Royal Dragoon Guards Museum and Regimental Association

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THE BATTLE OF DETTINGEN 1743

On 27 June 1743 at Dettingen, Germany, the Combined Allied Armies, under the command of George II, were maneuvered by the French into a bottleneck, between the river and the hills, and blocked the French Army in a strong position. However, a French commander disobeyed orders and advanced to the attack. His ill-disciplined troops were broken by steady volleys from the British Infantry. The French rout was completed by the charges of the British Cavalry, which included Ligonier's Regiment of Horse, also known as the 'Black Horse', from whom were descended the 7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royal's). It was the last time a reigning monarch led his troops into battle.

Ligonier's Horse, or the Black Horse as it was sometimes known on account of the Regimental facing colour, was one of the 10 cavalry regiments at the battle of Dettingen 1743.

As a result of a failure in one of the flank regiments of the brigade, of which the enemy had taken advantage, Ligonier's Horse was surrounded and overpowered, and forced to fight their way back through the French, as the only means of preventing being totally cut off.

Ligonier's troopers, having reformed their ranks, advanced against their adversaries; the fury of their charge was irresistible and the enemy squadrons were overthrown and driven back in disorder. The standard was carried by Cornet Henry Richardson, who, in its defence, suffered 37 sabre cuts and bullet wounds, and who has been revered in the Regiment ever since.

A Standard, and particularly the "First" or Colonel's, was naturally a prime target for enemy attention; but the bearer, with one hand grasping the staff and the other controlling his horse, was virtually defenceless. Hence his escort, then as today, of two Warrant Officers or Senior NCOs who flanked him wherever he went. Richardson's escort were probably just as valorous as he himself; but it is his name that has ever since been revered in the Regiment.

The winter after the battle, the Regiment having received new Standards, presented the Dettingen Standard to Cornet Richardson. It has been in the care of his family ever since, but is now displayed in the Museum.

The Museum also has the kettledrums taken from the battlefield of Dettingen in 1743.