Westminster Dragoons
| 2nd County of London Yeomanry Westminster Dragoons |
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|---|---|
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Pre-2006 capbadge of the Westminster Dragoons (other ranks)
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| Active | 24 August 1901 – present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
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| Branch |
 British Army
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| Type |
Yeomanry (World War I) Royal Armoured Corps (World War II) Army Reserve cavalry |
| Role | Light cavalry |
| Size | Three Regiments (World War I) One Regiment (World War II) One Squadron |
| Part of | Royal Yeomanry |
| Garrison/HQ | Fulham, London |
| Motto(s) | Fear Naught |
| March | The Westminster Dragoon |
| Mascot(s) | The Gallipolian Cormorant |
| Anniversaries | Jerusalem, Normandy |
| Engagements | Iraq 2003 (as part of the Royal Yeomanry) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Maj A Alderson |
| Honorary Colonel | Lt-Gen Sir Andrew Ridgway KBE CB |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Stable Belt |  |
| Regimental Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
The Westminster Dragoons (WDs) is central London’s only Army Reserve cavalry unit. One of the Royal Yeomanry's five squadrons, its current role is light cavalry: to provide a rapidly deployable force with fast mobility and substantial firepower in support of operations.
Formed in the aftermath of Second Boer War as part of the County of London Yeomanry, the WDs fought in the Battle of Gallipoli and led British forces onto the beaches during the Normandy Invasion in 1944. The squadron most recently saw action on Operation Telic, when it was mobilised for the 2003 war in Iraq and again in 2006 for peace support operations there. Since 2007, soldiers and officers of the squadron have deployed as individual reinforcements on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.
As light cavalry, the regiment provides reconnaissance, reassurance, security and, if the situation demands it, decisive tactical effects by raiding and attacking the enemy. Soldiers of the Westminster Dragoons now train to patrol and fight in armoured landrovers (RWMIKs), which carry heavy machine guns, seeking out the enemy, reporting their positions and fixing them in place so that they can be destroyed.
The Westminster Dragoons was formed in 1901 as the 2nd County of London Yeomanry, to meet the need identified during the Second Boer War for a body of trained mounted infantry (see dragoon). The Westminster City Council granted them permission to use the name Westminster Dragoons and the use of the city arms as a regimental badge at a meeting on 1 August 1902.
The unit was from the start a smart regiment filled with wealthy gentlemen from the City and the West End. Their attitude and attire was such that, as they strutted across West London, members became known as the 'Piccadilly Peacocks'. The unit's first officers were posted to the WDs from the 1st Royal Dragoons, one of the forerunners of the Blues and Royals; one of the first troop leaders was the Maharajah Shri Raj Rajeshwar. They brought with them the Royals' then-current capbadge, which was later adopted by Colonels and Brigadiers, which is why, until a common Royal Yeomanry capbadge was adopted in 2006, young WD officers often found themselves amused at being saluted by officers of higher rank. The WD stable belt (worn in barracks) bears the Royal racing colours – the imperial hues of purple, gold and scarlet as a result of the personal friendship of its first commanding officer, Colonel Charles Burn, with King Edward VII.
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Wikipedia