Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry East Kent Mounted Rifles

Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles 10th (Yeomanry) Buffs, (East Kent Regiment)

97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery 297th (Kent Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A

Kent & County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

• Please note that the East Kent Yeomanry was never officially given the title of Royal East Kent Yeomanry! Over the years many authors have used this inappropriate name to describe the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry / East Kent Mounted Rifles / Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles.

Over the years many people have written a lot of “tosh” about this Kent yeomanry force. People seem to confuse the type of unit – yeomanry, with the title. Most English counties raised Yeomanry units in the 1700’s, some simply gave them the title of their county whilst others refered to them in a different manner. In the case of Kent which raised two independent yeomanry units, they used the simple title – East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry and West Kent Yeomanry. The East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry changed it’s name a number of times in turn – East Kent Mounted Rifles, Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles, 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery / 143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 297th (Kent Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A and finally the Kent & County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).

The authorities in the West of the county decided to name their yeomanry unit the West Kent Yeomanry. This further confuses the situation. Again, try not to confuse the type of volunteer unit with the title of the unit. In the case of West Kent the two are the same. It became fashionable in the early 1900’s to refer to the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles as the Royal East Kent Yeomanry. This unhelpful trend was probably started by elderly men who had served in the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry before 1853. They added the Royal title because the East Kent Mounted Rifles was awarded this honour in April 1856. The Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) still had the official status of a volunteer yeomanry unit, but try not to confuse the type of unit with it’s real title… The following information relates to the East Kent area. It does not concern the West Kent area which made it’s own arrangements for the raising of volunteer yeomanry cavalry (West Kent Yeomanry).

In February 1793, France declared war on Britain and Holland causing widespread alarm at home. The county of Kent, with it’s vulnerable coast-line, needless to say, took some early steps to prepare for it’s protection against invasion. It was agreed locally that the gentlemen

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of Deal would upon any emergency form themselves into Troops of Horse as their numbers might allow and rendezvous at given points in order to defend the Cinque Ports from enemy action or invasion. This body of volunteer cavalry came to be known as the CINQUE PORTS CAVALRY. In the same month the people of nearby Dover decided to do the same and a Volunteer Corps of Horse was established. The main purpose of the Dover unit was to provide intelligence during invasion and to escort the civil population to places of safety.

In March 1793 WILLIAM DEEDES a landowner living in Saltwood Castle convened a meeting attended by Thomas Knight, William Hammond, Sir Edward Knatchbull MP, Henry Oxenden (of Wingham), Captain Papillon, Captain Honywood and John Toke. It was resolved in this meeting that an Association would be formed to form Volunteer Troops of Horse throughout East Kent composed of gentlemen and yoeman and others willing to mount themselves on horses not less that 14.3 hands high. These volunteers were expected to clothe themselves at their own expense. Each Division of East Kent was to form an independant Troop by themselves. Troops were set up at strategic locations –

Canterbury Troop

Wingham Troop

Elham Troop

Deal Troop

Ashford Troop

Ospringe Troop

Nonington Troop

Denton Troop

Rolvenden Troop

Thanet Troop

Lydd Troop

The Asociation undertook to pay for all carriages, horses, servants and labourers that should be engaged and enrolled for the purpose of impeding and obstructing the progress of an advancing enemy. The Association was to maintain a Committee consisting of Deputy Lieutenants and subscribers to the amount of £50. In the first year over £2,000 was raised. It soon became apparent that the government was not happy with these local volunteer arrangements. The government felt it was the duty of Parliament to appoint officers and establish local defence forces and not the local landed gentry! The Secretary of State for War Henry Dundas turned down the Association’s offer to establish local volunteer cavalry units and this resulted in the Association and it’s newly formed Troops being dissolved. All subscriptions were returned to subscribers and Troops were stood down. The cost of doing this was £34.

On 6th March 1794 (a year later) William Pitt moved a bill to augment the regular Militia with Volunteer Companies for the purpose of local defence. Consideration was given particularly to maritime ports that were considered vulnerable to enemy attack. It was proposed that local volunteer militias were to be formed and given the status of yeomanry regiments. A meeting was convened in Maidstone by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent attended by Messrs Honywood, Knatchbull, D’Aeth, Hodges, Gipps, Milles and Montressor. A further meeting was held at Maidstone on Tuesday 8 April 1794 attended by Kent’s landed gentry – Richard Carew the

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Kent Sheriff chaired this meeting. The Lord Lieutenant of Kent - The Duke of Dorset (???) proposed that Volunteer Troops of Horse be raised by means of subscription and that they were to be activated only in time of enemy invasion or for the purpose of assisting the civil power in times of civil strife or for the suppression of riots and uprisings. It was agreed that these Troops of Horse be given the status of Dragoons. The following gentlemen agreed to form Troops in their own area of Kent – Knatchbull (Ashford), Filmer, Honywood, Watson, Oxenden (Wingham), Milles, Knight, Montressor, Sawbridge, Narborough, D’Aeth, Brockman and Deedes (Hythe). Subscriptions quickly reached over £10,000.

