Jordan King Visits Armoured Regt at Hissar

New Delhi, Dec 2: Taking time off from his busy schedule comprising political meetings, visiting Jordan King Abdullah II Al-Hussein today inspected an Indian armoured regiment -- the 1 Horse (Skinners Horse) -- at Hissar.

Accompanied by Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju, the visiting dignitary witnessed a tactical action by tanks and other training activities of the armoured regiment.

The Jordan King is the Honorary Colonel-in-Chief of the Light Dragoons, a British Cavalry Regiment which is affiliated with the 'Skinners Horse'.

The King and Minister Raju were received by Maj Gen Ashok Sheoran, General Officer Commanding, and later accorded a guard of honour by the 'Skinners Horse'.

The 'Skinners Horse' regiment was raised in 1803 at Hansi in Hissar. In 1939, it was mechanised as a Motor Cavalry Regiment at Rawalpindi. With India becoming a republic, the regiment got its present name Skinners Horse (1 Horse).

This regiment has participated in various actions in Afghanistan, France, Baluchistan, Sudan and Italy.

Post-independence, the regiment has been awarded theatre honour of Punjab and battle honour Harar Kalan -- the regiment has a total of 19 battle honours.

The two regiments Skinners Horse and the Light Dragoons have been associated for over a hundred years. The Light Dragoons were formed consequent to the amalgamation of two Regiments -- 13th/18th Hussars and 15th/19th Hussars. The Skinners Horse regiment took part in the Boxer Rebellion action at Pekin in 1900 alongwith The Royal Hussars.

During World War I, Skinners Horse -- as part of the 2nd Indian cavalry division in France and Flanders -- fought alongside The Royal Hussars.

The bond of friendship that had developed in the trenches of Flanders in 1915 has been kept alive and the two regiments have been formally affiliated since 1964. This alliance is in the nature of exchange of publications and liaison visits. As such, the regiment continues to be affiliated with the Light Dragoons.

UNI