1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry

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1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry
24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Bn, Welsh Regiment
Active10 August 1914 – 5 July 1919
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Branch Flag of the British Army.svg Territorial Force
Type Yeomanry
RoleCavalry/Infantry
Size Regiment/Battalion
Part of South Wales Mounted Brigade
74th (Yeomanry) Division
Garrison/HQ The Norton drill hall, Tenby
Engagements Second Battle of Gaza
Third Battle of Gaza
Capture of Beersheba
Capture of the Sheria feature
Capture of Jerusalem
Defence of Jerusalem
Battle of Tell 'Asur
Hundred Days Offensive
Second Battle of Bapaume
Battle of Épehy
Final advance in Artois and Flanders

The 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry was an active service unit formed by the Pembroke Yeomanry during World War I. It was sent to garrison Egypt and then amalgamated with another dismounted cavalry unit to form an infantry battalion, the 24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. Serving in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division (the 'Broken Spur Division') it participated in the Sinai and Palestine campaign, including the capture of Beersheba and Jerusalem. Moving with the division to the Western Front it fought in the final campaign, including the desperate Battle of Épehy, until the Armistice. It was disbanded after the war.

Contents

Mobilisation

When war was declared on 4 August 1914, the Pembroke Yeomanry (Castlemartin) of the Territorial Force (TF) mobilised at The Norton drill hall, Tenby, with Lieutenant-Colonel Owen Williams VD, in command. It joined the South Wales Mounted Brigade (SWMB) at Carmarthen and then went with it by train to Hereford. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The part-time TF was intended to be a home defence force in wartime and its members could not be compelled to serve overseas. However, on 10 August 1914 the TF was invited to volunteer for overseas service. In the SWMB the Montgomeryshire and Glamorgan Yeomanry signed up en masse at Hereford, though the Pembroke Yeomanry were less enthusiastic: reportedly only 120 men signed up at first from a complement of 496, though others were later persuaded to change their minds. On 15 August the War Office issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up for Home Service only, and form these into reserve units. On 31 August, the formation of a reserve or 2nd Line unit was authorised for each 1st Line unit where 60 per cent or more of the men had volunteered for Overseas Service. The titles of these 2nd Line units would be the same as the original, but distinguished by a '2/' prefix. In this way duplicate battalions, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring the 1st Line TF formations being sent overseas. Later, the 2nd Line was prepared for overseas service and a 3rd Line was formed to act as a reserve, providing trained replacements for the 1st and 2nd Line regiments. [7] [8] [9]

1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry

The 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry moved with the 1/1st SWMB to East Anglia and was stationed in Norfolk, at Thetford by 29 August, moving to Aylsham shortly afterwards. [3] [6] [2] [10] The following month the brigade joined the 1st Mounted Division. [11] [12] While training in East Anglia the division at the same time formed part of the defence forces for the East Coast, and there were numerous false invasion alarms. In December 1914 Lt-Col Williams died in an accident and Major Cecil Spence-Jones was promoted to the command. [13] [14] [15] By September 1915 the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry was based at Holt. In October it moved to Cromer. In November the 1/1st SWMB was dismounted. [3] [6] [2] [16]

Egypt

The 1/1st SWMB embarked at Devonport on 4 March 1916, with the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry aboard the SS Arcadian, and sailed to Egypt in company with the 1/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade from 1st Mtd Division. They disembarked at Alexandria on 14–15 March and on 20 March the two brigades were merged to form the 4th Dismounted Brigade. At first this was placed in the Suez Canal defences under 53rd (Welsh) Division, with 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry at Beni Salama, but in April it came under the command of Western Frontier Force (WFF). [3] [6] [2] [11] [12] [17] [18]

Following the Senussi campaign of 1915, the WFF was left guarding Egypt's western and southern frontier against any further incursions. 4th Dismounted Brigade covered the Bahariya front with patrols and outposts, though any Senussi activity was further north, so the brigade saw no fighting. A number of officers and men of the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry volunteered to transfer to the Imperial Camel Corps, the Machine Gun Corps and the Australian Imperial Force. [18] [19]

At the beginning of 1917 the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) was preparing to advance across Sinai into Palestine and required additional infantry. The dismounted brigades on the western frontier began to move east. In January 1917 the dismounted yeomanry of 4th Dismounted Bde were permanently re-roled as infantry. The brigade became 231st Brigade, which joined 74th (Yeomanry) Division on its formation in March 1917. [11] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion

The 'broken spur' insignia of 74th (Yeomanry) Division' British 74th (Yeomanry) Division Insignia.png
The 'broken spur' insignia of 74th (Yeomanry) Division'
Welsh Regiment cap badge. Welsh Regiment Cap Badge.jpg
Welsh Regiment cap badge.

