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The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity - Collection Gems

The Queen’s Royal Hussars, as the most senior armoured regiment in the British Army, has a distinguished service history. This rich history is illustrated by the collection of the Officers’ and Sergeant’s Messes and the Museum. This military museum, located in the historic town of Warwick, is dedicated to the Hussars of both the past and the present. 


 

The museum is designed to guide the viewer through thematic galleries which move from the present to the past. The themes explored range from The Regiment Today and Keeping the Peace to The Early Years and Life Overseas. These galleries will lead you through the creation of the Queen’s Royal Hussars up to their role today.  

 

Merry England and Worth a Guineau a Minute, c.1920 (Signed lithograph), Charles Johnson Payne, ("Snaffles") (1884-1967) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
Merry England and Worth a Guinea a Minute, c.1920 (Signed lithograph), Charles Johnson Payne, ("Snaffles") (1884-1967) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images


View all images in our archive from The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity collections.

 

Among the four antecedent regiments, the 3rd King’s Own Hussars were involved in the greatest share of battles and campaigns. Formed in 1685 as three independent troops, the 3rd King’s Own Hussars (as they eventually became known) were central to many significant wars and battles of the following two and a half centuries, being awarded many battle honours for their bravery and steadfastness. 

As the senior regiment amongst the Light Cavalry, they were permitted to wear a Regimental colour of Garter Blue, and over the years were further permitted to sport the White Horse of Hanover, a distinctive scarlet collar on their jackets, and a Fern Leaf on their arm, the latter on account of their being under the command of the 2nd New Zealand Division at the Battle of El Alamein in 1942. In 1958, they were amalgamated with the 7th Hussars to form The Queen’s Own Hussars. Within the collection, they are portrayed in this 19th-century watercolour painting, a portrait that joyfully depicts an Officer of this renowned regiment.


 

The 3rd King's Own Hussars, 19th Century (Watercolour on paper), British School, (19th century) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
The 3rd King's Own Hussars, 19th Century (Watercolour on paper), British School, (19th century) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images

 

The collection incorporates many images of horses. In the 17th century, the regiments were originally founded as dragoons and mounted infantry. They typically rode to the action scene before dismounting to fight on foot. They quickly realised, however, that they could fight more efficiently on horseback. Due to this, they rapidly progressed towards light cavalry or hussars. Their purpose, therefore, evolved from reconnaissance and scouting into a central role within the action. 


 

The Battle Of Moodkee 18th December 1845, c.1890 (Oil on canvas), Ernest Crofts, (1847-1911) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
The Battle Of Moodkee 18th December 1845, c.1890 (Oil on canvas), Ernest Crofts, (1847-1911) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images

 

This military collection additionally documents the shift away from horses towards tanks. This predominantly took place just before the outbreak of World War Two. With the emergence of the first armoured vehicles, the horses were no longer central to combat. The museum offers a deeper understanding of this transition, acknowledging both the positives and the negatives of such a significant shift. Charles Johnson Payne’s (1884 – 1967) watercolour and pen painting ‘Forrard, Forrard, Forrard’ (c. 1942) illustrates this development. Here, Payne depicts a scene in which the tank commander and 8th Hussar officer, wearing the unique Tent Hat still worn by the current Regiment’s officers, announces the advance with a hunting horn. This image conveys the ability of the Hussars to adapt their tactics and training throughout time quickly. 

 

Forrard, Forrard, Forrard, 1942 (Watercolour and pen on paper), Charles Johnson Payne, ("Snaffles") (1884-1967) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
Forrard, Forrard, Forrard, 1942 (Watercolour and pen on paper), Charles Johnson Payne, ("Snaffles") (1884-1967) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images

 

In 1895, Sir Winston Churchill joined the 4th Hussars. He later became Regimental Colonel between 1941 and 1965. The Museum of the Queen’s Royal Hussars illuminates Churchill’s experience as a fighting soldier in India, Sudan and South Africa. Through an exploration of this interesting period of time, the collection examines his close connections to the Regiment which he maintained throughout his lifetime. The Regiment is nicknamed ‘Churchill’s Own’, signalling his prominent role. Frank Owen Salisbury’s (1874 – 1962) oil painting of Churchill (c. 1945) captures this time, drawing particular attention to his medal ribbons. 

 

Colonel Sir Winston Churchill, c.1945 (Oil on canvas), Frank Owen Salisbury,  (1874-1962) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
Colonel Sir Winston Churchill, c.1945 (Oil on canvas), Frank Owen Salisbury,  (1874-1962) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images


 

The art collection housed in the Messes and at the Museum of the Queen’s Royal Hussars also features several royal portraits, such as this beautiful rendition of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret (c. 1957) by British painter Denis Quinton Fildes (1889 – 1974). The collection additionally includes portraits of His Royal Highness Prince Philip and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. 

 

Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, c.1957 (Oil on canvas), Denis Quinton Fildes, (1889-1975) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images
Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, c.1957 (Oil on canvas), Denis Quinton Fildes, (1889-1975) / The Queen's Royal Hussars, Tidworth, England / © The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity / Bridgeman Images


 

This historical collection is a brilliant addition to the Bridgeman Images collection, documenting centuries of military history through oil and watercolour paintings. The artworks housed in the Messes (which are not open to the public) and at the Museum of the Queen’s Royal Hussars depict not only the courage and sacrifice of the Hussars during battle but also their creative expression. 

 

View all images available in our archive from The Queen's Royal Hussars Regimental Charity collections.



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