During this period various historic Kent documents refer to this mounted millitia in the following ways – Troops of Yeomanry, Troops of Cavalry, Dragoons

Officers and men were appointed in each troop consisting a Captain (commanding officer), Lieutenant, Cornet and about 50 Troopers. These volunteers were drawn exclusively from the local community. Officers were appointed from the local landed gentry. These officers were to receive temporary commissions from the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of the King. Captains were paid £7 per annum and 60 guineas was paid to a Sergeant for a horse and clothing.

Sir Knatchbull, Sir John Honywood and William Hammond were amongst the first Kent gentlemen to raise Troops in the areas where they domiciled. They were appointed commanding officers of their respsective Troops and commissioned as Captains. In July 1794 they were presented to the King.

Around this time the Romney Marsh raised Two Troops of Light Cavalry. In May 1794 the gentlemen of Dover raised the Cinque Ports Volunteers with Six troops of Cavalry. The Dover based “Cinque Ports Volunteers” were disbanded in 1802 and not much is known of their history.

The raising of Troops (East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry) continued unabated and were formed in the following additional areas –

Cinque Ports Troop

Rye Troop (within the county of Kent at that time)

Thanet Troop (Captain Thomas Garrett)

Provender Troop (Captain Knatchbull from Mersham)

Evington Troop (Captain Honywood) (1799 renamed Elham Troop)

In September 1794 Captain Sir Knatchbull’s Troop at Ashford assembled for drill at Doddington. It is recorded they marched from Doddington to Chilston Park the then seat of one Thomas Best where upon arrival, they were saluted by nine pieces of cannon. Captain Knatchbulls Troop became known as the Provender Troop. Captain Knatchbull lived in Mersham and his Troop was drawn from a wide area surrounding Ashford.

On Sunday 14th June 1797 the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry was called out for the first time in aid of the civil power. Sir Knatchbull’s Provender Troop was ordered to proceed to the Isle of Sheppey to arrest and detain revolting sailors who were deserting from their ships. HMS Beaulieu a frigate threatened to fire upon the town of Margate unless the sailors who had been taken into custody were delivered up. Knatchbull’s Provender Troop arrived in Sheerness and with the assistance of Captain Garrett’s Thanet Troop, took custody of the sailors and escorted them under armed guard to Canterbury. The whole North Kent coast from Dartford to Thanet was patrolled by Troops of Yeomanry.

During 1797 Captain Honywood’s Troop at Evington was presented with a standard. It was purple and orange silk and bore in it’s centre the Royal Arms in gold embroidery around which was the motto “LIBERTY, LOYALTY, PROPERTY”. This was the origin of the Kent

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Yeomanry’s motto. In 1799 Captain Honywood’s Evington Troop was re-named Elham Troop. Three Troops (Major Hammond, Captain Kensington, Captain Taylor) were inspected on Barham Downs by H.R.H The Duke of Gloucester. Captain Honywood’s Elham Troop proceeded to Willesborough Lees for manouvers.

On 1 August 1799 the Kent Yeomany and Volunteer Corps assembled in Mote Park Maidstone for review by H.R.H King George III –

East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry

Nonington Troop Major Hammond

Deal (Cinque Ports) Troop Captain Pointer

Wingham Troop Captain Oxenden

Lydd (Cinque Ports) Troop Captain Cobb

2nd Nonington Troop Captain Taylor

Denton Troop Captain Brydges

Elham Troop Captain Honywood

Rolvenden Troop Captain Moneypenny

Isle of Thanet Troop Captain Garrett

Provender Troop Captain Best (Chilston Park)

Major Sir E Knatchbull (Mersham)

In 1801 highwaymen were conveyed by Troops of the West Kent Yeomanry from Maidstone Gaol to Shooters Hill for execution.

In October 1803 the Lord Lieutenant of Kent Lord Romney convened a meeting. It was agreed by all existing Captain’s of Troops that they would all combine to form a new mounted cavalry regiment known as the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry. The Cinque Ports Cavalry remained independent from this new force.

East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry

Colonel Sir Edward Knatchbull

Lieutenant Colonel William Honywood

Major William Hammond

In 1820 Col Sir Edward Knatchbull retired from command and on 20 April 1820 Major Thomas Garrett from the Thanet Troop was gazetted Colonel.

