History of the Regiment

The 14th was raised as Dragoons in July, 1715 and converted to Light Dragoons in 1776 and to Hussars in 1861. The 20th was raised as 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry, converted to Light Dragoons in 1861 and to Hussars in 1862.

The Eagle is connected to the 14th. In 1798 it was granted the title "14th (or Duchess of York's Own) Light Dragoons" in honour of Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherina, Princess Royal of Prussia, who married the Duke of York in 1791. The Prussian Eagle Badge was adopted to commemorate this connection with the Prussian Royal House. It was worn until 1915, when it ceased, it was reinstated in 1931 as the badge of the amalgamated Regiments.

The 14th/20th Kings Hussars  was founded in 1922 through the amalgamation of the 14th Kings Hussars and the 20th Hussars and was renamed the 14/20 Hussars and given the title Kings after George VI came to the Throne on the 14th Dec 1936. On the 16th December 1936 the Regiment was notified that it was to be re-designated as the 14th/20th King's Hussars. This was achieved by representations being put forward by the Colonel of the Regiment General Sir George Barrow.

14th Hussars	Cpl of the 14th Hussars	20th Hussars

The newly founded Regiment had its first tour of active duty in Egypt in 1931 for two years. The last time the Regiment went out mounted was in Jan 1938, this was on manoeuvres near Lucknow. Without ceremony the Regiment said goodbye to the horses in Aug 1938. Each officer was allowed to keep one horse, a pool was also kept. After this tanks arrived in two and threes (The Vickers light tanks MK2 and the MK6), and on the 31st March 1939 the Regiment was officially recorded as being converted to mechanisation. All ranks were transferred from Cavalry of the Line to the R.A.C at Secunderabad, on the 11th April 1939. The Regiment has maintained all its Cavalry traditions throughout the transition period and to it's end.

(This extract is from 'Emperor's Chambermaids by Lt-Colonel L.B. Oatts, DSO.) (Sent by Jim Rudge)

The Regiment served in Iraq and Iran during the middle of 1941, German forces were becoming more influential in the area at the time and the Regiment was tasked to counter those heavy influences. The Regiment formed the main element of the second light Armoured Brigade providing the only tanks available in the area.

In Mesopotamia  the Regiment went through several changes, it had several new types of Tanks issued to it culminating in the issue of the MK4 Sherman tank. The Regiment spent the best part of the next three years in the middle east protecting the oil fields and maintaining supply routes. 

Then it was Italy, it was here that the Regiment fought the Germans during the advance on Bologna, Medicina was a well fortified  and protected area. 'A' Squadron were dispatched in the newly acquired 'Kangaroo' vehicles to deal with the problem. A long battle ensued  resulting in the defeat of the Germans and the 'Medicina' battle Honour being added to the Regiments Guidon.  Finally the Regiment took part in the Battle for the Gaiana Canal before withdrawing for a refit and the final charge to Padua in 1945.

I purchased this card recently and thought it might be of interest to you all

The Post war years.
The Regiment had a short spell on Armoured cars in 1945. In 1946 they arrived in Germany and were issued the Archer tank destroyers within the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division. After three years in the United Kingdom the Regiment was sent back to the Dessert , Libya, and tanks, firstly on the Comet and then the Centurion Tanks. Three after that it was to Europe and Münster in Germany, they were the Armoured element of the 20th Armoured Brigade. In 1957 the Regiment was on the move again but the Regiment was split into two with A & C squadrons remaining in Munster on the Saracen, whilst B Squadron moved to Berlin to become the Berlin Armoured Independent Squadron. 

In 1962 they returned to Libya once again with Ferret Scout cars, also completing two tours in Cyprus.  

1965 and the Regiment moved to Paderborn, Germany. It was here in 1969 that HRH Princess Anne became the Regiments Colonel-in-Chef and she remains so to this day.

Again the Regiment was sent all over the globe with tours in 1970 -73 for HQ & C in  Hong Kong and Cyprus. A Squadron went to Singapore for a short period prior to there early return to the United Kingdom and Tidworth.  Those Squadrons based in Tidworth were deployed periodically to Northern Ireland. In 1973 the 14th/20th Kings Hussars moved to Herford, B Squadron being the last to arrive when their tour of Hong Kong ended late 1973. 1974 Saw the Regiment return to Northern Ireland. In 1976 the Regiment returned to the UK including Bovington, Lulworth and Warminster.  

In 1977 the Regiment stopped to gather its breath once again and became Armoured once more with the issue of the Chieftain Tank . In 1978 the Regiment moved again, this time back to Germany and Hohne, not long after their arrival the Regiment went to Belfast for yet another 4 Month tour of the troubled province.

In 1990 the Regiment deployed to the Gulf to take part in removing Sadam Hussain's forces from Kuwait with the Challenger 1 Tank.

On the 4th December 1992 the 14th/20th Kings Hussars amalgamated with the Royal Hussars (PWO) and formed a new Regiment - The Kings Royal Hussars to carry on the History of this finest of all Regiments.