The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-25 00:00:00

"SCOTLAND FOR EVER!"

All the news that comes from Ireland is not of evil
import (says the Evening Standard). The oldest
Dragoon Regiment in the service is at present stationed
in Dublin ; and celebrated on the Waterloo anniver-
sary its entry on the third century of its glorious
career in a manner cheerful, loyal, and enthusiastic.
There was something in the cEtrner.;of. the nori-com-
missioned officers of the Scats .Greya _a,t the head-
quarters even more interesting than in the more formal
and 11xurious banquet of the officers in London.
Piper of the Scots Guards played the wild mountain
music of the Gaul at the festive gathering, a huge
clump l of thistles plucked in a northern _ glen graced the
table, and a deputation of the Gordon Highlanders
was present to remind the 'men of to-day of
faithful and brave comradeship in the hour of peril
in the.past. As one of the speakers mentioned in the
time-honoured delivery of discourses which followed
the feast, the 92nd and the 2nd Dragoons had fought
manfully side by side in the brave days of yore.
The brotherly feeling between them began at
Waterloo. When they attacked the enemy together
on that occasion one of the Greys called out, Now,
92nd, do you soap them and we'll shave them." And
so they did; and the feeling between the two regi-
ments had lasted ever since. The decorations of the
room where the joyous meeting was held were
such as to thrill the hearts of the stalwart
troopers who have, or ever had, the honour
to wear the grenadier cap conquered at Ramilies,
when the Scots, on their white horses broke through
the "Regiment du Roi," and captured its colours.
Over the chairman's seat was a picture of the Queen,
with stars on each side formed of swords, scabbards,
and ramrods. The Union Jack and the standard of
the regiment, with its coat of arms, including the
thistle within a circle, and motto, " Nemo me impune
lacessit," and the special motto, "Second to none,"
were amongst the banners displayed. But there
were other reallOcls which spoke eloquently of
the deeds of derring-do achieved by the
famous Heavies. Among these was a pic-
ture of the "Fight for the Standard," which
commemorates the taking of an Eagle by Serjeant
Ewart from a French officer at Waterloo. A knife
and fork taken ftorn the valise of that officer was one
of the curiosities exhibited. Another consisted of the
sash and spurs of Lieutenant Colonel Inglis, who was
killed at the great battle.. A series of pictures showed
the successive uniforms worn by the regiment from
the date of its establishment. There were also the
charter granted by William and Mary in 1692; a roll
showing that eight officers and 68 privates were
killed at Waterloo out of an available force of 501;
and another on which were recorded the names of
all who went to the Crimea. The toast of "Scotland
for Ever" was drunk amid resounding cheers, and the
singing of the National Anthem by the entire com-
pany concluded a historic meeting.
Luckily the new army reorganisation does not touch
the Greys. It would be cruel if a corps with such
magnificent traditions and such a natural pride in
them, were to be deprived of a title which fosters a
chivalric spirit of emulation in those who join its
ranks.