the blues were at windsor when war was declared on 3 september 1939. that month, the life guards and royal horse guards formed the household cavalry composite regiment and the household cavalry training regiment. king george vi was instinctively biased for the favour of the household cavalry expressing a wish to see both regiments involved in battle and doing ceremonial duties. from 30 september 1939 the king inspected the composites and then each unit in turn. remounts depots were established to keep the regiments on horseback, but the composite was short of horses. but it became clear from advice received from bernard montgomery that remounts would soon have to be abandoned. the household cavalry composite regiment served with the 4th cavalry brigade and joined the 1st cavalry division when it was formed on 31 october 1939.