Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry unlike the other Yeomanry regiments was only formed in 1813 when the threat of a French invasion was almost over. They served as part of the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War and formed three regiments for service during World War I.

Boer War

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry provided troops for the 9th Battalion imperial Yeomanry and formed the following companies:

• 31st (Montgomeryshire) Company, raised 1900.
• 49th (Montgomeryshire) Company, raised 1900.
• 88th (Welsh Yeomanry) Company, raised 1901,sponsored by the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry
• 89th (Montgomeryshire) Company, raised 1901.^[1]

World War I

In accordance with the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 (7 Edw.7, c.9) which brought the Territorial Force into being, the TF was intended to be a home defence force for service during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside the country. However, on the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914, many members volunteered for Imperial Service. Therefore, TF units were split in August and September 1914 into 1st Line (liable for overseas service) and 2nd Line (home service for those unable or unwilling to serve overseas) units. Later, a 3rd Line was formed to act as a reserve, providing trained replacements for the 1st and 2nd Line regiments.^[3]

1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

The 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was mobilised on 4 August 1914 as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade on the outbreak of the First World War. The brigade was assembled at Hereford and moved to East Anglia by the end of August 1914. It joined the 1st Mounted Division in August 1914,^[4] replacing 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade^[5] which moved to 2nd Mounted Division.^[6] In November 1915, the brigade was dismounted. It was replaced in 1st Mounted Division by 2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade when it departed for Egypt.^[5]

With the brigade, the regiment was posted to Egypt in March 1916. On 20 March, South Wales Mounted Brigade was absorbed into the 4th Dismounted Brigade^[7] (along with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade^[7]). In March 1917 they were re-roled as infantry and together with the Welsh Horse were converted into the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. They joined 231st Brigade in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division.^[8] In May 1918, the Division moved to France, and the battalion saw action on the Western Front.^[3]

2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

The 2/1st Montgomeryshie Yeomanry was formed in September 1914, and attached to the 2/1st South Wales Mounted Brigade.^[3] They were converted to a cyclist unit in October 1916. They remained in the United Kingdom and were disbanded at the end of the war.^[3]

3/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

The 3/1st Montgomeyshire Yeomanry was formed in 1915. They also remained in the United Kingdom until they were disbanded in early in 1917.^[3]

Notable commanders

• 1905–1917: Colonel R. W. H. W. Williams-Wynn^[9]

References

Bibliography

• Becke, Major A.F. (1936). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2A. The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56). London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-12-4. 
• Becke, Major A.F. (1937). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2B. The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th) with The Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-00-0. 
• James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.