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- Hampshire Yeomanry during the Great War -


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

Hampshire Yeomanry

Territorial Force:

  • 1st/1st Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabaniers)
  • Northamptonshire Yeomanry 1/1st btn
  • 2nd/1st Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabaniers)
  • Northamptonshire Yeomanry 2/1st btn
  • 3rd/1st Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabaniers)
  • Northamptonshire Yeomanry 3/1st btn

       Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Hyde Close, Winchester. They consisted of A, B, C and D Squadrons and served with the 1st South Western Mounted Brigade.

       Northamptonshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Territorial Headquarters, Clare Street, Northampton. They were part of the Eastern Mounted Division. B Squadron were based in Queen street, Northampton.

    19th Sep 1914 Divisional HQ Opens

    2nd Oct 1914 Concentration

    19th Oct 1914 Hampshire Yeormary move from Forest Row  1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry moved from Forest Row Camp, situated adjacent to the A22 London to Eastbourne road, between Forest Row and Wych Cross to Maresfield Camp just outside Uckfield.

    27th Oct 1914 Exercise

    29th Oct 1914 Route March

    30th Oct 1914 Concentration Complete

    31st Oct 1914 Mud

    4th Nov 1914 On the Move

    5th Nov 1914 On the Move

    6th Nov 1914 Delays

    7th Nov 1914 Delays

    8th Nov 1914 On the Move  location map

    9th Nov 1914 Into Billets  location map

    30th Dec 1914 Message

    7th Mar 1915 13th Londons on the March

    13th of April 1915 Enemy Active  location map

    17th of April 1915  Mines Exploded  location map

    30th of May 1915 Work Party Casualties  location map

    4th of June 1915 German Work Stopped  location map

    7th of June 1915  Quiet Time

    8th of June 1915 Hot Weather

    12th of June 1915  Quiet Day  location map

    10th of July 1915 A Mine Exploded

    9th of August 1915   Bridges Guarded  location map

    1st of January 1916 Night-time Shelling

    27th Feb 1916 Injured by a Horse

    4th of March 1916 Snow All Day

    11th of May 1916 Shoot Again Postponed

    27th Sep 1917 Reorganisation

    If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.



  • Want to know more about the Hampshire Yeomanry?


    There are:6615 items tagged Hampshire Yeomanry available in our Library

      These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


    Those known to have served with

    Hampshire Yeomanry

    during the Great War 1914-1918.

    • Angel MM. James William. L/Cpl. 15th Btn. (d.27th May 1918)
    • Dane Harold Geoffrey.
    • Davis Harold Charles. 2nd Lt. (d.26 Jun 1918)
    • Dennis Gilbert. Tpr. att. 9th Lancers (d.21st Aug 1918)
    • Heygate Leonard William. Pte.
    • Smith Thomas Robyn. Tpr. A Squadron (d.30th Oct 1918)
    • Smith Thomas Robins . Tpr. 1st/1st. A Sqd. (d.30th Oct 1918 )
    • Watson Thomas William. Pte.
    • Wilson Gordon Jacob. 2nd Lt. (d.12th Mar 1915)

    All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please. Add a Name to this List

    More Hampshire Yeomanry records.


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    • 28th March 2024

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        World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery
        Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.






    1205902

    Tpr. Thomas Robins Smith 1st/1st. A Sqd. Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.30th Oct 1918 )

    Thomas Smith served with “A” Squadron 1st/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry during WW1 and was killed on the 30th October 1918. He is named on the Memorial in the Northampton Scouts Museum. He is buried in the Tezze British Cemetery, a village north of Venice, Italy. He was the son of Alice G A Smith of Duston, Northampton.

