The Scarlet Lancers

The 16th/5th Queen's Royal Lancers have long had the reputation of being one of the most efficient, and at the same time one of the least flamboyant, of the British cavalry regiments. The regiment, as it exists today, is the product of the amalgamation after the Great War of two cavalry regiments whose combined battle honours bear witness to their distinguished services. It was first raised as the Royal Dragoons of Ireland, and more recently has returned in triumph from the Gulf War, prior to which not one member of the regiment had seen action, apart from tours in Northern Ireland. In writing this history of the regiment he once commanded, General Lunt offers evidence of the continuing value of tradition and esprit de corps on which the regimental system of the British Army has for so long been based.