Westminster Dragoons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 2nd County of London YeomanryWestminster Dragoons |
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Pre-2006 capbadge of the Westminster Dragoons (other ranks)
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| Active | 1779–1783 1794–1829 1901–present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Yeomanry (First World War) Royal Armoured Corps (Second World War) Army Reserve cavalry |
| Role | Light Cavalry |
| Size | Three Regiments (First World War) One Regiment (Second World War) One Squadron |
| Part of | Royal Yeomanry |
| Garrison/HQ | 1 Elverton Street, Westminster (pre-1914–1980) Fulham House, Fulham, London |
| Nickname(s) | Piccadilly Peacocks |
| Motto(s) | Fear Naught |
| March | The Westminster Dragoon |
| Mascot(s) | The Gallipolian Cormorant |
| Anniversaries | Jerusalem, Normandy |
| Engagements | First World War
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| Commanders | |
| Current Commander | Major Mike Crofts |
| Honorary Colonel | Lieutenant-General Sir Simon Mayall |
| Second-In-Command | Captain Luke Griffiths |
| Notable commanders |
Colonel Charles Rosedew Burn Maj Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Stable Belt |  |
| Regimental Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
The Westminster Dragoons (WDs) was a special army unit in London. It was part of the British Army's Army Reserve. Today, its history is carried on by one of the six squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry. The WDs were first formed after the Second Boer War. They fought bravely in the Battle of Gallipoli and were among the first British forces to land in Normandy Invasion in 1944. More recently, the squadron was involved in Operation Telic during the 2003 war in Iraq.
Contents
Early History of the Dragoons
The Westminster Dragoons have a long history. They were first created in 1779 as the London and Westminster Light Horse. This group was made up of rich merchants and bankers. They were disbanded in 1783.
In 1793, the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, suggested that counties should form volunteer cavalry units. These units would help defend the country from invasion or deal with local unrest. So, the regiment was reformed in 1794. In 1797, they were renamed the Westminster Volunteer Cavalry. They even had their own barracks built in Gray's Inn Road in 1812. The unit was disbanded again in 1829.
Joining the Imperial Yeomanry
After some tough battles in the Second Boer War in 1899, the British government needed more soldiers. They decided to let volunteer forces join the fight in South Africa. This led to the creation of the Imperial Yeomanry (IY). These units were made up of volunteers from cavalry groups and civilians. They were trained to fight on horseback, like dragoons.
In 1901, a new unit called the 2nd County of London Imperial Yeomanry was formed. It included soldiers who had fought in South Africa. Over 800 members of this regiment served in the war. They earned a special honour called South Africa 1902. In 1902, the Westminster Council allowed the regiment to add '(Westminster Dragoons)' to its name. They also got to use the city's coat-of-arms as their cap badge.
This regiment quickly became known for its smart, wealthy members from London. They were even nicknamed the 'Piccadilly Peacocks' because of their fancy appearance. Their uniform colours, purple, gold, and scarlet, came from a friendship between their first commander, Colonel Charles Rosedew Burn, and King Edward VII.
The Dragoons were also quick to use new technology. They were one of the first British army units to use mobile wireless equipment. In 1910, Lord Howard de Walden gave them two special Marconi radio sets. By 1914, their main base was at 1 Elverton Street, Westminster.
World War I Service
When World War I started in August 1914, the Westminster Dragoons were called into action. Many members volunteered to serve overseas. Because of this, the unit was split into different groups:
- 1st Line units went overseas.
- 2nd Line units stayed home for defence.
- 3rd Line units trained new soldiers as replacements.
Fighting in Egypt and Gallipoli
The 1st Line regiment sailed to Egypt in September 1914. They were one of the first Yeomanry regiments to serve abroad. They helped guard Cairo and patrolled the Suez Canal.
In August 1915, they were sent to the Gallipoli Campaign. They landed at Suvla Bay and took part in battles like Battle of Scimitar Hill. They faced heavy losses there. Because of this, they joined with another unit, the Hertfordshire Yeomanry, to form the 5th Yeomanry Regiment.
After Gallipoli, the regiment returned to Egypt. They were split up for a while, with different squadrons doing security duties.
Battles in Palestine
In August 1917, the Westminster Dragoons came back together to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF). They fought in the Sinai and Palestine campaign. They were involved in fierce battles, both on horseback and on foot.
On October 31, 1917, they took part in the attack on Beersheba. They held their ground under heavy fire. Later, they helped pursue the enemy. They had some soldiers wounded, but they fought bravely.
After Beersheba, a squadron of the Westminster Dragoons was the first organized group of soldiers to enter Jerusalem. The city had surrendered, and the regiment proudly carries the liberation of Jerusalem as a battle honour. They continued to defend Jerusalem from enemy attacks.
In April 1918, the regiment was changed into F Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. They were sent to France and became the 104th (Westminster Dragoons) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. They remained on the Western Front until the end of the war.
Home Service and Training
The 2nd Line regiment was formed in Westminster in August 1914. They moved around, training for home defence. Most of their soldiers were later sent to join infantry units, and their officers joined the Tank Corps.
The 3rd Line regiment was formed in 1915. They trained new soldiers and were later combined with other cavalry reserve units.
Between the World Wars
After World War I, the Westminster Dragoons decided to use new technology again. They became an armoured car unit. In 1920, they were renamed the 22nd (London) Armoured Car Company (Westminster Dragoons), Tank Corps. This linked them to the Tank Corps, which later became the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR).
In 1938, the armoured car company grew into a full battalion, the 22nd (Westminster Dragoons) Battalion, RTR.
