Archive for the Household Cavalry. Open weekdays for pre-booked tours only. We are the archive for the Household Cavalry and the Household Cavalry Museum.
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The main museum is located in Horse Guards Parade in London, we also house a museum which is open to the public through pre-booked tours.
An unusual Simkin painting depicting the 2nd Life Guards at 11 o clock guard change. Note blue flask cords on the white cartouche cross belts, which changed to red in 1928.
Can you spot a peculiarity with the artists work?
EDIT
Answer; from the right count the men, where is number 5's horse? Floating man!!!
Seems like an apt moment for a to the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For weeks the Regiments - both mounted and operational - have been rehearsing, drilling and preparing for an historic moment this Saturday when they will es**rt His Majesty King Charles III.
Not bad going given we have two Squadrons deployed on a peace keeping mission to Cyprus, the operational regiment is spearheading the adoption of an exciting new war fighting platform and Summer ‘23 still holds the full panoply of state ceremonial that ‘Silly Season’ is famous for. Sit deep and enjoy it trusted guardians!
Please do join us for our talk Northern Ireland 1969, Tonight, Wednesday 15th March, 18:30-19:30hrs.
This is the ninth in a unique lecture series from our Regimental Historian, Christopher Joll.
Purchase your tickets here: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
Outline: In mid-1969, B Sqn of The Life Guards was one of the first units deployed in Northern Ireland in what came to be known as The Troubles. Joll was a Troop Leader in B Squadron and gives a first-hand account of the long-forgotten reasons for the conflict, enlivened with some of the bizarre, funny and tragic events he experienced.
About the speaker:
Christopher Joll is a former officer in The Life Guards and the Regimental Historian of the Household Cavalry. He is also a serial author of novels and histories, a guest speaker for several cruise lines, a regular contributor at literary festivals, and an audio and video podcaster for the Household Cavalry Museum. He is currently working on a history of the important collection of historical relics and art, including Napoleon’s underwear and campaign carriage that were lost in the fire at Madame Tussaud’s in 1925.
For more information see www.christopherjoll.com.
An unusual, framed oil painting in several ways!
The painting depicts a 1st Life Guard (1LG) Trooper in mounted r***e order, dismounted wearing a cloak over his shoulders. The painting is signed by ‘GH Ormiston’
The 5 medals depicted from left, are WW1 trio, the star with clasp indicating ‘he’ was an old contemptible, one of the regular
professional army soldiers who were first to France in 1914. The 4th and 5th medals are 1902 and 1911 coronation medals respectively.
On the rear of the painting are the details; ‘’Trooper GH Ormiston, 2694 1st Life Guards, Household Cavalry 1908-1918’’. From this detail it would suggest that Ormiston painted a self-portrait.
No Ormiston could be found but the army number did lead us to 1LG Trooper 2694 George Henry Ormston through his pension records.
George was born in Newcastle, Northumberland in 1890 and therefore 12 in 1902, so unlikely to have been awarded this coronation medal! He joined 1LG in 1908 so likely entitled to the 1911 coronation medal. When WW1 is declared he is amongst the first soldiers to be sent to France on the 15th August and within days is in action with other members of the composite Household Cavalry Regiment. This would have entitled George to the WW1 medals and specifically the 1914 star and clasp.
On the 15th Sept 1914 he is initially listed as missing in action. It later transpires that George was shot in the leg and taken Prisoner of War by the Germans where he is cared for in two separate Prison Camp hospitals until Sept 1916. He is then transferred to a hospital in Switzerland before repatriation in Dec 1918.
In addition to his physical injuries which, later gave him 30% disability it is also clear George suffered mentally with recorded ‘insomnia, palpitations and headaches’. PTSD? He was discharged from Hyde Park Barracks London in February 1919.
If you take another look at the painting it appears the head has been later added? Perhaps George, or someone else, used a pre existing LG painting, which would explain the depiction of the 1902 medal and his features were simply painted over the top? Clearly when returning home George never wore uniform again so ‘artistic license’ on him being in uniform with medals. As the head would suggest a much older George to the young man who fought in Belgium.
