Breast plate badge, 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, worn by Colonel William Kenyon Mitford, 1888 (c)

This badge would have been mounted on a martingale, a 'Y' shaped leather strap which ran from two points on the front of the saddle to the girth.

The badge bears the motto of the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars 'Pristinae Virtutis Memores', which translates as 'Mindful of our ancient valour'. This cavalry regiment was raised in Ireland in 1693. It went on to serve in many campaigns until 1958, when it was merged into the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars.

William Mitford served with the 8th Hussars during the 2nd Afghan War (1879-1880) and with the 11th Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War (1899-1902). For his service he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and was later appointed one of His Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentleman at Arms.