MILITARY - BRITISH ARMY - ROYAL SCOTS DRAGOON GUARDS

The regiment is a Type 58 Challenger 2 tank regiment (i.e. it is equipped with 58 Challenger 2 tanks), which are organised into four Sabre Squadrons. It was the first regiment to be equipped with Challenger 2.

In addition the regiment also fields a close Reconnaissance Troop mounted in eight CVR(T) Scimitar, and a large Headquarters Squadron, which supplies ammunition, fuel, and rations, and includes specialist technicians, mechanics and artisans, as well as clerical and medical staff.

History

The regiment has deployed on three tours of Northern Ireland in 1972, 1976 and 1980, suffering one loss in 1972, when Trooper Ian Hunter Caie, aged 19, was killed by a bomb in a beer barrel that exploded in the path of his Ferret scout car in Moybane, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.

It saw active service during the Gulf War in 1991, in Bosnia as part of SFOR in 1996/97 and deployed to Kosovo twice, in 2000 and 2001, as part of KFOR.

It recently operated in Iraq during the Iraq War of 2003 (Britain's contribution being known as Operation Telic) where it took part in the advance on Iraq's second largest city, Basra. It met sporadic resistance that included Britain's largest tank engagement since the Second World War, when 14 Challenger 2 tanks from C Squadron, engaged and destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks (the so-called '14-0' engagement). Together with Warriors of the Irish Guards, the regiment entered Basra on 6 April, and left Iraq shortly after the war was officially declared over on 1 May.

If you would like to find out about the history of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards you can visit the museum situated at Edinburgh Castle. For more information please visit www.scotsdgmuseum.com

Official abbreviation

The regiment's official abbreviation (as listed in Joint Service Publication 101 (Service Writing)) is SCOTS DG (note all capitals and the space), the format of which follows the traditional Cavalry line whereby, for example, The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards was abbreviated 4/7DG, and the Royal Scots Greys was abbreviated GREYS.

It is often incorrectly abbreviated RSDG and SDG, with the sloppy use of the latter by supply people being responsible for the regiment often getting parts meant for the "5DG" (The 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, "The Skins" ), and vice versa, with parts marked SDG!

Accoutrements

The cap badge features an eagle, which represents the French Imperial Eagle that was captured by the Royal Scots Greys at Waterloo, from the French 45th Regiment of Foot. It is always worn with a black backing in mourning for Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia, who was their Colonel-in-Chief at the time of his murder. The cap badge also has the crossed carbines of the 3rd Carabiniers at the rear of the eagle.

The regiment is permitted to wear the Prince of Wales's feathers as an arm badge; this comes from the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's), who wore this device as its cap badge.

As a royal regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is permitted to wear the Royal Stewart tartan (a privilege granted by HM King George VI), which is worn by the regiment's pipes and drums.

Regimental Mottos

• The regimental motto is Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (Nobody touches me with impunity), also the motto of the Order of the Thistle, to which it refers.
• The regiment also uses the motto "Second to None".

Uniforms

The regimental beret is in rememberance of the colour of the horses ridden in former times light grey.

Pipes and Drums

The regiment has its own Pipes and Drums, who tour widely and perform in competitions, concerts and parades. Their most famous piece is Amazing Grace, which reached number one in the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and South Africa in 1972. The band released a new CD in late November 2007 through Universal Music, featuring a number of classic pipe tunes along with some modern arrangements. The album named Spirit Of The Glen, was produced by Jon Cohen and was officially launched at Edinburgh Castle.