The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers can trace it's origins back to 1689 when a dragoon regiment known as "Wynne's Regiment of Enniskillen Dragoons" was organized.
A small detachment was sent to serve with the Heavy Camel Corps during the Egyptian Campaign, where they suffered some casualties at Abu Klea. The Regiment provided two squadrons of cavalry for the Gordon Relief Force, along with the 20th hussars and 9th Bengal Cavalry. They saw action at Suakin on the Red Sea, Hasheen and Tamai. During the fighting at Suakin, they charged with lances and routed the opposing Dervishes. The regiment was awarded the battle honour "Suakin 1885" and the two squadrons were awarded the Egyptian Medal with clasps "Suakin 1885" and "Toftek".
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| The Royal Irish Lancers at Suakin, 20th March, 1885 |
I commissioned one troop of the 5th for my Colonial war-games, using Perry figures to which I added bamboo lances from Foundry and GMB lance pennants. They may have to serve in my 2nd Afghan War until I commission the 9th (Queen's Own Royal) Lancers. The Regiment was awarded the Battle Honours: Charasiah, Kabul 1879, Kandahar 1880 and Afghanistan 1878-1880.
