Yeomanry guidons are made of crimson material, edged with gold and red fringe; the pole is surmounted with the Royal lion and crown; and, in most cases, the distinctive badge is ensigned with the Royal crown, and encircled by the union wreath. The only battle honour inscribed on these flags is “South Africa,” but all regiments do not possess it.
The Berks Yeomanry, which has its headquarters at Hungerford, flies the standard pattern of guidon, with a White Horse as central badge. This animal, as revealed on the banner, is a very poor specimen, but as it is an imitation of the one cut in the turf on the downs, we can appreciate the reason for its adoption.
The Derbyshire Yeomanry has the united red and white rose for its badge. This flower is ensigned with the imperial crown and, therefore, the ordinary crown is not placed above and outside the circular label, as is usual.
The Essex Yeomanry boasts of a motto: “Decus et Tutamen” (Honour and safety), which is inscribed on a scroll placed under the badge, consisting of a red escutcheon charged with three seaxes. These weapons are reminders of the county’s connections with bygone Saxon occupation. (Fig. 41.)
The Fife and Forfar Regiment, which hails from Cupar, is proud of its badge, a representation of the Thane of Fife. Readers of Macbeth will remember that Macduff was a descendant of the original Thane of Fife, a fine soldier who obtained a grant of the shire of Fife from Kenneth II. in recognition of his assistance when fighting against the Picts.
The Hampshire Carabiniers have the appropriate device of two carbines in saltire. They also have a rose at each corner of the guidon, white in the first and fourth corners and red in the second and third.
The Herts Yeomanry have a stag for device, whilst the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, a regiment possessing the alternative lengthy title of “Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow and Lower Ward of Lanarkshire,” flies a flag of the ordinary type revealing no particular badge.
The Duke of Lancaster’s Own bear the appropriate red rose of the House of Lancaster, and here we may mention that the Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry (Queen’s Own) display the white rose of York.
Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry show a garb which, in non-heraldic terms, is a shock of corn.
The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry use a red dragon with green wings as the central badge, which is surrounded by a union wreath not of the regulation design.