the following Annual Inspection Returns. “1st Dragoon Guards. Shrewsbury, November 5th, 1750. The inspecting officer reports Standards received in 1740, and in bad condition, the regiment waiting for a pattern from His Royal Highness the Duke.” Again, 6th Dragoons. Ipswich, November 22nd, 1750: “Waiting for a pattern from His Royal Highness the Duke.” Evidently, says Milne, it was found difficult to work from the printed details, and there appears to have been delay in settling the precise form the numerous badges should take until the commander-in-chief had sanctioned a pattern standard. When the patterns were decided upon they were practically identical to those in use to-day, and far more elaborate than those they displaced, as a reference to Figs. 3 and 4 will show. In these figures, two forms of the standard of the 2nd Dragoon Guards of 1742 are given.
The 1743 warrant gave rise to much uncertainty, even outside the section which referred to the Dragoon Guards, and, consequently, it is not surprising to find that many official orders and “letters” were issued giving advice and information telling how the various regulations were to be carried out. One such document determined the measurements of the Army Union flag, which were, of course, not those of the national Union flag. The horizontal edge was given as 6 ft. 6 ins., the vertical edge, 6 ft. 2 ins.; the width of the St. George’s Cross, 1 ft. 1 in.; the width of the white edging to the St. George’s Cross, 5 ins.; the width of the St. Andrew’s Cross, 9 ins. (The diagonal red cross of St. Patrick did not then form part of the Union). Also, the length of the pike was 9 ft. 10 ins.; the length of the cords with tassels, 3 ft.; each tassel was 4 ins.; and the length of the spear-head of the pike, 4 ins.
The idea of controlling the regimental colours by the higher authorities seems to have found favour and, as a result, further regulations were issued in a supplementary warrant in 1747.[[3]] Colonel Napier, who was responsible for this document, decided upon the following particulars:—
First Regiment or the Royal Regiment.—In the centre of all their colours, the King’s Cipher[[4]] within the circle of St. Andrew and Crown over it; in the three corners of the second colour (i.e., the regimental colour), the Thistle and Crown. The distinction of the colours of the 2nd battalion is a flaming ray of gold descending from the upper corner of each colour towards the centre.
Second or the Queen’s Royal Regiment.—In the centre of each colour, the Queen’s Cipher, on a red ground, within the Garter and Crown over it; in the three corners of the second colour the Lamb, being the ancient badge of the regiment.
Third Regiment or the Buffs.—In the centre of both their colours, the Dragon, being their ancient badge, and the Rose and Crown in the three corners of their second colour.
Fourth, or the King’s Own Royal Regiment.—In the centre of both their colours, the King’s Cipher on a red ground, within the Garter, and Crown over it; in the three corners of their second colour the Lion of England, being their ancient badge.
Fifth Regiment.—In the centre of their two colours, St. George killing the Dragon, being their ancient badge, and in the three corners of their two colours, the Rose and Crown.
Sixth Regiment.—In the centre of their two colours, the Antelope, being their ancient badge, and in the three corners of their second colour, the Rose and Crown.