    Mike Longman




    259085

    2nd Lt. Gordon Jacob Wilson Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.12th Mar 1915)

    I saw a child's toy boat for sale on an internet auction site. The boat had an SN Registration number North Shields and Newbiggin (a town in Northumberland) written on one side and the name Gordon Jacob Wilson written on the other side. Newbiggin is just a few miles from Woodhorn Manor where Jacob Wilson (later Sir Jacob Wilson and Gordon Jacob's father) once worked managing the estate between 1857 and 1866. Jacob then moved to work at Chillingham Barns, Northumberland on the estate of Lord Tankerville. While there, Jacob and his wife Margaret had two sons, Albert Edward and Gordon Jacob (born 1882) and two daughters, Beatrice and Mildred. I have no doubt that this is the same Gordon Jacob Wilson who owned the toy boat.

    Gordon Wilson became a land agent and lived at Manor House, Apethorpe, Wansford, Northants. After joining the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, he became a 2nd Lieutenant. Gordon was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on the Western Front on 12th of Mar 1915, may he rest in peace.

    I just wanted to reunite his boat with his story and by doing so remind us all that those brave men who gave their lives are more than just an entry in a war graves site.

    John Anderson




    254773

    L/Cpl. James William Angel MM. 15th Btn. Hampshire Regiment (d.27th May 1918)

    James Angel was killed in action, shelled or gassed. I can't find out. Nor can I discover how he won the MM. I can't get information as 60% of WW1 records were destroyed by bombing in WW2.

    Bob Angel




    254663

    Pte. Thomas William Watson Northamptonshire Yeomanry

    Thomas Watson was wounded during the Battle of the Somme.

    Simon Harrison




    231790

    Tpr. Gilbert Dennis att. 9th Lancers Hampshire Yeomanry (d.21st Aug 1918)

    Great grandfather Gilbert Dennis, from what I have been told went to Italy with his unit after which he was moved to France in 1918 or before, he was then attached to the 9th Lancers who saw action in the Villars Bretonneux to hold of the German break through I believe. The sketchy details we have was that he received a direct hit from a shell and body never recovered.

    Richard White




    210168

    2nd Lt. Harold Charles Davis RFC/RAF (d.26 Jun 1918)

    My Great Uncle, Harold Charles Davis, was born in 1894 in Portsmouth, one of 4 brothers who all enlisted for service in WW1. Brother Percy Bernard Davis was with the Royal Fusiliers, 11th Battalion and was KIA on 10th August 1917 during the 3rd battle of Ypres, Cyril Henry Davis joined the Royal Navy & survived the war as did George Reginald Davis who, amongst other postings was with a Siege battery in the Royal Garrison Artillery in Mesopotamia (Iraq) at Qut during 1917 fighting the Turks of the Ottoman emire. Harold was training to be an accountant in the family building business in Portsmouth prior to enlisting in the Hampshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 9th Batallion Essex Regiment then finally transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Harold was an observer in 104 Squadron and flew in the DH 9 aircraft when he was shot down and killed on Mount Donon in the Vosges Mountains of France during a bombing raid behind enemy lines. His Pilot Charles G Jenyns survived the crash landing and was taken prisoner for the duration of the war and was able to return Harold's possesions to the family when he was released. Harold was finally laid to rest in the Plaine French National Cemetery at Plaine in the Bas-Rhin region of France.

    Jeremy Davis




    208387

    Tpr. Thomas Robyn Smith A Squadron Northamptonshire Yeomanry (d.30th Oct 1918)

    Thomas Robyn Smith was my Mothers Uncle and my Grandmothers brother. My Grandmother used to tell me he was a loving and generous person who was an active Scout leader. I also know that he was a deeply religious man and an artist. My mother has his watercolours, some are illustrations of flowers but one that I know most is an illustration of "Rock of ages".

    Tom answered Baden Powell's call to arms for scout leaders to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War. He was 18 years old. Tom joined the 1st Regiment A Squadron that was raised and based at Cottesbrooke. October 1914 they were moved to Winchester and placed under orders of 8th Division and on the 4 November 1914 they landed in France. Regimental HQ, A,B and C went to France. I believe that D Squadron remained in the UK as the home reserve, but I cannot confirm that.

    Following the battle of Neuve Chapelle, for which the Regiment received battle honours the Regiment was split up in April 1915. - Regimental HQ and B Squadron: 14 April 1915 placed under orders of 6th Division. - A Squadron: 13 April 1915 placed under orders of 4th Division. - C Squadron: 12 April 1915 placed under orders of 5th Division.

