The Guidon

Cavalry regiments have guidons as their colours

Infantry colours, and their cavalry counterparts, known as standards and guidons, are among the most sacred symbols of the British Army. These flags embody the honour, spirit, and heritage of the regiments that proudly carry them.

The Regimental Colour is a flag of a single colour - usually the colour of the regiment's uniform facings (collar, lapels, and cuffs) - again trimmed and with the insignia in the centre. It also displays the regiment’s battle honours or those inherited from its predecessors.

‘Guidon’ comes from the Italian word ‘Guidone’, which meant ‘guide’ or ‘marker’. They provided a rally point for soldiers during battles. According to Chapter 6 of Army Regulation 840-10, Guidons must measure 20 inches at the hoist and 27 inches at the fly, with the swallow-tailed forked end measuring 10 inches.

While they used to be made from wool bunting, today’s Army guidon flags are made from heavyweight rayon banner cloth. The letters are numbers must be readable correctly on both sides.

The first known drawing/picture of the 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons) Guidon is held by the ‘College of Arms’ which is a rough pencil sketch and shows the battle honour ‘South Africa’

Sketch drawing courtesy of the College of Arms

Guidon & escort at the end of WW1

A players cigarette card showing a version with some differences:

- The Roman numeral ‘II’ is missing in the top corner
- A badge is used instead of the wording ‘Westminster Dragoons’ in the centre
- Outer ring with ‘2nd Count of London’ instead of County of London Yeomanry

The Original Guidon

The original 1909 Guidon is now laid up in Westminster Abbey and shows the same form as the pencil sketch with the addition of WW1 battle honours.

The plaque at the top states:

At a service on the 25th day of November 1961 this guidon of the Westminster Dragoons, presented to the regiment by King Edward VII in a ceremony at Windsor in 1909, was handed to the Dean of Westminster by the Honorary Colonel, General Sir Harold E. Pyman K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. for laying up in the care of the Dean and Chapter

Picture copyright of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster

College of Arms Drawing 1955

This College of Arms drawing from 1955 shows the battle Honours from the 1st World War.

This again shows differences with the following:

Centre with the Westminster portcullis.
Outer ring with “Westminster Dragoons”
“County of London” scroll below centre piece.
“South Africa” scroll below County of London scroll.

College of Arms Drawing 1962

College of Arms drawing from 1962 shows the Berkshire & Westminster Dragoons Guidon following their amalgamation. This shows the battle Honours from the 1st World War for both Regiments.

Centre with the Westminster portcullis & Berkshire Horse.
Outer ring with “Berkshire & Westminster Dragoons”
Battle Honours only on both sides of the centre motif.

Seperating Regiments

1967 saw the Labour government reduce the armed forces and the amalgamation came to an end. The Westminster Dragoons Guidon was recovered from Westminster Abbey and reinstated with the Guidon reverting to have the following:

Centre with the Westminster portcullis.
Outer ring with “Westminster Dragoons”
“2nd County of London Yeomanry” scroll below centre motif.
Battle Honours from WW1 & WW2 on both sides of the centre motif.

Request for Information

During some recent research two publications were found which show a different version of a 2nd County of London yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons) Guidon, they both have the same image & description. Unfortunately, we have been unable to find or confirm if this was ever issued to the Regiment.

Listed below are the publications which have the same description and images.

Description: The Westminster Dragoons, otherwise known as the 2nd County of London Yeomanry, have the Royal Cypher and Crown as a central badge, whilst in the first and fourth corners are crossed axes, and in the second and third, Beaufort’s portcullis.

These four devices are encircled by a union wreath of special design.

Books:

The Flags of our fighting army including standards, Guidons, Colours and Drum Banners. By Stanley C Johnson. (Book 2 image)

&

Yeomanry Guidons and Drum Banners. By Gale & Polden Ltd (Book 1 image)

We would welcome any additional information regarding this Guidon.

The Royal Yeomanry Guidon

In 2016. With the presentation of the Royal Yeomanry Guidon, the Westminster Dragoons Guidon was to be laid up in Westminster Abbey.

The new Guidon covering all units of the Royal Yeomanry was presented at Buckingham Palace.

Below are pictures of the Royal Yeomanry Presentation, and the Face/Reverse of the Guidon.