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{{Infobox military unit
  
{{Infobox military unit
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|unit_name=The Royal Wessex Yeomanry
 +
| unit_name = The Royal Wessex Yeomanry
  ⚫
| image = Royal Wessex Yeomanry.png
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|image=
  
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|caption=Cap badge of the Royal Yeomanry
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| caption = Cap badge of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry
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|dates=1 April 1971-Present
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| dates = 1 April 1971–Present
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|country=[[United Kingdom]]
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| allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
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|branch=[[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]
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| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
−
|type=[[Yeomanry]]
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| type = [[Yeomanry]]
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|command_structure=[[Royal Armoured Corps]]
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| role = Armoured Reinforcement
  ⚫
| size = One regiment
−
|role=Armour Replacement
  
  +
| command_structure = [[Royal Armoured Corps]]
⚫
|size= One regiment
  
  ⚫
| garrison = Regimental Headquarters - [[Bovington Camp]]<br>A Squadron – Bovington<br>B Squadron – Salisbury<br>C Squadron – Cirencester & Donnington<br>D Squadron – Barnstaple and Exeter<br>Y Squadron – Swindon
⚫
|current_commander=
 
  +
| nickname = Wessex Warriors
⚫
|garrison= A Squadron - Bovington<br>B Squadron - Salisbury<br>C Squadron - Cirencester<br>D Squadron - Barnstaple
  
  +
| motto =
⚫
|ceremonial_chief=HRH [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|The Earl of Wessex]]
  
  +
| colors =
⚫
|ceremonial_chief_label=Royal Honorary Colonel
  
  +
| march = Slow: Scimitar Hill ( Sherborne)
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|colonel_of_the_regiment=Lt Gen Sir [[Richard Shirreff]] KCB CBE
  
  +
Quick: God Bless the Prince of Wales
⚫
|colonel_of_the_regiment_label=Honorary Colonel
  
  +
| mascot = Ramrod Darcy III, Dorset Ram
−
|identification_symbol=[[File:Royal Wessex Yeomanry TRF.svg|100px]]
  
  ⚫
| battles =
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|identification_symbol_label=Tactical Recognition Flash
  
  +
| anniversaries =
⚫
|battles=
  
  +
| notable_commanders =
  ⚫
| current_commander = Lt Col CJ Speers
  ⚫
| ceremonial_chief = [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|The Earl of Wessex]] KG GCVO ADC
  ⚫
| ceremonial_chief_label = Royal Honorary Colonel
  +
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Lt Col [[Rupert Ponsonby, 7th Baron de Mauley|The Lord de Mauley]] TD
  ⚫
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Honorary Colonel
 
}}
  
}}
−
The '''Royal Wessex Yeomanry''' (RWxY) is an [[armoured warfare|armoured]] [[regiment]] of the British [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] consisting of four [[Squadron (army)|squadrons]]. Currently part of [[43 (Wessex) Brigade]], they will support the Reactive Brigades under the [[Army 2020]] plan as replacements for any of the 3 Type 56 Armoured Regiments. Unlike any other regiment in the British Army, each of the squadrons wear a different [[cap badge]] - that of their antecedent [[yeomanry]] regiments:
 +
The '''Royal Wessex Yeomanry''' (RWxY) is a Reserve [[Armoured regiment (United Kingdom)|armoured regiment]] of the British [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]] consisting of five [[Squadron (army)|squadrons]]. Formerly part of [[43rd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|43 (Wessex) Brigade]], the regiment joined [[3rd Division (United Kingdom)|3rd (UK) Division]] in July 2014, to provide armoured (main battle tank) resilience to the three armoured regiments within the Reaction Force. In 2015 the Regiment was moved from the Operational Command of [[3rd Division (United Kingdom)|3rd (UK) Division]] to [[1st Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|1st Armoured Infantry Brigade]], but members of the Regiment still wear the [[3rd Division (United Kingdom)|3rd (UK) Division]] formation badge to reflect their role in supporting the three Armoured Regiments in the Division (QRH, KRH, and RTR).
   
