Right of the Line

[Bombardier]

The Royal Horse Artillery was regarded as an extension of the cavalry and given precedence accordingly. In the first edition of King's Regulations following its formation in 1793, the RHA was placed between the Household Cavalry and the cavalry of the line, with a note that '... on parades the Horse Artillery whether mounted or dismounted take the right of all other cavalry.' However, in 1857 the Commander-in-Chief submitted that '... as in the year 1756 precedence was given to the Royal Artillery before all infantry, including the regiments of the foot guards and dismounted cavalry, it would be consistent that the RHA should take precedence over all cavalry, including the Household Cavalry.' Her Majesty Queen Victoria approved, and in Queen's Regulations for that year the RHA was moved to the top of the precedence table. But ten years later another dispute occurred, this time between the RHA and the Household Cavalry, over their relative positions on a church parade at Windsor. As a result, the Commander-in-Chief recommended that, as was formerly the case, the Household Cavalry, as part of the bodyguard of the Sovereign, take precedence over all other corps, '... but that the Royal Horse Artillery when on parade with their guns take the right and march past at the head of the Household Cavalry...' The Queen approved, and ever since the RHA have taken post in their original position between the Household Cavalry and the cavalry of the line, but take the right of the Household Cavalry when on parade with their guns.

(Y)