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Post by Andrew on Jul 16, 2006 22:40:40 GMT
Andrew, An interesting article - thanks for posting it. Are you going to the concert at the Castle? Stuart Hi Stuart, Many thanks for showing your interest in the newspaper article. I thought it might be an interesting topic to share, since Hayley recorded a live version of 'Amazing Grace' with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (included on her self titled CD!)  Yes indeed I will be attending the Concert at Edinburgh Castle on Thursday... I'm really looking forward to it too Stuart!  Thanks, Andrew  |
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Post by Andrew on Jul 19, 2006 1:05:46 GMT
Hi All,
Recently I visited The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, which was officially opened by the Queen at Edinburgh Castle on 6th July 2006. I'd like to share a few pictures with you from there...
6th Dragoon Guards
(Carabiniers)
Officer’s helmet,
Pattern 1812-1822
And full-dress coatee
Pattern 1798-1812 Helmets of this type, of hardened leather reinforced with gilded-brass and copper, replaced the cocked hats previously worn by soldiers of heavy cavalry regiments in 1812. Similar helmets had been worn since the mid-18th century by regiments of light cavalry in European armies and were far better protection in battle than their cocked hats, the best of which were made of felted beaver fur.
The coatee, a cut-down full-length coat with tails turned back, is decorated with the regimental pattern silver lace and regimental buttons. Coatees like this would rarely have been worn in battle, being generally retained for parade purposes, while less decorated versions were worn in action. The regiment’s private soldiers would have worn a similar coatee, but decorated with white lace and pewter buttons.[/b]
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Post by Andrew on Jul 19, 2006 1:47:52 GMT
Hi All,
Of all the relics and treasures within The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, this is the item which really moved me to tears!
 A framed gold disc awarded to The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for
‘Amazing Grace’ to commemorate 1 million sales worldwide in 1972. [/center] The record released by the Pipes and Drums and Military Band shortly after amalgamation in 1971, occupied a place at the top of the music charts in Britain for five weeks. It sold 4 million copies worldwide.
In June 1994 the band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards disbanded. Major General Charles Ramsay, then Colonel of the regiment , wrote a letter to the editor of the Times in the hope that it would help bring to the notice of politicians the error of their ways. An extract of the letter reads as follows:
"Sir, the band of my Regiment is disbanded today, taking with it 316 continuous years of history and tradition, together with the greatest single present day source of pride and inspiration. It is no idle boast that our standards of musical excellence and magnificent uniforms are famous worldwide.
All line calvary regiments suffer the same fate this month. The calvary are unique in existing as small single regiments, without any wider historical grouping. My cavalry colleagues would agree that bands are part of our regimental fabric. Yet they work as hard for the army as a whole and our nation, as they do for our regiments, providing colour and style in the process."
(Words quoted from documents within The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum).
Incidentally, I acquired a 7" vinyl single of the 'Amazing Grace' record by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, in 1978 from my parents! I believe this piece was also available on an LP/ Album released by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, entitled: 'Farewell to the Greys' 
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Jul 19, 2006 2:41:33 GMT
Hello Andrew  Thanks so much for sharing so much from your recent visit to the The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum. Glad you were able to visit so soon (less than a fortnight) after HM The Queen officially opened the museum. Wanting to learn the meaning of the eagle and 'Waterloo' insignia, I did some research on Wikipedia. The meaning of the insignia is explained as well as a complete history of the regiment. I was suprised to learn that the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are affiliated with the New Zealand Scottish Squadron. However there is limited info on this squadron. It does provide another link between Scotland and New Zealand ! Thanks again Andrew! Joe |
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Post by postscript on Jul 20, 2006 8:32:18 GMT
Hi all Incidentally, I acquired a 7" vinyl single of the 'Amazing Grace' record by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, in 1978 from my parents! I believe this piece was also available on an LP/ Album released by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, entitled: 'Farewell to the Greys' That 12" LP Farewell to the Greys is in my own record collection, bought for the sentimental reason of passing days. It is still often played. Before moving on to higher things, my father was a clarinettist in a regimental band. I now have his clarinet and have been trying to fnd the time to re-educate myself. with it. Peter |
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