    A Squadron went with the IV Division to take up positions in St. Julian and Frezenburgh. This would be known as the Second Battle of Ypres. This was the first use of gas on the Western Front by the Germans and took the allies by surprise leading to a breakthrough in the British lines. The Germans could not bring up reinforcements to exploit this and eventually they were beaten back to almost their original starting point. The IV Division was almost wiped out during this battle and after a tour on the Canal Front at Beosinghe they were moved South to Beaumont Hamel, which at that time was a quiet sector, to relieve the French.

    On the 9 May 1916 Regimental HQ and B Squadron left IV Division and became VI Corps Cavalry Regiment. They were joined by A and C Squadrons two days later. Contrary to the popular myths about the British Army in 1914-18 it is my belief that it learnt rapidly the realities of war and changed tactics accordingly. Cavalry no longer performed in the traditional method as shock troops other than in isolated incidents. They became mobile troops that theoretically could move into position rapidly to exploit a gap forced by the infantry and then they would fight on foot. Also when kept as a reserve move to plug any gaps created by a counter attack. A regiment consisted of 549 Officers and Men. GHQ plus three fighting Squadrons numbering 227 each at full compliment. They also included a Machine Gun Section armed with 2 Maxims and later Vickers machine guns.

    In May 1917 VI Corps saw action in the Arras offensive with the Northamptonshire Yeomanry involved in the fighting at what is called the Battle of Scarpe. Again achieving battle honours for the Regiment. Arras saw spectacular gains initially but as with the Germans at 2nd Ypres failure to get support quickly enough led to most of those being lost. Although the British Army was mow learning and the use of the rolling barrage and integrated attacks utilising infantry, tanks and artillery could force a breakthrough. In the Summer of 1917 the Regiment left VI corps, possibly attached to XV Corps.

    Then on the 10 November 1917 The Northamptonshire Yeomanry sailed for Italy and became XIV Corps Cavalry Regiment. This move was made to support the Italians who had just suffered a major defeat at the battle of Caporetto against the Austrians, bolstered by Germans and looked likely to fall. They fell back to the Piave River and consolidated their position. The addition of the British XIV Corps, together with French forces prevented any further Austrian and German gains.

    On the 18 April 1918 the XIV corps became British GHQ in Italy, so regiment remained attached but were now GHQ rather than Corps troops. In June 1918 the Italians resoundingly beat the Austrian at the battle of the Piave River but then failed to press home their advantage. On the 9th October 1918 the XIV Corps reformed and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined it, becoming XIV Corps Cavalry Regiment again. Lord Cavan took command of the Tenth Army in Italy under the Italian General Diaz. This included the XIV corps.

    On the 23th October the battle of Vittorio Veneto began with an Italina attack in the mountains. On the 25th the British 10th Army had made resounding successes, capturing Papadopoli Island and establishing a bridgehead over the Piave by the 27th. Together with the Italian 8th Army they pushed the Austrians and Hungarians back to Vittorio Veneto. On the 30th October Vittorio Veneto was taken.

    It was on this day that Tom Smith was killed, together with 2 colleagues. It is believed in the family that Tom was killed by an enemy sniper having detected a potential counter attack and warned the regiment. Although this I have not confirmed. Thomas Robyn Smith now lies in a war graves cemetary at Vittorio Veneto. My mother and father were the first of the family to visit his grave a few years ago. I still have a magnificent photograph of Thomas on his horse in his full field uniform hanging in my dining room.





    205676

    Harold Geoffrey Dane The Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers)

    My father Harold (born Jan 16 1884)was an apprentice joiner in the shipyards, with John I Thornycroft. He enlisted Aug 4 1914, seeking adventure, and served initially in the Cavalry, seeing action in France. Group C, Southampton was disbanded and the members placed in the infantry.

    However, dad had proved himself valuable with his carpentry skills and was given additional training (in 1916?) and assigned to Number 6 Observation Group, Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France (sapper #521715).

