Suffolk Yeomanry facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars
Loyal Suffolk Hussars badge and service cap
Active	1793–present
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1793–1800) United Kingdom (1801–present)
Branch	Territorial Army
Type	Yeomanry
Size	Regiment
Part of	Cavalry (First World War) Royal Artillery (Second World War) Army Air Corps (Present)
Motto(s)	CONSTANTIA LEVANDI (Steadfast in support)
Battle honours	The Great War: Somme 1918, Bapaume 1918, Hindenberg Line, Epehy, Pursuit to Mons, France & Flanders 1918, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915-17, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tell ‘Asur, Palestine 1917-18
Commanders
Notable commanders	Brigadier-General Ned Baird

The Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars was a special type of cavalry unit in the British Army called a Yeomanry regiment. It started as a group of volunteer horse riders in 1793. This unit fought in important wars like the Second Boer war and both World War I and World War II.

During World War I, they fought in places like Gallipoli, Palestine, and on the Western Front. Later, for World War II, they changed their role to become an Royal Artillery unit, which meant they used big guns, especially anti-tank weapons. They served in North Africa, Italy, and France. Today, their history is continued by No. 677 (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Squadron AAC.

How the Suffolk Hussars Began: Early Years (1793-1800)
Changes in the 1800s: Becoming Hussars
Fighting in the Boer War: Imperial Yeomanry (1899-1901)
World War I: A Global Conflict (1914-1918)
Between the Wars: Becoming Artillery (1920s-1930s)
World War II: Anti-Tank Fighters (1939-1945)
After the Wars: New Roles and Mergers
Uniforms and Insignia: A Changing Look
Battle Honours: Recognising Bravery
Notable People: Famous Members
Images for kids
See also

How the Suffolk Hussars Began: Early Years (1793-1800)

When Britain got involved in the French Revolutionary Wars, people in the county of Suffolk started forming their own volunteer cavalry groups in 1793. A year later, the government suggested that counties should create "Yeomanry Cavalry" groups. These groups could be called upon by the King to defend the country from invasion or by local leaders to help with any problems in the county.

The Suffolk groups officially became part of the Yeomanry. There were troops in many towns, including Bury St Edmunds, Eye, and Ipswich. Some of these groups were stopped in 1800. The remaining six groups joined together to form the 1st Regiment of Loyal Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry.

Changes in the 1800s: Becoming Hussars

The regiment was officially ended in 1827, but it was brought back in 1831. It was then known as the Suffolk (1st Loyal Suffolk) Troop of Yeomanry Cavalry. This group was trained to be Lancers, who were cavalry soldiers armed with long spears.

In 1868, the 1st Suffolk group joined with another independent group from Long Melford. They formed the West Suffolk Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. In 1872, they changed their style to Hussars, who were light cavalry known for their fancy uniforms. The word 'West' was dropped from their name in 1875. In 1883, they added 'Loyal Suffolk Hussars' to their name.

Finally, in 1894, they received the special title Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry (The Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars). This happened when the Duke of York, who later became King George V, became their Honorary Colonel. This is a special title given to important people linked to a regiment.

By 1899, the regiment's main office was in King's Road drill hall, Bury St Edmunds. They were part of the 7th Yeomanry Brigade, alongside the Hertfordshire Yeomanry.

Fighting in the Boer War: Imperial Yeomanry (1899-1901)

After some difficult battles in December 1899, the British government realized they needed more soldiers for the Second Boer War in South Africa. They decided to let volunteer forces help. On December 24, a special order created the Imperial Yeomanry (IY).

This new force was made up of companies of about 115 men who volunteered for one year. Many volunteers came from the existing Yeomanry groups and from civilian life. They were trained to fight as Mounted infantry, meaning they rode horses but fought on foot.

The Loyal Suffolk Hussars formed two companies: the 43rd and 44th (Suffolk) Companies. The first group left for South Africa in January 1900. These two companies served in the 12th Battalion, IY. They landed in South Africa in February and March 1900.