Cavalry regiments were smaller than infantry battalions, so the dismounted yeomanry regiments were paired to form effective battalions and these were affiliated to infantry regiments. On 2 February, 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry amalgamated with 1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry to form 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry Battalion, Welsh Regiment [lower-alpha 1] under the command of Lt-Col Spence-Jones of the Pembroke Yeomanry. [1] [6] [2] [11] [13] [15] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

Palestine

The 24th Welsh crossed the Suez Canal on 24 March as the division moved up into Palestine. After the failure of the First Battle of Gaza it began taking over the outpost line along the Wadi Ghuzzee on 7 April; 231st Bde took over at Khan Yunus on 11 April. 74th (Y) Division was in reserve for the Second Battle of Gaza beginning on 19 April, tasked with moving across the Wadi Ghuzzee following the divisions advancing on Gaza City. Soon after midnight 231st Bde moved down into the wadi, complicated by the fact that troops from the attacking 52nd (Lowland) Division were occupying the same ground and did not move off until 04.15. However, this attack was also unsuccessful and although the division took a few casualties from enemy shellfire and aircraft attacks it was not engaged. The division dug in on its new positions on 20 April. Active operations shut down for several months during which the new division continued its organisation and training while carrying out a number of patrol actions. [20] [23] [29] [30] [31]

Beersheba

Sir Edmund Allenby took over command of the EEF in May and began thorough preparations before launching the next offensive (the Third Battle of Gaza) on 27 October. During August the 24th Welsh carried out intensive training in the desert in platoon tactics and musketry. On 25 October 231st Bde Group was at Nakhrur; that night it marched to Abu Sita, leaving the camp standing and campfires burning. The following night it continued to Gamli, where 230th Bde took over the front line and the rest of the division formed up behind. While Turkish attention was fixed on Gaza City by a heavy bombardment from land and sea, XX Corps, including 74th (Y) Division led by 229th Bde, made a night approach march on 30/31 October to attack Beersheba on the Turks' landward flank. The other two brigades of the division then moved up. After crawling from wadi to wadi under accurate shrapnel and machine gun fire, 231st Bde was within 500 yards (460 m) of the Turkish main defences by 10.40; the artillery cut the barbed wire and the brigades attacked at 12.15 through the dust clouds of the bombardment. The leading battalions of 231st Bde met stout resistance but broke into the position. As follow-up battalion, 24th Welsh then passed through and advanced 2,000 yards (1,800 m) into the Turkish positions and took up a defensive line. Meanwhile the Desert Mounted Corps swept round the flank and into Beersheba itself. On 1 November the battalion was withdrawn and began battlefield clearance. [20] [23] [32] [33] [34]

XX Corps' attack on 6 November. Falls2Map8Det6.11e.jpeg
XX Corps' attack on 6 November.

Sheria

The Capture of Beersheba was a resounding success, and XX Corps pressed on northwards as the Turks fell back to the Sheria Position. 229th Brigade led 74th (Y) Division's pre-dawn attack on this position on 6 November, without preliminary bombardment or barrage. 231st Brigade was echeloned back to the right to protect the flank and then take the high ground. Having driven the Turkish skirmishers off the high ground, 24th Welsh beat off several counter-attacks in the course of the day. Afterwards 231st Bde was given the task of capturing the station at Tel Sheria, but this could not be completed until the fire and explosions in the abandoned Turkish ammunition dump died down at 03.30 next morning. 24th Welsh remained guarding the brigade's flank. The Capture of the Sheria feature broke the Turkish left, and they began a rapid retreat. [20] [23] [35] [36] [37]

