Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars

1210:) which brought it into being, the TF was intended to be a home defence force during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside the country. However, soon after the outbreak of war, TF units were invited to volunteer for Overseas Service. On 15 August 1914, the War Office issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up for Home Service only, and form them into reserve units. On 31 August, the formation of a reserve or 2nd Line unit was authorised for each 1st Line unit where 60 per cent or more of the men had volunteered for Overseas Service. The titles of these 2nd Line units would be the same as the original, but distinguished by a '2/' prefix. In this way duplicate regiments, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas. Later 3rd Line units were created to train reinforcements for the 1st and 2nd Lines. 787: 1954: 795:

August the column engaged the Boers at Mooi River Bridge for four hours, capturing guns and wagons and freeing British prisoners. Methuen's column had covered 150 miles (240 km) in six days, driving de Wet towards the Olifant's Nek pass, which Methuen believed was blocked by other columns. On the night of 13/14 August his troops set out to catch the Boers, engaging them at Buffelshoek about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the pass. However, the Boers escaped through the pass, which had not been blocked. With his troops exhausted, Methuen had to call off the pursuit. Chesham's IY battalions were sent to garrison

1811: 1938: 63: 3420: 3718: 4042: 3140: 4151: 3921: 5001: 3114: 4755: 1779: 1689: 39: 392: 2615: 76: 1188: 94: 1946: 1988:. Progress was slow and the fighting was bitter, and late in the month German counter-attack nearly wiped out the gains. By then 21st Army Group had shifted its with limited resources. In November the corps participated in Operation Nutcracker, in miserable winter conditions, to complete the clearance of the west bank of the Maas, finishing the job by taking the last bridgehead at 622: 2231:(TAVR) as part of a major cutback in Britain's armed forces and the switch to a defence policy based on the nuclear deterrent. On 1 April Q (QOOH) Battery of 299 Field Rgt became A (QOOH) Company in the Oxfordshire Territorials (a home defence infantry battalion at Oxford) in TAVR III, though some of the Banbury personnel joined 1903:). 61st Division did appear in the Army Group's proposed order of battle, but it was later replaced by veteran formations brought back from the Mediterranean theatre before Overlord was launched. It remained in reserve in the UK at full establishment until it reorganised as a light division in August 1945. 2414:

After conversion to Royal Signals the QOOH initially wore a maroon (Mantua purple) slider on the shoulder, but this was replaced by a green epaulette, on which officers wore white embroidered rank insignia and the letters QOOH, while other ranks had QOOH embroidered in black. The squadron adopted the

1342:

threw back a German attack and in the afternoon 2nd Cavalry Bde went forward to support a French attempt to recapture the lost ground. This attack had no chance of success, and at the end of the day the 2nd Cavalry Bde and QOOH relieved the 1st Cavalry Bde in the line. The focus of the German attacks

1696:

When the TF was reconstituted on 7 February 1920, the regiment reformed at Oxford, but 1/1st Oxfordshire Yeomanry remained in service until it was disembodied on 31 March 1922. However, the War Office had decided that only a small number of mounted Yeomanry regiments would be required in future, and

778:

on 24 June. The 'Great de Wet Hunt' began in earnest in August. On 6 August Methuen set out with 5th and 10th Bns IY, some infantry and artillery to catch the Boer commander at Scandinavia Drift, switching to Schoeman's Drift when better intelligence arrived. De Wet and half his force had got across

682:

Some came because they saw a chance of emigrating at government expense; some for love of sport and excitement; some because their domestic affairs were in a tangle from which enlistment offered a ready escape; some because they were tired of their present occupation; some because they wanted a job;

2179:

which was completed 17 October 1943. Many died in the camps along the Thai-Burma Railroad (According to the findings of the Tokyo Tribunal, the death rate of Western prisoners was 27.1 per cent). Subsequently, the men continued to be used as slave labour with many more deaths - mainly in Thailand,

814:

