Below is period artwork of Light Dragoons. There a a number of 15th Light Dragoons. This regiment became famous at the Battle of Emsdorf in 1760 when they charged the enemy and their guns creating a British Victory. The regiment was awarded Royal status after this, changed their green facings for blue, and became the "King's" Light Dragoons. It appears many officers wanted to have their portraits taken in their new uniforms after this occurred.
Capt. Arthur Blake 17th LD C.1770. By Sir Joshua Reynolds
Col. John Hale founder of the 17th LD C.1765. By Sir Joshua Reynolds
17th Light Dragoon c.1759 by David Morier
The Battle of Germantown 1777 by Xavier Della Gatta.
Detail from The Battle of Germantown 1777 by Xavier Della Gatta. In the foreground of the painting is a mounted 17th Light Dragoon. He is wearing a brass helmet with a red turban and horsehair crest. His helmets front plate clearly shows the skull and crossbones and looks to be edged in brown bear fur per original warrants. He is wearing a white shirt with black neck stock and a short green coat, which is documented in a deserter report of being issued to the regiment. He is wearing light coloured breeches, either leather or Russia drill, and tall dragoon boots. He is carrying his carbine on a buff sling on his right side, a pistol in a holster on the front of his saddle topped by a rolled red cloak, and carries his sabre on a waist belt. His horse appears to be very typical in size for a light dragoon horse, being small, compact and muscular, and has a cropped tail which was normal for British Army horses at the time.
The Battle of Paoli 1777 by Xavier Della Gatta
Detail from The Battle of Paoli 1777 by Xavier Della Gatta. In the bottom left corner of the painting a section of 4 British mounted dragoons can be seen chasing fleeing American dragoons. The 16th, Queen's Light Dragoons were present at Paoli, so it is presumed that these are dragoons from that regiment. They appear to be wearing either round hats or some kind of (Tarleton?) helmet. There appears to be a (leopard?) print turban which they are reported to have worn, and also appear to have turkey feathers, or a turkey wing or tail in their headgear. They are wearing short red coats with what appear to be white or light blue facings. 3 chevrons can clearly be seen on the sleeves. They all carry straight bladed sabres. Although they appear to have carbine slings, they are not carrying their firearms, as it was ordered that no shots be fired to achieve surprise. They are wearing light coloured breeches and tall dragoon boots. It is difficult to see any other details, but the horses and bridles appear to be similar to the Germantown dragoon. The horses are also wearing cruppers around their tails attached to the saddle.
watercolour of a Private of the 12th Light Dragoons C.1760 by E. Fitzgerald.
watercolour of Officers of the 12th Light Dragoons C.1760 by E. Fitzgerald.
Cornet Parkyns, 15th Kings Light Dragoons C.1760
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| Officer of the 15th King's Light Dragoons C.1760 |
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| An officer of the 15th Light Dragoons in green facings before they became a Royal regiment C.1760 by David Morier |
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| A Light Dragoon officer C. 1770 |
"The Gallant Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton"
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| A 15th Light Dragoon C.1759 |
An officer of the 15th King's Light Dragoons with his family. C.1760-1770
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| King George III with light dragoons in the background |
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| General Burgoyne, 16th Queen's Light Dragoons |
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| An officer of the 16th Queen's Light Dragoons C.1770 possibly a young Banastre Tarleton |