Jerusalem

While the mounted troops pursued the beaten enemy, 74th (Y) Division paused and re-equipped with winter clothing for the next phase of the campaign. By 25 November the division was about four days' march behind the fighting line, but it was brought up for the advance into the Judaean Hills towards Jerusalem. The Turks launched strong counter-attacks on 27 and 28 November, and 74th (Y) Division began arriving to reinforce the position on 29 November, 231st Bde having marched 12 out of the previous 18 hours. Coming under 52nd (L) Division the brigade took over scattered positions from the remnants of 8th Mounted Brigade. 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, of 231st Bde was ordered to advance through Et Tire and occupy a line from 'Point 1750' (which did not exist) to the village of Foqa (which 52nd (L) Divisional HQ did not realise had been abandoned the previous night). A company of 24th Welsh was sent up in support. After a gallant defence, 25th RWF was driven back out of Foqa and Et Tire. 24th Welsh was ordered to fill the gap between the presumed Point 1750 and the 10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI), and then to recapture Et Tire in the morning. After a long night march on 30 November the battalion attacked and temporarily recaptured Et Tire next day, but was under enfilade fire and the position was untenable. 24th Welsh fell back to the high ground and began building a defensive line of stone sangars. 231st and 229th Bdes had difficulty forming a solid defensive front in the confused country. However, on 8 December the EEF launched its final attack on Jerusalem. 74th (Y) Division's surprise attack on a narrow front was supported by flanking fire from 231st Bde in the Nebi Samwil defences (confused by the fact that there were also Turkish machine guns concealed in the ruined village). Next day Jerusalem surrendered and the division was then engaged in road-making for most of the month while the EEF defended Jerusalem against Turkish counter-attacks. 74th (Y) Division resumed its advance on 27 December, 24th Welsh launching an attack on Hill 1910. They were driven off it before they could consolidate the position, but renewed the attack and held the hill after fierce hand-to-hand fighting. By 31 December the EEF had established a strong defence line covering Jerusalem. The division then went into reserve and resumed roadbuilding. The 24th Welsh remained guarding Jerusalem and Bethlehem while the rest of 231st Bde played a minor role in the capture of Jericho on 19–20 February 1918. [20] [23] [38] [39] [40]

74th (Yeomanry) Division's view north up the Jerulsalem-Nablus road, early 1918. Nablus road; Ain Sinai and Yebrud (1918) (IWM Q12647).jpeg
74th (Yeomanry) Division's view north up the Jerulsalem–Nablus road, early 1918.

Tell 'Asur

By March the EEF was ready to advance into the Jordan Valley and 74th (Y) Division was brought up. 231st Brigade returned to the line first, under 53rd (W) Division, with 24th Welsh and 24th (Denbighshire Hussars) Bn RWF taking over the line on 27 February. The Turkish lines were lightly held, so on 1/2 March the RWF advanced the line to the high ground without opposition, and the next night B and D Companies of 24th Welsh pushed forward to Ain Yebrud and captured a machine gun position. The two battalions made another small advance on 6/7 March, 24th Welsh taking 'Raspberry Hill' but the only casualties came from climbing the steep hills. The Turks counterattacked Raspberry Hill but were driven off. [41] [42] [43]

74th (Y) Divisional HQ now took over the front for the planned attack. On the night of 8/9 March XX Corps moved against the high ground of Tell 'Asur dominating the valley. 74th (Y) Division advanced astride the Nablus road, with 231st Bde on the right directed at Mezrah esh Sherqiye, just east of the road and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) NNW of Tell 'Asur. After an approach in the dark the brigade rushed the Turkish positions at Selwad at 04.00 without any preliminary artillery fire, 10th KSLI leading, supported by 25th RWF. The brigade swept through the positions; when 25th RWF came under flanking fire from two hills, two companies of 24th Welsh dealt with them. The brigade was now faced with a steep machine-gun swept descent to the Wadi en Nimr, and was so far ahead that it was out of touch with its flanking brigades. It resumed the advance after dark, 24th Welsh and 10th KSLI forming up in the bottom of the wadi at 20.30 before beginning the long climb up the wall of the Lisane Ridge. Despute congestion at the one climbable route they carried the position at 03.00 on 10 March. B and D Companies of 24th Welsh then supported 25th RWF on to the objective. By now 230th Bde on the left was exhausted, so 74th (Y) Division was ordered to halt on the line it had taken. The Battle of Tell 'Asur was 74th (Y) Division's last action in the campaign. [20] [23] [44] [45] [46]

Western Front

The German spring offensive on the Western Front left the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in urgent need of reinforcements, and troops were sent from the EEF. 74th (Y) Division was warned on 3 April of an impending move to France; between 7 and 9 April it was relieved in the front line and by 13 April it had moved back to Lydda to concentrate. It then moved back to Egypt, arriving at Qantara on 20 April. On 29 April it began embarking at Alexandria, 24th Welsh aboard HM Transport Canberra, and sailed for Marseille. The ship arrived on 7 May and the division entrained for Noyelles, 24th Welsh arriving on 12 May. By 18 May the division had concentrated around Rue in the Abbeville district. [20] [23] [47] [48] [49]