The Imperial Yeomanry were trained and equipped as mounted infantry. The concept was considered a success and before the war ended the existing Yeomanry regiments at home were converted into Imperial Yeomanry, with an establishment of HQ and four squadrons with a machine gun section. This included

2402:

bag, plume and trousers were in mantua purple. This distinctive colour was unique to the regiment, and was retained for the collar, cuffs, trouser stripes and hat band for officers' No 1 uniform and mess uniform even after conversion to artillery. The officers also continued wear cavalry shoulder

1533:

on the Selle were occupied. This was too ambitious: although the Écaillon was just fordable, it was held by the enemy and VI Corps had to be content with its gains for the day. However, two days later the regiment went forwards with the machine gun company and this time a Hussar squadron advanced

1375:

As cavalry they spent frustrating periods waiting in readiness to push on through the gap in the enemy's line, which never came. They toiled in working parties bringing up supplies, digging defensive positions, suffering the discomforts of appalling conditions, and frequently dismounting to fight

687:

The Oxfordshire Yeomanry sponsored the 40th and 59th (Oxfordshire) Companies, IY. 40th Company landed in South Africa on 27 February 1900 and was placed in 10th Battalion, IY; 59th Company arrived on 29 March and was in 15th Battalion; in each case the Oxfordshire companies served alongside those

1868:

When TA duplicate regiments were authorised to adopt their parent unit's subtitles on 17 February 1942, the 63rd A/T Rgt was officially designated 'Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry', which took no account of the separation of the Worcester and Oxford batteries in 1939. The regiment simply

2369:

Sir Winston Churchill remained honorary colonel until the time of his death in 1965. When he left detailed instructions in the safe at the TA Centre, Oxford, for his funeral, he included a special honour for the QOOH. Just as he had sent them to Flanders in 1914 and to France in 1944, so now he

794:

The Great de Wet Hunt by numerous British columns continued through August and September, with Methuen personally leading a column including the 1st Yeomanry Brigade under Chesham. Methuen drove his force on with little rest, to Welverdiend Pass and Taaibosch Spruit, then to Frederikstad. On 12

576:

from December 1875. This assigned Yeomanry units places in an order of battle of corps, divisions and brigades for the 'Active Army', even though these formations were entirely theoretical, with no staff or services assigned. The Oxfordshire Yeomanry were assigned as 'divisional troops' to 2nd

1516:

the QOOH once again joined VI Corps' advance guard. On 10 October 1st and 2nd Guards Bdes advanced at 05.00, each accompanied by two troops of the QOOH, together with artillery, cyclists and machine guns; these brigade groups worked their way between defended positions and advanced 6 miles

726:

and ordered Chesham's IY and other mounted troops to saddle up at once. The force caught the commando, pinned it with a few rounds of artillery fire, and then advanced by small rushes on both flanks, the IY taking the left flank. De Villebois-Mareuil was killed and his men surrendered. The

2254:

39 (City of London) Signal Regiment had geographically widespread squadrons performing a 'special communications' role until 1995 when it was reorganised for national communications duties. At the same time it was redesignated 39 (Skinners) Signal Regiment to recognise its links with the

1337:

The fighting on 1 November saw 1st Cavalry Division reluctantly retiring off the Messines Ridge, where its flanks were 'in the air'. The withdrawal was carried out slowly and deliberately, and the Germans did not immediately follow up to the new British line. Next morning the division's

825:

joined the QOOH as a captain in 1902 and remained an enthusiastic supporter for the rest of his life, having a significant influence on the fortunes of the regiment during both World Wars, and even giving it a special place of honour at his funeral. The latter's great personal friend,

2162:

On 5 February 1942, the 85th was sent to RAF base at Selatar to guard the base. The next day, the unit evacuated the base and withdrew to the residential district of Mount Pleasant in Singapore City, and, on 13 February 1942, the unit set up defensive positions at Halifax Road.