  ⚫
==History==
⚫
*B ([[Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry]]) Squadron
  
  ⚫
The regiment can trace its history back to 4 June 1794, a meeting of country gentlemen at the Bear Inn in Devizes decided to raise a body of ten independent troops of Yeomanry for the county of Wiltshire, which became the [[Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry]]. The Wessex Yeomanry was formed on 1 April 1971 by re-raising cadres from the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Royal Devon Yeomanry to form four squadrons. The Wessex Yeomanry was granted its royal title, becoming the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, on 8 June 1979. Initially roled as infantry, in the 1980s it was re-roled as a reconnaissance regiment and became one of the Military Home Defence Reconnaissance Regiments. Following the Strategic Defence Review, the regiment merged with the Dorset Yeomanry in July 1999 and was reorganised and re-roled into its current ORBAT.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bastin|first=Maj JD|title=The Historical Journal of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry|year=1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Wessex Yeomanry History |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9061.aspx |accessdate=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107042803/http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9061.aspx |archivedate=January 7, 2012 }}</ref>
⚫
*A ([[Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry|Dorset Yeomanry]]) Squadron
  
⚫
*C ([[Royal Gloucestershire Hussars]]) Squadron
  
⚫
*D ([[Royal Devon Yeomanry]]) Squadron
  
   
  +
Before the [[Army 2020]] plan, the regiment had three roles:
⚫
Unusually, B Sqn is the senior of the four squadrons of the regiment. This is because the RWY is the senior Yeomanry regiment in the [[Yeomanry Order of Precedence]], having been raised in 1794. It is not designated as A Sqn (which would be the usual practice) because there is an A (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Sqn of the [[Royal Yeomanry]] with which it could be confused.
  
   
  ⚫
*The training of [[Challenger 2]] main battle tank crewmen as Turret Crew Replacements. This commitment was provided by B (RWY), C (RGH) and D (RDY) Squadrons.
−
Under [[Army 2020]], A Squadron will become a HQ squadron to reflect the same structure as the future Type 56 Challenger 2 Regiments.<ref>http://www.serfca.org/Portals/0/Images/f/SUMMARY%20OF%20A2020%20RESERVE%20STRUCTURE%20AND%20BASING%20CHANGES.pdf</ref>
  
  ⚫
*Armour Replacement. This role was provided by A (DY) Squadron.
⚫
HRH [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|The Earl of Wessex]] is the Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.
  
  ⚫
*The provision of skilled officers and senior non-commissioned officers to support the Regular Army on operations as 'watchkeepers' and liaison officers. This was provided by all four squadrons.<ref>{{cite web|title=RWxY Role |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9060.aspx |accessdate=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125083737/http://army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9060.aspx |archivedate=25 November 2011 }}</ref>
  +
[[File:WESTCOUNTRY ARMY RESERVISTS CALL IN CHINOOK HELICOPTER DURING DYNAMIC TRAINING WEEKEND MOD 45156719.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A Royal Wessex Yeomanry Challenger 2 during exercises on the [[Salisbury Plain]] in 2014.]]
  +
Since 2013, the regiment has been the United Kingdom's only Armoured Reinforcement Regiment, providing armoured (Main Battle Tank) resilience to the three remaining regular Army Armoured Regiments: the Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH), the King's Royal Hussars (KRH) and the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). All five squadrons train Challenger 2 crewmen. The RWxY has conducted Challenger 2 (CR2) driver training in Bovington, Sennelager Germany, Salisbury Plain Training Area and live firing at Lulworth and Castlemartin Ranges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ta-soldiers-undertake-tank-training|title=TA soldiers undertake tank training|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref>
   