In 1826 Provender Troop ceased to exist. The East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry under the command of Colonel Thomas Garrett was formed into 4 Squadrons. Each Squadron consisted of 3 Troops.

In 1827 the Government decided to ruduce the regiment’s of Yeomanry Cavalry in those districts where they had seldom, or never been called out to aid the civil power in the last 10

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years. This decision bought about the disbandment of the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry at the end of December 1827.

In 1830 as a result of the agrigcultural riots, the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry was re-formed with 6 Troops and the Earle of Winchilsea was commissioned to re-raise the Yeomanry. The new officers are listed here –

East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry 1830

Lt Col George Earl of Winchilsea

Major William Deedes (Hythe Troop)

Captain Sir Edward C Dering (Pluckley) (Weald of Kent Troop)

Captain Sir Brook W Bridges Bart

Captain Norton J Knatchbull (Ashford Troop)

Captain Edward Rice

Captain Francis Bradley

Lieutenant Hon George F.R Harris

Lieutenant William O Hammond

Lieutenant Robert B Johnston

Lieutenant Jas S Douglas

Cornet George J Vist. Maidstone

Cornet Frederick Brockman

Chaplain Rev Chas Chisholm

Adjutant Andrew Heartley

Surgeon John Wildash

In 1831 the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry assembled at Ashford and it was during this inspection that a saluting canon burst by accident injuring the Adjutant Andrew Heartley.

In 1836 the Lydd and Romney Troop was disbanded leaving only 6 Troops –

East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry

A Troop (Ashford)

B Troop (East Wingham)

C Troop (West Wingham)

D Troop (Hythe)

E Troop (Sittingbourne)

F Troop (Faversham)

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The West Wingham Troop drew it’s held strength from the Canterbury area and the East Wingham Troop found it’s men from the Isle of Thanet and Dover.

In May 1837 the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry and all it’s Troops assembled at Mote Park in Maidstone alongside members of the West Kent Yeomanry which was still a separate military volunteer mounted unit. Lord Romney entertained the whole Brigade of upwards of 600 Officers and Troopers.

In 1838 the held strength of the East Kent Yeomanry was recorded as –

1 Major

4 Captains

4 Lieutenants

4 Cornets

1 Adjutant

1 Surgeon

4 Trumpeters

4 Quartermasters

8 Sergeants

8 Corporals

176 Troopers

In 1850 the Royal Militia and Yeomanry List gave these officers serving in the East Kent Yeomanry –

Major-Commandant William Deedes

Captain Sir Brook William Bridges, Bart

Captain Right Hon George, Lord Harris

Lieutenant William Creed Fairman

Lieutenant C.M Lushington

Lieutenant Narberth H D’Aeth

Lieutenant Fred M Mulcaster

Cornet Frances C Hyde

Cornet Philip O Papillon

Adjutant Captain A Heartley

Surgeon Amelius Sicard

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By 1853 it was agreed that the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry would restore the regiment to it’s original strength of 6 Troops. Major Deedes was gazetted Lieutenant Colonel and appointed commanding officer East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry.

On 5th December 1853 the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry became a mounted rifle unit. All 300 NCO’s and Troopers were issued with a carbine (shortened rifle). From now on swords would be used by Officers and by Troopers only as a standby side arm or for ceromonial purposes. The title of the East Kent Yeomanry was changed to it’s new name – East Kent Mounted Rifles. It’s motto “Liberty, Loyalty, Property” remained the same and the colours of the East Kent Yeomanry were not changed. The East Kent Yeomanry was never officially disbanded or disolved therefore the East Kent Yeomanry and the East Kent Mounted Rifles are one of the same. A regiment does not cease to exist just because it’s title is changed. The East Kent Mounted Rifles still kept it’s offical status of a Volunteer Yeomanry Regiment. Many people continued to refer to the regiment as the East Kent Yeomanry and this has ever since caused a substantial amount of confusion.

In April 1856 Lieutenant Colonel William Deedes commanding officer of the East Kent Mounted Rifles distributed this historic order to all ranks –

“Lieutenant Colonel Deedes has the very greatest satisfaction to announce to the regiment, before the period of it’s assembly on permanent duty, that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer the title of “Royal” on the regiment and that henceforth the regiment will be known as the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles.”

The new title of the regiment was Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. It’s status as a Volunteer Yeomanry Regiment remained unchanged.

In 1863 Colonel Deedes was suceeded in the command of the regiment by Lieutenant Colonel the Earl of Mount Charles. A new troop was raised at Waldershare Park North-West of Dover. A new field artillery battery was also raised in the Thanet area. This new artillery battery was part of the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles but the idea was short-lived.

