Original British Pre-WWI 21st Lancers (Empress of India’s) Officers Uniform Jacket Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The 21st Lancers (Empress of India’s) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1858 and amalgamated with the 17th Lancers in 1922 to form the 17th/21st Lancers. Perhaps its most famous engagement was the Battle of Omdurman, where Winston Churchill (then an officer of the 4th Hussars), rode with the unit.

Mahdist War
In 1898 the regiment served in Sudan during the Mahdist War, as the only British cavalry unit involved. It was there that the full regiment charged with lances in the classic cavalry style during the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898. Of less than 400 men involved in the charge 70 were killed and wounded and the regiment won three Victoria Crosses. These three were Private Thomas Byrne, Lieutenant Raymond de Montmorency[4] and Captain Paul Kenna. This spectacular encounter earned considerable public attention and praise for the regiment, though it was also criticized as a costly and unnecessary anachronism – since the 2,000 Dervish spearmen dispersed by the 21st Lancers could have been destroyed by rifle fire with few if any British losses. Winston Churchill (then an officer of the 4th Hussars), rode with the unit.

“Omdurman” was the regiment’s only battle honour, giving rise to the satirical regimental motto of “thou shalt not kill.” That same year, the regiment was given the title 21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers, taking the name from Queen Victoria who was the Empress of India.

Service in Ireland and India
The regiment was moved to Dublin in 1899, and served in Ireland for several years. In 1912 it was again posted to India. The 21st Lancers did not see service on the Western Front during the First World War, being the only regular cavalry regiment of the British Army to spend the duration of the war in India. The regiment did however see action on the North-West Frontier during 1915–16, with one trooper, Charles Hull, receiving the Victoria Cross. A single squadron made up of reservists served in France in 1916–17, attached to XIV Corps.

This is a wool parade uniform tunic for an officer in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India’s), dating from between 1902 through WWI. It is offered in very good condition and features XXI Kings crown buttons and a clean internal lining.

Approximate measurements:
Collar to Shoulder: “9
Shoulder to Sleeve: “23.5
Shoulder to Shoulder: “17
Chest width:”17
Waist width:”17
Hip width:”17
Front length:”21