  ⚫
Each squadron maintains the traditions of its forebear regiment, maintaining a sense of pride and rivalry. In 2011, there was a Regimental Celebration of 40 years since the founding of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, although, at this time, the Dorset Yeomanry was not part of the regiment. [[Earl of Wessex]], the Regimental Colonel, visited, met with members of the regiment and their families and also participated in a private guided tour of the neighbouring [[Tank Museum]].<ref name=earl>{{cite web|url=http://www.tankmuseum.org/ixbin/indexplus?record=ART3090|title=Prince visits museum|accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref>
⚫
==History==
  
   
  +
==Recruitment==
−
The Wessex Yeomanry was formed on 1 April 1971 by re-raising cadres from the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Royal Devon Yeomanry to form four squadrons. The regiment was granted its royal title on 8 June 1979.
  
  +
Like all of the regiments within the [[British Army]] the regiment allows recruits from all over the country. However, this regiment traditionally recruits from counties such as [[Devon]], [[Dorset]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[Shropshire]] and [[Wiltshire]], along with neighbouring counties such as [[Cornwall]], [[Hampshire]], [[Oxfordshire]] and [[Somerset]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/royal-wessex-yeomanry/|title=Royal Wessex Yeomanry|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-12-20}}</ref>
   
  +
==Organisation==
⚫
Initially roled as infantry, in the 1980s it was re-roled as a reconnaissance regiment and became one of the Military Home Defence Reconnaissance Regiments. Following the Strategic Defence Review, the regiment merged with the Dorset Yeomanry in July 1999 and was reorganised and re-roled into its current ORBAT.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bastin|first=Maj JD|title=The Historical Journal of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry|year=1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Wessex Yeomanry History|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9061.aspx|accessdate=9 February 2012}} {{dead link|date=November 2014}}</ref>
  
  +
Each squadron keeps within its title the name of its antecedent, county, [[yeomanry]] regiment:<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=6 July 2020|title=Army Reseve Unit Locations in 2020|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/664382/response/1596315/attach/3/20200706%20FOI05506%20Arbeely%20Response%20Letter%20ArmySec.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=6 July 2020|website=}}</ref>
   
  +
*Regimental Headquarters, at [[Bovington Camp|Allenby Barracks, Bovington Camp]] BH20
−
The regiment currently has three roles:
  
  ⚫
*A ([[Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry|Dorset Yeomanry]]) Squadron, at [[Bovington Camp|Allenby Barracks, Bovington Camp]] BH20
  ⚫
*B ([[Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry]]) Squadron, at Army Reserve Centre, [[Old Sarum]] SP4
  ⚫
*C ([[Royal Gloucestershire Hussars]]) Squadron, at Army Reserve Centre, Somerford Road, [[Cirencester]] GL7
  +
**[[Battle of Monte Cassino|C (Cassino) Troop]], at [[MoD Donnington|Venning Barracks]], [[Donnington, Telford|Donnington]] TF2
  ⚫
*D ([[Royal Devon Yeomanry]]) Squadron, at [[Wyvern Barracks]], [[Exeter]] EX2
  +
**Barnstaple Troop, at Fortescue Lines, [[Barnstaple]] EX32
  +
*Y ([[Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry]]) Squadron, at Army Reserve Centre, [[Swindon]] SN1
   
  ⚫
Unusually, B Squadron is the senior of the regiment's five squadrons. This is because the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry is the senior Yeomanry regiment in the [[Yeomanry Order of Precedence]], having been raised in 1794. It is not designated as A Squadron (which would be the usual practice) because there was already a Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry squadron in the [[Royal Yeomanry]] with which it could be confused. In summer 2014, this Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Squadron joined the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, becoming Y Squadron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wessex-rfca.org.uk/royal-wessex-yeomanry-dons-new-cap-badge-bigger-role/|title=The Royal Wessex Yeomanry dons a new cap badge for a bigger role|publisher=Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association|accessdate=22 October 2017}}</ref>
⚫
*The training of [[Challenger 2]] main battle tank crewmen as Turret Crew Replacements. This commitment is provided by B (RWY), C (RGH) and D (RDY) Squadrons.
  
