GREAT BRITAIN
The 11th Hussars
Troop Sergeant
1890
The 11th Hussars was one of the most illustrious cavalry regiments of the British army. It was raised in 1715 as a regiment of dragoons and took part in most of the major wars and engagements that Britain was involved. They saw service in the Seven Years War, The Peninsular War and were sent to India to take part in the earlier wars of the nineteenth century on that continent. Their most famous action was at Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War when they charged with the Light Brigade with their Colonel, the Duke of Cardigan, leading the way. They returned to India twice between 1870 and 1900, putting in long stints without much distinction. They were to distinguish themselves in both world wars, especially in the Western Desert, by this time of course, mounted in tanks. Since the war they have seen service all over the world with the modern British Army. They were amalgamated with the 10th Hussars in 1969 and more recently in 1992 with the 14th/20th King’s Hussars to form the King’s Own Royal Hussars.
UNIFORM
Our illustration shows the TSM with his pretty sweetheart. He is wearing the senior NCOs pattern stable jacket, which gained its gold lace edging sometime in the late 1880’s and was replaced altogether at the end of the century. His pillbox hat was worn by all cavalry in various colors with extra gold lace and figuring on the crown for NCOs.
Sergeant's Chevrons with Silver Arm Badge authorised
for Staff and Troop Sergeants of the 11th Hussars in 1876
but not worn untilmid-1880s
Sometimes worn on the chevrons.
