North Somerset Yeomanry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| North Somerset Yeomanry | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1798 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Yeomanry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Royal Armoured Corps Royal Signals |
The North Somerset Yeomanry was raised in 1798 in Frome , there was a condition that it should not be required to march more than 10 miles from the town, but they were soon disbanded in 1802. The Frome Troop was re-raised in 1803 and united with The East Mendip Corps in 1804 , this new Yeomanry Regiment was designated the North Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry in 1814.
The Yeomanry were a select corps, with members accepted only on the recommendation of one or more serving members and usually paying an entrance fee. Their main employment in the early 19th Century was the suppression of riots, such as among miners in Radstock , in 1817 and among weavers in Fromein 1822.
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[edit] Boer War
During the Boer War they became part of the 7th Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry. The Regiment was renamed Dragoons in 1908, and went to France during World War I in that role.[1]
[edit] World War One
During World War One the Regiment formed three units the 1/1st , 2/1st and the 3/1st.
[edit] 1/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
The 1/1st was formed in 1914, in the city of Bath , and become part of the South Western Mounted Brigade , in October 1914 they were moved to France , and joined the 6th Cavalry Brigade , 3rd Cavalry Division.[2]
Then in March 1918, they left the Division under orders to be converted to a cyclist unit, this was changed to a machine-gun unit, but a hurried decision was taken (during the great German Spring Offensive) to keep the Regiment as a mounted unit, whereupon it became Cavalry Cor$ps Troops. Then in April 1918, the Regiment was broken up, supplying reinforcements to the other units of the 6th Cavalry Brigade in 3rd Cavalry Division.[3]
[edit] 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
The 2/1st was formed in September 1914, and remained in the United Kingdom , until early 1918 when moved to Ireland and converted into a cyclist unit in July 1918.[4]
[edit] 3/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
The 3/1st was formed in 1915 and remained in United Kingdom until absorbed into 6th Reserve Cavalary Regiment in early 1917.[5]
[edit] World War Two
During World War II, the Regiment were first employed in the Far East , then fought in Syria , and in 1943 were converted to the Royal Corps of Signals unit. As Air Formation Signals they served in the Western Desert , Sicily , Italy , and North West Europe.
[edit] Post War
After the War the Regiment became the Armoured Regiment of 16th Airborne Division and joined with the 44th Royal Tank Regiment to become The North Somerset and Bristol Yeomanry in 1956, and in 1967 merged with The Somerset Light Infantry (TA) to form The Somerset Yeomanry and Light Infantry.
[edit] The Somerset Yeomanry and Light Infantry
Although the Regular battalions of the Somerset LI and the Duke of Cornwall's LI merged to become the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry in 1959, the Territorial battalions kept their county names. In 1967 these Territorial battalions and the Yeomanry merged to form The Somerset Yeomanry and Light Infantry.
In 1969, when the complete disbandment of the Territorial Army was being considered, it was reduced to a cadre of eight men, as was the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (TA).[6]
[edit] 3 (Skinners) Signal Regiment (Volunteers)
The North Somerset Yeomanry was reformed as the Headquarters Squadron of 39 (Skinners) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) together with.
- Headquarters Squadron (North Somerset Yeomanry), [Bristol]
- 5 (Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) , [Banbury]
- 47 (Middlesex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) , [Uxbridge]
- 57 (City and County of Bristol) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) , [Bristol]