74th (Y) Division now embarked on training for the fighting conditions on the Western Front, principally anti-gas defence, but also including bayonet fighting (though the divisional historian pointed out that 'any one platoon of the 74th Division had probably made more use of the bayonet that any battalion in France'. [50] ) The battalion also supplied working parties for road-building and onctrsuting rear area defences. Towards the end of the month the division was moved forward between Doullens and St Pol and on 31 May it became part of the GHQ Reserve. It continued training around Le Cauroy, particularly for cooperation with tanks and aircraft, until 14 July. It then went into the line near Merville under XI Corps in Fifth Army. Here the marshy ground precluded trenches, and the defences consisted of breastworks. [20] [23] [51] [52] [53]

The Allies launched their counter-offensive (the Hundred Days Offensive) with the Battle of Amiens on 8 August and the Germans began to withdraw at several points along the line. 74th (Y) Division advanced its line on 16–18 August, the 24th Welsh taking over a section of enemy trench known as 'Wolf's Track'. The battalion advanced again on 20 August, suffering a few casualties in the skirmishing and from gas shelling. The division was relieved on 26 August. [54] [55]

Bapaume

On 30 August the division joined III Corps in Fourth Army, preparing for the next phase of the offensive, the Second Battle of Bapaume, opening on 2 September. [20] [23] [51] [56] [57] [58] [59] The aim was to keep the Germans on the move, and 74th (Y) Division had little time for preparation. On the night of 1/2 September, a few hours after detraining it relieved 58th (2/1st London) Division in a tangled confusion of trenches, some of which were held in parts by both sides, from which it would have to jump off the following morning. 229th and 230th Bdes led, with 231st Bde in reserve. A neighbouring division had to capture its jumping-off trench before it could start, and enemy machine gun posts in No man's land had to be cleared before the advance began. The attack was therefore late starting, and the division lost its protective Creeping barrage. The defensive artillery fire was also much heavier than had been experienced against the Turks. The division's leading brigades were still in the line when the fighting ended on the Tortille valley at dusk, and although it took a few casualties 231st Bde did not get into the real fighting. Next morning it took over a portion of the line from the neighbouring 2nd Australian Division to form a defensive flank for 74th (Y) Division. [60] [61] [62]

Pursuit to the Hindenburg Line

Nevertheless, the battle had been a success, and on 4 September Fourth Army began pursuing the Germans back towards their Hindenburg Line. On 7 September 231st Bde took up the lead, with 24th Welsh and 10th KSLI taking Villers-Faucon after some heavy fightin, in which 24th Welsh lost 12 killed and 75 wounded. Next day 231st Bde attempted to take the trenches at Hargicourt, but the neighbouring 58th (2/1st L) Division was held up in front of Épehy. Patrols found the enemy in strength everywhere and they were not shaken by the British artillery fire. The brigade fell back to its starting point by the end of the day. 229th Brigade (temporarily commanded by Lt-Col Spence-Jones of 24th Welsh) and 58th (2/1st L) Division made a failed attempt on the Horse Shoe Trench system at Épehy on 10 September, and it was clear that a fully prepared attack would have to be made. [20] [23] [63] [64] [65]

Épehy

The Battle of Épehy was scheduled for 18 September, but preparations were hampered by German Mustard gas shelling the day before, which cased numerous casualties among 74th (Y) Division. The assault, timed for 05.20, was made behind a creeping barrage containing 10 per cent smoke shells, timed to lift 100 yards (91 m) every 3 minutes. The barrage was to pause for over an hour just beyond the first objective (the Green Line) to allow that to be consolidated. The advance was made through rain which made the ground slippery, but 231st Bde was on its first objective, the south side of Ronssoy, by 07.35, taking many prisoners without much resistance. While 24th Welsh remained to consolidate Ronssoy, 25th RWF passed through to follow the creeping barrage as it restarted at 08.30 towards the second objective (the Red Line). However, resistance now stiffened and the brigade was stopped by massed machine gun fire from the 'Quadrilateral' on the left flank, which 18th (Eastern) Division had not yet reached. 231st Brigade had been brought to a standstill, and a fresh bombardment of the second objective was arranged for 16.00, allowing 10th KSLI to complete its task. But 25th RWF was shattered and 18th (Eastern) Division had made less progress through Ronssoy, so 24th Welsh dug in on its positions, having suffered heavy casualties (13 killed and 65 wounded). [20] [23] [66] [67] [68]

