Regimental Mascots

6th Inniskilling Dragoons

This was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, first raised in 1689. In 1922 it was amalgamated into the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. They were known as the 'Skins' and were arguably one of the most famous cavalry regiments of all time.

During the "Defence of Enniskillen" (1689) in the Williamite War in Ireland the Governor of the town, Gustav Hamilton, raised three regiments to fight on the side of William of Orange. One of those was the regiment of dragoons which would later become known as the "Inniskilling Dragoons".

 Enniskillen castle
 Enniskillen castle where the regiments were raised in the Williamite War. Inniskilling was the original name of the town - a gaelic word meaning the 'Island of Kathleen' - but the name has been changed many times since until settling on the present name of Enniskillen.
 Dragoons helmet
 The Inniskilling Dragoon's helmet
 Inniskilling Dragoon's badge
 The Inniskilling Dragoon's badge
photo at Shornecliffe Camp 

A photograph of 22 officers of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, taken in 1894 outside the Officer's Mess at Shornecliffe Camp in England. Nineteen of the officers are dressed in frock coats with stable dress caps, while one is in Stable Dress. Another is in full dress complete with Dragoon Helmet and White Plume, and the last, tucked away in the back appears to be from another regiment or corps. In addition there are four dogs - an Irish wolfhound, a Jack Russell terrier, another terrier being held in the second row, and a small dog - possibly a Yorkshire Terrier - curled up at the right of the photo.

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