Anyone who has studied the Battle of Arnhem has probably seen the iconic photograph of MajGen R.E. "Roy" Urquhart, CB, DSO, commanding the 1st Airborne Division, standing in the yard of the Hartenstein Hotel (his divisional headquarters), Oosterbeek, Holland, during one of the few momentary lulls in the battle. He is standing beside an embedded 1868 Pattern British Cavalry lance (bamboo haft is discernible), which is flying a maroon pennon incorporating the formation badge of the Airborne Forces. Although an obvious anachronism at Arnhem, the symbolism is appropriate in that the Airborne Forces were lightly armed but elite troops, analogous to the lancer regiments of the British Army. The question arises, who would take the time and effort to carry a cavalry lance (presumably in a glider) into battle in 1944, only in the British Army!
 |
| MGen R.E. Roy Urquhart at 1 AB Div Hqtrs Hotel Hartenstein, Osterbeek Friday 22 September 1944 |
In addition to their continued use by the renowned Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, genuine lances are still carried on ceremonial occasions and limited duties by various units of the British Army. (If you click on any of the images they can be enlarged)
 |
| British Pattern 1868 Lancehead and Foot circa 1936 |
 |
| Wilkinson Sword Co. Ltd etched trademark on lancehead |
 |
| British Cavalry Lance Patterns 1885 and 1868 from LOCs (List of Changes) |
 |
| Standard British Army Lance Pennon |
The following photo (drawing) is not nearly as clear as it should be, but is believed to be an original source document, and hopefully the reader will be able to discern the dimensions (barely). It is specifically for a British 1868 Pattern Cavalry Lance. The width is 9 1/4", length is 29" and the dimension to the swallow-tail is 9 3/4". Am sure there was a certain manufacturing tolerance, if not shrinkage in active service. The LoC (List of Chages) specifies that the pennon material shall be red and white 'shalloon'. Shalloon defined as a lightweight twilled fabric of wool or worsted.
 |
| Pattern for Lance "Flag" (pennon) for British1868 Pattern Cavalry Lance |
Additional information can be found in a new article on this blog. See; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2016/07/19th-and-20th-century-british-cavalry.html
7 comments:
Looking for a drawing of the 1868 Pennon Pattern, if you have this, please send to militarycollector6547@gmail.com
Great information - thanks for posting it.
I have a pattern 1868 lance, minus sling and pennon. Has anyone got a list of markings? I suspect this was on issue to the Light Horse in South Australia. The South Australian Mounted police have quite a number of these lances and used them for tent pegging, also Pat O8 swords.
Cheers
Gordon Hazel
Hello Gordon,
I'm familiar with the manufacturers etched markings, and vaguely recall seeing some regimental markings, but the vast majority of lanceheads I've seen have been unmarked, as have all the feet. Personally have not compiled any listing.There are several web sites of possible interest, however if you found my blog page you probably have found them. But I don't assume anything anymore, so here they are; https://myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=249559
http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=127
http://www.theswordpattern.co.uk/category_s/1837.htm
Hope this is at least of some limited assistance.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory
Hello Erik,
Recognize that you are talking about the pennant and not the pennon. Unfortunately I don't know the dimensions, but have some possible recommendations; knowing the length of the lancehead from the photo, hopefully you can proportion the one dimension of the pennant. It should be in whole inches and identical to a vehicle pennant. Would then search the Internet using search a term similar to; "British Army WWII Vehicle Pennant standard size/dimensions". I've been fairly successful (sometimes surprising so). For openers you might try https://milart.blog/2013/11/02/wwii-and-post-war-canadian-senior-officers-flags-pennants-swallowtails-and-licence-plates/ . Hopefully this has been of some assistance.
Best regards,
Arnhem JIm
Hello Erik,
As a follow-up I was able to find the following image of the actual pennant as currently displayed in a British Military Museum. It's a Very long URL, so be very careful in copying the whole thing, or as an alternative, do your own independent search. The URL is; https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=Gen+Urquart%27s+pennant+at+Arnhem+WWII&client=firefox-b-1-d&fir=rhcZ3vrt-fq13M%252CYuPnCJqzjeKTuM%252C_%253BiQoPeKtowqzutM%252CYuPnCJqzjeKTuM%252C_%253BqJMvSq9pCyMikM%252CzSfwdHZdCYBDjM%252C_%253Burhwf1O8w4Rb_M%252CpaKxm8X_BG7UqM%252C_%253BuS8h6bfeIecP_M%252Ce8llRK21AV-zZM%252C_%253BdOK-P0QN9954DM%252CD-xSSlGracVkyM%252C_%253Bk1q9c3VutHruPM%252CzgVYlgj6EjONWM%252C_%253BE64Dr_lGpCFMZM%252Cya4VCi0sWi6qpM%252C_%253Bt54pSXD9jlphcM%252CiW6nAMMDXZCx_M%252C_%253BUviKLl6C7Ktr_M%252CiW6nAMMDXZCx_M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kR8SLNsA6hMAqFz7hGPWmnEeYMrgQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjF-vjApO_6AhWRHEQIHe5-Br4QjJkEegQIGhAC&biw=2205&bih=1089&dpr=2.22#imgrc=b9XjUPMC0IauAM
Was surprised myself! The Internet is an amazing research tool.
Enjoy, and then you very much for your interest in the Arnhem Jim Blog. Please share with others, I'm not always this lucky.
Arnhem Jim
We have owned for quite a few years what appears to be a point for a British Army 1868 pattern lance. We bought it in France during the nineties. It is clearly very old, with dull but clean surfaces. It also has a rondel stop about two inches from its base, which suggests it may have been used by the Indian Army.
Post a Comment