Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry
Cap badge of the Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry
Active	1794 – 20 August 1920
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1794–1800) United Kingdom (1801–1920)
Branch	British Army
Type	Yeomanry Infantry
Size	Regiment Three Regiments (First World War)
Peacetime HQ	Maidstone
Motto(s)	"Liberty, Loyalty, Property"
Engagements	South Africa 1900–01 First World War Gallipoli 1915 Egypt 1916–17 Palestine 1917–18 France and Flanders 1918

The Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry was a special type of British Army unit. It was formed in 1794. This unit served in two major conflicts. These were the Second Boer War and the First World War. In 1920, it joined with another unit. This new unit was called the Kent Yeomanry.

History of the Regiment
Battle Honours
See also

History of the Regiment

How the Unit Started

In 1793, France was a big threat to Britain. The British government worried about an invasion. They did not have enough soldiers to defend the country. So, in 1794, the government decided to act. They asked for volunteers to help protect Britain. These mounted volunteers were known as "Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry."

In 1827, some Yeomanry units were stopped. This happened if they had not been used in 10 years. The Kent Regiment was one of these units. But in 1830, the West Kent Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry was started again. In 1864, the unit received a special title. It became the "Queen's Own." Its full name was then the West Kent Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry (Queen's Own).

Serving in the Second Boer War

On December 13, 1899, volunteers were allowed to fight. This was for the Second Boer War in South Africa. The British army needed more soldiers. So, on December 24, 1899, the Imperial Yeomanry was created. This new group asked existing Yeomanry units for help. They needed companies of about 115 men. Many British citizens also volunteered to join.

The first group of volunteers arrived in South Africa. This was between February and April 1900. The Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry sent soldiers. They joined the 36th Company, 9th Battalion. These soldiers were trained to fight on horseback. This new way of fighting worked well. So, in 1901, all Yeomanry units became Imperial Yeomanry. The West Kent unit became the West Kent Imperial Yeomanry (Queen's Own). Later, in 1908, the "Imperial" part of the name was dropped.

At this time, the regiment was based in Maidstone. Their headquarters were on Union Street.

The First World War Years

When the First World War began in 1914, things changed. Yeomanry units were meant for home defense. But many members volunteered to serve overseas. So, units were split into different groups.

1st Line: These soldiers could serve overseas.
2nd Line: These soldiers stayed home.
3rd Line: This group trained new soldiers.

1st Line: Fighting Overseas

The 1st Line regiment started fighting on August 4, 1914. They were in Kent until September 1915. Then, they traveled to Liverpool. On September 24, they boarded a ship called RMS Olympic. They sailed to Lemnos, arriving on October 1.

The regiment landed in Gallipoli on October 8. They joined the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. On December 30, they left Gallipoli. They went to Mudros with the 42nd Division. They left the division on January 2, 1916.

In February 1916, the unit moved to Egypt. They helped defend the Suez Canal. In February 1917, the 1/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry joined another unit. They combined with the 1/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry. They became the 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

This new battalion joined the 74th (Yeomanry) Division. They stayed with this division for the rest of the war.

With the 74th Division, they fought in Palestine. They took part in battles like the Second Battle of Gaza and Third Battle of Gaza. This included capturing Beersheba. In late 1917, they helped capture Jerusalem. In March 1918, they fought in the Battle of Tell 'Asur. By April 1918, the division was ready to move. They sailed from Alexandria to France.

In May 1918, the battalion arrived in Marseilles, France. They served in France and Flanders for the rest of the war. They trained for fighting on the Western Front. This included learning about gas defence.

On July 14, 1918, the Yeomanry Division entered the front lines. From September 1918, they took part in the Hundred Days Offensive. This included the Second Battle of the Somme. They also fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line. By the end of the war, they were near Tournai, Belgium.

After the war ended, the soldiers helped repair railways. They also received education. The division was officially ended on July 10, 1919.

2nd Line: Home Defence and Cyclists

The 2nd Line regiment was formed in Maidstone in August 1914. In January 1915, they moved to Hounslow Barracks. Later, they moved to Maresfield. There, they took over horses from other units. In October 1915, the regiment was near Canterbury.

In October 1916, they gave their horses to another unit. In November, they became a cyclist unit. The regiment then joined with the 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry. They formed the 9th (East Kent and West Kent) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment. In March 1917, they became the 2/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry again. In April 1918, the regiment moved to Ireland. They were stationed in Dublin and then Claremorris. They stayed there until the war ended.

3rd Line: Training New Soldiers

The 3rd Line regiment was formed in late 1914 in Canterbury. Their job was to train new soldiers. These new soldiers would replace those fighting overseas. In June 1915, they joined the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Regiment. In 1916, they were dismounted. They were attached to the Home Counties Division. The regiment was ended in February 1917. Its soldiers moved to the 2nd Line regiment or another battalion.

After the Wars

After the First World War, changes were made. Only 14 of the oldest yeomanry units stayed as cavalry. The others were given new roles. So, on August 20, 1920, the West Kent Yeomanry (Queen's Own) joined with another unit. They formed the Kent Yeomanry. At the same time, they changed their role. They became field artillery and were named 6th (Kent) Army Brigade, RFA.

Battle Honours

The West Kent Yeomanry (Queen's Own) earned special awards. These are called battle honours. They show where the unit fought bravely.

Second Boer War: South Africa 1900–01
First World War: Somme 1918, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line, Épehy, Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders 1918, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1916–17, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell 'Asur, Palestine 1917–18

Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry facts for kids

Contents