Trooper - 1st Lifeguards 1900

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The Lifeguards were originally formed when Charles II was in exile in the Low Countries and the gentlemen of his court formed a troop of Horseguards, that is Guards mounted on horses, as opposed to footguards. These Horseguards accompanied the King when he returned to England in 1660. In 1788 they were disbanded and in their place the Lifeguards were created. The 1st and 2nd regiments of Lifeguards, which were completely separate from each other,(although both regiments were amalgamated in 1927), together with the Royal Horse Guards, formed the Household Cavalry.The uniform shown here in 1900 was very little different from the uniform worn today, the only differences being the buttons and the monarch's crown. The reversed cypher style pouch badges worn up to 1900 by each Lifeguard regiment and which denoted the regimental number, were changed for the Royal Coat of Arms badge in that year.

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