Collar badge of the 17th/21st Lancers, c1980.
NAM. 1994-01-87Introduction
The unit was formed in 1922 by merging the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s) Lancers and the 21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers, as the British Army adjusted to peacetime conditions after the First World War.
Five years later the British Army abolished the lance as a weapon, but it was only in 1938 that the 17th/21st Lancers were mechanised instead, during a posting to Meerut in India.
The oncoming Second World War saw them posted back to England to guard against a German invasion. They then joined 6th Armoured Division, remaining with it in Britain until November 1942, when they were posted to North Africa. There they helped block the Thala to Kasserine road against the German advance and fought in the Battle of Fondouk. They then spent nine months out of action before being deployed to Italy in March 1944 for the attacks on the Gustav Line and Gothic Line.
Chapka worn by the 17th Lancers and 17th/21st Lancers, c1856. NAM. 1981-01-14-1In the immediate aftermath of the war they were stationed on peacekeeping and occupation duties in Austria, Greece, Suez and Palestine, becoming an armoured car regiment and also operating armoured rail cars. Other post-war postings included Germany, Northern Ireland, Borneo, Aden, Libya and Cyprus. It finally provided over two squadrons for the First Gulf War before being amalgamated in 1993 with 16th/5th Lancers to form the Queen’s Royal Lancers
Key facts
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Titles to date:
- 17th/21st Lancers
- Queen’s Royal Lancers
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