Welsh Horse Yeomanry Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Welsh Horse Yeomanry
Active	18 August 1914 – 1919
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Yeomanry
Size	Three regiments
Garrison/HQ	Cardiff
Engagements	World War I Gallipoli 1915 Egypt 1915–17 Palestine 1917–18 France and Flanders 1918

The Welsh Horse Yeomanry was a special cavalry unit in the British Army. It was made up of soldiers who rode horses. This unit served during the First World War. The regiment was created soon after the war began.

At first, they helped protect East Anglia in England from possible attacks. In 1915, they stopped using horses and became foot soldiers. They were then sent to fight in the Gallipoli Campaign. After leaving Gallipoli, they went to Egypt. There, they joined another unit, the 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. They became known as the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

This new battalion fought in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign from 1917 to 1918. Later, they moved to the Western Front in France. They stayed there until the war ended. The Welsh Horse Yeomanry also formed two other groups, called 2nd and 3rd Lines. These groups stayed in the United Kingdom and were later closed down. The main group was closed in 1919.

History of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry
Victoria Cross hero
Battle honours
See also

History of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry

How the unit started

The Welsh Horse Yeomanry was formed on August 18, 1914. This happened in South Wales. Their main office was in Cardiff. Later that year, their office moved to Newtown. The soldiers were trained to fight as lancers, using long spears while on horseback.

Even though they were the last yeomanry unit created, they were given an important rank. This was because of their early connection to the Glamorganshire area.

When World War I began, many soldiers in the Territorial Force volunteered to serve overseas. Because of this, units like the Welsh Horse Yeomanry were split. The "1st Line" was for soldiers who would fight abroad. The "2nd Line" was for those who stayed home. A "3rd Line" was later formed to train new soldiers.

The 1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry in action

In early 1915, the 1st Line unit was in the Diss area of England. They later moved to the Woodbridge area.

In September 1915, the unit stopped using horses. They left Suffolk and sailed from Liverpool. They arrived at Mudros on October 1. On October 10, they landed at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli. They helped with digging tunnels and other tasks at Hill 60. Between December 15 and 20, the unit was moved out of Gallipoli.

After leaving Gallipoli, they went to Egypt in December 1915. They helped guard the Suez Canal. Later, they joined the Western Frontier Force. By the end of 1916, they were back guarding the Suez Canal.

Joining the Royal Welch Fusiliers

On March 4, 1917, the Welsh Horse Yeomanry joined forces with another unit. This was the 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. Together, they became the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. This happened in Cairo, Egypt.

This new battalion became part of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division. A former leader of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry, Lord Kensington, became the commanding officer.

With the 74th Division, the battalion fought in the invasion of Palestine in 1917 and 1918. They fought in the Second Battle of Gaza in April 1917. In the autumn, they fought in the Third Battle of Gaza. Soon after, they helped capture Jerusalem in December.

In March 1918, the battalion fought in the Battle of Tel 'Asur. After this, they were told to move to France. More soldiers were urgently needed there to stop a big German attack.

In May 1918, the division moved to France. The battalion then fought on the Western Front. They took part in the Hundred Days Offensive. This included the Second Battle of the Somme and battles along the Hindenburg Line. In October and November 1918, they were part of the 'Final Advance'. By the time the war ended, they were in Ath, Belgium.

The 2nd and 3rd Lines

The 2nd Line regiment was formed in 1914 in Newtown. In 1916, this unit joined the 2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry.

The 3rd Line regiment was formed in 1915. In 1916, these soldiers stopped using horses. They were then attached to other units in Oswestry. This regiment was closed down in early 1917. Its soldiers joined other units.

After the war

The 25th (Montgomeryshire & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion was reduced in size in France. It was officially closed on June 29, 1919. None of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry units were started again after the war.

Victoria Cross hero

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy. It can be given to soldiers from the British and Commonwealth forces. One soldier from this unit won this award:

Corporal John Collins won it on October 31, 1917. This was at Wadi Saba, Beersheba, in Palestine.

Battle honours

The Welsh Horse Yeomanry earned special recognition for their service in World War I. These are called battle honours:

Welsh Horse Yeomanry facts for kids

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