In 1869 the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Lt Col Earl of Mount Charles) and the West Kent Yeomany (Lt Col Earl of Darnley) were Brigaded together at Margate for their annual camp.

On 26 April 1873 H.R.H The Duke of Connaught was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. From this time onwards the regiment was known as the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own). The Duke of Connaught was the King’s brother and before the outbreak of war, he had very close links to the German Army.

In 1874 the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) went to Ashford to provide the Duke and Dutchess of Edinburgh with an escort.

In 1878 the Earl of Guilford assumed command of the Regiment.

In 1883 the Earl of Guilford was suceeded by the Marquis of Ormonde. Major the Hon W.P Alexander (2nd Dragoon Guards) replaced Captain Tynte as Adjutant.

In 1889 Captain A.R.H Ogilvy became Adjutant.

In 1895 Captain P Langdale was appointed Adjutant. Around this time it was decided to organise Troops into Squadrons. Two Squadrons were raised each containing 3 Troops –

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Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own)

A Squadron

1st Troop Canterbury

2nd Troop Sittingbourne

3rd Troop Faversham

B Squadron

1st Troop Ashford

2nd Troop Folkesone

3rd Troop Dover

53rd (East Kent)Company, Imperial Yeomanry

The Boer War 1899 – 1902

During the South African War 1899 - 1902 (Boer War) English yeomanry troopers were not liable for service because their personnel were not empowered to serve overseas. The Yeomanry Regiments including the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) were designed to serve locally in the area they were raised. Instead, volunteers were called for to serve within new volunteer formations known as the Imperial Yeomanry. The Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) provided 2 contingents for service in South Africa - the 33rd (East Kent) Company which was placed at the disposal of the 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry and the 53rd (East Kent) Company which served in the 14th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry commanded by Captain Claude Marks. The Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry raised 1 further volunteer formation - the 36th (West Kent) Company which was attached to the 8th Infantry Division a regular army formation commanded by Captain the Hon Egremont Mills DSO later by Lt R.B Pott. The 33rd (East Kent) Company was engaged at Biddulphsberg where the British lost over 170 men. The 36th (West Kent) Company which was attached to the 8th Division was involved in the advance on

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Pretoria. In July 1900 at Brandwater Basin they oversaw the surrender of over 4,000 Boers. All Kent Imperial Yeomanry companies saw considerable small scale fighting until late July 1900 when they were involved in the surrender of General Prinsloo's Boer formations. After this they formed part of the garrison of Frankfort which they held for over 5 months. The 33rd and 53rd (East Kent) Companies, Imperial Yeomanry returned to the UK in May 1901. The 36th (West Kent) Company, Imperial Yeomanry finally returned home to the UK.

It is known that many authors refer to the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) during this period as the East Kent Imperial Yeomanry. This is utterly wrong – only the Kent companies that were sent to South Africa were ever known officialy as Imperial Yeomanry. The Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and the West Kent Yeomanry merely provided men who volunteered for service overseas. These volunteers once overseas could not be refered to as being yeomanry troops therefore a completely new type of Yeomanry had to be formed – Imperial Yeomanry.

During the Boer War the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles continued to exist. Many authors write as though it ceased to exist during the Boer War! Not all Troopers volunteered for service overseas and these volunteers continued to attend their respective Drill Halls each week -

Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) 1900

A Squadron

Sittingbourne Troop

Sheerness Troop

Faversham Troop

B Squadron

Canterbury Troop

Dover Troop

Thanet Troop

C Squadron

Ashford Troop

Folkestone Troop

Waldershare Troop

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After the Boer War On 26 August 1902 an escort was formed by the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) for Lord Roberts on the occasion of the presentation of the Freedom of Canterbury to General Sir John French. He was met at the Canterbury Railway Station by

Lord Harris the commanding officer of the REKMR.

Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own)

1901

A Squadron

Sittingbourne Troop

Sheerness Troop

Chatham (Medway) Troop (Strictly speaking not in East Kent)

B Squadron

Canterbury Troop

Faversham Troop

Herne Bay Troop

C Squadron

Dover Troop

WaldershareTroop

Thanet Troop

D Squadron

Folkestone Troop

Ashford Troop

Weald of Kent Troop

By 1901 the regiment had increased in manpower to 320 Troopers.

In January 1905 Captain S.S Binny DSO (19th Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal Hussars) was appointed Adjutant.

In 1906 the city of Canterbury was presented with a machine gun used during he Boer War by the Kent Imperial Yeomanry companies. The regiment now numbered 26 Officers and 420 NCO’s and Troopers under the command of Colonel Lord Harris GCSI, GCIE with Lieutenant Colonel Frewen second in command.