⚫
*Armour Replacement. This role is provided by A (DY) Squadron.
  
⚫
*The provision of skilled officers and senior non-commissioned officers to support the Regular Army on operations as watchkeepers and liaison officers. This is provided by all four squadrons.<ref>{{cite web|title=RWxY Role|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9060.aspx|accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
   
  ⚫
[[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|The Earl of Wessex]] KG GCVO ADC is the Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.<ref name=earl/>
⚫
Each squadron maintains its own traditions of their forebear regiments, maintaining a sense of pride and rivalry. In 2011 there was a Regimental Celebration of 40 years since the founding of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, although at this time, the Dorset Yeomanry was not part of the regiment. HRH [[Earl of Wessex]] the Regimental Colonel visited, met members of the regiment and their families and also participated in a private guided tour of the neighbouring [[Tank Museum]]
  
   
 
==Uniform==
  
==Uniform==
  ⚫
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry [[Tactical Recognition Flash]] (TRF) is taken from the [[74th (Yeomanry) Division]], whose insignia was a broken spur in a black diamond during the [[First World War]]. It is used to signify that its units were once mounted but now served as infantry. The TRF took its colour scheme from the facings of the collars and cuffs of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (buff), Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Dorset Yeomanry and the Royal Devon Yeomanry (all scarlet).<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the RWxY TRF |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9143.aspx |accessdate=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017075749/http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9143.aspx |archivedate=17 October 2012 }}</ref> In 2016 the colour scheme of the TRF was changed, replacing the scarlet with blue, and the 'broken spur' replaced by a complete spur.<ref name=modhistory>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28779.aspx|title=History|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=22 October 2017}}</ref>
   
  ⚫
The regiment wears a brown beret, similar to that worn by the [[Kings Royal Hussars]], with a square black patch behind the cap badge to represent the RTR affiliation. Until July 2014, each squadron wore the cap badge of its antecedent Yeomanry regiment, meaning that, unlike most other British Army regiments, the RWxY still had four cap badges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rghya.org.uk/images/2013donkeywalloper.pdf|page=3|title=13 March 2012 - Association Meeting at The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum|publisher=The Donkey Walloper|accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref> On 5 July 2014 all squadrons, including Y Squadron (formerly A Squadron the Royal Yeomanry), adopted a single unifying cap badge featuring the [[white dragon]] of England.<ref name=modhistory/>
⚫
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry TRF is taken from the [[74th (Yeomanry) Division]], whose insignia was a broken spur in a black diamond during [[World War I]], used to signify that its units were once mounted but now served as infantry. The TRF takes its colour scheme from facings of the collars and cuffs of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (buff), Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Dorset Yeomanry and the Royal Devon Yeomanry (all scarlet).<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the RWxY TRF|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9143.aspx|accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
⚫
The regiment wears a brown beret, similar to that worn by the [[Kings Royal Hussars]], with a square black patch behind the cap badge to represent the RTR affiliation. Each squadron wears the cap badge of its antecedent Yeomanry regiment, meaning that unlike any other British Army regiment, the RWxY still has 4 cap badges. The squadrons also retain their own [[stable belt]]s and [[mess dress]]. In barrack (Number 13) dress the regiment wear a green fleck v-neck jumper. As the British Army reforms towards its Army 2020 and Future Reserves 2020 design, there is a keen aspiration among the serving soldiers to unite the squadrons under one, Regimental, cap badge - this may happen in 2013.
  
