Raising of the Regiments

In 1759 the British Army formed regiments of light cavalry, faster moving than heavy cavalry. Colonel Burgoyne raised the 16th Light Dragoons and wrote his own recruiting poster: 'You will be mounted on the finest horses … Your society will be courted; You are admired by the Fair.' Colonel Hale raised the 17th Light Dragoons, choosing as its badge a Death's Head with the motto 'Or Glory', which has remained to this day. A regiment of dragoons originally raised by Captain James Wynne in 1689 was eformed as the 5th Light Dragoons, and the Marquis of Granby raised the 21st Light Dragoons.

Wars with France

After the French revolution of 1789, Britain opposed the new Republic. Four years later France declared war on Britain and thus began twenty years of war between the two empires. The 17th and 21st Light Dragoons joined attacks on French islands in the West Indies, including San Domingo. After Napoleon had conquered Spain, the 16th Light Dragoons joined Wellington's Army fighting in alliance with the Portuguese, and over a five year period fought with distinction in the battles of Talavera, Fuentes d'Onor,Salamanca and Vittoria. Napoleon was eventually defeated and imprisoned on the island of Elba.

Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon escaped in 1815 and Wellington led a British army to confront him. After a successful French attack at Quatre-Bras the British withdrew to Waterloo. Napoleon and Wellington met there on the morning of 18 June in the decisive battle of the Napoleonic Wars. The 16th Light Dragoons was heavily engaged throughout the day, and Napoleon made a final attempt to break the British by ordering his elite Imperial Guard to attack. When this failed, Wellington ordered an advance and the light cavalry were released to harass the now defeated French army. Cornet Beckwith of the 16th wrote home to tell his father: 'No one was ever in uch a fight before. I think Bonaparte is ruined. We charged four times. I am not touched, my mare is wounded but not badly.'