HM Historex NCO Napoleonic British Cavalry Painted by GG

1st Regiment Light Dragoons, King's German Legion (KGL) of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade (Dornberg)


Officers and men of the King's German Legion were considered by Wellington as equal to British troops. Here are two views of a trooper of the 1st KGL Light Dragoons who, along with the 2nd KGL Light Dragoons and the British 23rd Light Dragoons, composed the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Major General Sir William B. Dornberg (wounded at Waterloo). The regiment entered the battle with 33 officers and 539 men in four squadrons (1st through 4th). Casualties at the end of the battle were 33 killed, 110 wounded, and 10 missing for a grand total of 153 or 27%.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a sergeant of the British Life Guards, 1st Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel Samuel Ferrior (KIA at Waterloo). The regiment entered the battle with 12 officers and 253 men in two squadrons (1st and 2nd). Casualties at the end of the battle were 28 killed, 54 wounded, and 4 missing for a grand total of 86 or 31%. The Life Guards were brigaded with the two squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards Regiment, the Royal Horse Guards Regiment of two squadrons, and the 1st Dragoon Guards Regiment of three squadrons. The brigade's strength at Waterloo was 70 officers and 1,346 men for a grand total of 1,416.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a trooper of the King's German Legion 3rd Hussar Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel F. L. Meyer, killed at Waterloo. The regiment entered the battle with 35 officers and 840 men in four squadrons (1st thru 4th), totaling 875 men. Casualties at Waterloo were 46 killed, 82 wounded, and 8 missing for a grand total of 136 casualties or 15.5%. The 3rd KGL Hussars were brigaded with the three squadrons of the 13th Light Dragoons. Total brigade strength was 63 officers and 1,268 men for a grand total of 1,331 men.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a trooper of the British 7th Queen's Own Hussar Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel Sir Edward Kerrison, Knight. The regiment entered the battle with 18 officers and 385 men in three squadrons (1st thru 3rd). Casualties at Waterloo were 64 killed, 116 wounded, and 18 missing for a grand total of 198 or 49% casualties. The regiment was brigaded with three squadrons of the 15th Hussars and four squadrons of the 2nd KGL Hussars (which was detached at Courtrai). Total brigade strength at Waterloo (less the 2nd KGL Hussars) was 46 officers and 813 men for a grand total of 859 present.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a trooper of the British Royal Horse Guards (the "Blues") commanded by Lt. Colonel Sir Robert C. Hill, Knight, wounded at Waterloo. The regiment entered the battle with 14 officers and 282 men in two squadrons (1st and 2nd). Casualties at Waterloo were 20 killed, 68 wounded, and 20 missing for a grand total of 108 or 36%. The "Blues" were brigaded with the two squadrons of the 1st Life Guards, two squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards, and 3 squadrons of the 1st Dragoon Guards. Total brigade strength was 70 officers and 1,346 men - 1,416 grand total.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a trooper of the 1st Royal Dragoon Regiment equipped for campaign service. Valise, blanket, haversack, canteen, and small cooking pot were common to all British cavalry regiments though a mess tin or pan might be strapped to valise instead since each member of mess squad usually carried and different item. Most horses in this regiment were dark bays. Note the short-barreled carbine at the ready when on picket duty so as to get off a warning shot quickly. As a "Royal" regiment, the 1st Royal Dragoons had dark blue facings on the cuffs, collar, and turnbacks. This regiment was considered the "English" component of the Union Brigade (England, Ireland, and Scotland).
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)

2nd Royal North British Dragoon Regiment "Scots Greys" of the 2nd "Union" Cavalry Brigade (Ponsonby)


The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons were more famously known as the "Scots Greys" because the majority of officers and enlisted were from Scotland and the regiment rode gray horses. As part of their traditional costume, the "Scots Greys" wore the bearskin bonnet, a significant and easily recognizable headgear. As a "Royal" regiment, they had dark blue facings on the cuffs, collar, and turnbacks. This regiment was considered the "Scottish" component of the Union Brigade (England, Ireland, and Scotland).
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse

6th Inniskillings Dragoon Regiment of the 2nd "Union" Cavalry Brigade (Ponsonby)


Two views of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoon regiment on campaign. Not a "Royal" regiment, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons had yellow facings on the cuffs, collar, and turnbacks. It would appear that this regiment rode lighter-shaded bays. Note the feed bag strapped to the right side of the saddle. This regiment was considered the "Irish" component of the Union Brigade (England, Ireland, and Scotland).
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)


Two views of a trooper of the British 13th Light Dragoon Regiment commanded by Lt. Colonel Patrick Doherty. The regiment entered the battle with 28 officers and 428 men in three squadrons (1st to 3rd). Casualties at the end of the battle were 14 killed, 78 wounded, and 19 missing for a grand total of 102 or 24%. The 13th was brigaded with the four squadrons of the 3rd Hussar Regiment, King's German Legion (KGL) who lost 46 killed, 82 wounded, and 8 missing for a total of 102 or 15.5% out of 875 engaged.
Image credit: photos and miniature by Historical Miniatures by George Grasse (now in a private collection)