   
 
==Affiliations==
  
==Affiliations==
  +
*The [[Queen's Royal Hussars]]
⚫
*The [[King's Royal Hussars]] (B and C Squadrons)<ref>{{cite web|first=The King's Royal Hussars Association|title=Allied Regiments & Affiliations|url=http://www.krh.org.uk/allied-and-affiliations.html|accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref>
 
−
*The [[Royal Tank Regiment]] (A and D Squadrons)<ref>{{cite web|first=The Royal Tank Regiment Association|title=Allied & Affiliated Regiments|url=http://www.royaltankregiment.com/en-GB/alliedaffiliatedregiments.aspx|accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref>
+
*The [[King's Royal Hussars]]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The King's Royal Hussars Association |title=Allied Regiments & Affiliations |url=http://www.krh.org.uk/allied-and-affiliations.html |accessdate=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420030052/http://www.krh.org.uk/allied-and-affiliations.html |archivedate=20 April 2012 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*The [[Royal Tank Regiment]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Royal Tank Regiment Association|title=Allied & Affiliated Regiments|url=http://www.royaltankregiment.com/en-GB/alliedaffiliatedregiments.aspx|accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref>
−
*[[HMS Enterprise (H88)]] (D Squadron)
 +
*[[HMS Enterprise (H88)|HMS ''Enterprise'']]
   
−
==Regular Commanding Officers==
 +
==Commanding officers==
  +
* 2003-2005: [[Rupert Ponsonby, 7th Baron de Mauley|Lt Col The Lord de Mauley TD]]
  +
* 2005-2007: Lt Col MJR Rothwell TD
  +
* 2007-2010: Lt Col R Frampton-Hobbs
  ⚫
* 2010-2012: Lt Col RB Trant
  ⚫
* 2012–2015: Lt Col C MacGregor
  +
* 2015–2017: Lt Col J Godfrey
  +
* 2017–2020: Lt Col RA Burdon-Cooper
  +
* 2020–Present: Lt Col CJ Speers
   
  ⚫
==Honorary Colonels==
⚫
2010-2012: Lt Col R Trant QRL
  
  ⚫
*1971–1984: Col [[Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort|The Duke of Beaufort]] KG PC GCVO <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 45569 |page=348 | supp = y | date = 11 January 1971 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*1984–1989: Maj [[James Morrison, 2nd Baron Margadale|James Ian Morrison]] TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 49787 |page=8742 | supp = y | date = 26 June 1984 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*1989–1992: Maj Gen Sir [[John Hugh Bevil Acland|Sir John Acland]] KCB CBE DL <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 51718 |page=5217 | supp = y | date = 28 April 1989 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*1992–1997: Gen Sir [[John Waters (British Army officer)|John Waters]] KCB CBE <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 52792 |page=492 | supp = y | date = 14 January 1992 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*1997–2000: Col John Evelyn Baring Hills TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 54788 |page=6737 | supp = y | date = 9 June 1997 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*2000–2003: Lt Col JG Peel TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 56078 |page=14611 | supp = y | date = 2 January 2001 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*2003–2010: Maj Gen [[Arthur Denaro]] CBE <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 57122 |page=14548 | supp = y | date = 25 November 2003 }}</ref>
  ⚫
*2010-2015: Gen Sir [[Richard Shirreff]] KCB CBE <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 59492 |page=13805 | supp = y | date = 20 July 2010 }}</ref>
  +
*2015-: Lt Col [[Rupert Ponsonby, 7th Baron de Mauley|The Lord de Mauley]] TD <ref>{{London Gazette | issue = 61307|page=13875 | supp = y | date = 28 July 2015 }}</ref>
   
  +
==Order of precedence==
⚫
2012–present: Lt Col C MacGregor KRH
  
  +
For the purposes of parading, the Regiments of the British Army are listed according to an order of precedence. This is the order in which the various corps of the army parade, from right to left, with the unit at the extreme right being the most senior.
   