669:

The force was organised as county service companies of approximately 115 men signed up for one year, and volunteers from the current and former members of the Yeomanry and civilians (usually middle and upper class) quickly filled the new force, which was equipped to operate as

1538:

advance. Now it was proving hard to find the enemy: the cavalry patrols reported all the villages in front unoccupied. On 11 November, 4th Cavalry Bde led Third Army forward until it found the enemy on the line of the River Thure. Hostilities ended at 11.00 that day when the

1559:. It then went into winter quarters in Belgium. Demobilisation began in early 1919, but even after the prewar Territorials had returned home and 2nd Cavalry Division had been broken up, 1/1st QOOH remained in service until it was finally disembodied on 31 March 1922. 731:

was the first action for the new IY, but with little field training, only a brief musketry course, and few officers, they 'acted like veteran troops'. Methuen was 'much struck by the intelligent manner in which they carried out the attack and made use of cover'.

2071:

where it joined three other batteries detached from existing regiments to form the new 85th Anti-Tank Regiment. This was one of a number of regiments being formed in this fashion under War Office control, ready to be shipped to one of the fighting fronts.

633:

in early December 1899, attributed to the skill and determination of the Boer farmers – fast moving, highly skilled horsemen operating in open country – the British government realised that it would need more troops than just the regular army to fight the

2027:, riding on self-propelled SP guns and armoured half-tracks, crashed into the village and a wild melee followed, lasting until after dawn. When the Germans began to retire the A/T guns of the 91st and the Glasgow Highlanders took a heavy toll of them. 2023:. For security the battalion formed a perimeter camp, enclosing all the transport and supporting arms, including a troop of one of 91st (A&SH) A/T Rgt's SP batteries (to which the QOOH men had been drafted). During the night a battle group of 2406:

The two Oxfordshire batteries of the 100th (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry) Field Brigade continued to wear the QOOH cap badge, and this was carried on by the 63rd (Oxfordshire Hussars) A/T Regiment and 387 (QOOH) Field Regiment. In

1429:), and next day the brigade was assembled in the cover of the Luce Valley, ready to counter-attack. This attack was made the following morning, with three waves of dismounted cavalrymen advancing under cover of an artillery and machine gun 802:

Drives to catch the remaining commandos went on for almost another two years. The First Contingent of the IY completed their year's term of service in 1901 and the two Oxfordshire companies returned home, having earned the QOOH its first

2015:). VIII Corps was in Second Army's reserve during this operation, earmarked to lead the subsequent breakout. During April the corps drove across Germany, mopping up scattered German forces. On the night of 14/15 April the 2nd Battalion 1521:, VI Corps pushed swiftly forwards on the morning of 23 October. At 11.15 the QOOH was ordered forwards with a brigade of field artillery and a company each of cyclists and machine gunners to pass beyond the final objective, across the 1931: 1995:

On 6 December 251 and 252 batteries of 63rd A/T Rgt exchanged personnel with 144 and 146, the two SP batteries of the more experienced 91st (A&SH) A/T Rgt, and thereafter the regiment dropped its 'Oxfordshire Yeomanry' subtitle.

1404:

of March 1918, many of the cavalry who had previously been dismounted to hold or dig trenches were remounted to act as tactical reserves. At 10.00 on 25 March 4th Cavalry Bde reinforced 'Harman's Detachment' (improvised from the

5618: 1830:. For a while it came under Northern Ireland District, then reverted to 53rd (W) Division on 12 April 1941. Shortly afterwards 53rd (W) Division returned to mainland Britain and 63rd A/T Rgt rejoined 61st Division on 21 June. 2154:

The 85th were transported from the docks to Birdwood Barracks, near Changi. On 14 January 1942 the unit was attached to 11 Indian Brigade and moved some fifty miles north of Birdwood Camp to Jahore Baru and began defence of

1488:

was ordered to act as an advance guard, accompanied by six Whippets and a squadron of the QOOH. Although it was not until 13.00 that the cavalry and tanks moved off, by 14.20 they had driven and ridden as far as the

