Briton pretends to be playing dumb
As opposed to being
actually dumb like you?
I'm so glad that it's the Queen's Royal Hussars who will be deploying to the Russian borders of Europe. The most senior armoured regiment, it has both Polish and Irish connections so I'm doubly happy :)
Every member of the regiment wears the Syrenka Warszawska, the coat of arms of the City of Warsaw, on the left sleeve of his No. 2 (Service) Dress. This honour was awarded to the 7th Hussars by Anders, in recognition of their valour in support of the Polish forces during the Italian campaign in World War II. Traditionally the original crest presented to the regiment is placed in front of the commanding officer on Regimental Dinner Nights.
The regiment was formed from the Queen's Own Hussars and the Royal Irish Hussars and Ireland is still a recruiting area of the Hussars. The regimental band music consists of many Irish tunes which the Irish contingent brought with them. One of the most important is The Minstrel Boy. I remember learning this song when I was a child and its words, written to represent Ireland's struggle, seem strangely apt at this time:
The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.
"Land of song!" said the warrior-bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell!-but the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said, "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery.