The guidon presented by HM Queen Elizabeth as Colonel‑in‑Chief to the Royal Scots Greys on 5 July 1956 was the first cavalry guidon to emblazon battle honours for the Second World War. The reverse side of the guidon carries ten honours for the First World War and ten for the Second World War. The latter honours are:
MERJAYUN (Syria 1941)
ALAM EL HALFA
EL ALAMEIN
NOFILIA
SALERNO
HILL 112 (Normandy)
FALAISE
HOCHWALD
THE ALLER
BREMEN
In the centre of the guidon is a green circlet inscribed with the motto NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT, containing the Scottish thistle and surmounted by the new Queen’s crown. This central device is surrounded by a Union wreath and has the motto SECOND TO NONE on a tri‑part scroll at the base. Beneath this is the badge of the prized Eagle of the 45th French Infantry Regiment. The corners of the guidon on both sides display either the White Horse of Hanover or the letters II D (2nd Dragoons) on a blue background.
The illustration comes from the Bulletin of the Military Historical Society, no. 26, November 1956. The commanding officer of the Greys, Lieutenant‑Colonel M. G. Borwick, provided the colour blocks from the presentation programme. The old guidon was marched off, carried by three senior NCOs of the regiment. It had been presented to the Greys in 1906 by the Duke of Connaught, and from 5 July 1956 was hung over the regiment’s shrine in the Scottish War Memorial.
