Wednesday, December 30, 2015

British 22nd Light Dragoons

    There was a short lived 22nd Regiment of Dragoons (also called Lord Montjoy's Dragoons) from 1716 - 1718, but the first instance of a 22nd Light Dragoon regiment was in 1779, but was later disbanded in 1783, with the end of the American Revolutionary War and associated conflicts. A new 22nd regiment was raised in 1794. This unit saw service in Ireland and Egypt. It was disbanded in 1802 with the peace of Amiens, but the then 25th Regiment of Light Dragoons was promptly renumbered as the 22nd.  The former 25th had been raised for service in India in 1794, and had also been dispatched to Capetown, South Africa. This new 22nd Light Dragoon regiment served throughout the Napoleonic wars, being disbanded in 1818. It remained chiefly in India, but took place in the expedition to Java in 1811. The 22nd Light Dragoons were awarded the Battle Honor "Seringapatam". There would not be another 22nd regiment until World War 2, when an armored regiment of that number existed from 1940 - 1945.


This is the last of the three Light Dragoon regiments painted this month. I have once again painted the Regiment in their post 1812 uniforms. Their facing color was to be pink, as seen here. Evidently, this color was not a popular choice. The officers in particular seem to have resisted it, and it was noted on inspection in Bangalore in 1815 that the men were in the regulation uniform, but the officers, "being unable to obtain 'peach blossom' colored cloth" in India, were wearing red facings instead. Later that year , the regiment was given permission to adopt White facings at the next uniform re- issue instead. 


Flag is the crimson colored King's color of the 23rd (by GMB), pressed into service by the 22nd here. The flags are identical aside from the XXIII in the cartouche as opposed to XXII!  Figures are once again 25/28mm Old Glory. 


The other Pink faced British Light Dragoon unit, the 21st Light Dragoons, also were slow to adopt the new color. In 1814 they were authorized to change to black facings, first with silver and then later gold lace. I happen to think the pink facings look great with the dark blue coats. 


Certainly, there was no protest by the French cavalry units with pink facings - 6 Dragoon regiments, 3 Cuirassier regiments, 3 Chasseur regiments, and of course the chevau legers/lancer of Berg! So, sorry, men of the 22nd, but in this man's army you are struck with the Pink facings for ever more! :)


British Light Dragoon Distinctions, 1803 - 1811
(Facing colors worn on the collars and cuffs)
Regiment
Jacket
Facings
Officer’s Lace
7th
Dark Blue
White
Silver
8th
French Grey
Scarlet
Silver
9th
Dark Blue
Pale Buff
Silver
10th
Dark Blue
Yellow
Silver
11th
Dark Blue
Pale Buff
Silver
12th
Dark Blue
Pale Yellow
Silver
13th
Dark Blue
Pale Buff
Gold
14th
Dark Blue
Orange
Silver
15th
Dark Blue
Scarlet
Silver
16th
Dark Blue
Scarlet
Silver
17th
Dark Blue
White
Silver
18th
Dark Blue
White
Silver
19th
French Grey
Yellow
Silver
20th
Dark Blue
Yellow
Silver
21st
Dark Blue
Pale Yellow
Silver
22nd
French Grey
Scarlet
Silver
23rd
Dark Blue
Yellow*
Silver
24th
Dark Blue
Yellow
Silver
25th
French Grey
Red
Silver
26th
Dark Blue
Purple-Blue
Silver
27th
French Grey
White
Silver
28th
French Grey
Yellow
Silver
29th
Dark Blue
Pale Buff
Silver
The 9th, 11th, and 13th regiments had buff breeches instead of the usual white ones.
Another source shows the 23rd with Crimson facings.



British Light Dragoon Facings, 1812 - 1815
(facing colors worn on collar, cuffs, lapels, turn backs, and double stripes down the outside seems of the grey pants)
Regiment
Facings
Girdle
Lace
8th
Red
White, 2 blue stripes
Yellow
9th
Crimson
Yellow, 2 blue stripes
Yellow
11th
Pale Buff
Buff, 2 blue stripes
White
12th
Yellow
Yellow, 2 blue stripes
White
13th
Buff
Buff, 2 blue stripes
Yellow
14th
Orange
Orange, 2 blue stripe
White
16th
Scarlet
Scarlet, 2 blue
White
17th
White
White, 2 blue stripes
White
19th
Yellow
Yellow, 2 blue stripes
Yellow
20th
Orange
Orange, 2 blue stripe
Yellow
21st
Pink
Pink, 2 blue stripes
Yellow
22nd
Pink
Pink, 2 blue stripes
White
23rd
Crimson
Crimson, 2 blue strp
White
24th
Light Grey
Light Grey, 2 blue str
Yellow
25th
Light Grey
Light Grey, 2 blue str
White

The 21st was changed to Black facings with Silver lace in 1814, and Gold lace in 1815.
The 22nd was changed to Red Facings in July 1815, and then White in November 1815

10 comments:

  1. Peter! You have been a busy painter this month! Three cavalry regiments completed will be a boost to Wellington. Always enjoy your unit histories.

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    1. Yes, it was "Light Cavalry March" month here. Leaves me with 3 Dragoon regts, 2 Hussar regts, and a hybrid KGL regt to finish the British Cavalry off.

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  2. Yet more of the conveyor belt ! Loving the facings/distinctions info

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    Replies
    1. Thanks; I think the colored tables bring out the variations nicely myself.

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  3. Another fine unit Peter. Six British dragoon regiments is certainly quite a collection.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lawrence. I am actually thinking that I need to ad a few more British Infantry units with all of the cavalry I will have when I am done (4 Dragoon/Dragoon Guards, 4 Light Dragoons. 3 Hussar. 1 KGL, 2 Guard). I Have a Highlander unit planned, but may add several more Line/Light infantry outfits!

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  4. wow! great info/facing color tables etc. you got here Pete - marvelous!
    lovely painted figures too!

    Happy and a safe New Year!

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  5. British Light Dragoons! A fine sight they are too Peter. Very impressive! That reminds me that I have some in my unpainted lead pile to do (and in my plastic pile too I fear!).
    Best wishes,
    Jason

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  6. Thanks, Jason. December was "Light Dragoon Month", wikth 3 regts completed!

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