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The 11th Hussars (Prince Alberts Own)
“ The Cherrypickers”
“ The Cherrypickers”
The history of The 11th Hussars P.A.O. spanned 254 years. Raised by Philip Honywood as Dragoons in 1715, the regiment became known as The 11th Dragoons. then the 11th Light Dragoons in 1783. In April 1840, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg conferred the title, The 11th Prince Albert's Own Hussars after being escorted by the regiment on his journey to be married to Queen Victoria. The Crimson livery is that of Prince Albert’s personal staff.
The Regiment has been in active service in Aden, Afghanistan, Alma, Balaclava The Crimea, Dunkirk, Egypt, Flanders, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Iraq, Ireland, Kuwait, Messines, Malaya, Nery, Normandy, North Africa, Palestine, Peninsular War, Persian Gulf, South Africa The Boer War, Trucial States, Turkey, and Waterloo.
It was at St. Martin de Trebejo in 1811 during the Peninsular War that The Regiment earned the title of "The Cherry pickers" through being surprised by the French in a cherry orchard.
The most famous deed of the 11th Hussars was at the battle of Balaclava in “The charge of the Light Brigade.
On 25th October 1854 Prince Menshikov of Russia launched an assault at Balaclava with 20,000 infantry, 3,500 cavalry and 76 guns.
At 11 am the Light Brigade set off behind Lord Cardigan. The 11th Hussars, Cardigan’s regiment, formed the second line, positioned behind the 17th Lancers.
The Light Brigade had a mile and a quarter to cover to reach the guns. Advancing at a trot the brigade came under fire within a few minutes; shellfire, cannon balls and rifle fire from the flanking Russian forces striking down riders and horses. After five minutes the brigade came within range of the eight guns at the end of the valley. These guns had a much easier target, casualties spiraled causing the regiments to increase their pace until the lines were at the gallop.
Reaching the end of the valley, the Light Brigade plunged into the Russian gun line and slaughtered those of the crews that had not fled. The 11th Hussars passed the battery and attacked the cavalry beyond driving them back and pursuing them as far as the aqueduct. They were in turn pursued for some distance by a force of Russian cavalry and Cossacks.