Bousbecque 18 May 1794
The 8th Light Dragoons were part of the initial expeditionary force sent to the continent to fight as an ally of the Hanoverians and the Austrians against the French Revolutionary armies of Napoleon.
The 8th Light Dragoons arrived at Ostend from Bristol in late April 1794.
The French had fled back to Bousbecque, leaving their artillery behind, setting fire to the village of Viscourt as they did so.
A squadron of the 8th Light Dragoons and one of the Hessen-Darmstadt Chevauxlegers pursued Vandammes Gardes Nationale to the streets of Bousbecque. Vandamme himself admired their valour:
“At Bousbec the 8th Regiment of English Dragoons charged the infantry with the greatest impetuosity and broke up the battalions. They continued to charge with great temerity … They created havoc in the park near the village. The whole of the wagons, supply vehicles and artillery fled in disorder along the Lille Road”.
The casualties were staggering: out of 200 engaged, 184 were killed, wounded or captured, the survivors being Colonel Hart, a Cornet and fourteen men. This battle is sometimes referred to as Rousbeck.
After being directed by King George III to wear buff accoutrements as an honour, the regiment returned to England in November 1795.