  +
{{S-start}}
⚫
==Honorary Colonels==
  
  +
{{Order of precedence |
⚫
* 1971-1984: Col [[Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort|The Duke of Beaufort]] KG PC GCVO <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 45569 | startpage = 348 | supp = yes | date = 11 January 1971 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
  +
before= [[Royal Yeomanry]]|
⚫
*1984-1989: Maj The Hon [[James Morrison, 2nd Baron Margadale|James Ian Morrison]] TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 49787 | startpage = 8742 | supp = yes | date = 26 June 1984 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
  +
title= [[British Army Order of Precedence|British Army <br>Order of Precedence]]|
⚫
*1989–1992: Maj Gen Sir [[John Hugh Bevil Acland|Sir John Acland]] KCB CBE DL <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 51718 | startpage = 5217 | supp = yes | date = 28 April 1989 | accessdate = 2 November 2009}}</ref>
  
  +
after= [[Queen's Own Yeomanry]]
⚫
*1992-1997: Gen Sir [[John Waters (British Army officer)|John Waters]] KCB CBE <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 52792 | startpage = 492 | supp = yes | date = 14 January 1992 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
  +
}}
⚫
*1997-2000: Col JEB Hills TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 54788 | startpage = 6737 | supp = yes | date = 9 June 1997 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
  +
{{S-end}}
⚫
*2000-2003: Lt Col JG Peel TD DL <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 56078 | startpage = 14611 | supp = yes | date = 2 January 2001 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
⚫
*2003-2010: Maj Gen [[Arthur Denaro]] CBE <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 57122 | startpage = 14548 | supp = yes | date = 25 November 2003 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
⚫
*2010: Lt Gen Sir [[Richard Shirreff]] KCB CBE <ref>{{London Gazette| issue = 59492 | startpage = 13805 | supp = yes | date = 20 July 2010 | accessdate = 9 February 2012}}</ref>
  
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
Line 76: Line 107:
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
−
*[http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/26883.aspx Official site]
 +
*[https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/royal-wessex-yeomanry/ Official site]
  +
*[http://www.armoured-reserve.com Armoured-Reserve]
   
 
{{Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps Regiments}}
  
{{Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps Regiments}}
−  
⚫
{{Wikipedia|Royal Wessex Yeomanry}}
  
−  
 
[[Category:Yeomanry regiments of the British Army]]
  
[[Category:Yeomanry regiments of the British Army]]
 
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1971]]
  
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1971]]

Revision as of 03:39, 29 September 2020

The Royal Wessex Yeomanry
Royal Wessex Yeomanry
Cap badge of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry
Active 1 April 1971–Present
Allegiance Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Flag of the British Army British Army
Type Yeomanry
Role Armoured Reinforcement
Size One regiment
Part of Royal Armoured Corps
Garrison/HQ Regimental Headquarters - Bovington Camp
A Squadron – Bovington
B Squadron – Salisbury
C Squadron – Cirencester & Donnington
D Squadron – Barnstaple and Exeter
Y Squadron – Swindon
Nickname(s) Wessex Warriors
March

Slow: Scimitar Hill ( Sherborne)

Quick: God Bless the Prince of Wales
Mascot(s) Ramrod Darcy III, Dorset Ram
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt Col CJ Speers
Royal Honorary Colonel The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO ADC
Honorary Colonel Lt Col The Lord de Mauley TD

The Royal Wessex Yeomanry (RWxY) is a Reserve armoured regiment of the British Army Reserve consisting of five squadrons. Formerly part of 43 (Wessex) Brigade, the regiment joined 3rd (UK) Division in July 2014, to provide armoured (main battle tank) resilience to the three armoured regiments within the Reaction Force. In 2015 the Regiment was moved from the Operational Command of 3rd (UK) Division to 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade, but members of the Regiment still wear the 3rd (UK) Division formation badge to reflect their role in supporting the three Armoured Regiments in the Division (QRH, KRH, and RTR).

