| Royal Gloucestershire Hussars | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1795-present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Armoured Corps |
| Role | Armour Replacement |
| Part of | Royal Wessex Yeomanry |
| Motto | Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense |
| Colors | Beaufort Blue, Buff and Crimson |
| March | Quick: D'ye ken John Peel? |
| Anniversaries | Katia Day - 23 April 1916, Bir El Gubi - 19 November 1941 |
| Engagements | See Guidon |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Capt MG Lloyd-Baker, Lt Col NA Birley DSO, Lt Col Anthony Kershaw MC |
The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (RGH) was a unit of the British Army.
Raised in 1795 following William Pitt's 1794 order to raise volunteer bodies of men to defend Great Britain, through various re-organisations, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars remain today on the establishment of the Territorial Army as C (RGH) Sqn Royal Wessex Yeomanry. Their main function is to provide Tank Replacement Crew for the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. They also train in a forward reconnaissance role on the Land Rover Defender. They continue to have strong ties with the King's Royal Hussars.
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In 1795 Captain Powell Snell raised the First Troop of Gloucestershire Gentleman and Yeomanry at the Plough Inn in Cheltenham. By 1797, troops had been raised at Minchinhampton, Wotton Under Edge, Stow on the Wold, Henbury, Bristol, and Gloucester. In 1798 Stroud had also raised a troop. Following the 1802 Peace of Amiens, all except the Cheltenham Troop under Major Snell were disbanded.
Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, all Yeomanry Troops were disbanded, either voluntarily or by order, in 1827. In 1830, responding to unrest amongst agricultural workers, Yeomanry Troops were raised again. The First Troop was established by Mr Codrington of Dodington Park, quickly followed by troops from Fairford, Cirencester, Stroud, Tetbury, Gloucester, and Bristol. In 1834 the captains of all Gloucestershire troops met in Petty France and combined to form one regiment, known as the Gloucestershire Yeomanry Cavalry. The Marquis of Worcester was appointed as the first Commanding Officer and the band was established.
In 1900 123 members of the RGH under Capt WH Playne left for Cape Town, forming C Coy 1 Bn Imperial Yeomanry.
On 15 April 1915 the RGH sailed to Egypt on board the SS Minneapolis, disembarking in Alexandria on 24 April, and making camp at Chatby Beach. On 11 August, the RGH received orders to embark for Gallipoli, less four officers and 100 other ranks who remained to tend the horses. They dis-embarked at Suvla Bay and were brigaded in 1st South Midland Brigade as part of the British 2nd Mounted Division. On return to Egypt, they took part in many of the battles that formed the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, primarily as part of the Imperial Mounted Division. As part of the Imperial Mounted Division, the RGH would have been present at the Battle of Beersheba.
During The Great War the RGH were placed under command of the following formations:
During the Second World War three lines of RGH existed.
In keeping with many Territorial Army units, the RGH was reduced to a cadre of 3 officers and 4 NCOs between 1969 and 1971.
The RGH forms C (RGH) Sqn Royal Wessex Yeomanry as an Armoured Replacement Squadron. It is also the parent unit of the army section of Pate's Grammar School Combined Cadet Force whose members wear the cap badge of the RGH.
The current Guidon was presented to the RGH by Col the Duke of Beaufort, representing HM The Queen at Badminton House in 27 May 1962.
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Lance Corporals and Corporals in the RGH have slightly different badges of rank compared to other similar units within the British Army. A Lance Corporal has two chevrons and a Corporal has two chevrons topped with a cloth crown. This crown is lost when the Corporal is promoted to Sergeant. In keeping with all armoured and cavalry units, rank is only worn on the right sleeve.
The origin of this arrangement is unclear. Suggestions vary from 'Queen Victoria preferred all NCOs to wear two chevrons minimum' to the practice of Lance Corporals removing the single chevron from the left sleeve of the dolman as this would be covered by the pelisse. As the RGH does not form part of the Household Division and the pelisse was not worn by NCOs from 1882 (and cavalry wear rank on only one arm in the first instance), both these explanations are probably incorrect.