Prior to 1747, there were no rules and regulations pertaining to British Regimental standards or guidons carried by regiments of horse. Up until this point regiments of horse, like many infantry regiments of the time, were mostly 'kitted out' by the Colonel of the regiment, and it was common practice for the Colonel to have his own heraldic devices, crest or Coat of Arms emblazoned upon the guidon/standard, but with the introduction of the regulations of 1747 this practice would cease and the troops would know their allegiance was only to the sovereign. No-one is entirely sure why the Hanovarian King, George 11 set about the standardization, but it was obviously a plan to bring the army under the crown as a "Royal Army" as opposed to one broken down into regiments of horse with allegiance to their Colonels. Incidents in the past had shown the Kings of England that this could prove fatal in battle if one or more regiments decided, at the whim of the Colonel to quit the field. So by ensuring the common soldier knew his place, the crown believed it would reduce that possibility and weld them into one fighting force under the Crown.

In the case of the guidon, not all cavalry regiments carried one, for example there were Dragoons, and regiments of horse. The regiments of horse were the heavy cavalry of the line and carried Standards, that were usually square or rectangular with gold or silver fringe on the three free sides of the standard, while Dragoons always carried guidons which were also fringed in gold or silver on the three free edges and while the standard was as described above, guidons were always swallow tailed. Original documents of the day state that the Standard was to be made of plain red silk, while the guidons were to be made of red damask (embroidered pattern silk). Measurements were to be 27" at the flagstaff and 41" at the fly, with the dovetail slit being 10" at the fly and 4" wide. In the first and fourth corners are a gold edged cartouche with a red background bearing the white Hanovarian horse on a green mound, while in the remaining corners were to be a similar cartouche with the background colour matching the regimental facings. The regimental number was to be embroidered within this in either silver or gold, while the cord and tassel are also to be made of red and gold.

The term ‘Guidon’ is derived from the old French "guydhomme", or the flag carried by the leader of Horse. It has always been swallow-tailed and regarded as being junior to a Standard. It is interesting to note that while the white Hanoverian horse is embroidered in one and four of the corners of a guidon carried by regiments with a cavalry history, the guidon for armoured regiments with no cavalry background has the white Hanoverian horse replaced by a white Ram. As is the case with this guidon, which we would like to point out is a "replica" commissioned to be presented to the surviving members of the "Kangaroo Regiment" at a parade and ceremony to be held in St Thomas Ontario, the weekend of September 9th, 10th. Other than being a replica, the measurements and design are correct and in accordance with the rules and regulations governing guidons. The colour however is "Orange" damask, chosen to identify the affiliation of the regiment with Holland during WW11.

We urge you to visit the following sites in order to gain further insight to this outstanding regiment.

http://www.canadiankangaroos.ca/Site/1CACR.html

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=events/events&eventid=5172

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26332

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=139252536099599&v=wall

A special thanks goes to M Perkins & Son's of the UK, for supplying the silk Damask for the guidon. This required a close working relationship between Sheba Imports and Perkins in order to arrive at the special colour dye required to achieve the successful results shown below.

To visit M Perkins & Son's please click here. http://www.mperkins.com/

We specialize in Guidons, Pipe banners, gonfalons, and other fine regimental regalia. Prices vary depending upon the size and amount of embroidery required.
Please contact us for a quote. Sheila A Bawden email sheba@execulink.com

Purveyor of fine Heraldic and regalia items to premier
regiments worldwide. Blazer badges, swords,
Pace sticks, sword belts, challenge coins and
military rings, Clan rings Heraldic rings, flags,
gonfannons, Pipe banners etc, etc.

Telephone (519) 652-8333 Fax (519) 652-1219
Hours of business Mon to Friday 0900hrs - 1700hrs
email:- sheba@execulink.com or
for artwork/design etc:- graphicsdept@execulink.com