In 1907 the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles won the Bisley Cup for best shooting.

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The Territorial Force was formed in 1908. The Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own) and the Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry were both placed in the South East Mounted Brigade under the command of the newly promoted Colonel Frewen who succeeded Lord Harris as Commanding Officer.

Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles (Duke of Connaughts Own)

Headquarters, Canterbury Polo Ground

Colonel Frewen

A Squadron

Chatham Troop

Gillingham Troop

Rochester Troop

B Squadron

Canterbury Troop

Sittingbourne Troop

Sheppey Troop

Faversham Troop

C Squadron

Dover Troop

Waldershare Troop

Thanet Troop

D Squadron

Ashford Troop

Folkestone Troop

Reserve Squadron

London Troop

Wye College Troop (near Ashford)

The Troops attached to the Reserve Squadron were liable to be attached to the Squadron that needed them the most.

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Earl Guilford

In December 1911 Lieutenant Colonel the Earl of Guilford suceeded Col Frewen as commanding officer.

Earl Guilford before the Great War

In January 1912 Captain G.B.H Wheler (21st Lancers) was appointed Adjutant.

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The Great War 1914-1919

On the outbreak of war in August 1914 both Kent Yeomanry Regiments were immediately sent to the Canterbury area where they contributed to the Kent coastal defences. In September 1915 they sailed for Gallipoli, Turkey, where they served as dis-mounted infantry for the last 3 months of the campaign. In March 1917 the two Kent Yeomanry Regiments were ammalgamated and became the 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) under the command of Major A.O.B Ffrench-Blake. Further details of it's movements in Egypt, Palestine and France can be obtained by refering to the Buffs pages on this website. The 10th Buffs was attached to the Broken Spur Division - 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The new battalion formed part of General Allenby's successful Palastine offensive against the Turkish Army and took part in the 2nd Battle of Gaza and the Battle of Beersheba on 31st October 1917. In December 1917 the 10th Buffs played a major part in the capture of Jerusalem. The heavy casualties of the Western Front in France and Belgium necessitated the withdrawal of infantry divisions from Palastine to France in May 1918. By the end of July 1918 the 10th Buffs was in action at Merville on the Somme in France. The 10th Buffs lost 152 men killed in action from it's late formation in 1917. They were awarded 12 battle honours. After the Great War the 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) was disbanded. It's colours were placed in the Warriors Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral for the last time.

Lt Col Mackeson

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1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles 1914

Headquarters 1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

(South East Mounted Brigade) Canterbury, Kent

A Squadron

Canterbury Squadron

B Squadron Siitingbourne Troop

Sheppy Troop Faversham Troop (commanded by Major H.T Winch)

C Squadron Dover Troop

Waldershare Park Troop (near Dover) Thanet Troop

D Squadron Ashford Troop

Folkestone Troop Weald of Kent Troop (Tenterden)

Reserve Squadron London Troop

Wye College Troop

On the 1 February 1917 the 1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles was amalgamated with the 1/1st Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Yeomanry) to form the 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) in 230th Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division.

"Yeoman Service"

By Lt Col Franklin Lushington (Published by The Medici Society Limited, London 1947)

1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

The commanding officer in 1908 was Colonel Lord Harris GCSI, GCIE, TD, ADC. In 1909 Colonel E Frewen took over command. The Adjutant was Captain F.J Dupre. The yeomanry battalions were originally formed to supplement the regular cavalry divisions but in most cases they were dismounted and served as infantry.

The REKMR which formed part of the South East Mounted Brigade, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel The Earl of Guilford when orders to mobilize were received on 4 August 1914, and to concentrate in the Broad Oak area of Canterbury. Vicount Milner (the Secretary of State for War) resided at Sturry Court, Broad Oak, near Canterbury, Kent. Vicount Milner (1st Earl Milner) bought the house in 1906. Milner agreed to turn the house and grounds over to the 1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles for military purposes. In 1916 Earl Milner took over as Secretary of State for War from Lord Derby. In 1921 Earl Milner married Violet Maxe widow of Lord Edward Gascoyne-Cecil, and mother of George Cecil. After Milne's death in 1929 Sturry House was used extensively by King's School, Canterbury.

