County of London Yeomanry facts for kids

The County of London Yeomanry (CLY) was the name given to several special army groups in the British Army. These groups were made up of volunteers who wanted to serve their country. Most of them started as soldiers who rode horses, also known as cavalry. Later, they became groups that used armoured vehicles like tanks. They were an important part of Britain's defense for many years.

Different Yeomanry Regiments

1st County of London Yeomanry

The 1st County of London Yeomanry was a volunteer cavalry group. It was first formed way back in 1797. This group fought in several important wars. They were involved in the Second Boer War in South Africa. They also played a part in the First World War and the Second World War. Today, their history is carried on by a modern army unit called the 31 (Middlesex Yeomanry and Princess Louise's Kensington) Signal Squadron. This squadron is part of the Royal Corps of Signals.

2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons)

The 2nd County of London Yeomanry was also a volunteer cavalry group. It was even older, first created in 1779. Like the 1st Yeomanry, this group fought in the Second Boer War. They also served bravely in the First World War and the Second World War. Their proud history is now continued by the C&S (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron. This squadron is part of the Royal Yeomanry, which is a reserve unit of the British Army.

3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) was another volunteer cavalry group. It was formed in 1901. This group also saw action in the Second Boer War, the First World War, and the Second World War. In 1944, this unit joined together with another group to form a new, larger unit. This new unit was called the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).

4th County of London Yeomanry

The first 4th County of London Yeomanry was a volunteer cavalry group. It was also formed in 1901. This unit fought in the Second Boer War and the First World War. After the First World War, this group was disbanded in 1924. This means it was officially closed down.

4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

A different 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) was created later, in 1939. This unit fought during the Second World War. In 1944, it joined forces with the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters). Together, they formed the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).

3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

This unit was formed in 1944 when the 3rd and 4th Sharpshooters groups combined. It was a volunteer cavalry group. In 1961, this unit joined with another group called the Kent Yeomanry. The Kent Yeomanry had its own long history. When these two groups combined, they formed an even newer unit. This unit was named the Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).

Kent and County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

This volunteer cavalry group was formed in 1961. It was created by combining the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) and the Kent Yeomanry. Today, the history of this unit is continued by two modern army squadrons:

• C (Kent & Sharpshooters Yeomanry) Squadron, which is part of the Royal Yeomanry.
• 265 (Kent and County of London Yeomanry) Support Squadron (Sharpshooters), which is part of the Royal Signals.

See also

• City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders)