blackswaneuroparedux:War must be, while we defend our lives…

blackswaneuroparedux:

War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor  the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only  that which they defend.

– J.R.R. Tolkien

A female captain in the Blues and Royals regiment, Household Cavalry. The regiment was formed in 1969 from the merger of the Royal Horse Guards, which was known as “the Blues” or “the Oxford Blues”, and the Royal Dragoons, which was known as “the Royals”. Of these, the Blues were founded as a unit of the New Model Army, having been raised in 1650 by Sir Arthur Haselrig on orders from Oliver Cromwell;
it was incorporated into the Restoration army in 1660 and  gained the
title “Royal” in the 18th century. The Royal Dragoons were formed
shortly after the Restoration, in 1661, composed of cavalry veterans of
the New Model Army.

Interestingly, instead of being known as the Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons, the
regiment is known as the Blues and Royals and is therefore the only
regiment in the British Army to be officially known by its nickname as
opposed to its full name. To the rest of the British army regiments they are better known as ‘Donkey Wallopers’ or the ‘Picadilly Cowboys’ – which as far as crude army nicknames go is pretty tame.