Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry
| Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry | |
|---|---|
Badge of the Duke Of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry
|
|
| Active | 1798–present |
| Country |
 Kingdom of Great Britain (1798–1800) United Kingdom (1801–present) |
| Branch |
 British Army
|
| Type | Yeomanry |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Royal Armoured Corps |
| Engagements | |
| Battle honours | See battle honours below |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
H.M Queen Elizabeth II {as Duke of Lancaster} |
Second Boer War
First World War
The Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry has its origins in the various troops of light horse raised in the eighteenth century in the county of Lancaster, the earliest of which was the Bolton Light Horse formed in 1798.
In June 1828 the Lancashire Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry assembled and by special act, the king, William IV, granted the title Duke of Lancaster's Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry in 1834, and the Sovereign, as the Duke of Lancaster, has traditionally been Colonel-in-Chief.
The regiment sent mounted infantry for service in the Boer War as the Imperial Yeomanry, between 1900 and 1902.
The Yeomanry was not intended to serve overseas, but due to the string of defeats during Black Week in December 1899, the British government realized they were going to need more troops than just the regular army. A Royal Warrant was issued on 24 December 1899 to allow volunteer forces to serve in the Second Boer War. The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each for the Imperial Yeomanry. With the Lancashire Hussars, the regiment co-sponsored the 32nd (Lancashire) Company for the 2nd Battalion and the 23rd (Duke of Lancaster's Own) Company for the 8th Battalion in 1900.
In accordance with the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7, c.9) which brought the Territorial Force into being, the TF was intended to be a home defence force for service during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside the country. However, on the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914, many members volunteered for Imperial Service. Therefore, TF units were split in August and September 1914 into 1st Line (liable for overseas service) and 2nd Line (home service for those unable or unwilling to serve overseas) units. Later, a 3rd Line was formed to act as a reserve, providing trained replacements for the 1st and 2nd Line regiments.
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Wikipedia