2658: 759:, and he rode with three of his own IY battalions, including 10th Bn, to relieve them, covering 44 miles (71 km) in 24 hours. The mounted column had a five-hour fight to force its way past 3000 Boers led by 1363:

The regiment was soon hardened to the realities of war. Although disparagingly nicknamed by men of the Regular Army 'Queer Objects On Horseback' or 'agricultural cavalry', the QOOH took part in many actions from

1433:; it was successful, but afterwards the cavalry suffered serious casualties while holding off German counter-attacks. 2nd Cavalry Division was relieved that night. The Cavalry Corps had moved to reserve behind 1914:, was still Honorary Colonel of the QOOH, and in 1944 it was decided to make a personal appeal to him in the spirit of his famous intervention of 1914. Colonel John Thomson arranged to send this request via 2370:

singled them out to have a prominent position immediately ahead of his coffin at the state funeral, in preference to many senior and more prestigious regiments. As the huge procession was forming up, a

542:

on 21 October 1848, and several other members of the Spencer-Churchill family and their relatives served as officers in the regiment, which by now consisted of six troops. Several of the officers gave

6303: 5611: 6308: 503:

However, a wave of civil unrest across Britain from 1830 led to a revival of the Yeomanry, and in December the Oxfordshire regiment was reinstated. It was called out in 1830 to suppress riots at

755:, where the column arrived on 28 May, having completed a march of 168 miles (270 km) in 15 days over poor roads. On 30 May, Metheun was informed that the 13th (Irish) Bn IY was cut off at 1092: 5255:

History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions,

6283: 659: 2247:

In 1971 the QOOH elements in 39 Signal Rgt became 5 (Banbury) Signal Squadron (Volunteers), changing its designation after the disbandment of the Oxfordshire Territorials' cadre in 1975 to

704: 5604: 1583:. Training was hampered by a lack of weapons and ammunition. On 31 March 1916, the remaining Mounted Brigades were ordered to be numbered in a single sequence; the brigade was numbered as 3539: 2633: 2555:: No battle honours were awarded; it is tradition that the Royal Artillery does not carry battle honours: instead the guns are regarded as the colours, and the regiment bears the motto 1266:

on 22 September. It was typical of Churchill's enthusiasm for amateur soldiering that he should have thought up this plan for his own yeomanry regiment, in which his younger brother,

1918:, Churchill's godson and a former QOOH officer. The effect was dramatic. By October 1944 the QOOH found themselves dispatched to France on the personal orders of the Prime Minister. 6313: 2197:

When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947, the QOOH reformed at Oxford. Initially it was to have been a medium artillery regiment, but this was changed to field artillery, as

1697:

the remainder would have to be re-roled, mainly as artillery. Some saw this as the end of the Yeomanry, which had originally been a mounted force based on hunting and horsemanship.

735:

By May 1900 the 15th Bn was also assigned to Methuen's Column, but did not arrive until later. The column quickly became known as the 'Mobile Marvels'. On 14 May Methuen marched on

1818:

This time there was no sudden order to join the front line actions soon as war broke out, and the regiment was detailed to perform home defence duties. Having initially trained in

6288: 1534:

beyond the railway, found the front clear of the enemy and established a post until the infantry could catch up. From 8 to 10 November the QOOH provided two squadrons to lead

2221: 723: 597:

showed the Yeomanry regiments grouped into brigades for collective training. They were commanded by the senior regimental commanding officer but they did have a Regular Army

2653: 5108: 3002: 1704:(RFA) on 18 April 1922 to form two batteries (399th and 400th (Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars Yeomanry) Batteries, 400th being a howitzer battery) and part of HQ of the 1310:. Over the following weeks the BEF hung on grimly in a series of battles round the town. At the end of October GHQ began releasing the TF units from their duties on the 550:. After the 6th Duke died in 1857, Lord Churchill succeeded as Lt-Col Commandant and Lord Alfred Spencer-Churchill became second Lt-Col on 25 April 1860. Lieutenant-Col 523: 462: 5354:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1947/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1993, ISBN 1-870423-06-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1-78331-624-3. 6293: 5299:, Vol II, London: Macmillan, 1925/Imperial War Museum & Battery Press, 1995, ISBN 1-870423-55-0/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1-78331-612-0. 1191:

Player's cigarette card showing a captain of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars in field dress uniform in 1914. This figure is in uniform while deployed to France.

