Essex Yeomanry Association

The Essex Yeomanry Association

The Essex Yeomanry can trace its routes back to April 1797, when volunteer Yeomanry cavalry was formed as a result of French invasion threats.

In 1889, an Essex Troop of the Loyal Suffolk Hussars was raised and many Essex men served in South Africa 1899 - 1902 in the Imperial Yeomanry, which had been raised as mounted infantry to deal with the highly mobile Boer Commandos.

Following the success of the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, new regiments were raised in Britain for Home defence. The Essex Imperial Yeomanry was raised in November 1902 with head quarters at Colchester and Squadrons at Colchester (A), Halstead (B), Epping (C) and Southend (D).

The Regiment was mobilised in August 1914, and joined the Royal Horse Guards and 10th Royal Hussars in the 8th Cavalry Brigade in the 3rd Cavalry Division in France in November, 1914. The Essex Yeomanry played a prominent part in the battles at Ypres and Arras.

The Essex Yeomanry was converted to artillery in 1921 and during the Second World War saw action in the Middle East, North Africa, the Far East, Italy and D-Day.

The Essex Yeomanry today is a Territorial Army unit - 70th (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron of 71st (Yeomanry) signal regiment.

info@essexyeomanryband.org.uk

Essex Yeomanry Band