Author Topic: officers on grays? (Read 2007 times)

aphillathehun · « **on:** February 03, 2019, 12:25:03 AM »

When did the practice of officers riding grays start? Was it in this period? By the War of Spanish Succession it seems to have been a thing in the French army. Just wondering when it originated.....

Codsticker · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2019, 03:30:08 AM »

IIRC, in the British army is was the end of the 17thC. May have started during the War of Spanish Succession.

Irregular Wars Nic · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2019, 09:59:51 AM »

Not really something I was aware of. Was that regulation? Would that extend to 'British' regiments in 1745 and the FIW as well? Did I do wrong?

Metternich · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2019, 06:24:31 PM »

King Richard III rode a horse named "White Surrey" at Bosworth Field, 1485.

Andrew_McGuire · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2019, 06:34:20 PM »

Quote from: Metternich on February 04, 2019, 06:24:31 PM

King Richard III rode a horse named "White Surrey" at Bosworth Field, 1485.

Good omen, then.

Codsticker · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2019, 06:01:55 AM »

Quote from: Irregular Wars Nic on February 03, 2019, 09:59:51 AM

Not really something I was aware of. Was that regulation?

I read in Wargames magazine an excerpt from the memoirs of a 18thC British officer outlining who rode what colour horse and such though I don't recall the exact year. Officers were supposed to ride greys, possibly certain other important personnel as well. I do remember farriers (2 per squadron?) wore white aprons and gloves and were unarmed except for an axe and a saw.

Metternich · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2019, 09:41:04 PM »

Quote from the film, Young Winston :

Captain: Who's that bloody fool on the gray?
Adjutant: Someone who wants to be noticed, I should imagine.
Captain: He'll be noticed. He'll get his head blown off.

Metternich · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2019, 09:42:04 PM »

And from the rest of the scene :

Captain: Actually, we don't care much for correspondents out here, Churchill, or white horses either. Where'd you get it?

Winston Churchill: At the auction last week, sir, Marakan Pass.

Captain: Previous owner killed?

Winston Churchill: I believe so. Yes, sir.

Captain: Didn't that teach you anything?

Winston Churchill: Sir?

Irregular Wars Nic · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2019, 10:31:11 AM »

Quote from: Metternich on February 05, 2019, 09:42:04 PM

Captain: Didn't that teach you anything?

Indeed!

carlos marighela · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2019, 11:12:58 AM »

I believe the practice reached it’s peak in the early 19th C. Jane Austen used it as the central plot device in her seminal, boddice ripping, sex romp ‘Mr Darcy and the Fifty Shades of Royal Scots Greys’. Very popular with vicar’s wives and the dimmer sort of gentlewomen of the era.

vtsaogames · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2019, 03:01:33 PM »

aphillathehun · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2019, 06:41:34 PM »

Quote from: carlos marighela on February 06, 2019, 11:12:58 AM

I believe the practice reached it’s peak in the early 19th C. Jane Austen used it as the central plot device in her seminal, boddice ripping, sex romp ‘Mr Darcy and the Fifty Shades of Royal Scots Greys’. Very popular with vicar’s wives and the dimmer sort of gentlewomen of the era.

That's hilarious

Metternich · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2019, 07:25:37 PM »

Carlos, I'm sure they read it for the trenchant satire of social customs.

Irregular Wars Nic · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2019, 07:31:10 AM »

Rogerc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2019, 09:56:52 PM »

There was a pamphlet written about Fairfax when he was commanding troops in Yorkshire in the early ECW called rider on a grey horse or somethign similar. Suggests there was a practice of at least soem commanders wanting to be sure they could be seen,.

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Author Topic: officers on grays? (Read 2007 times)

Andrew_McGuire