6298: 1282:; instead the regiment was retained under the base commandant at Dunkirk. It was assigned to GHQ Troops, and sent to cover the arrival by rail of French cavalry at 1085: 1747:

the TA was doubled in size, and the 53rd A/T Rgt was split in 1939, the Worcester Yeomanry batteries remaining with the 53rd, and the QOOH batteries forming a new

3391: 2091:

as part of "Winston Special" convoy WS 12Z. WS 12Z convoy sailed just before midnight of 12 November (into 13 November). The regiment was headed for Basra, Iraq

364:

to subdue any civil disorder within the county. In response to this call, a meeting of 'Nobility, Gentry, Freeholders and Yeomanry' was called at the Star Inn in

6129: 2239:

in TAVR II. TAVR III was disbanded on 1 January 1969 and its united reduced to cadres; the cadre of the Oxfordshire Territorials was disbanded on 1 April 1975.

3215: 5924: 5415:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/London: London Stamp Exchange, 1990, ISBN 0-948130-03-2/ Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, ISBN 1-843424-74-6. 5332:, London: Macmillan, 1939/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1994, ISBN 0-89839-211-X/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-727-5. 5310:, London: Macmillan, 1935/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, ISBN 0-89839-219-5/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-725-1. 5248:

History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56)

4486:

Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional units), 22 October 1941, TNA files WO 212/6 and WO 33/1883.

526:

was gazetted to take over as Lt-Col Commandant on 20 March 1845; the 2nd Lord Churchill was appointed second Lt-Col on 5 April 1847. The Duke's younger son,

6278: 5321:, London: Macmillan, 1937/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, ISBN 1-87042394-1/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-726-8. 2648: 2067:

251 Anti-Tank Battery had been detached from 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment on 27 September 1941, and travelled from Portrush, Northern Ireland to Butlin's Camp,

6257: 6252: 6247: 6242: 6237: 6232: 6227: 6222: 6217: 6212: 6207: 6202: 6197: 6192: 6187: 6182: 6177: 6169: 2714: 1658: 1078: 500:

ceased to pay them when called out, and on 1 April 1828 the regiment was officially disbanded; however, several troops continued to serve without pay.

1299: 5292:, Vol I, 3rd Edn, London: Macmillan,1933/Woking: Shearer, 1986, ISBN 0-946998-01-9/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1-78331-611-3 2062: 1838: 663: 535: 5069: 1888:, Scotland, it absorbed the personnel of the disbanding 307 Independent A/T Bty and formed a new 251 A/T Bty to replace the one lost at Singapore. 2324: 1915: 1804: 1200: 651: 381: 17: 4194: 4176: 2333:, appointed as Colonel-in-Chief of 100th (W&OY) Field Bde; continued with 63rd (QOOH) A/T Rgt 22 December 1939, and 387 (QOO) Fd Rgt to 1950 6119: 5083: 4299: 2228: 2926: 6074: 6044: 4632: 4453: 2693: 2684: 2043: 1485: 1348: 1319: 5656: 5504: 4312: 1911: 1422: 1352: 1344: 1339: 1315: 774:

Methuen's Column now took part in the pursuit of de Wet's force south down the railway towards Kroonstad, beginning with a sharp action at

715: 458: 5679: 4922: 786: 1218:

The regiment mobilised at Oxford and on 11 August under the command of Lt-Col A Dugdale, and joined 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade at

5974: 5949: 2378:

stormed up to the officer commanding the QOOH detachment and told him his men were incorrectly arranged according to accepted protocol.