The attack was renewed on 21 September. With its flank thrown back from the Red Line, 25th RWF had a tricky task in attacking the Quadrilateral, then swinging right (east) to allow 24th Welsh to pass through to take Gillemont Farm, with 25th RWF finally retaking the lead to continue east to capture and consolidate the Blue Line. It appears that 25th RWF successfully passed over the Quadrilateral and swung eastwards through an intense barrage, but 24th Welsh lost direction and simply followed 25th RWF rather carrying on to Gillemont Farm. Meanwhile 18th (E) Division was still held up and the dugouts and tunnels of the Quadrilateral were being reinforced from that side. The defenders of the Quadrilateral continued to fire into the rear of the 25th RWF despite the efforts of 24th Welsh to bomb them out. 231st Brigade suffered very heavy casualties (24th RWF lost 14 killed, 96 wounded – nine mortally – and 24 missing of whom at least 10 were killed) [lower-alpha 2] and by the end of the day it was back on its starting positions. [70] [71] [72]

Final advance

74th (Y) Division was now considered tired and was sent back to XI Corps with Fifth Army, beginning to entrain on 25 and arriving on 30 September. Far from getting a rest, it went straight into action as it relieved 19th (Western) Division in the line at Neuve-Chapelle on the night of 1/2 October. [51] [56] [73] [74] [75] The divisional commander had no intention of using his exhausted men offensively, but the Germans began to withdraw on 2 October and 74th (Y) Division followed up for 2 miles (3.2 km). After barely a day in the reserve trenches, 231st Bde moved forward to Aubers Ridge, and on 3 October it continued the advance, meeting no opposition, though 24th Welsh suffered casualties from shellfire. On 4 October the advance was slowed by enemy artillery fire, and by nightfall patrols had found the enemy holding positions in strength. [76] [77] [78]

While the pursuit paused, 74th (Y) Division returned to the command of III Corps on 8 October when that HQ arrived from the south. [20] [23] [51] [56] [79] [80] [81] On 15 October patrols revealed that the Germans were withdrawing again, and the division followed up to the Haute Deule Canal. The enemy kept up fire from the canal until 04.30 on 17 October and then suddenly disappeared. 74th (Y) Division crossed the canal and followed up south of Lille. Next day, slowly advancing through fog, 231st Bde found the enemy rearguard of machine guns and field guns at Sainghin; the village was taken without difficulty and the brigade outposts advanced to the River la Marcq, where all the bridges had been destroyed. Next morning (19 October) the river was crossed without any opposition and the advance continued, with 231st Bde reaching Camphin, but the following morning the brigade was squeezed out of the line because of the division's shortening front. The Germans now held a strong belt of barbed wire at Orcq in front of Tournai on the River Schelde, and unable to make progress the division halted. 24th Welsh rested, carried out battalion drill, and supplied working parties. [82] [83] [84] Lieutenant-Col Spence-Jones was promoted to colonel on 21 October and officially retired from the Pembroke Yeomanry. [13] [15]

On 30 October the brigade returned to the line, and on 2 November 24 Welsh and 10th KSLI advanced under a creeping barrage as a reconnaissance, but finding the enemy line still firmly held, they withdrew. On 4 November, the Germans suffered another crushing defeat at the Battle of the Sambre, and their retreat was resumed all along the line. Early on the morning of 8 November patrols of 25th RWF entered the western half of Tournai where civilians confirmed that the Germans had left at 03.00. 24th Welsh was then sent to patrol into the town, confirming that all the bridges over the Schelde had been blown and the enemy had machine guns lining the eastern bank. They left the following night and next morning the engineers had a footbridge across the Schelde by 07.00 and 10th KSLI crossed to the east side of the town. There was no contact with the enemy as the division advanced on 10 November. By 08.30 on 11 November 231st Bde had crossed the Dendre Canal and liberated Ath when the advance was ended by the entry into force of Armistice with Germany at 11.00. [20] [23] [26] [85] [86] [87]

Disbandment

On 16 November the division moved into the area of Rebaix–Herinnes–Tournai and next day 24th Welsh went into billets at Beclers and was employed on repairing roads and the embankment of the Tournai–Leuze railway. Demobilisation of coalminers began in early December. Between 15 and 18 December the division moved to the LessinesGrammont–Herrines area, with 24th Welsh billeted in Overboulaere, a suburb of Grammont. On 22 December Col Spence-Jones assumed command of 231st Bde and Maj John Woodcock took command of the battalion. Almost half the battalion was demobilised in January 1919, and a large draft of men with shorter service being sent to the Army of Occupation, the b attal,ion was down to a strength of one company in February. On 24 June Maj Woodcock led the remaining cadre of the battalion back to Carmarthen, where 4th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was disbanded on 5 July 1919. [1] [20] [23] [88]