Aside from the artistic license, it is great to be able to put a name to a face.
Images attached; painting front and rear, digital copy of 1891 census, medal roll index card showing embarkation date 15.8.1914 and injury detail and German Prison Camp list.
George is currently on display at the archive
Guards Machine Gun Regiment photo recently discovered.
Research shows;
George Albert Thomson, born 1891 in Birmingham. As a teenager he is a sheet metal worker, a reserved occupation but still signs up in 1915 into the Worcester Regt. He is however retained in his civilain roll and remains working in Birmingham for the war effort.
George gets his chance in late 1917 and is transferred into the Guards Machine Gun Regiment. His later papers record his rank as being both Private and Guardsman, which would suggest he was perhaps initially intended for the 4th Battalion staffed by Foot Guards infantry soldiers. The photo however shows he is wearing a Household Cavalry cap badge of either Life Guard or Royal Horse Guards.
After training with the 5th GMGR training Battalion he is recorded as posted to the 1st Battalion GMGR, which was 1st Life Guards on 6th June 1918.
There had been some arguing early on in 1918 that Household Cavalrymen being transferred to the infantry GMGR battalions, would be reduced to infantry pay, the same argument that had taken place in 1916 at the formation of the Household Battalion. The Cavalrymen once again, remained on cavalry rates of pay so it appears the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions GMGR were also staffed by men like George on reduced infantry pay. I wonder how this was received and accepted?
George survives the last few months of the war, fighting through The Hindenburg Line with the LIfe Guards and returns to the UK in Spring 1919 when he is discharged. The GMGR ceases to exist. He later emmigrates to Australia where he continues as a sheet metal worker assisting the war effort once again through 1939-45
Purchase your tickets for tonight's lecture here: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
Join us TONIGHT for our Regimental Historian lecture, Heroes and Rogues.
In his book, The Drum Horse in the Fountain, Joll recounts the lives of 300 Household Cavalrymen and Guardsmen who made (or lost) their names in pursuits other than soldiering. In this talk, Joll focusses on a handful of some of these men including soldiers and officers from the regiments of the Household Cavalry including a spy chief, two Oscar winners and several rogues.
Link in bio
We're back with an . This week it's this 1st Royal Dragoons Pillbox Cap which dates from from the 19th Century. The style of cap was common in the different Dragoons regiments from 1800 onwards. We think the gold decorative elements make this a very pretty cap, what do you think?
Gifted to the archive the day before the sad passing of our late Queen Elizabeth II, is this 2nd Life Guards (2LG) officers shabraque which, belonged to her Uncle; The Honourable Malcolm Bowes Lyon. Complete with its carry case and brass plaque.
Malcom was born in 1874 and joined 2LG in 1895. He rode on Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1897, we beleive with this shabraque. He deployed with the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment with the 2LG Squadron being promoted to Captain in theatre. He returns 'home' safely in 1900 but 18 months later is re posted back to South Africa for some 6 months.
He remains 'home' for approx 4 years before retutrning to South Africa 'Under Colonial Employment' with the West African Frontier Force between August 1906 to Nov 1907, where he is shown as Adjutant with the 29th Imperial Yeomanary. He retuns 'home' and resigns his commission a month later in Dec 1907.
On the 8th Oct 1914 he reenlists into 2LG and almost immediately is posted to France and Belgium. By the 19th he is wounded, badly enough to be sent home where he stays for a week before being posted back to his unit on the 28th! He is shown remaining in theatre until 15th Auguist 1918, during which he is Mentioned in Dispathces; London Gazette 15th May 1917 refers. Post war he rose to the rank of Lt Colonel with The Black Watch.
Malcolm is entitled to the following medals;
Queens South Africa with 6 clasps, WW1 Trio of 1914 Star, War and Victory medals, QV Jubilee 1897
He was 5'9'' when he joined 2LG and could speak both French and German. He married Winnie Gurden-Rebow having one daughter Clodagh Bowes Lyon. Malcom dies on 23 Aug 1957.
