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Pages from the diary of Captain Philip Townsend

A Soldier's Life

In Their Own Words: Captain Philip Townsend

Philip Townsend was an Irish gentleman. In 1756, he travelled to North America, where he fought against the French in the Seven Years War. His diary provides an insight into frontier warfare and the assault on Louisbourg.

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Glengarry badge, 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment, c1874

92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot

This Scottish infantry regiment was formed in 1794 and recruited in Inverness-shire and Aberdeenshire. It served with the British Army in several campaigns until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Gordon Highlanders.

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16th/5th The Queen’s Royal Lancers

This armoured regiment was formed in 1922 by merging two cavalry units. It fought in several campaigns until 1993, when it became part of The Queen’s Royal Lancers.

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5th (Royal Irish) Lancers

This cavalry regiment had an interrupted history. Raised in 1689, disbanded in 1799 and formed again in 1858, it served in several campaigns until 1922, when it was merged into the 16th/5th Lancers.

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16th (The Queen’s) Lancers

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1759. It served in many British Army campaigns around the world until 1922, when it was merged into the 16th/5th Lancers.

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17th/21st Lancers

This armoured regiment was raised in 1922. It served in several British Army campaigns until 1993, when it was merged into The Queen’s Royal Lancers.

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Cap badge, 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers, c1900

17th (The Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1759. It served in several British Army campaigns until 1922, when it was merged into the 17th/21st Lancers.

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21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1858 for the East India Company. It soon transferred to the British Army, fighting in several campaigns until 1922, when it was merged into the 17th/21st Lancers.

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The Royal Scots Fusiliers

This infantry regiment was raised in 1678 and recruited in south-west Scotland. It fought in many British Army campaigns until 1959, when it was merged into The Royal Highland Fusiliers.

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4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1685. It fought in many British Army campaigns until 1922, when it was merged into the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards.

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Cap badge, 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards, c1900

7th (The Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards

This cavalry regiment was raised in 1688. It fought in many British Army campaigns until 1922, when it was merged into the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards.

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4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards

This armoured regiment was formed in 1922. It continued in British Army service until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Dragoon Guards.

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The Royal Dragoon Guards

This cavalry unit was formed in 1992 and operates as an armoured reconnaissance force. It has served in several deployments, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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