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On the outbreak of war the sole equipment of the Mounted Rifles consisted saddles, rifles, and two machine guns. Horses started to arrive in the middle of August, but it was not until October 1914 that the Regiment was fully equipt with weapons and transport. By this time many men had left the 1/1st Regiment to form the Second Line 2/1st Regiment and to take up commissions. In the beginning of 1915 the Regiment moved from Sturry House to the Polo Ground at nearby Canterbury. It remained at the Polo Ground until 22 September 1915. On that date the Regiment (513 strong) entrained at Canterbury for Liverpool, embarking on the "Olympic" on 23 September 1915, for an unknown destination. The secret destination turned out to be Lemnos via Alexandria, Egypt where the Regiment was to prepare for field deployment on the Gallipoli Peninsular in the South East Mounted Brigade which was "tacked on" to the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division almost as an afterthought. Three days after, the Regiment arrived at Lemnos, it was trans-shipped and landed on the Gallipoli Peninsular at Cape Helles where it was continuously in action from October 1915 to January 1916 when the Regiment was evacuated (alongside all remaining British and Imperial forces). On 11 February 1916 the Regiment was at Sidi Bishr in Egypt. From the day the Regiment had left Canterbury it had been dismounted and was tasked with fighting as a traditional infantry regiment. Once back in Egypt after the Gallipoli fiasco hopes were running high that the Regiment would be re-mounted once more. It was a very bitter dissapointment therefore for all ranks to learn that the South East Mounted Brigade was to be almalgamated with the Eastern Mounted Brigade (Norfolk Yeomanry, Suffolk Yeomanry and Welsh Horse) to form a new dis-mounted Brigade - 3rd Dismounted Yeomanry Brigade! It was about this time that the Regiment suffered the loss of Lieutenant Colonel. The Earl Guildford who was evacuated to the UK suffering from disease. Command of the Regiment was given to Lieutenant Colonel O. Moseley-Leigh. After service in the Suez Canal Zone, the Regiment moved to Sollum on the Western border of Egypt in July 1916. Shortly after this move the three squadrons were formed into two companies of dis-mounted infantry:

1 Company Chatham Troop (Formerly West Kent Yeomanry)

Dover Troop (Formerly REKMR) Gillingham Troop (Formerly West Kent Yeomanry) Rochester Troop (Formerly West Kent Yeomanry)

Thanet Troop (Formerly REKMR) Waldershare Troop (Formerly REKMR)

2 Company Ashford Troop ((Formerly REKMR)

Canterbury Troop (Formerly REKMR) Faversham Troop (Formerly West Kent Yeomanry)

Folkestone Troop (Formerly REKMR) London Troop (Formerly REKMR)

In the beginning of 1917 the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles with the West Kent Yeomanry was formed into the 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The Buffs unit became part of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division on 21 March 1917. The new Buffs battalion left Sollum Egypt 23 March 1917 travelling by sea to Alexandria where it disembarked for Sidi Bishr. Early in April 1917, the Regiment left Egypt for Palestine, marching via Kantara, Sheik Zawieh, and Belah to the vicinity of Gaza. The 74th (Yeomanry) Division was placed in Reserve for the Second Battle of Gaza.

From April 1917 to October 1917, the Battalion had a strenuous time with little fighting, but much digging and even greater discomfort. Wadi Ghuzzi, Wadi Nukabir, Wadi Levi, Tel-el-Fara and Khan Yunis are names which the Yeoman of 1917 will never forget. They will always bring back memories of intense heat by day, extreme cold by night, shortage of clean water, and a superabundance of dust, flies and every form of torment!

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At the end of October 1917 the Battalion took part in the Battle of Beersheba, after which it was withdrawn to Karem for rest and re-equipment. Then began the job of pushing "Jonny Turk" northward through the Plain of Sharon, Esdud, Hamsukerieh, Kutrah, Latron and Beit Nuba. On 7 December 1917 the Battalion reached Kubeibeh and took part in the Battle of Jerusalem which was finally captured on 9 December 1917. Northwards again towards Beit Manana and onto Ramillah after which the Battalion was withdrawn to Moiya Wadi near Bethlehem where it spent Christmas 1917. Christmas parcels from home didn't arrive until the following February (1918)! During the early part of 1918 the Battalion was employed on road making, a strenuous and back-breaking job in such intense heat. In March 1918 the Battalion went back into the line to relieve the 231st Brigade in front of Yebrouk. The following day the Battalion attacked and captured the town of Yebrouk and advanced to a high ridge over-looking the Nablus Road. Pushing on, Et Tell was reached, after which the battalion was withdrawn to Reserve. This was the last action the 10th Buffs took part in in the Palastine theatre. On 13 April 1918 the Battalion marched to railhead at Ludd where it entrained for Kantarah via Gaza. From Gaza the Battalion marched to Alexandria, Egypt where it embarked on the P&O liner "SS Malwa" for France and the Western Front. They reached Marseilles France 6 May 1918.