Malcolms Great Grandson Alasdair wrote a book about his Gt Grandfather:
'Devoted Lyon - The life, letters and diaries of Lt Colonel The Honourable Malcom Bowes Lyon. 1874 - 1957'
Please do join us for our talk Black Ice, Wednesday 11th January, 18:30-19:30hrs.
This is the seventh in a unique lecture series from our Regimental Historian, Christopher Joll.
Outline: The life story of LCpl Corie Mapp of The Life Guards, who left his home in Barbados on a one-way, self-funded ticket to join the Household Cavalry, served at HCMR, notching up a number of ‘firsts’ for a Barbadian, and then while serving with HCR lost both legs in Afghanistan to an IED whilst under Taliban fire. Undaunted, within a month he was walking on prosthetic legs and within 5 years had become the World Para Bobsleigh champion.
Tickets can be booked here: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
About the speaker:
Christopher Joll is a former officer in The Life Guards and the Regimental Historian of the Household Cavalry. He is also a serial author of novels and histories, a guest speaker for several cruise lines, a regular contributor at literary festivals, and an audio and video podcaster for the Household Cavalry Museum. He is currently working on a history of the important collection of historical relics and art, including Napoleon’s underwear and campaign carriage that were lost in the fire at Madame Tussaud’s in 1925.
For more information see www.christopherjoll.com.
In a change to our advertised programme, please do join us for our talk Lest We Forget, Wednesday 7th December, 18:30-19:30hrs.
This is the sixth in a unique lecture series from our Regimental Historian, Christopher Joll.
Buy your ticket here: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
Outline: On 11th November 1920, a grand ceremony took place in Whitehall with the triple objective of unveiling The Cenotaph, honouring the body of the Unknown Warrior on its journey to Westminster Abbey, and establishing a format for an annual commemoration of those British & Empire servicemen and women who had been killed in the First World War. In this illustrated talk, Christopher Joll shines a light on the now long-forgotten reasons for, and the events that led to, the building of the Cenotaph, the establishment of the grave of the Unknown Warrior and the annual Remembrance Day Parade.
About the speaker:
Christopher Joll is a former officer in The Life Guards and the Regimental Historian of the Household Cavalry. He is also a serial author of novels and histories, a guest speaker for several cruise lines, a regular contributor at literary festivals, and an audio and video podcaster for the Household Cavalry Museum. He is currently working on a history of the important collection of historical relics and art, including Napoleon’s underwear and campaign carriage that were lost in the fire at Madame Tussaud’s in 1925.
For more information see www.christopherjoll.com.
Recent feedback.
Thank you Aktiveyes
A humble service and 2 minutes silence ‘for our today’ by those H Cav serving, Home HQ and Museum staff at the stables today
Lest we forget
Before and after!
1985 HM Queen Elizabeth visted Comberemere Baracks, then occupied by The Life Guards and todays view, both views from the archive.
Tailors shop gone, now a car park. Signs gone, now a memorial stone. Sqn Offices and the old gym gone to be replaced by the H cav riding school accom and a huge new gym. Most noticible is the new (20 years) accomoddation block occupying the old parade square.
We dont remember a cremation chimney;)
If you would like to visit the Barracks, meet the soldiers and horses and try on the state uniform please get in touch. Min group size of 5.
[email protected] for more info
Please do join us for our talk Spoils of War, Wednesday 9th November, 18:30-19:30hrs.
This is the fifth in a unique lecture series from our Regimental Historian, Christopher Joll.
Outline: Drawn from his book of the same name, Joll examines some of the spoils of war in royal, national, and regimental collections including some notable examples held by the regiments of the Household Cavalry.
To book you place please go to the following link: https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
About the speaker:
Christopher Joll is a former officer in The Life Guards and the Regimental Historian of the Household Cavalry. He is also a serial author of novels and histories, a guest speaker for several cruise lines, a regular contributor at literary festivals, and an audio and video podcaster for the Household Cavalry Museum. He is currently working on a history of the important collection of historical relics and art, including Napoleon’s underwear and campaign carriage that were lost in the fire at Madame Tussaud’s in 1925.
