20th Hussars

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The 20th Hussars were a regular cavalry regiment in the British Army. In 1922 they were amalgamated with the 14th Hussars to comprise the 14th/20th Hussars, later the 14th/20th King's Hussars.

Contents

[edit] History of the 20th Hussars

The last adaptation of the 20th Hussars was formed at Muttra, Bengal, by volunteers from the Honourable East India Company's 2nd Bengal European Light Cavalry. Three regiments had previously borne the numerical title, and the honours borne are those won by the third of these regiments, and the present 20th Hussars. The regiment referred to was raised in 1791, and served in Jamaica during the Maroon War, 1795-6. It subsequently performed much varied and gallant service. Part of it was present at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806 and was subsequently employed in South America at Montevideo and Buenos Aires. A portion of the regiment also took part in the descent on Calabria, and was present at the battle of Maids. It went to Portugal in 1808, and was much distinguished at Vimiera, where its conduct elicited the warmest praise from Sir Arthur Wellesley. It was also at the capture of Genoa in 1814. Disbanded in 1818 and revived in the present 20th Hussars in 1861. It was present in the Eusocf zie Campaign, 1863, and the Hazara Campaign, 1867. Part of the regiment served in the Nile Campaign, 1884-5, in the Suakin Expedition, 1885, and subsequently did good service with the Egyptian Frontier Force in 1885-6. During the South African War it served in the guerilla warfare of the latter part of the campaign.

[edit] First World War

In August of 1914 the 20th Hussars formed part of the British cavalry that covered the gap between the British Expeditionary Force and the French 5th Army. The regiment became involved in actions that were typical of the role played by cavalry in the great war, the retreat from Mons, the battles of Marne and Aisne and the first battle of Ypres all saw the regiment involved and infantry fighting from the trenches followed in the Messines area. A battle at Bourlon Wood was complemented with 5 officers and 218 other ranks from the 20th and the regiment saw more dismounted action at Gouzeaucourt in 1917. Foot actions to stem the enemy advance followed the German spring offensive of 1918. A return to horses saw the regiment in support of infantry actions as the allied tide turned and the Germans started the return to Germany.

[edit] After the war and amalgamation

After the occupation the regiment returned to England for a short while before moving on to Egypt in 1919.

A nationalist uprising in Turkey caused the allies to send troops to Constantinople, now Istanbul, and the 20th Hussars found themselves on the Izmit peninsula in 1920 as part of General Ironside's command. The regiment charged Turkish positions near the village of Gebze and successfully routed the enemy. Although mounted action did take place in Syria during World War II, this was probably the last regimental charge ever made by British cavalry.

The 20th were relieved by 3rd Hussars in October 1920 and knowing that amalgamation loomed transferred some 225 men to the 3rd. Another 118 men transferred to the 11th Hussars before the remainder of the regiment returned to England to amalgamate with the 14th Hussars.

[edit] Regiment titles throughout history

  • 1759 – 20th Inniskilling Light Dragoons
  • 1765 – disbanded
  • 1778 – 20th Light Dragoons
  • 1783 – disbanded
  • 1791 – 20th Jamaica Light Dragoons
  • 1802 – redesignated as 20th Light Dragoons
  • 1819 – disbanded
  • 1858 – 2nd Bengal European Light Cavalry (East India Company)
  • 1861 – 20th Hussars
  • 1922 – amalgamated with 14th King's Hussars to form 14th/20th Hussars

[edit] Locations based at before the Great War

[edit] Other notes

  • The Museum of the 20th Hussars is the 14th/20th King's Hussars Museum Collection, Lancashire County and Regimental Museum, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom (Army Museums Ogilby Trust).
  • The nickname of the 20th Hussars is “Nobody’s Own”.
  • The cap badge of the 20th Hussars is formed of an XHX with a crown above the centre H.
  • The 20th Hussars are often referred to as the XXth Hussars.
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