Page 59 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

Building from this, the BHS Scotland invited the SCOTS DG mounted troop to play a central role in the opening of their new HQ in Scotland in front of their patron, Princess Anne. Capt R. Houstoun took the lead, followed up by Capt Chart, Cpl McLean and LCpl Byham: all resplendent in Scarlet Tunics and on Debbie’s immaculate grey horses. The horses were so well behaved, the Princess Royal assumed that Tower’s horses were military, and suggested that “we could do with these down in London”.
2022 saw a very exciting and unique opportunity for the equine enthusiasts of the Regiment: Home Headquarters were contacted by a gentleman called Mr Mike Malone, a businessman of great repute in the south, but more applicably, a coach-driving enthusiast. Mr Malone owns a number of coaches, importantly, a coach hitherto owned by the Royal Scots Greys. Historically, every Regiment would have had numerous carts and carriages fulfilling the roles now taken by SVs, TCVs, BFAs, rally cars and staff cars. The carriage that Mr Malone now owns was built by J&W Croall of Edinburgh (who were also the Royal Warrant holder to the Palace of Hollyrood) in roughly 1870 and was most likely used by the Greys until WW1. Overseas postings seem to be the reason for the carriage being sold rather than a move towards horseless carriages:
the previous owner of the coach, Mr Colin Henderson, has some historic correspondence with Major General Ramsay (dated 1994), however, the precise history of the coach is somewhat unclear: coaching club records show that the vehicle was driven by Captain Wallace at Alexandra Palace in 1875, and was in regular use until the turn of the century. Under his stewardship, the coach appeared in a number of films (notably, the BBC adaptations of Charles Dickens, and Oliver Twist) and also multiple times at the Lord Mayors Parade in London. The Mess caricature that hangs in the bar is of an earlier carriage and shows the Mess just before their departure to Crimea.
Subsequently, a very generous offer was made by Mr Malone: inviting two Officers and guests to join him on the Coach (or “drag”, a regency term for this form of transport) at Windsor Horse Show. An incredible and unique opportunity, Capts Houstoun and Humphries attended, with their glamourous plus ones. An impeccable host, Mr Malone’s hospitality extended beyond expectation, and soon the SCOTS DG attendees found themselves atop a coach, moving their way through Windsor Great Park with an elegance impossible to match by any other means. Her Majesty was in residence, and access given to elements of Windsor the average citizen could not expect to
The Princess Royal and Duke sharing a laugh at Major Champion’s jokes
EAGLE AND CARBINE 57