For more information see www.christopherjoll.com.
Have you got a small Trooper?
We feel a change parade coming on… come and try on our world renowned uniforms in the heart of Royal London this weekend. We’ve just had a delivery of special ‘extra extra extra small’ tunics from the Master Tailor for your little Troopers to try on!
Today the Museum Archive hosted ‘Aktiveyes’ a local visually impaired group who came for a visit.
The group met soldiers on recruit rides, soldiers from Coach Troop and Farriers in 'The Forge', not to mention the stars of the show the horses themselves ... who are now on a diet!
If you have a group and would like a pre arranged tour please get in touch. Small family groups very welcome
It would be remiss of us to say this isnt possible without the volunteers, so if you live within travelling distance to Windsor and would like to assist please get in touch.
Last few tickets remaining, dont miss this unique opportunity to interect with soldiers and horses - Wed this week
Found in a desk, anyone care to explain?
H Cav Museum 'Open day' Wednesday 26th (next Wednesday) October.
Veteran, parent or grandparent ... a great opportunity to experince first hand behind the scenes during half term.
All monies got to the museum
The next online talk, 'The Perils of the Final Journey’, is on Wednesday 5th October, 18:30-19:30hrs.
Click the link to buy your ticket:
https://householdcavalry.co.uk/museum/product-category/online-event/
‘The Perils of the Final Journey’ - Wednesday 5th October, 18:30-19:30hrs.
Introducing the fourth online lecture in a unique series delivered by our Regimental Historian, Christopher Joll.
Join us in discovering the heritage and quirks of past ceremonial funerals. Christopher Joll will take you from the funeral of King Richard III, delayed by a mere 530 years, to the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. His talk examines how State Funerals are planned and organised, as well as recounting some of the things that have gone wrong in the past. This includes why the 1661 State Funeral of 1st Duke of Montrose was corporeally incomplete, and why Nelson was buried in a coffin made of French oak. Christopher will also reveal the awful problems encountered during the funeral of the 1st Duke of Wellington - problems eclipsed by those encountered during Queen Victoria’s final journey. And then there was the dreadful omen experienced by King Edward VIII at the State Funeral of his father, King George V. Sign up for this and much more.
Free to members of the Regiment, serving and retired. All proceeds will help support the museum, preserving our heritage for future generations.
Something a little different - raising money for the Royal British Legion;
Two Corporal instructors and five riding school Troopers from the Household Cavalry riding school are ditching 4 legs for 2!
The team do exceptionally long hours and simply don’t get time to train so are relying on their H Cav PMA (positive mental attitude) to reach the ‘peaks’.
These soldiers assit with our museum tours, so if you can help for this worthy cause please
follow the link.
Thanks for reading
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hctwwelshthreepeaks?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=hctwwelshthreepeaks&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=525d0a23b0e245749d23d1a60c41c0d9
Help John Sands raise money to support The Royal British Legion
Our is this Silver Gilt Figurine of a 2nd Life Guards Mounted Officer. This figurine was a wedding present to Major Sir Stewart Menzies in Nov 1918.
The silver statuette was originally fully gilded silver but sadly the gold has now been polished off. It shows a mounted 2nd Life Guards Officer wearing Mounted Review Order with a Shabraque.
The Silver Plaque on plinth is inscribed; Presented to Major Stewart G. Menzies, D.S.O., M.C. 2nd Life Guards by His Brother officers on his marriage 28th Nov. 1918.
Our is this 2nd Life Guards Cuirass Burnisher, which was used by Trooper G Kynoch between 1871 - 1883.
A Burnisher was used to make cuirasses clean and shiny. Both hands were used, the cuirass being held in the lap and scraped with the metal blade. It was said to take a whole morning to clean a front cuirass by this method.
RIP Ma’am
Combermere Barracks
Windsor
SL43DN
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A humble service and 2 minutes silence ‘for our today’ by those H Cav serving, Home HQ and Museum staff at the stables today Lest we forget
Windsor & Royal Borough Museum
High Street
Eton College Museums and Galleries
Eton College
