16th The Queen's Lancers - Insignia and Uniform

Insignia and Uniform

The collar badge of the regiment until 1921 comprised the figure 16 above a scroll inscribed "Queen's Lancers", over a pair of crossed lances and surmounted by a crown (see illustration above). The lancer full dress cap bore the regimental battle honors and number in silver.

In its early years as the 16th Light Dragoons, the regiment wore the standard red uniform of this branch of cavalry with black and then royal blue facings. In 1784 the red coat was replaced by a dark blue jacket. From 1816 to 1832 a dark blue lancer uniform was worn, until in December 1832 a scarlet coatee and undress jacket was authorized. The latter was worn during the First Sikh War and on its return to England in 1846 the 16th petitioned to retain the scarlet uniform when all lancer regiments were ordered to return to blue. The unique distinction of scarlet lancer tunic and dark blue plastron was retained in full dress until 1914.