South Nottinghamshire Hussars
| South Nottinghamshire Hussars | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the South Nottinghamshire Hussars | |
| Active | 1798–present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Yeomanry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Royal Artillery |
| Battle honours |
World War II No battle honours were awarded. It is tradition within artillery units that the regiment's guns represent its colours and battle honours.[1] |
The South Nottinghamshire Hussars were a unit of the British Army formed as volunteer cavalry in 1794. Converted to artillery in 1922, it now forms a battery of a Territorial Army regiment.
World War I
During World War I, the regiment consisted of the 1/1st, 2/1st and the 3/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars.[2]
1/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars
The 1st was formed in Nottingham in April 1908 at the creation of the new Territorial Force and became part of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade which was a component of the 1st Mounted Division.[2] It became the 1/1st in 1914 when the TF created its second-line units. The Brigade was transferred to serve with the 2nd Mounted Division, and saw service in the Gallipoli Campaign, In 1916 the Division was broken up and the Brigade was re designated the 7th Mounted Brigade and moved to Salonika in 1917.[2]
They returned to Egypt in June 1917 where they were attached to the Desert Mounted Corps, until April 1918, when they left the Brigade, and were dismounted to form B Battalion, Machine Gun Corps with the Warwickshire Yeomanry.
They left Egypt for France, arriving in June 1918.[2]
2/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars
The 2/1st was formed in September 1914 and converted in July 1916 into a cyclist unit.[2] It remained in Britain throughout the war as part of 2/2nd Mounted Division.
3/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars
The 3/1st was formed in May 1915. They remained in United Kingdom until October 1916, when moved to Ireland. In February 1917 they were absorbed into the 2nd Cavalry Reserve Regiment. [2]
World War II
During World War II the regiment again saw service and consisted of the 107 Royal Horse Artillery (South Notts Hussars Yeomanry) and the 150 Royal Horse Artillery (South Notts Hussars Yeomanry). [3]
107th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Regiment, RHA
The 107 Royal Horse Artillery (South Notts Hussars Yeomanry) consisted of three batteries the 425th, the 426th and the 520th it was at the start of the war part of Northern Command and then under the command of the 1st Cavalry Division and served in Palestine, Mersa Matruh, Egypt, Suez Canal, Tobruk, Tmini, Nile Delta, Sidi Bishr (Alexandria), Beni Yusef.[3]
Equipment
The 107th was equipped with the following during the course of the war:
- 16 x 18 pdr Mk IV & Lorries
- Ordnance QF 18 pounderMk II
- 18 pdr Mk IIPA , 425 Bty
- 4.5-inch howitzer , 426 Bty
- 25 pdr & Quads, Bren Carrier OP[3]
150th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Regiment, RHA
The 150th was also part of Northern Command at the start of the war but only had two batteries the 434th and the 435th. As the war progressed, 510th Battery was formed. [3] During the war it was at various times part of the 148th Infantry Brigade, 79th Armoured Division and 4th AGRA. It was equipped with 25pdr field guns for the first time in November 1940, whilst stationed in Ireland. It was the first TA Artillery Unit to be equipped with the brand new MKII 25pdr, on MKII Chassis. Half of the Regiment landed ah 1500hrs on D-Day, 6th June 1944. The other half on D+3. 3 members of the unit landed with 9 PARA at H-Hour -9 to act as "gunner liason" to Major General "Windy" Gale.
150th (SNH Yeo) Regt RHA was disbanded in November 1944, owing to a lack of Infantry in the British Army, but an excess of gunners without guns.
SOURCE - DOBSON, ERIC B. HISTORY OF THE SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HUSSARS 1924-1948. Herald Printing Works York and London, 1948.
Present day
Today the regiment is perpetuated in the 100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery which is a British Territorial Army Royal Artillery Regiment that has three gun batteries, all equipped with the L118 Light Gun.
The Batteries are:
- 201 (Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Battery.
- 266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) Battery.
- 307 (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Battery.
The regimental cap badge continues to be worn by members of C Battery (SNH) Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force.
Further reading
- DOBSON, ERIC B. "HISTORY OF THE SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HUSSARS 1924-1948". Herald Printing Works York and London, 1948.
- FELLOWS, GEORGE & BENSON FREEMAN "Historical Records of the South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry, 1794 to 1924". Aldershot, Gale & Polden. 1928
- HART, PETER, "To the Last Round", Pen & Sword Books (various impressions).
References
See also
The Queen's Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum