Lancashire Hussars Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Lancashire Hussars
Badge of the Lancashire Hussars
Active	1798–1969
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1798–1800) United Kingdom (1801–1969)
Branch	British Army
Type	Yeomanry
Size	Regiment
Part of	Royal Armoured Corps Royal Artillery
Battle honours	Second World War: No battle honours were awarded. It is tradition within artillery units that the Regiment's guns represent its colours and battle honours.

The Lancashire Hussars was a special part of the British Army. It was first created way back in 1798. This unit fought in some big wars, including the Second Boer War, the First World War, and the Second World War. In 1969, the regiment became much smaller. Its long history as a "Yeomanry" unit then ended.

History
See also

History

How the Hussars Began

The Lancashire Hussars started in 1798 as small, independent groups of soldiers. In 1828, they became known as the Lancashire Yeomanry Cavalry. This group was then stopped in 1832. But it was started again in 1848, this time as the Lancashire Hussars.

Later, in 1901, it changed its name to the Lancashire Hussars Imperial Yeomanry. Then, in 1908, it became the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry.

Fighting in the Second Boer War

In December 1899, the British government decided to let volunteer soldiers join the Second Boer War. This was because the regular army needed more help. So, a special order was made to create the Imperial Yeomanry. This new group asked existing Yeomanry regiments to send about 115 men each. Many British citizens also volunteered to join.

The Lancashire Hussars helped form two companies, the 23rd and 32nd (Lancashire) Companies. They also sponsored the 77th (Manchester) Company. These companies served in the 8th Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry.

The Imperial Yeomanry soldiers were trained to fight on horseback. They were called Mounted infantry. This idea worked well. So, in 1901, all Yeomanry regiments became Imperial Yeomanry. The Hussars then became the Lancashire Hussars Imperial Yeomanry. In 1908, when they joined the Territorial Force, the "Imperial" part of their name was dropped. At this time, the regiment was based in Liverpool.

The First World War

When the First World War began in August 1914, the Territorial Force was meant for home defense. But many members volunteered to fight overseas. So, the units were split into three groups.

1st Line units went to fight overseas.
2nd Line units stayed home. They were for those who could not or did not want to serve abroad.
3rd Line units were reserves. They trained new soldiers to replace those fighting.

1st Line: 1/1st Lancashire Hussars

The 1/1st Lancashire Hussars unit was formed in Liverpool in August 1914. In 1915, the regiment was split up. The main headquarters and one squadron went to the 31st Division. They later moved to France. The rest of the regiment joined other divisions.

In May 1916, the regiment was put back together. It became the VIII Corps Cavalry Regiment. In July 1917, the soldiers stopped fighting on horseback. They were trained to fight as regular foot soldiers, called infantry. By September 1917, they joined a battalion of the King's Regiment. This new unit was called the 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion.

2nd Line: 2/1st Lancashire Hussars

The 2nd Line regiment was formed in September 1914. By July 1915, it was part of the 2/1st Western Mounted Brigade. In March 1916, they were based in Cupar, Scotland.

In July 1916, many 2nd Line Yeomanry units in the UK changed. Most became cyclists. So, the Lancashire Hussars also stopped using horses. They became part of the 14th Cyclist Brigade. Later, this brigade was renamed the 10th Cyclist Brigade. The regiment moved to St Andrews in July 1917.

By January 1918, the 10th Cyclist Brigade moved to Lincolnshire. The regiment was in Skegness. Around May 1918, the brigade moved to Ireland. The regiment was stationed in Bandon and Buttevant, County Cork. They stayed there until the war ended.

3rd Line: 3/1st Lancashire Hussars

The 3rd Line regiment was formed in 1915. It was a reserve unit. Its job was to train new soldiers. In 1916, it was linked to the 10th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. Later, it joined the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment.

By 1918, the 1st Line regiment became infantry. So, the 3rd Line unit also changed. It joined the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) in Oswestry.

Between the World Wars

After the First World War, in 1920, the Lancashire Hussars changed their role. They became part of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). They were renamed the 2nd (Lancashire) Army Brigade, RFA. In 1921, they became the 106th (Lancashire Yeomanry) Brigade, RFA.

In 1924, the RFA became part of the Royal Artillery (RA). So, the unit was renamed the 106th (Lancashire Yeomanry) Field Brigade, RA. Its main base moved back to Liverpool. In 1938, it was renamed again as the 106th (Lancashire Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery.

The Second World War

106th (Lancashire Hussars) Regiment, RHA

At the start of the Second World War, this regiment had two batteries, the 423rd and 424th. They were based in Liverpool. By November 1939, they were part of the 1st Cavalry Division in the UK. They had different types of guns, like howitzers and field guns.

In January 1940, the regiment moved to Palestine. Then, in August 1940, they moved to North Africa. Their batteries changed roles. Some became anti-tank batteries, and others became anti-aircraft batteries. They used different guns, including captured Italian ones. They fought with the 7th Armoured Division in many early battles in North Africa.

In February 1941, the regiment was told it would become a Light Anti-Aircraft (L.A.A) regiment. It was then known as the 106th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (Lancashire Hussars). In March 1941, the regiment went to Greece as part of "W Force." They were sent to defend an airstrip. But the German army advanced, forcing the British to retreat. The 106th was the only anti-aircraft defense in the town of Nauplion. After destroying their guns, the regiment was evacuated to Crete. Many soldiers ended up as prisoners of war during the Battle of Crete. The regiment was then put on hold in July of that year. Many of its men joined another regiment, the 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Regiment RA.

149th (Lancashire Hussars) Regiment, RHA

This regiment changed to a field regiment on June 1, 1940. It was sent to Egypt in March 1941. It arrived there on June 20, 1941. On July 1, 1941, it became the 149th Anti-Tank Regiment. It had several batteries and 36 two-pounder guns.

The regiment entered Tobruk in November 1941. It fought in the desert with the 8th Army until July 1942. In January 1942, one of its batteries was renamed the 513th Anti-Tank Battery. The regiment changed back to a field regiment in May 1942. Then, it became an anti-tank regiment again in July 1942.

It served with the 5th Indian Infantry Division and later the 4th Indian Infantry Division. It fought in North Africa, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Italy, and then Greece.

After the Wars

When the Territorial Army was reformed in 1947, the regiment was renamed the 306th (Lancashire Hussars) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA. In 1950, it joined with another regiment.

Later, in 1956, it became 'P' (Lancashire Hussars) Battery. By 1967, it was just 'A' Troop (Lancashire Hussars). In 1969, the regiment became a very small group of soldiers, called a cadre. Its long history as a Yeomanry unit officially ended.

Lancashire Hussars facts for kids

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