World War II Service
Training Officers and Specialist Tanks
When World War II began in September 1939, the Westminster Dragoons became a training unit for officers. Many of their pre-war members became officers in other British Army units. One famous member was Captain Philip John Gardner VC MC, who won the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
In November 1940, the regiment returned to combat. They became the 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons) in the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). They joined the 79th Armoured Division in October 1943. This division used special tanks called 'Hobart's Funnies'.
The Germans had placed millions of mines along the French coast. To get through these, the British developed tanks like the Sherman Crab. This tank had a spinning drum with chains that would explode mines safely.
In 1944, the regiment began training with these flail tanks. They practiced driving them onto tank landing craft (LCTs), which were very narrow.
D-Day Landings
On D Day, June 6, 1944, the Westminster Dragoons were part of the assault landings on Gold Beach in Normandy. Some of their squadrons also helped on Juno Beach and Sword Beach. Their Crab tanks were meant to clear paths through enemy defences.
The Crabs were often the first vehicles to land. They faced heavy fire and difficult terrain. For example, on Gold Beach, some tanks got stuck in mud or were hit by German guns. Despite this, they worked hard to clear lanes for the infantry and other tanks.
One officer, Major Stanyon, was awarded a Military Cross (MC) for bravely directing tanks and other vehicles under heavy machine gun fire. The Crabs were crucial for getting troops off the beaches and inland.
Later on D-Day, some Crabs helped clear paths and fight strongpoints at Lion-sur-Mer. They also supported other units in their advance, even though they were not designed for direct combat. Four WD Crabs were knocked out in a counter-attack by German tanks, which stopped the British from taking Caen that day.
The Westminster Dragoons continued to serve with the 79th Armoured Division throughout the campaigns in Normandy and North West Europe. They were often sent to help other army groups as needed.
Battles in the Netherlands
The Crabs of the Westminster Dragoons were vital during battles in the Netherlands, like Operation Constellation to capture Overloon and Venray. They cleared minefields, even when facing heavy enemy fire and difficult conditions like mud and floods.
In one battle, Lieutenant Michael Sutton won an MC for rescuing a wounded soldier under heavy machine gun fire. Another officer, Lieutenant Brian Pear, was killed while trying to protect his crew. The Crabs were essential for breaking through strong German defences.
In late November 1944, 12 flail tanks from A Squadron helped clear a minefield at the Battle of Broekhuizen. One tank, belonging to Lieutenant Sam Hall, was destroyed by a German Panzerfaust. Today, this tank is displayed in the Overloon War Museum.
Advance into Germany
The Westminster Dragoons were part of the crossing of the Rhine River in March 1945. Once across, the fighting moved quickly, and there were fewer minefields. So, the flail tanks were used more as regular gun tanks.
By April 1945, the Dragoons were providing armoured support to other divisions. On April 15, C Squadron helped repel enemy attacks and even launched their own offensive. The Westminster Dragoons' war ended when Germany surrendered on May 4, 1945.
After the War to Today
In 1947, the regiment was reformed in the Territorial Army. In 1951, they changed their name to The Westminster Dragoons (2nd County of London Yeomanry). In 1961, they merged with another unit to form the Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons, RAC.
The Westminster Dragoons were officially disbanded in 1967. However, their history continued through the Royal Yeomanry Regiment (Volunteers). A squadron in London was given the title 'Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons'. Later, in 1984, the 'Berkshire' part was dropped, and they became simply the Westminster Dragoons.
In 1971, a bomb caused minor damage to their drill hall. The squadron operated as a reconnaissance unit, using armoured cars. In 1996, they changed their role to nuclear, biological, and chemical defence.
In January 2003, the Westminster Dragoons were called to serve in Iraq. They worked as NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) specialists. After the main fighting, they helped with "peace support" operations. They also sent soldiers to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.
After a review in 2020, the squadron's role changed to light cavalry. This means they are a fast, mobile force with strong firepower. They perform reconnaissance, provide security, and can attack the enemy if needed. Their designation changed to F Squadron in January 2023.
The squadron's most recent deployment was in 2020/21. A troop supported the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in Estonia and Poland as part of NATO Enhanced Forward Presence. The squadron continues to support army operations today.
Uniforms and Badges
The Westminster Dragoons had unique uniforms and badges. Their service uniform was Khaki with a Slouch hat. They later wore a special flash (a small badge) on their hats with the King's horse racing colours: purple, gold, and red. These colours are still used today on their stable belt.
Their formal uniform was a bright red Dragoon tunic with purple details. They wore blue trousers with a yellow stripe and a white metal Dragoon helmet with a purple plume. This plume was changed to white in 1910.
The soldiers' cap badge showed the Coat of arms of the City of Westminster. However, officers often wore a special gold badge used by the Royal Dragoons before the Battle of Waterloo.
During World War I, when dismounted, they wore khaki infantry uniforms. When they rode into Palestine, they wore blue-grey shirts and brown leather cavalry gear.
The black beret became the official headgear for the Royal Tank Corps in 1926. The Westminster Dragoons also adopted it.
Battle Honours
The 2nd County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons) have earned many special honours for their bravery in battles:
- Second Boer War
- South Africa 1902
- First World War
- Second World War
- Normandy Landing
- Villers Bocage
- Venraij
- Meijel
- Venlo Pocket
- Roer
- North-West Europe 1944–45
See also
- County of London Yeomanry
- Imperial Yeomanry
- List of Yeomanry Regiments 1908
- Yeomanry
- Yeomanry order of precedence
- British yeomanry during the First World War
- Second line yeomanry regiments of the British Army