History

The regiment can trace its history back to 4 June 1794, a meeting of country gentlemen at the Bear Inn in Devizes decided to raise a body of ten independent troops of Yeomanry for the county of Wiltshire, which became the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. The Wessex Yeomanry was formed on 1 April 1971 by re-raising cadres from the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Royal Devon Yeomanry to form four squadrons. The Wessex Yeomanry was granted its royal title, becoming the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, on 8 June 1979. Initially roled as infantry, in the 1980s it was re-roled as a reconnaissance regiment and became one of the Military Home Defence Reconnaissance Regiments. Following the Strategic Defence Review, the regiment merged with the Dorset Yeomanry in July 1999 and was reorganised and re-roled into its current ORBAT.[1][2]

Before the Army 2020 plan, the regiment had three roles:

  • The training of Challenger 2 main battle tank crewmen as Turret Crew Replacements. This commitment was provided by B (RWY), C (RGH) and D (RDY) Squadrons.
  • Armour Replacement. This role was provided by A (DY) Squadron.
  • The provision of skilled officers and senior non-commissioned officers to support the Regular Army on operations as 'watchkeepers' and liaison officers. This was provided by all four squadrons.[3]
WESTCOUNTRY ARMY RESERVISTS CALL IN CHINOOK HELICOPTER DURING DYNAMIC TRAINING WEEKEND MOD 45156719

A Royal Wessex Yeomanry Challenger 2 during exercises on the Salisbury Plain in 2014.

Since 2013, the regiment has been the United Kingdom's only Armoured Reinforcement Regiment, providing armoured (Main Battle Tank) resilience to the three remaining regular Army Armoured Regiments: the Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH), the King's Royal Hussars (KRH) and the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). All five squadrons train Challenger 2 crewmen. The RWxY has conducted Challenger 2 (CR2) driver training in Bovington, Sennelager Germany, Salisbury Plain Training Area and live firing at Lulworth and Castlemartin Ranges.[4]

Each squadron maintains the traditions of its forebear regiment, maintaining a sense of pride and rivalry. In 2011, there was a Regimental Celebration of 40 years since the founding of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, although, at this time, the Dorset Yeomanry was not part of the regiment. Earl of Wessex, the Regimental Colonel, visited, met with members of the regiment and their families and also participated in a private guided tour of the neighbouring Tank Museum.[5]

Recruitment

Like all of the regiments within the British Army the regiment allows recruits from all over the country. However, this regiment traditionally recruits from counties such as Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Wiltshire, along with neighbouring counties such as Cornwall, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset.[6]

Organisation

Each squadron keeps within its title the name of its antecedent, county, yeomanry regiment:[7]

Unusually, B Squadron is the senior of the regiment's five squadrons. This is because the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry is the senior Yeomanry regiment in the Yeomanry Order of Precedence, having been raised in 1794. It is not designated as A Squadron (which would be the usual practice) because there was already a Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry squadron in the Royal Yeomanry with which it could be confused. In summer 2014, this Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Squadron joined the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, becoming Y Squadron.[8]

The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO ADC is the Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.[5]

Uniform

The Royal Wessex Yeomanry Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF) is taken from the 74th (Yeomanry) Division, whose insignia was a broken spur in a black diamond during the First World War. It is used to signify that its units were once mounted but now served as infantry. The TRF took its colour scheme from the facings of the collars and cuffs of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (buff), Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Dorset Yeomanry and the Royal Devon Yeomanry (all scarlet).[9] In 2016 the colour scheme of the TRF was changed, replacing the scarlet with blue, and the 'broken spur' replaced by a complete spur.[10]

The regiment wears a brown beret, similar to that worn by the Kings Royal Hussars, with a square black patch behind the cap badge to represent the RTR affiliation. Until July 2014, each squadron wore the cap badge of its antecedent Yeomanry regiment, meaning that, unlike most other British Army regiments, the RWxY still had four cap badges.[11] On 5 July 2014 all squadrons, including Y Squadron (formerly A Squadron the Royal Yeomanry), adopted a single unifying cap badge featuring the white dragon of England.[10]

