Old and New Standards 1906

The old Standard, on the left, was received by the 7th Dragoon Guards at Ambala in India, in 1888. This was now the only Standard carried in the regiment. Officially the squadron Standards had been discontinued in 1858 but it is not clear whether the 7th observed that order. The crimson Ambala Standard differed in that it had battle honours displayed, the latest being EGYPT 1882 and TEL-EL-KEBIR. The new Standard, on the right, also of crimson damask, had the King's crown above the central device of a coronet encircled by the title VII PRINCESS ROYAL'S DRAGOON GUARDS. Added to the original 8 battle honours was SOUTH AFRICA 1900-02. Since 1868 the flag-staffs were topped with a gilt Royal crest instead of a spearhead.
The idea of having a new Standard came from Lieut-Colonel C W Thompson who took over command in March 1903 while the 7th were in South Africa. A Board of Officers convened at Ladysmith under General Broadwood, in Sept 1903, and gave approval for a new Standard. The General's recommendation was forwarded to the War Office. Thompson, encouraged by the adoption of the new cap badge, also wrote asking the Colonel of the regiment, Sir Henry Ewart, to petition the King for permission to display Lord Ligonier's crest on the Standard in the two corners that normally showed the regimental title. But the request was blocked by the Adjutant-General who pompously invoked the 1768 Warrant which forbade the use of the regimental Colonel's emblem on the Standards. The regiment returned to the UK in July 1904 and the new Standard was presented to them at Canterbury on 5th April 1906. The presentation was made by the Princess Royal. This Standard was the last one for the 7th DG and was to remain in use until 1958 when the new 4th/7th Dragoon Guards Standard was received.

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