Guidon

Although it was normal for regiments to 'lay up' their Regimental standards at a suitable location (town hall or church) before proceeding overseas, the 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion took the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry's guidon to France and carried it on all possible occasions during the war, such as guard-mounting. The guidon, of light blue silk, carried the Prince of Wales's feathers, coronet and 'Ich Dien' motto, with scrolls either side inscribed with the regiment's original title of 'Castlemartin Yeomanry' and underneath the unique Battle honour 'Fishguard', the first such honour conferred on a yeomanry regiment and the only one awarded for an engagement on British soil. [13]

Footnotes

  1. The Welsh Regiment often used the spelling 'Welch', but this was not officially adopted until 1921. [25]
  2. Among those killed near Gillemont Farm on 21 September 1918 was Lt David Clemetson, one of the first black officers commissioned into the British Army. Born in Jamaica, he was at Cambridge University when World War I broke out and he enlisted in the 23rd (Service) Battalion (1st Sportsman's), Royal Fusiliers. He was commissioned into the Pembroke Yeomanry on 27 October 1915, and served with 1/1st Pembrokes and 24th Welsh in Palestine and on the Western Front. [15] [69]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Frederick, pp. 47–8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 James, pp. 26–7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 James, pp. 35–6.
  4. John, pp. 16–8.
  5. Monthly Army List, August 1914.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Pembroke Yeomanry at Long, Long Trail.
  7. Becke, Pt 2a, p. 40.
  8. Becke, Pt 2b, p. 6.
  9. John, pp. 18–9.
  10. John, p. 19.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Becke, Pt 2a, pp 1–7.
  12. 1 2 1st Mounted Division at Long, Long Trail.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Campbell.
  14. John, pp. 20–3.
  15. 1 2 3 4 John, Appendix II.
  16. John, p. 25.
  17. John, pp. 27–34.
  18. 1 2 Dudley Ward, p. 20.
  19. John, pp. 36–42.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 117–22.
  21. John, pp. 42–4.
  22. MacMunn & Falls, Vol I,Vol I, p. 273; Appendix 3.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 74th (Y) Division at Long, Long Trail.
  24. 1 2 Ward, pp. 25–8.
  25. 1 2 Frederick, pp. 295–7.
  26. 1 2 James, p. 83.
  27. John, pp. 43–5.
  28. Welsh Regiment at Long, Long Trail.
  29. John, pp. 47, 50–6.
  30. MacMunn & Falls, Vol I, pp. 328, 330, 335, 347, 355, 358.
  31. Dudley Ward, pp. 29–48.
  32. Falls, Vol II, pp. 39, 44, 47–51, Sketches 1–3.
  33. John, pp. 58–63.
  34. Dudley Ward, pp. 63, 86–92.
  35. Falls, Vol II, pp. 92–100.
  36. John, pp. 63–5.
  37. Dudley Ward, pp. 96–102.
  38. Falls, Vol II, pp. 126, 219, 229–34, 248–9, 257, 276, 286–90, 302, Sketch 19.
  39. John, pp. 69–85.
  40. Dudley Ward, pp. 111–22, 129–32, 142–5, 160–1, 164–6.
  41. Falls, Vol II, p. 312.
  42. John, pp. 92–4.
  43. Dudley Ward, pp. 168–9.
  44. Falls, Vol II, pp. 312, 315–22, Sketch 23.
  45. John, pp. 95–6.
  46. Dudley Ward, pp. 169–80.
  47. Falls, Vol II, p. 413.
  48. John, pp. 97–103.
  49. Dudley Ward, pp. 201–4.
  50. Dudley Ward, p. 204.
  51. 1 2 3 4 Becke, Pt 4, pp. 199–203.
  52. John, pp. 103–6.
  53. Dudley Ward, pp. 204–8.
  54. John, pp. 106–9.
  55. Dudley Ward, pp. 212–5.
  56. 1 2 3 Becke, Pt 4, pp. 145–51.
  57. Edmonds, Vol IV, pp. 334, 389.
  58. John, pp. 110–2.
  59. Dudley Ward, p. 216.
  60. Edmonds, Vol IV, pp. 391–3.
  61. John, pp. 112–3.
  62. Dudley Ward, pp. 218–21.
  63. Edmonds, Vol IV, pp. 437–8, 447, 451, 453, 455.
  64. John, pp. 113–4.
  65. Dudley Ward, pp. 221–3
  66. Edmonds, Vol IV, pp. 476–8, 483–5.
  67. John, pp. 116–7.
  68. Dudley Ward, pp. 225–30.
  69. London Gazette, 4 November 1915.
  70. Edmonds, Vol IV, pp. 504–5.
  71. John, pp. 118–21.
  72. Dudley Ward, pp. 231–4.
  73. Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, Vol V, pp. 97, 99, 125–6.
  74. John, pp. 121–2.
  75. Dudley Ward, p. 235.
  76. Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, Vol V, pp. 126–7.
  77. John, pp. 122–4.
  78. Dudley Ward, pp. 235–7.
  79. Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, Vol V, p. 128.
  80. John, p. 124.
  81. Dudley Ward, p. 237.
  82. Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, Vol V, pp. 408, 413, 415–7, 421.
  83. John, pp. 124–7.
  84. Dudley Ward, pp. 238–41.
  85. Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, Vol V, pp. 539, 541–4.
  86. John, p. 127–8.
  87. Dudley Ward, pp. 241–2.
  88. John, pp. 128–31.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">74th (Yeomanry) Division</span> Military unit