West Kent Yeomanry

&

10th (Yeomanry) Battalion,The Buffs By Lt Col Charles Ponsonby

(Andrew Melrose Limited, London 1920) (Giving movements of both the 1/1st REKMR and the 1/1st West Kent Yeomanry)

42nd (East Lancashire) Division)

5 August 1914 - Mobilized and concentrated at Maidstone 9 August 1914 - Arrived at War Station, Sturry, Fordwich and Westbere near Canterbury

April 1915 - Inspected by H.M The King 23 September 1915 - Sailed from Liverpool on the SS."Olympic" (White Star Line) Troopship

"HMT 2810" 2 October 1915 - Arrived Mudros

7 October 1915 - Arrived Cape Helles, Gallipoli 31 December 1915 - Left Cape Helles

1 January - Arrived Mudros 5 February 1915 - Arrived Sidi Bishr near Alexandria, Egypt

16 March 1915 - El Kubri (Suez Canal) 13 April 1915 - Suez Canal

18 May 1916 - El Shatt (Suez Canal) 1 July 1916 - El Ferdan (Suez Canal)

27 July 1916 - Sidi Bishr 6 August 1916 - Marsa Matruh (Western Front) (Egypt)

14 January 1917 - Sollum Egypt (Regiment to be disbanded)

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10th Buffs Movements During Great War

1 February 1917 - Almagamation of 1/1st West Kent Yeomanry with 1/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

16 March 1917 - Sidi Bishr 11 April 1917 - Deir el Belah

18 April 1917 - Second Battle of Gaza (74th Division held in Reserve) 22 April 1917 - Tel-el-Jemmi

29 April 1917 - Shellal and Hisea 28 May 1917 - Wadi Levi

9 July 1917 - Dorset House 7 August 1917 - Deir el Belah (fig grove)

28 August 1917 - Sheikh Hamuda 6 September 1917 - Regents Park and Samson's Ridge (near Gaza), Egypt

20 September 1917 - Sheikh Hamuda 25 October 1917 - Abu Sitta

28 October 1917 - Tel el Fara 30 October 1917 - Khasif

31 October 1917 - Battle of Beersheba 1 November 1917 - Wadi Saba 3 November 1917 - Muweileh

6 November 1917 - Battle of Sheria 10 November 1917 - Karm

18 November 1917 - St James Park 23 November 1917 - Deir Seneid

25 November 1917 - El Mejel 26 November 1917 - Nahr Sukereir

27 November 1917 - Junction Station 28 November 1917 - Latrun

29 November 1917 - Beit Nuba (52 miles from St James Park) 2 December 1917 - New Kent Road (near Ammam) (now capital of Syria?)

7 December 1917 - Wadi Moya (near Kubeibeh) 8 December 1917 - Battle of Jerusalem

9 December 1917 - Beit Iksa 15 December 1917 - Beit Hanina 21 December 1917 - Wadi Moya

27 December 1917 - Beit Izza 29 December 1917 - Ram Allah capured (now West Bank of Israel)

3 January 1918 - Beit Izza 5 January 1918 - Beit Likia 9 January 1918 - Beit Sira

18 February 1918 - Kurbeha Ibn Harith 4 March 1918 - Balua Lake (near Ram Allah)

9-12 March 1918 - Advanced towards Nablus (Yebrud and Burj Badawile occupied) 13-26 March 1918 - Turmus Aya outpost line

7 April 1918 - Burj Badawile (leaving Palestine) 8 April 1918 - Near Beitunia (Leaving Palastine)

9 April 1918 - Beit Sira (marching to leave Palestine) 10 April 1918 - Kubub

11 April 1918 - Sura Fend near Ludd 14 April 1918 - Kantara

1 May 1918 - Sailed Alexandria, Egypt

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7 May 1918 - Arrived Marseilles, France 11 May 1918 - Foret L'Abbaye

22 May 1918 - Buneville 25 May 1918 - Izel-les-Hameau

25 June 1918 - Enquin les Mines 10 July 1918 - Ham in Artois 11 July 1918 - La Pierriere

23 July 1918 - La Miquellerie 4-24 August 1918 - Operations in Merville Sector (Collone St Floris, St Venant)

24 August 1918 - La Pierriere 26 August 1918 - Cotes

29 August 1918 - Entrained at Lille and arrived Heilly (near Amiens) 31 August 1918 - Maricourt

1-24 September 1918 - Advanced towards the Hindenburg Line 25 September 1918 - Aubigny (Villers Bretonneaux)

