Royal Devon Yeomanry

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The Royal Devon yeomanry was a Yeomanry regiment of the British Army, first raised in 1794, and now forms a squadron of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.

[edit] History

One of Devon's oldest regiments, the Royal Devon Yeomanry was formed in 1794, and was raised by Sir Stafford Northcot Bt. of Pynes, Exeter on the 15 May that year and was first called out for service on 13 April 1795 in aid of the civil power to put down a riot at Crediton, which had been caused by the high price of bread. At this time the regiment was known as the First Troop of Devon Volunteer Cavalry and was later to become the Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry Cavalry in 1801, commanded by Col the Lord Rolle.

Between the years 1815 and 1850 the regiment was used many times in the internal security role; the last time being on 4 November 1867. The regiment remained in this form until 1920 when it was amalgamated with the Royal North Devon Hussars to become the Royal Devon Yeomanry Artillery.

During the period up to 1920 a detachment served in South Africa from 1900 to 1902 and during the First World War saw service in Gallipoli and Egypt between 1915 and 1916; it later served in Palestine until May 1918 and in France from 7 May to 11 November 1918. As a result of the reorganisation of the Yeomanry in 1920 and the formation of the Territorial Army the new regiment was armed with 18-pounder guns.

At the outbreak of the Second World War the regiment was divided to form the 96 Regt and the 142 Regt RA; the latter fought in Italy, taking part in most of the major actions of that campaign including the landings in Sicily and Anzio and the battle for Monte Cassino. Throughout the campaign the regiment was armed with self-propelled guns. For its support to the Canadian Division it was awarded the right to wear the Maple Leaf of Canada. The 96 Regt fought in the Far East where it was disbanded in 1943.

The regiment survived until 1967 when it was amalgamated with the 4th Devon's to become the Devonshire Territorials (Royal Devon Yeomanry/ First Rifle Volunteers) RAC; however this ill-fated regiment was destined to last only two years and throughout that time was kept very short of equipment and training time. This regiment was disbanded in 1969 due to yet another major reorganisation of the Territorial regiments as a result of government policy.

With a change of government policy, in 1971 the Territorials were again reformed, and on 1 April a new regiment was born incorporating three old and distinguished cavalry regiments. "A" and "C" Squadrons were formed from the Royal Gloucester Hussars, "B" Squadron from the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, and "D" Squadron from the old Royal Devon Yeomanry. The regiment is called the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.

On 8 July 1998 the Strategic Defence Review was announced, however at that point little detail was known. On 16 November 1998 as more detail was announced, the Royal Devon Yeomanry along with B (RWY) Squadron was seen to be safe under SDR.

There were of course changes to the November 98 plans and as a result the Royal Wessex Yeomanry now consist of:

The Royal Devon Yeomanry Museum is incorporated in the North Devon Museum, The Square Barnstaple.

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