By May and June 1900, the 12th Battalion IY was serving with the main British army. When their year of service ended in 1901, the two Suffolk companies had earned their first Battle honour: South Africa 1900–01. This is a special award for bravery in battle.

The idea of mounted infantry was successful. Before the war ended, all Yeomanry regiments back home were changed into Imperial Yeomanry units. They now had a headquarters and four squadrons, plus a machine gun section. This included the Loyal Suffolk Hussars.

World War I: A Global Conflict (1914-1918)

At the start of World War I in August 1914, the Suffolk Hussars had squadrons in different towns like Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, and Beccles.

According to a law from 1907, the Territorial Force (TF) was meant for defending Britain at home. Its members couldn't be forced to serve overseas. However, when the war started on August 4, 1914, many members volunteered to serve abroad. So, the TF units were split into different groups:

1st Line: These units were ready for overseas service.
2nd Line: These units stayed in Britain for home defense.
3rd Line: These units were formed later to train new soldiers as replacements.

Two local Members of Parliament (MPs), Frank Goldsmith and Walter Guinness, were serving as officers in the regiment at this time.

1st Line: Fighting Overseas

The 1/1st Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars started their war service in August 1914 at Bury St. Edmunds. They became part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade.

In September 1915, they stopped fighting on horseback and moved to Gallipoli in Turkey. They were part of the 54th (East Anglian) Division. After leaving Gallipoli in December 1915, they moved to Egypt.

Headquarters officers of the 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. Near Carvin 14 August 1918. The battalion was formerly known as the 1/1st Duke of Yorks Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars.

In January 1917, they changed again, becoming an infantry (foot soldier) battalion. They were renamed the 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion, part of the Suffolk Regiment. This unit moved to France in May 1918 and fought on the Western Front.

2nd Line: Home Defence and Cyclists

The 2nd Line regiment was formed in 1914. By January 1915, they were stationed at Ely. In March 1916, they joined the 4th Mounted Division.

In July 1916, the regiment changed its role to become a cyclist unit. They were part of the 5th Cyclist Brigade. In November 1916, they merged with another unit, the 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry, to form the 7th (Suffolk and Norfolk) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment.

In March 1917, they went back to being called the 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry. By July 1917, they were in Woodbridge. In May 1918, the regiment moved to Ireland and stayed there until the end of the war.

3rd Line: Training New Soldiers

The 3rd Line regiment was created in 1915. Their job was to train new soldiers and provide replacements for the 1st and 2nd Line regiments. In 1916, they were based at Halton Park.

In early 1917, this regiment was disbanded. Its soldiers were sent to the 2nd Line regiment or to another battalion of the Suffolk Regiment.

Between the Wars: Becoming Artillery (1920s-1930s)

After World War I, the Territorial Army was reformed. In 1920, the War Office announced that only a few Yeomanry regiments would keep their traditional role as mounted cavalry. Most others, including the Suffolk Yeomanry, were changed to different roles.

The Suffolk Yeomanry became two batteries (groups of artillery guns) in the 103rd (Suffolk) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA). In 1923, these two batteries moved to the 108th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Brigade.

After the RFA became part of the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1924, the unit was known as the 108th (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Field Brigade, RA. They had batteries in places like Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft.

In 1938, the RA was reorganized. 'Brigades' became 'regiments', and some field regiments were changed to an anti-tank (A/T) role. The 108th Field Brigade became the 55th (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA. Their job was to destroy enemy tanks.

World War II: Anti-Tank Fighters (1939-1945)

By 1939, it was clear that another big war was coming. The Territorial Army was doubled in size. When the TA was called into action on September 1, the Norfolk and Suffolk Yeomanry were training.

The unit was split into two:

55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) A/T Rgt: Based at Bury St Edmunds, part of the 54th Division.
65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) A/T Rgt: Based at Swaffham, part of the 18th Infantry Division.

The 55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment had its headquarters in Bury St Edmunds. Its batteries were in Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Brandon, and Beccles.

This regiment served with different divisions during the war:

54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division, September 1939
79th Armoured Division, September 1942 – April 1943
49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, July 1943 – August 1945

From July 1943 until the end of the war, the regiment fought with the 49th (West Riding) Division. They took part in battles in North-Western Europe from June 1944 to May 1945.

After the Wars: New Roles and Mergers

After World War II, the regiment was reformed as the 308th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA. Its headquarters were in Bury St Edmunds.

Over the years, the regiment went through several mergers with other units:

In 1958, it joined with the 358th (Suffolk) Medium Regiment, RA, to form the 358th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, RA.
In 1961, it merged again with another unit to form the 308th (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Field Regiment, RA.

In 1967, the Territorial Army was reorganized. The unit was reduced in size to a battery, becoming 202 (The Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Battery, RA. This battery was part of the 100 (Medium) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers).

The battery, which used 105mm light guns, later changed its role to an air defence unit in July 1999. It then changed again in July 2006 to become No. 677 (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Squadron AAC, part of 6 Regiment Army Air Corps. Today, its headquarters are in Bury St Edmunds, with other sections in Norwich and Ipswich.

Uniforms and Insignia: A Changing Look

When the Yeomanry Cavalry was first formed in Suffolk in 1794, they decided on a uniform. It was a dark blue coat with yellow parts, a white waistcoat, and leather breeches. They wore a round hat with a white feather.

However, the soldiers didn't like this uniform. So, a new one was chosen. This uniform had a scarlet (bright red) coat with dark blue parts, white lining, and special shoulder decorations. They also wore a dark blue great-coat.

Until 1868, the different independent groups of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars wore various cavalry uniforms. For example:

The 1st Loyal Suffolk Troop wore green with gold lace.
The Suffolk Borderers wore a scarlet light dragoon uniform.
The Long Melford Troop wore a dark green lancer uniform.

When they all joined together as the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry in 1868, they adopted a heavy dragoon uniform. This was green with red parts, a brass helmet, and a white plume. In 1878, they changed to a green hussar uniform with braids and a fur busby (a tall fur hat). The hussar uniform changed to blue-green in the 1880s.

By 1911, the regular soldiers wore a "mid-bright green" tunic and tight cavalry trousers with red parts. Officers had a special "levee-dress" jacket, which was very fancy.

After 1914, soldiers usually wore standard khaki service uniforms. However, the green and red colors of the Suffolk Hussars could still be seen on items like the officers' field service caps.

Even after becoming part of the Royal Artillery in 1961, the Suffolk Yeomanry batteries continued to wear the Loyal Suffolk Hussars cap badge. This badge was made of gilt or bronze for officers and a mix of metals for other ranks. During World War II, officers wore the badge sewn onto their side caps.

Battle Honours: Recognising Bravery

Battle honours are special awards given to military units for their bravery and achievements in important battles or campaigns. The Suffolk Yeomanry has earned several battle honours throughout its history:

Second Boer War

South Africa 1900–01

First World War

Second World War

No specific battle honours were awarded to artillery units for World War II. The Royal Artillery, which the Suffolk Yeomanry became a part of, was involved in almost every major battle. Instead of individual battle honours, King William IV awarded the Royal Artillery the motto Ubique, which means "everywhere," to show their widespread service.

Notable People: Famous Members

Many important people served in the Duke of York's Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars:

The Hon. Francis Crossley, MC, (who later became the 2nd Baron Somerleyton) and his brother, the Hon. John De Bathe Crossley, both served as officers in the Suffolk Yeomanry batteries in the 1920s.
Arthur Guinness, Viscount Elveden, was an officer in 411 Battery starting in 1932. He was sadly killed in action while serving as a Major with the 55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) A/T Regiment in Holland in February 1945.
Sir Charles Rowley, 6th Baronet, who had previously been an officer in the Grenadier Guards, led 411 Battery from 1925 and became the Commanding Officer of the 108th Field Regiment in 1935.
The Hon. John Hare, (who later became 1st Viscount Blakenham) joined the regiment as an officer in 1938 and served with the 55th (Suffolk Yeomanry) A/T Regiment during World War II.

Images for kids

Group portrait of the Suffolk Yeomanry