Montgomeryshire Yeomanry

Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
Active	1803-1828 1831–1920
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Territorial Force
Type	Yeomanry Cavalry Infantry Bicycle infantry
Size	Boer War Four Companies World War One Three Regiments
Engagements	Second Battle of Gaza Third Battle of Gaza Battle of Beersheba Battle of Epehy

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was a Welsh auxiliary unit of the British Army first formed in 1803. 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.

Napoleonic Wars[]

During the French Revolutionary Wars of the 1790s a number of English and Welsh counties formed units of Yeomanry Cavalry and Volunteer Infantry for home defence and internal security duties. Further units were formed after the Napoleonic Wars broke out in 1803, including the Montgomeryshire Volunteer Legion, raised in the Welsh county of Montgomeryshire. This consisted of four combined cavalry and infantry Troops, at Montgomery, Welshpool, Newtown and Abermule. The infantry element of the legion was short-lived, and after they had been disbanded the unit was renamed the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry. Further troops were raised at Berriew (1813), Llangedwyn and Llanfyllin (both 1819).^[1][2]

19th Century[]

Like many other Yeomanry regiments, the Montgomeryshire was disbanded in 1828 when the government withdrew payment for drills and periods of service. However, when this pay was restored in 1831 the regiment was reformed with its four original troops. Others were added and disbanded at various times during the century at Llangedwyn, Llanfyllin, and Caersws, with the regimental headquarters (RHQ) at Welshpool. The Caersws Troop was disbanded in 1889, and the six remaining Troops reorganised as three Squadrons in 1893.^[1][3]

The Commanding Officer (CO) from 26 January 1844 was Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 6th Baronet of Wynnstay, a former officer in the 1st Life Guards (as were a number of the regiment's officers). He was simultaneously Lt-Col of the st Denbighshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. Williams-Wynn retired in 1877 and became the regiment's Honorary Colonel.^[3][4] He was succeeded in command by his nephew, Sir William Granville Williams, 4th Baronet of Bodelwyddan,^[3][5] who in turn was followed on 2 February 1889 by his cousin, Sir Herbert Williams-Wynn, 7th Baronet of Wynnstay.^[3][4] Sir Herbert was awarded a CB in 1902^[6]

By 1899 the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and the Denbighshire Hussars together constituted the 15th Yeomanry Brigade.^[3]

Imperial Yeomanry[]

Following a string of defeats during Black Week in early December 1899, the British government realised that it would need more troops than just the regular army to fight the Second Boer War, particularly mounted troops. On 13 December, the War Office decided to allow volunteer forces to serve in the field, and a Royal Warrant was issued on 24 December that officially created the Imperial Yeomanry (IY). The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each for one year. In addition to this, many British citizens (usually mid-upper class) volunteered to join the new force.^{[7][8][9][10]}

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry raised two companies for the first contingent of the IY, which both landed in South Africa on 6 April 1900 and served with other Welsh Yeomanry companies in the 9th Battalion, IY:^{[1][10][11][12][13]}

Imperial Yeomanry galloping over a plain during the Second Boer War.

• 31st (Montgomeryshire) Company
• 49th (Montgomeryshire) Company

When the first contingent returned home in 1901 after their one-year term of service, enough veterans of the 31st and 49th stayed on to reform the companies, while the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry raised two further companies for the second contingent; the four companies comprised the whole of the 9th Battalion in the second contingent:^{[1][10][11][12]}

• 88th (Welsh Yeomanry) Company (sponsored by the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry)
• 89th (Montgomeryshire) Company

This service earned the regiment its first Battle honour: South Africa 1900–01.^[1][3][14]

Captain Robert Williams-Wynn, younger brother of the CO, went to South Africa with 31st Company.^[15] During the campaign he was twice Mentioned in Dispatches^[4] and was afterwards promoted to Major^[16] and awarded the DSO.^[17][18]

The Imperial Yeomanry were trained and equipped as mounted infantry. The concept was considered a success and before the war ended the existing Yeomanry regiments at home were converted into Imperial Yeomanry, with an establishment of HQ and four squadrons with a machine gun section. This included the Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeomanry, which raised an additional squadron at Rhayader.^[1][3]

In 1906 Major Robert Williams-Wynn, DSO, was promoted to command the regiment in succession to his brother, who became its Honorary Colonel the following year.^[3]

The regiment was based at Brook Street drill hall, Welshpool at this time.^[1]

Territorial Force[]

The Imperial Yeomanry were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908.^[19][20][21] and the regiment was officially titled the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry (Dragoons) with the following organisation:^[1][3]

• RHQ at Brook Street, Welshpool^[22]
• A Squadron at Llanfyllin,^[23] with detachments at Meifod,^[23] Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant,^[23] Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, Llangedwyn,^[23] Trefonen, Llanfair Caereinion,^[24] and Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain
• B Squadron at Welshpool, with detachments at Guilsfield,^[23] Castle Caereinion,^[23] Four Crosses,^[23] Chirbury, Berriew,^[23] Trewern and Forden^[23]
• C Squadron at Newtown,^[22][25] with detachments at Church Stoke,^[23] Caersws,^[23] New MiIls,^[23] Llanbrynmair,^[23] Montgomery,^[23][22] Trefeglwys,^[23] Bettws Cedewain,^[26] Cemmaes Road,^[23] Dolfor^[23] and Llangurig^[23]
• D Squadron at Llandrindod Wells, with detachments at Llanidloes,^[22] Builth Wells,^[27] Ryhayader,^[28][29] Llanbister,^[30] Bowling Green Lane, Knighton^[28][31] and Hay-on-Wye^[27]

