logo
  • About us
    • History
    • Resources
    • Privacy Policy
    • Coronavirus
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Musical Ride
  • Contact us
  • Blog
MENU
  • Collection & Research
      • Archive
      • LMMN
      • Samuel Godley
      • Regimental History
      • Regimental Memorial
  • Visits & Bookings
      • Group bookings
      • Special Interest
      • International visitors
      • Virtual visit
  • Education & Outreach
      • Families
      • Schools
      • What’s on
      • Samuel Godley
      • Soldiers and Suffragettes
  • Private Hire & Events
      • Private Events
      • Director’s Tours
        • Special Interest
      • Trusted Suppliers
  • Gallery
  • sneakerDa
  • sneakerDb
  • sneakerDc
  • sneakerDd
  • sneakerDe
  • sneakerDf
  • sneakerDg
  • sneakerDh
  • sneakerDi
  • sneakerDj
  • sneakerDk
  • sneakerDl
  • sneakerDm
  • sneakerDn
  • sneakerDo
  • sneakerDp
  • sneakerDq
  • sneakerDr
  • sneakerDs
  • sneakerDt
  • sneakerDu
  • sneakerDv
  • sneakerDw
  • sneakerDx
  • sneakerDy
  • Find out more

  • Visit the Shop

  • Open daily

In Memoriam

Today is a rather sombre memory for the Household Cavalry. On this day 35 years ago, four members of the Regiment and seven horses lost their lives when the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a car bomb at 10:40am in Hyde Park. The Blues and Royals, riding down from Knightsbridge Barracks to perform the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade, were caught in the ensuing explosion.

The blast was one of two attacks that day in London (a second bomb blast at 12:55pm in Regent's Park claimed the lives of seven members of the Royal Green Jackets).

Four members of the Blues and Royals (Lieutenant Anthony Daly, Corporal Major Roy Bright, Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young and Trooper Simon Tipper) were killed, while seven of the Regiment's horses (Cedric, Epaulette, Falcon, Rochester, Waterford, Yeastvite and Zara) either died in the blast or were put down due to the severity of their injuries.

The Museum has in its collection several items connected to this tragic event, including the helmet worn by Trooper Simon Tipper on that day, a letter of condolence from the Queen Mother to the commander of the regiment at the time, as well as the hoof and damaged bridle of cavalry horse Sefton.

Sefton's wounds from the bomb blast were so severe, it was believed he would not survive. He endured 8 hours of surgery, a record in veterinary terms at that time, treating over 34 injuries, all of them potentially life threatening. After the surgery he was given a 50/50 chance of survival, but he made an amazing recovery that turned him into a national symbol of defiance. He returned to active duty with the Regiment, being awarded Horse of the Year that October.

Sefton retired from active service on 29th August 1984 and lived out the remainder of his life at a rest home for horses in Buckinghamshire. He died at the age of 30 from health complications believed to be related to the injuries he sustained in the bombing.

Remembrance

Helmet of Trooper Simon Tipper of the Blues and Royals, who died 20th July 1982 in an IRA car bombing.

  • events

    Coming soon

    Next event coming up

    There are no upcoming events at this time.

  • events

    book your

    Tickets here

    Open to the public 7 days a week, there’s always something to see at the museum.

Private Hire & Events

With its splendid setting on Horse Guards Parade in the very heart of ceremonial London, the museum not only celebrates the history and work of HM The Queen’s bodyguard, the Household Cavalry, the highest rank in the British Army, but also offers itself as a wonderful and unique setting for a private use.

Recent Posts

  • Tales of the Household Cavalry
  • World Horse Appreciation Day
  • Household Cavalry Museum video series
  • Regimental Historian YouTube channel
  • VE Day 75

Recent Comments

  • AffiliateLabz on CastleTrek Challenge raises £20,000 for charities
  • ExoRank.com on CastleTrek Challenge raises £20,000 for charities
  • uberdl.fun on Colonel Frederick Burnaby
  • 'The snowy carpet reflected like a camera the wonderful panorama' - India Today NewsIndia Today News on Colonel Frederick Burnaby

Archives

  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • August 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016

Categories

  • Battle
  • Blog stories
  • Ceremony
  • Challenge
  • Event
  • Guards
  • Her Majesty
  • Horses
  • interview
  • Podcast
  • Remembrance
  • Royal Family
  • Soldiers
  • Uncategorized
  • video series

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
Follow us on: facebook twitter instagram

Main Links

  • Archive
  • LMMN
  • Samuel Godley
  • Regimental History
  • Regimental Memorial
  • Collection & Research
  • Visits & Bookings
  • Education & Outreach
  • Private Hire & Events
  • Gallery

Contact Details

The Household Cavalry Museum

Horse Guards

Whitehall

London SW 1A 2AX


museum@householdcavalry.co.uk

General enquiries: 020 7930 3070

Newsletter Signup






Web Design Hertfordshire - Go Agency