|
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| role = Armoured Cavalry Regiment
| size = [[Regiment]]<br/>527 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|accessdateaccess-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
| command_structure = [[Household Cavalry]]
| current_commander = Lt Colonel Ed Hayward MBE
| garrison = Powle Lines,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 October 2019|title=Army Basing Programme, PAC Information Leaflet – Issue 16 October 2019|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/13170|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 July 2020|website=army.mod.uk}}</ref> [[Bulford Camp]], Wiltshire
| ceremonial_chief = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|HM The Queen]]
| ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel-in-Chief
==History==
The Household Cavalry Regiment was established as part of the [[Options for Change]] defence review in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hcavfoundation.org/about/about-the-household-cavalry/history-of-the-household-cavalry/|title=Regimental History|publisher=Household Cavalry Foundation|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
===Former Yugoslavia===
The House Cavalry Regiment's squadrons served in the [[Yugoslav Wars]] on rotations over a nine-year period. Deployments to the [[Serbia and Montenegro|Former Republic of Yugoslavia]] included tours by A and D Squadrons in 1995<ref>{{cite book|title=Bosnia and Croatia: the conflict continues Research Paper 95/55|first1=Fiona M.|last1=Watson|first2=Tom|last2=Dodd|publisher=[[House of Commons Library]] International Affairs and Defence Section|date=1 May 1995}}</ref> and C Squadron in 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/sfor/sfor-at-work/qrf-grd/t990930d.htm|title=QRF on guard|publisher=[[NATO]] ([[Stabilization Force|SFOR]])|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> and 2003.<ref>{{cite hansard|title=Deployments|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/vo050321/text/50321w14.htm|house=[[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|date=21 March 2005|column=570W}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060028456|title=British Army in Bosnia-Herzegovina, November-December 2003|publisher=Imperial War Museum|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> They were largely based at [[Banja Luka]], headquarters of the [[Multi-National Division (South-West) (Bosnia)|Multi-National Division (South-West)]], for which the [[British Armed Forces]] were responsible. In 1997 two squadrons from the regiment were awarded the [[Wilkinson Sword of Peace]] for their work in "returning the lives of members of the severely damaged community of Banja Luka to conditions approaching normality, in which the seeds of long-standing peace might grow."<ref>{{cite hansard|house=[[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|title=Wilkinson Sword of Peace|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/2000/jan/17/wilkinson-sword-of-peace|date=17 January 2000|column=277W}}</ref>
===Fire Brigades Union strike===
In 2002, Household Cavalry Regiment soldiers crewed fire appliances during the Fire Brigades Union strike.<ref>{{cite news|title = No time for tea for the troops on the front line|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1414136/No-time-for-tea-for-the-troops-on-the-front-line.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date= 24 November 2002|accessdateaccess-date = 1 July 2015}}</ref> In 2003, exceptionally, the regiment was tasked at short notice to provide additional armed security at Heathrow Airport, in response to a specific threat.<ref>{{Cite news|title = In pictures: Army patrols Heathrow|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2749659.stm|newspaper = BBC|date = 11 February 2003|accessdateaccess-date = 1 July 2015}}</ref>
===Iraq===
D Squadron deployed in their function as the Formation Reconnaissance Squadron for [[16 Air Assault Brigade]] during the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-armoured-corps/household-cavalry-regiment.html|title=Household Cavalry Regiment|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> The squadron led the brigade main body into Iraq before conducting a wide range of tasks, including around the Rumalayah oil fields. The squadron was unfortunate to be involved in a friendly-fire incident involving a US [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt]]. Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull was killed in the incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1541944/American-pilot-on-friendly-fire-video-named.html|title=American pilot on 'friendly fire' video named|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=8 February 2007|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> In a separate incident, Lieutenant Alex Tweedie and Lance Corporal Karl Shearer died when the Scimitar over-turned into an irrigation canal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/6295553.stm|title=Soldier died when tank overturned|publisher=BBC|date=24 January 2007|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> The squadron received various decorations for its service: Trooper Chris Finney was awarded the [[George Cross]] for his actions during the A-10 incident,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/oct/31/iraq.military|title=Trooper who saved friend in face of friendly fire awarded George Cross|date=31 October 2003|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> Major Richard Taylor received the [[Distinguished Service Order]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/4081281.stm|title=Iraq war soldiers awarded medals|date=9 December 2004|publisher=BBC|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> Corporal of Horse John Flynn received the [[Conspicuous Gallantry Cross]] for his actions in a battle with Iraqi armour,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57100 |supp=y|page=4|date=21 October 2003}}</ref> and Corporal of Horse Glynn Bell was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for his actions shortly before the end of the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/62e10b2285dcaf96802572ab004b95dd?OpenDocument|title=Operational honoursand awards|date=23 April 2004|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> In April 2004, A and C Squadrons deployed during [[Operation Telic]] 4 and in June 2007, A and C Squadrons again returned to Iraq during Operation Telic 10.<ref name=bau/>
===Afghanistan===
===Recent deployments===
The Household Cavalry Regiment contributed to security at the London Olympic Games in 2012 and flood relief in the local area during 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title = Duke of Cambridge hauls sandbags in flood-hit village while Duchess opens art studio|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-william/10638579/Duke-of-Cambridge-hauls-sandbags-in-flood-hit-village-while-Duchess-opens-art-studio.html|date= 14 February 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|accessdateaccess-date = 1 July 2015}}</ref>
[[File:RAF Chinook Extracting Troops in Afghanistan MOD 45155516.jpg|left|thumb|HCR soldiers move to their exfiltration HLS at the end of a search operation during their deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2013 during Op ''Herrick 18''.]]
The regiment moved from [[Combermere Barracks]] to the new, specialist build barracks, Powle Lines, in [[Bulford Camp]] in May 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 October 2019|title=Army Basing Programme, PAC Information Leaflet – Issue 16 October 2019|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/13170|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 July 2020|website=army.mod.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/news/household-cavalry-parade-marks-departure-for-bulford/|title=Household Cavalry parade marks departure for Bulford|date=18 May 2019|publisher=Military Times|accessdateaccess-date=13 August 2019}}</ref>
== Role ==
=== Armoured Cavalry - successor role to Brigade Reconnaissance Regiment===
In 2014, the Household Cavalry Regiment was re-designated from a Brigade Reconnaissance Regiment to Armoured Cavalry as part of the Army 2020 reforms.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Army 2020 - British Army Website|url = http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/33449.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdateaccess-date = 29 June 2015}}</ref> The Household Cavalry Regiment's task is to provide timely and accurate information and intelligence to the Brigade Commander in order to enable decision-making. To fulfil this function, the Household Cavalry Regiment conducts surveillance and reconnaissance activities, mounted or dismounted, in all weathers by day or night. The regiment's vehicles enable information-gathering to be conducted whilst mobile, at pace, and whilst under fire. The change in designation from Brigade Reconnaissance Regiment to Armoured Cavalry reflects the evolving role of the Household Cavalry Regiment in preparation for [[Ajax (Scout SV)|Scout SV]]. The Household Cavalry Regiment is under the command of [[1st Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|1 Armoured Infantry Brigade]], based at [[Tidworth Camp]] in Wiltshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report_v2.pdf|title=Transforming the British Army - an update|date=July 2013|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
== Equipment ==
[[File:Scout SV Specialist Vehicle MOD 45157765.jpg|thumb|Ajax PMRS Ares variant on display. This variant will replace the Household Cavalry Regiment's Spartan APCs.]]
*Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked): The Household Cavalry Regiment, like the other Armoured Cavalry Regiments, continues to be equipped with the [[Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)]] series of vehicles, first employed in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28072.aspx|title=The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR)|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
*Ajax: In due course, the Household Cavalry Regiment will convert to [[Ajax (Scout SV)]] - the British Army's first new Armoured Fighting Vehicle platform in a generation. Ajax will replace a number of CVR(T) variants, particularly Scimitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/54403/scout-sv-named-ajax-dsei15-d2|title=Scout SV named Ajax|date=16 September 2015|publisher=Janes|accessdateaccess-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
== Commanding Officers ==
|