NAM.1963-10-317-1

Regimental Guidon of the 23rd Light Dragoons, 1809. With a painted design and inscribed, ‘PENINSULA’, ‘TALAVERA’, ‘WATERLOO’ and ‘EGYPT/ [sphinx below]’. A guidon was the light cavalry equivalent of an infantry colour, this guidon was carried by the 23rd Light Dragoons at the Battle of Talavera, 1809, where they charged the French but failed to see a ditch into which many men and horses plunged. The Regiment sustained heavy losses and returned to England shortly afterwards. This was the last time a cavalry guidon was carried into battle by a British unit.

Waterloo, Battle of, 1815 (Napoleonic Wars, Waterloo 1815), Talavera, Battle of, 1809 (Peninsular War 1808-1814)