27 September 1918 - Heilly 28 September 1918 - Allouayne

1 October 1918 - Basse Rue 8 October 1918 - Lattre

11 October 1918 - Near Sainghin 13 October 1918 - Fournes

16 October 1918 - Quinquibus Farm 18 October 1918 - Wattignies

19 October 1918 Engrain 20 October 1918 - Baisieux

25 October 1918 - Orcq 29 October 1918 - Marquain 30 October 1918 - Hertain

8 November 1918 - Faubourg-de-Lille 9 November 1918 - Entry into Tournai

11 November 1918 - Hostilities Ceased (moved to Montreuil-au-Bois) 12 November 1918 - Escalette

14 November 1918 - Herquecies 18 November 1918 - Barry

7 December 1918 - Visit of H.M The King 15 December 1918 - Fresnes

17 December 1918 - Thollembeek and Vollezeel, Belgium 26 January 1919 - Review at Brussels, Belgium by H.M The King of Belgiums

27 February 1919 - Grammont 17 June 1919 - Consecration of colours at Canterbury

21 June 1919 - Colour handed for safe custody to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury 21 June 1919 - 10th (Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs DISBANDED

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2/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

(3rd Line Territorial Force) Leiutenant Colonel G.B Winch

Canterbury

Formed in September 1914 and remained in the UK until April 1918 when it moved to Ireland. Converted into a Cyclist Unit in July 1916. In March 1917 it resumed its identity and was based at Woodbridge. In April 1918 the battalion moved back to Ireland (County Mayo).

3/1st Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles

(3rd Line Territorial Force)

Canterbury

Formed in the summer of 1915. In April 1915 the battalion moved to Crowborough Sussex. It Remained in the UK until disbanded in early 1917. On being disbanded its personnel were

transferred to the 4th (Reserve) Battalion, The Buffs.

In 1920 the amalgamation of the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and the West Kent Yeomanry was made permanent. The 10th Buffs had already been disbanded. It was decided that the East Kent Mounted Rifles would become the 385th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Yeomanry and 386th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Yeomanry. The West Kent Yeomanry became the 387th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry and the 388th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry. All Kent Yeomanry units were attached to 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Army Brigade , Royal Field Artillery. This change must have been very confusing for those men who had served as infantryman, suddenly they had become Artillery men overnight! In 1938 the unit was re-designated the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery –

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97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

385th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Battery Canterbury

386th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Battery Ashford

387th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Maidstone

388th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Bromley

In 1939 a further Second Line Territorial Force Yeomanry unit was formed - 143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. 386th and 388th batteries were taken away from the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery to form this new Artillery (Yeomanry) Regiment.

143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

386th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Battery Ashford

388th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Bromley

This left the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery with the remaining

batteries -

97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

385th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Battery Canterbury

387th (Queen's Own) Yeomanry Maidstone

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was immediately mobilised - It moved immediately to France as part of the British Expeditionery Force and in 1940 was evacuated from Dunkirk with the rest of the British Army. In 1941 the regiment was sent to Iraq with the 10th Indian Division. The division went into the Western Desert, where it suffered badly in the retreat of Alam El Haifa, and the 7th Armoured Division at El Alemein. It remained in the desert until the capture of Tobruk and Adem. After garrison duty in Cyprus, Palestine and Syria the Kent Yeomanry moved to Italy in March 1944. They served in Italy for the remaining duration of the war advancing up the North West of Italy and ending in the Adriatic coast near Trieste. The Second Line regiment 143rd (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery spent the first two years of the war in Iceland. On it's return to the UK in 1941 the regiment joined the 49th Division and served throughout France and particularly Normandy. The regiment gave support during the D Day landings at Caen, Le Havre and Turnhaut Canal. They spent the

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Winter of 1944-45 by the River Maas on the Dutch German border. Their final action was at Arnhem in April 1945.

297th (Kent Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Royal Artillery

In 1947 all the existing Kent Yeomanry units were formed into the 297th (Kent Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. This new yeomanry unit was placed into 44th (Home Counties) Division. It was equipt with 40mm Bofor anti-aircraft guns.

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Kent & County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)

(Territorial Army) In 1961 the 297th (Kent Yeomanry) Light Anti-Aicraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and the 3/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) were amalgamated to form the Kent & County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters). This yeomanry regiment is a direct desendant of the East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry and the West Kent Yeomanry. The first problem of the amalgamation was the location of Squadrons. Regimental Headquarters was divided between Hill House, Bromley and Maidstone T.A Drill Hall. Sharpshooter Drill Halls were located at –

Headquarters Bromley & Maidstone

Colonel Marquess of Abergavenny Major General G.P.B Roberts

A Squadron

Albany Barracks, Regents Park, London (Ferret Scout Cars, 1 ton Bedford Trucks, Landrovers)

B Squadron

Tavistock Road, Croydon (Ferret Scout Cars, 1 ton Bedford Trucks, Landrovers)

Recruiting for this new yeomanry unit was based almost entirely in South London.

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Sharpshooters Colours includes battle honours won by both Kent Yeomanry regiments in the Great War