17th lancers

The 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, most famous for its participation in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War.In 1759 Colonel John Hale of the 47th Foot was ordered home by General James Wolfe just prior to the General's death, with the final dispatches and news of Wolfe's victory in the Battle of Quebec. For bringing news of the victory, Hale was rewarded with land in Canada and permission to raise a regiment of light dragoons. The new regiment was known as the 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons and was also known as Hale's Light Horse after its founder. The admiration of his men for General Wolfe was evident in the cap badge Colonel Hale chose for the regiment: the Death's Head with the motto "Or Glory".It later became the 17th.

The Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army,  had been impressed by the Polish Lancers participation in the Battle of Waterloo on the French side. From then on the 17th also adopted their own version of Polish Uhlan cavalry dress most notably the czapka style headdress.

 In 1826 Lord Bingham (later Lord Lucan of Crimean War infamy) became the regiment's new commander when he bought a Lieutenant-Colonelcy commission. He was such a stickler for the immaculate appearance of the soldiers that the regiment became known as Bingham's Dandies. As lancers the 17th retained the white facings that had distinguished the regiment as light dragoons.