The 74th (Yeomanry) Division was a Territorial Force infantry division formed in Palestine in early 1917 from three dismounted yeomanry brigades. It served in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of the First World War, mostly as part of XX Corps. In May 1918 it was sent to the Western Front where it remained until the end of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Shropshire Light Infantry</span> Military unit

The King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in the Childers Reforms of 1881, but with antecedents dating back to 1755. It served in the Second Boer War, World War I and World War II. In 1968, the four regiments of the Light Infantry Brigade amalgamated to form The Light Infantry, with the 1st KSLI being redesignated as the 3rd Battalion of the new regiment.

The 94th Brigade was an infantry formation of the British Army during World War I. It was raised as part of 'Kitchener's Army' and was assigned to the 31st Division. After the original formation was converted into a reserve brigade, the number was transferred to a brigade of 'Pals battalions' from Northern England. It was sent to Egypt at the end of 1915 but was recalled to France shortly afterwards and then served on the Western Front for the rest of the war. The brigade was shattered on the First day on the Somme, but later saw action at Arras and distinguished itself at the Capture of Oppy Wood. It was temporarily disbanded in early 1918 but was reconstituted from dismounted Yeomanry regiments in time to take part in the final battles of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheshire Yeomanry</span> Military unit

The Cheshire Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment that can trace its history back to 1797 when Sir John Leicester of Tabley raised a county regiment of light cavalry in response to the growing fears of invasion from Napoleonic France. Its lineage is maintained by C Squadron, the Queen's Own Yeomanry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shropshire Yeomanry</span> Military unit

The Shropshire Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment of the British Army, first raised in 1795, which served as a cavalry and dismounted infantry regiment in the First World War and as a cavalry and an artillery regiment in the Second World War. It was then amalgamated with the Shropshire Royal Horse Artillery.

The Denbighshire Hussars was a Welsh Yeomanry regiment of the British Army formed in 1794. It saw service in the First World War before being converted into a unit of the Royal Artillery. The lineage has been continued by 398 Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glamorgan Yeomanry</span> Military unit

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name=Glamorgan Yeomanry |abbreviation= |image= |caption=Glamorgan Yeomanry cap badge |dates= 1797–1831
1861–1873
1901–present |country = Kingdom of Great Britain (1794–1800)
 United Kingdom (1801–Present) |allegiance= |branch= Territorial Army |type=Yeomanry |role= |size= Regiment |command_structure= |equipment= |Past Commanders= |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |notable_commanders=Col Windham Wyndham-Quin |identification_symbol= |identification_symbol_2= |nickname= |patron= |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=* Merthyr Rising

The West Somerset Yeomanry was a Yeomanry regiment of the British Army. First raised in 1794, it participated in the Second Boer War and World War I before being converted to an artillery regiment. It served in World War II. Post-war it was gradually reduced in strength until the yeomanry lineage of the successor unit was discontinued on 9 November 1988.

The Welsh Horse Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment of the British Army that served in the First World War. The regiment was raised shortly after the outbreak of the war. Initially it served in East Anglia on anti-invasion duties, before being dismounted in 1915 and sent to take part in the Gallipoli Campaign. After withdrawal to Egypt, it was amalgamated with the 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry as the 25th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers and served as such throughout the rest of the war. It took part in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in 1917 and 1918, before being transferred to the Western Front where it remained until the end of the war. The regiment formed 2nd and 3rd Lines in 1914, but these never left the United Kingdom before being disbanded in 1916 and early 1917, respectively. The 1st Line was disbanded in 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomeryshire Yeomanry</span> Military unit

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was a Welsh auxiliary unit of the British Army first formed in 1803. It served in home defence and for internal security, including deployments to deal with Chartist disturbances in the 1830s. It provided volunteers to the Imperial Yeomanry during the Second Boer War and formed three regiments for service during World War I. It was broken up and converted to infantry and artillery in 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">231st Brigade (United Kingdom)</span> Military unit

The 231st Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw active service in both the First and the Second World Wars. In each case it was formed by redesignation of existing formations. In the First World War, it fought in Palestine and on the Western Front, while during the Second World War it served in the Allied invasion of Sicily, Italy and the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">230th Brigade (United Kingdom)</span> Military unit

The 3rd Dismounted Brigade was a formation of the British Army in the First World War. It was formed in Egypt in February 1916 by absorbing the Eastern Mounted Brigade and the South Eastern Mounted Brigade. The brigade served as part of the Western Frontier Force and the Suez Canal Defences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British yeomanry during the First World War</span> Part of the British Army reserve Territorial Force

The British yeomanry during the First World War were part of the British Army reserve Territorial Force. Initially, in 1914, there were fifty-seven regiments and fourteen mounted brigades. Soon after the declaration of war, second and third line regiments were formed. However, the third line regiments were soon absorbed into the Cavalry Reserve Regiments, to supply replacements for the cavalry and yeomanry. Other horsed regiments in the British Army, during the war, were the regular cavalry regiments and the three regiments belonging to the special reserve: the North Irish Horse, the South Irish Horse and the King Edward's Horse. The senior yeomanry regiments could trace their origins back over 100 years; the oldest regiment, the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, had been formed in 1794. The most junior regiment, the Welsh Horse, had only been formed on 18 August 1914, after the start of the war.

The 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was an active service unit formed by the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry during World War I. It was sent to garrison Egypt and then amalgamated with another dismounted cavalry unit to form an infantry battalion, the 25th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Serving in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division it participated in the Sinai and Palestine campaign, including the capture of Beersheba and Jerusalem. Moving with the division to the Western Front it fought in the final campaign, including the desperate Battle of Épehy, until the Armistice. The regiment won two Victoria Crosses during its service. It was disbanded after the war.

The 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars was an active service unit formed by the Denbighshire Hussars during World War I. It was sent to garrison Egypt and then formed an infantry battalion, the 24th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Serving in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division it participated in the Sinai and Palestine campaign, including the capture of Beersheba and Jerusalem. Moving to the Western Front it fought with the 31st Divisionin the final advance in Flanders until the Armistice. It was disbanded after the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers</span> Military unit

The 1st Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteer Corps was a unit of Britain's Volunteer Force raised in 1860 from Monmouthshire in the Welsh borders. After transfer to the Territorial Force it served with the 53rd (Welsh) Division in Palestine in World War I and in North West Europe in World War II. Its successors serve with today's Army Reserve.

The 1st Flintshire Rifle Volunteers, later 5th (Flintshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, was a Welsh unit of the British Army's auxiliary forces. First raised in 1860, it fought as infantry at Gallipoli), in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War. Converted to the anti-tank role, it fought in the Battle of France, the Western Desert and Italy in the Second World War. It continued in the postwar Territorial Army until amalgamated with a neighbouring unit in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th (Caernarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers</span> Military unit

The 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, was a Welsh unit of the British Army's auxiliary forces. Formed in 1908, from Volunteer units that dated back to 1860, it fought at Gallipoli), in Egypt and Palestine during World War I, and in the campaign in North West Europe during World War II. Postwar it was converted to the anti-aircraft artillery role, then reverted to infantry in 1956 after it amalgamated with a neighbouring unit.

The 1st Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers, later 4th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, was a Welsh unit of the British Army's auxiliary forces. First raised in 1860, it served as a pioneer battalion with the 47th Division on the Western Front during World War I and with the 53rd (Welsh) Division in North West Europe during World War II. It continued in the postwar Territorial Army through a series of mergers until finally amalgamating with another Welsh battalion in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th (Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers</span> Military unit

The 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, was a Welsh unit of Britain's Territorial Force. First raised in 1897, it fought at Gallipoli and in Palestine during World War I, and in the campaign in North West Europe during World War II. A duplicate battalion was converted to the paratroop role. Postwar the battalion was converted into anti-aircraft artillery, then reverted to infantry in 1956 after it amalgamated with a neighbouring unit.

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