World War I[]

When war was declared on 4 August 1914, the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry mobilised at Brook Street Drill Hall with Brevet Colonel Robert Williams-Wynn, DSO, in command.^[3] It formed part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, which assembled at Hereford.^[32]

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.^[33]

1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry[]

The 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry moved with the South Wales Mounted Brigade to Thetford in Norfolk by the end of August 1914.^[32] That month the brigade joined the 1st Mounted Division,^[34] replacing 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade^[35] which moved to 2nd Mounted Division.^[36] 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.^[35]

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^[37] (along with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade^[37]). In March 1917 they were re-roled as infantry and together with the Welsh Horse Yeomanry were converted into the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. They joined 231st Brigade in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division.^[38] In May 1918, the Division moved to France, and the battalion saw action on the Western Front.^[32]

2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry[]

The 2nd Line regiment was formed at Welshpool in September 1914. In July 1915 it joined 2/1st South Wales Mounted Brigade at Dorchester. In September 1915 it moved to Southwold and the brigade joined 1st Mounted Division.^[39] On 31 March 1916, the remaining Mounted Brigades were ordered to be numbered in a single sequence^[37] and the brigade was numbered as 4th Mounted Brigade. In April 1916, the regiment went to Rendlesham with the brigade. About this time it absorbed the 2/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry. In July 1916 it moved to Thornton Park near Brentwood and joined 2nd Mounted Brigade in the new 1st Mounted Division.^[39]

In October 1916 it became a cyclist unit, amalgamating with the 2/1st Denbighshire Hussars to form the 3rd (Denbigh and Montgomery) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment^[a] in the at Worlingham near Beccles. In March 1917 it resumed its identity as 2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, still with the 1st Cyclist Brigade, still at Worlingham. By November 1917 it was at Gorleston where it remained until the end of the war.^[42]

3/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry[]

The 3rd Line regiment was formed in June 1915 at Welshpool. In July it was at Brecon and then it was affiliated to the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment at The Curragh. In June 1916 it was dismounted and attached to the 3rd Line Groups of the Welsh Division at Gobowen as its 1st Line was serving as infantry. The regiment was disbanded in January 1917 with personnel transferring to the 2nd Line regiment or to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Oswestry.^[43]

Postwar[]

Wartime experience had proved that there were too many mounted units, and when the TF was reconstituted as the Territorial Army (TA), only the 14 most senior Yeomanry regiments were retained as horsed cavalry, the remainder being converted to other roles. The Welsh Horse Yeomanry had only been raised on 18 August 1914 and had been absorbed by the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in 1917; it was never reformed.^[1][44]

One squadron of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry combined with a company of the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment to form 332 (Radnorshire) Field Battery (Howitzers) at Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire, as part of 83rd (Welsh) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, while the rest of the regiment formed two companies in 7th (Merioneth and Montgomeryshire) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 3 March 1920, and the yeomanry linage was discontinued.^[1][45][46]

Uniforms[]

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry wore a dark blue Dragoon tunic with black facings. The head-dress was a white metal Dragoon helmet with a falling white horsehair plume.^[3][47]

Honorary Colonels[]

The following served as Honorary Colonel of the unit:^[3]

• Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 6th Baronet, former CO, appointed 18 July 1877
• Sir Herbert Williams-Wynn, 7th Baronet, former CO, appointed 1 November 1907

See also[]

• Imperial Yeomanry
• List of Yeomanry Regiments 1908
• Yeomanry
• Yeomanry order of precedence
• British yeomanry during the First World War
• Second line yeomanry regiments of the British Army

Notes[]

References[]

Bibliography[]

• L.S. Amery (ed), The Times History of the War in South Africa 1899-1902, London: Sampson Low, Marston, 6 Vols 1900–09; Appendix to Chapters I-XIV, pp. 503–14.
• 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.
• Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 100th Edn, London, 1953.
• Col John K. Dunlop, The Development of the British Army 1899–1914, London: Methuen, 1938.
• James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
• N.B. Leslie, Battle Honours of the British and Indian Armies 1695–1914, London: Leo Cooper, 1970, ISBN 0-85052-004-5.
• Norman E.H. Litchfield, The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges), Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.
• Mileham, Patrick (1994). The Yeomanry Regiments; 200 Years of Tradition. Edinburgh: Canongate Academic. ISBN 1-898410-36-4.
• Rinaldi, Richard A (2008). Order of Battle of the British Army 1914. Ravi Rikhye. ISBN 978-0-97760728-0.
• Col H.C.B. Rogers, The Mounted Troops of the British Army 1066–1945, London: Seeley Service, 1959.
• Edward M. Spiers, The Army and Society 1815–1914, London: Longmans, 1980, ISBN 0-582-48565-7.

External links[]

• Anglo Boer War
• The Drill Hall Project
• Great War Centenary Drill Halls.
• The Long, Long Trail
• Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth – Regiments.org (archive site)
• Roll of Honour