    He spent the remainder of the war at the front, including 18 months at Paschendale.

    His lucky number was 2: he was promoted from the ranks twice, and demoted twice; he was mentioned in dispatches twice, and he was a witness at two court-martials, and the accused were declared innocent in both cases (amazingly, the witnesses saw nothing).

    Dad credited his survival to his Captain, an "upper-class" man who stood up for his men, persuading his superiors that they were too valuable to risk on full offensives, although they did do duty as scouts. I have in my possession a map of the Front, Belgium and Part of France, dated September 29, 1918 (Sheet 28 SW) complete with mud and dad's reference marks and notations. Following the war, armed with glowing references from his Captain, dad rejoined Thornycroft and completed his training, becoming a Master Joiner. However he had, in today's jargon, post-traumatic stress, and was unable to hold a job although he had many opportunities including a stint building airplanes. Shortly after the war he attended the Carabinier's reunion, and concluded that he was the only survivor of Group C.

    Dad emigrated to Canada in 1920, joined his brother on his homestead on remote northern Vancouver Island, and after a year of isolation "was cured".

    Les Dane




    204983

    Pte. Leonard William Heygate Northamptonshire Yeomanry

    My Grandfather Leonard William Heygate was born on the 3rd September 1889. His father, Richard Ralph Heygate (1852 to 1923) was a varnish manufacturer in Hackney and a gentleman farmer in West Haddon, Northants. Leonard had a brother Gerald Ralph (1886 to 1951)who also joined the army in the First World War. Their Mother Lizzie Emma was also from the Heygate family.

    I have not been able to find very much First World War information on my grandfather Leonard, except that he joined the Northamptonshire Yeomanry as a Private and apparently, according to my Mother Margaret Ruth Heygate, he was engaged to my Grandmother Evelyn Lucy Underwood of Long Buckby, Northants. He had to go to Ireland to learn to ride horses and Evelyn, accompanied by her Mother, travelled to Ireland to see him! Leonard had been training to be an Auctioneer at Rugby but was also joint owner, with his Father of some agricultural land at West Haddon, Northants, where he lived.

    I have some information that he served in France, date of entry 18.04.1915. He also seemed to have served with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry. At the Army Museum it states in the Army list February 1918 L W Heygate 333 Yeomanry Territorial Force 332, Bedforshire, Ashburnham Road, Bedford. Uniform blue. Facings white. Plume black and white. Commissioned 3/1st Beds Yeo 16.4.17, 2nd Lieutenant 17.4.1917. Reserve Brigades Artillery (TF). L W Heygate September 1918 332 (attd 2-1) York, Dns, Yeo 17 April 1917. Attached to the York Dragoons Yeomanry. On one piece of paper I have Medal 15 star, roll cc/5b page6. Also it states 'on R T or and F Roll CC/106B1/36. NW/2/3606.

    My Grandfather was rather a shy, quiet gentleman and would not talk about his experiences of the First World War. Years later, my brother was on a school trip to France and he happened to send his Grandparents a postcard from Arras. The only thing my Grandfather said to my Mother was, 'I was there' and he was very sad. He apparently, on hearing that World War 2 had broken out, disappeared out of the house into the fields and probably cried. I just want to know more about where he was in France and whether he was at the Battle of Arras. I think I am right in saying that he had a wound to his face from shrapnel.

    He was very fortunate to survive the war and had a pleasant life as a gentleman farmer at Creaton and West Haddon, Northants. He married Evelyn and produced three children, Margaret, Barbara and Michael John. He had five grandchildren. He died on 3rd August 1975 and is buried in West Haddon Churchyard.

    The only other thing I would add about the Second World War. When Coventry was bombed, Grandpa had a bonfire in one of the fields at Creaton and to the family's horror, they saw the German aeroplanes flying overhead and the bonfire which had been earlier put out, sprang to life, so the family ran across the fields with buckets of water to put the flames out! They all survived but witnessed the sky all lit up from Coventry and could hear the bombs landing.

    Elizabeth Anne Heygate Gates








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