Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Leicestershire & Derbyshire(Prince Albert's Own) Yeomanry |
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Cap badge of the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry
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| Active | February 1957 - Present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army Reserve |
| Type | Yeomanry |
| Role | Light Cavalry |
| Size | 1 Squadron |
| Part of | Royal Armoured Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | E (LDY) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry - Glen Parva Barracks, Tigers Road, South Wigston, Leicester, LE18 4WS. |
| Nickname(s) | The LDY or Albert's Lads |
| March | Yeomanry by Bandmaster R Stent |
| Anniversaries | 13 May (Frezenberg) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Major Julian Harris |
| Honorary Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel Anthony C. Richards, CVO |
| Insignia | |
| Stable belt | .jpg) |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
The Leicestershire and Derbyshire (Prince Albert's Own) Yeomanry is a special part of the British Army. It was created in 1957. This unit is now part of the Royal Yeomanry, which is a type of light cavalry. Today, its history and traditions are kept alive by the E (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron.
Contents
What is the Yeomanry?
The Yeomanry is a part of the Army Reserve. This means its members are volunteers who train in their spare time. They can be called upon to serve the country if needed. Historically, Yeomanry units were made up of cavalry, meaning soldiers who fought on horseback. Today, they use modern vehicles instead of horses.
How Did the Unit Start?
The Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry was formed in 1957. It was created by joining two older units together: the Leicestershire Yeomanry and the Derbyshire Yeomanry. This brought together a long history of military service from both areas.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the role of the unit changed. In 1967, it became an infantry unit, which means its soldiers fought on foot. It had four different sections, called squadrons.
Just two years later, in 1969, the unit was made much smaller. It became a "cadre," which is a small group of experienced soldiers who can help train new ones.
Growing Back Stronger
Even though it was smaller, the unit's spirit remained. In 1971, it grew back to a full squadron. It was then known as the Leicestershire and Derbyshire (Prince Albert's Own) Yeomanry Squadron. This squadron became part of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Splitting into New Groups
In 1975, the squadron changed its name to a "company." Then, in 1978, this company split into two separate parts:
- One part stayed with the 7th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.
- The other part joined the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. This part was called B (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Company.
More Changes in the 1990s
These two units changed their names again in 1992:
- The Royal Anglian part became 3 (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.
- The other part became B (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry. This was a big step, as it joined the main Royal Yeomanry family.
In 1996, the Royal Anglian company changed its role completely. It became part of the Royal Logistic Corps, which handles transport and supplies. At this point, it stopped carrying on the Yeomanry's old traditions.
The Unit Today
The B (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron, which was part of the Royal Yeomanry, continued its journey. In June 2015, it was renamed E (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry.
Today, this squadron uses special vehicles called Land Rover RWMIK. They are used for "light armoured reconnaissance." This means the soldiers drive these vehicles to scout ahead, gather information, and sometimes engage in light combat. They play an important role in helping the army understand what's happening on the ground.
Images for kids
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B (Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry in 1993
