Colors of the British Army:
Grenadier Guards

Queen's Regulations
Standards, Guidons, and Colours
for Regiments of Dragoon-Guards and Dragoons

by Robert McNair




AS LAID DOWN BY THE ROYAL WARRANT OF 1859

1. The standards of the regiments of cavalry to be of silk damask, embroidered and fringed with gold.

2. The guidons of regiments of dragoons to be of silk.

3. The tassels and cords of the whole to be of crimson silk and gold mixed.

4. The lance of the standard or guidon to be nine feet long (spear and ferrel included).

5. The flag of the standard to be two feet five inches wide, without the fringe, and two feet three inches on the lance: the corners to be square.

6. The flag of the guidon of dragoons to be three feet five inches to the end of the slit of the swallow-tail, and two feet three inches on the lance. The upper and lower corners to be rounded off at twelve inches' distance from the end of the flag.

7. The standard or guidon of each regiment is to be crimson, with (except otherwise authorised) the Royal or other title of the regiment, on a red ground round a circle, in letters of gold, the rank of the regiment in gold Roman characters on a crimson ground, in the Centre, the whole within a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks on the same stalk, ensigned with the Imperial Crown: the white horse, on a green mount on a crimson ground, to be in the first and fourth compartments, within a scroll: and the rose, thistle, and shamrock conjoined, on a ground of the colour of the facings of the regiment, within a scroll, in the second and third corners.

8. Those regiments which have any particular badge are to carry it in the Centre of their standard or guidon, with (except otherwise authorised) the royal or other title of the regiment, on a red ground round a circle, in letters of gold, the whole within a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks, on the same stalk; ensigned with the Imperial Crown: the white horse, on a green mount on a crimson ground, within a scroll, in the first and fourth corners; and the rank of the regiment, on a ground of the same colour as the facings of the regiment, within a wreath of roses, thistles, and shamrocks, in the second and third corners.

The standard or guidon is also to bear the devices, distinctions, and mottoes, which have been conferred by royal authority; the motto is to be under the wreath in the Centre.

10. No addition or alteration is to be made in the standard or guidon of any regiment of cavalry, without the Sovereign's special permission and authority.

11. The standards and guidons of cavalry are to be carried by Troop Sergeant-Majors.

12. Previously to sending to the War Office requisitions for new standards or colours, application is to be made, through the Adjutant-General, to the Inspector of Regimental Colours, for a drawing of the pattern as approved by royal authority.


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