Affiliations

Commanding officers

  • 2003-2005: Lt Col The Lord de Mauley TD
  • 2005-2007: Lt Col MJR Rothwell TD
  • 2007-2010: Lt Col R Frampton-Hobbs
  • 2010-2012: Lt Col RB Trant
  • 2012–2015: Lt Col C MacGregor
  • 2015–2017: Lt Col J Godfrey
  • 2017–2020: Lt Col RA Burdon-Cooper
  • 2020–Present: Lt Col CJ Speers

Honorary Colonels

Order of precedence

For the purposes of parading, the Regiments of the British Army are listed according to an order of precedence. This is the order in which the various corps of the army parade, from right to left, with the unit at the extreme right being the most senior.

Preceded by
Royal Yeomanry 		British Army
Order of Precedence 		Succeeded by
Queen's Own Yeomanry

References

  1. ↑ Bastin, Maj JD (1980). The Historical Journal of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry. 
  2. ↑ "Royal Wessex Yeomanry History". Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120107042803/http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9061.aspx. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  3. ↑ "RWxY Role". Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111125083737/http://army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9060.aspx. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  4. ↑ "TA soldiers undertake tank training". Ministry of Defence. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ta-soldiers-undertake-tank-training. Retrieved 4 May 2014. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Prince visits museum". http://www.tankmuseum.org/ixbin/indexplus?record=ART3090. Retrieved 4 May 2014. 
  6. ↑ "Royal Wessex Yeomanry" (in en-GB). https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-armoured-corps/royal-wessex-yeomanry/. 
  7. ↑ "Army Reseve Unit Locations in 2020". 6 July 2020. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/664382/response/1596315/attach/3/20200706%20FOI05506%20Arbeely%20Response%20Letter%20ArmySec.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1. 
  8. ↑ "The Royal Wessex Yeomanry dons a new cap badge for a bigger role". Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. http://www.wessex-rfca.org.uk/royal-wessex-yeomanry-dons-new-cap-badge-bigger-role/. Retrieved 22 October 2017. 
  9. ↑ "History of the RWxY TRF". Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121017075749/http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/9143.aspx. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "History". Ministry of Defence. http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28779.aspx. Retrieved 22 October 2017. 
  11. ↑ "13 March 2012 - Association Meeting at The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum". The Donkey Walloper. p. 3. http://www.rghya.org.uk/images/2013donkeywalloper.pdf. Retrieved 4 May 2014. 
  12. ↑ "Allied Regiments & Affiliations". The King's Royal Hussars Association. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120420030052/http://www.krh.org.uk/allied-and-affiliations.html. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  13. ↑ "Allied & Affiliated Regiments". The Royal Tank Regiment Association. http://www.royaltankregiment.com/en-GB/alliedaffiliatedregiments.aspx. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  14. ↑ "No. 45569". 11 January 1971. p. 348. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45569/supplement/348 
  15. ↑ "No. 49787". 26 June 1984. p. 8742. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49787/supplement/8742 
  16. ↑ "No. 51718". 28 April 1989. p. 5217. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/51718/supplement/5217 
  17. ↑ "No. 52792". 14 January 1992. p. 492. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52792/supplement/492 
  18. ↑ "No. 54788". 9 June 1997. p. 6737. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/54788/supplement/6737 
  19. ↑ "No. 56078". 2 January 2001. p. 14611. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/56078/supplement/14611 
  20. ↑ "No. 57122". 25 November 2003. p. 14548. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/57122/supplement/14548 
  21. ↑ "No. 59492". 20 July 2010. p. 13805. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/59492/supplement/13805 
  22. ↑ "No. 61307". 28 July 2015. p. 13875. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/61307/supplement/13875 

External links

Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps regiments
Household Cavalry
Flag of the British Army
Royal Armoured Corps
Yeomanry
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