Lanarkshire Yeomanry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lanarkshire Yeomanry |
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Cap badge of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry
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| Active | 1819 – 1999 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Role | Yeomanry |
| Part of | 74th (Yeomanry) Division (First World War) Royal Artillery (Second World War) Royal Armoured Corps (Current) |
| Engagements | Second Boer War First World War
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| Battle honours | See battle honours below |
The Lanarkshire Yeomanry was a special army unit in the United Kingdom. It started in 1819. This unit was part of the yeomanry, which were volunteer soldiers who rode horses. Over time, their role changed a lot. They fought as foot soldiers in the First World War and as artillery (big guns) in the Second World War. The unit later joined with others in 1956. Its history was briefly brought back in 1992 but ended in 1999.
Contents
History of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry
How the Unit Began
The Lanarkshire Yeomanry started in 1819. At first, it was made up of several small, independent groups of horse-riding volunteers in Lanarkshire, Scotland. In 1848, these groups joined together to form one larger unit. It was first called the "Upper Ward and Airdrie Corps of Lanarkshire Yeomanry Cavalry." Later, its name was shortened to the "Lanarkshire Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry."
Serving in the Second Boer War
The yeomanry units were usually meant to defend their home country. However, during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa, the British Army needed more soldiers. So, in 1899, volunteers from yeomanry units were allowed to serve overseas. The Lanarkshire Yeomanry helped create two companies (groups of about 115 men) for the war. They became part of a larger group called the Imperial Yeomanry. In 1901, the regiment changed its role to "mounted infantry," meaning they rode horses to get around but fought on foot.
The Lanarkshire Yeomanry in World War I
When the First World War began in 1914, many soldiers from the Lanarkshire Yeomanry volunteered to serve overseas. Because of this, the unit was split into three main groups:
- 1st Line: These soldiers were ready to fight overseas.
- 2nd Line: These soldiers stayed home for defense.
- 3rd Line: This group trained new soldiers to replace those fighting.
1st Line: Fighting Overseas
The 1st Line of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry went to Gallipoli (now in Turkey) in September 1915. They fought there as foot soldiers. After that, they moved to Egypt in 1916. In 1917, they joined with another unit, the Ayrshire Yeomanry. Together, they formed the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. This new unit fought in the Palestine campaign. Later, in May 1918, they moved to the Western Front in France. A soldier from the regiment, Sergeant Thomas Caldwell, earned the Victoria Cross for his bravery there.
2nd Line: Home Defense and Cyclists
The 2nd Line regiment stayed in Scotland for home defense. In 1916, many yeomanry units, including this one, changed roles. They became "cyclists," meaning they used bicycles to move around instead of horses. This group was stationed at Dunbar in Scotland. Around May 1918, they moved to Derry in Ireland and stayed there until the war ended.
3rd Line: Training New Soldiers
The 3rd Line regiment was formed in 1915 to train new soldiers. They were based in Perth. In early 1917, this training unit was disbanded. Its soldiers either joined the 2nd Line regiment or other army units.
Between the World Wars
After the First World War, the army decided that horse-riding cavalry units were not as useful anymore. Many yeomanry regiments changed their roles. The Lanarkshire Yeomanry was one of the few that remained a horse-riding cavalry unit for a while. However, it later prepared to change to an artillery role. A future Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home, served in this regiment as a young officer during this time.
The Lanarkshire Yeomanry in World War II
Before the Second World War began, the Lanarkshire Yeomanry changed its role completely. In 1940, it became an artillery unit, meaning they operated large guns. It was renamed the 155th (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, RA. A second unit, the 156th (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, RA, was also formed. Both units served as field artillery.
155th Field Regiment: Fighting in Asia
The 155th Regiment went to India in May 1941. They were equipped with powerful 25-pounder guns. In August, they moved to Malaya (now Malaysia) and later to Singapore. They fought in the Battle of Malaya and the Battle of Singapore. Sadly, when Singapore surrendered to the enemy on February 15, 1942, the soldiers of this regiment were taken as prisoners of war.
156th Field Regiment: Fighting in Europe
The 156th Regiment moved to North Africa in July 1942. They fought alongside the 5th Infantry Division through many important campaigns. These included the invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign, and battles in North-Western Europe. They stayed with this division until the end of the war.
After the Wars
After the Second World War, the regiment became part of the Royal Armoured Corps. In 1956, it joined with two other units to form The Queen's Own Lowland Yeomanry. The history of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry was briefly brought back in 1992 as a squadron (a smaller unit) within the Scottish Yeomanry. However, this unit was disbanded in 1999.
Battle Honours
Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and success in battles. They are like badges of honor that show where the unit fought with distinction. The Lanarkshire Yeomanry earned many battle honours for its service. Honours shown in bold are displayed on the unit's flags or banners.
| Second Boer War | South Africa 1900–01 | |
| First World War | Ypres 1918, France and Flanders 1918, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915–17, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell 'Asur, Palestine 1917–18 | |
| Second World War | The Royal Artillery (which the Lanarkshire Yeomanry became) has a special motto, Ubique, meaning "everywhere." This motto takes the place of many battle honours because artillery units were involved in almost every battle.
Honorary Distinction: The badge of the Royal Regiment of Artillery with the years "1941–45" and four scrolls: "North-West Europe", "Sicily", "Italy" and "Malaya". |
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
- List of British Army Yeomanry Regiments converted to Royal Artillery
