This guidon was made for the Hungerford Troop, a volunteer cavalry regiment raised during the Napoleonic Wars to fight off a possible French invasion. The guidon was presented to Mrs Willes of Hungerford Park and was made by one of her relatives. She was the wife of Captain George Willes, who would go on to become the commanding officer of the Royal Berkshire Yeomanry.
Guidons are small flags that are carried by cavalry regiments. Similar to larger flags called ‘colours’ carried by infantry regiments, guidons are a very important part of a cavalry regiment’s identity, and tradition, and are highly valued by the members of the regiment.
