EIGHTH HUSSARS.
The Regiment was raised in Ireland from among the loyal Protestants who had fought at the battle of the Boyne, &c.
It received its title, crest, and motto in 1777 as a mark of Royal approbation of its conduct.
It bears the “Harp and Crown” with the motto “Pristinæ virtutis memores.”
It and the 76th Foot captured forty-four stand of Colours and seventy-two guns at the battle of Leswarree.
It was permitted to wear the sword belt over the right shoulder for its gallantry at the battle of Saragossa, where it took the belts of the Spanish Cavalry. This was confirmed by the King’s Regulations of 1768, which caused it to be commonly known as “the Cross Belts.”
It was known as “St. George’s” from its Colonel’s name 1740–1755.