2351: 2159:. It was called into action the next day in a rubber plantation just north of the Sultan of Jahore's palace which it fought for a week. 1568: 1113:

of 1908, and dropped the 'Imperial' part of their titles. The Oxfordshire Yeomanry (QOOH) transferred, with the following organisation:

779:

the drift before Methuen arrived, but the rearguard was cleared and the column pressed forward. Methuen sent Chesham and the IY towards

744: 493: 5097: 2797: 2280: 1782: 827: 2751:, Monday, 19 Nov 1979; pg. VIII; Issue 60478; col H Obituary of former soldier, The Rt Rev R. B. White, Suffragan Bishop of Tonbridge 6149: 5483: 5457: 5427: 5154: 4853: 4828: 4803: 4602: 4534: 4234: 2337: 2216:, with the QOOH forming Q Battery based in Oxford and Banbury. Further changes occurred in 1956 when the regiment was joined by the 2039: 1819: 1709: 1171: 1167: 841: 6049: 5934: 5765: 2710: 1953: 1355:, which had returned to the UK after its heavy casualties at Ypres. The QOOH remained with this formation for the rest of the war. 683:

some because they wanted a medal, and some because others came.—Trooper Sidney Peel, one of the Imperial Yeomanry from Oxfordshire

5699: 5129: 3246: 1785:

headstone of a QOOH gunner who died a few months after the end of the Second World War. The stone bears the dual insignia of the

1287: 751:

on 24 May, but Roberts became concerned about his communications, so Methuen was switched to protecting the rear, and marched to

5035: 4962: 2546: 1810: 3004:

The peerage of the British empire as at present existing; arranged and printed from the personal communications of the nobility

2677:

As such it was one of only six yeomanry regiments to be posted to a regular cavalry division in the war. The other five were:

2572: 1937: 1372:

and the final advance in 1918, winning battle honours and the lasting respect of their fellow members of 2nd Cavalry Division.

1011: 718:

of the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry commanded the division's mounted troops. On 5 April Methuen learned of the presence of a small

708: 2127:

and WS12Z-M detached and became Convoy DM 1. Convoy DM 1 was headed for the Maldives. There was a fuelling stop at "Port T",

1858: 5994: 5689: 2774: 2592: 2256: 2209: 1827: 1406: 1267: 868: 689: 480:

The Yeomanry declined in importance and strength after the end of the French wars, Some of the original independent yeomanry

395: 6004: 2411:

the usual embroidered 'ROYAL ARTILLERY' shoulder title was worn, but with a white metal 'QOOH' worn on the shoulder strap.

6009: 5964: 5750: 5577: 2232: 1767: 1725: 527: 97: 5536:

A List of the Officers of the Militia, the Gentlemen & Yeomanry Cavalry, and Volunteer Infantry of the United Kingdom

5524:, April 1850, London: British Army Despatch Press, 1850/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 1991, ISBN 978-1-84342-410-9. 3906: 3703: 5823: 5674: 2727:

The war establishment of a cavalry regiment was three squadrons instead of the four squadrons of the peacetime Yeomanry.

2643: 2523: 2004: 1674: 1666: 1552: 1480:, which was still in German hands. But better opportunities came as the German defences crumbled. During the pursuit to 662:, who had joined the regiment as a junior officer was also appointed to the Headquarters Staff in the temporary rank of 329: 217: 3591: 3395: 2563:

In 1998 5 (QOOH) Signal Sqn celebrated the Oxfordshire Yeomanry's bicentenary by being granted the Freedom of Banbury.

5732: 5646: 5641: 2541: 2533: 2484: 2341: 1927: 1509: 1505: 1434: 1239: 305: 205: 5833: 4655: 5408:, London: Samson Books, 1978, ISBN 0-906304-03-2/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-197-9. 5262:

History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3b: New Army Divisions (30–41) and 63rd (R.N.) Division

4707: 4496: 6039: 5790: 5760: 5755: 5005: 4759: 4155: 4046: 3925: 3722: 3424: 3144: 3118: 2498: 2399: 2024: 1984:

In early October VIII Corps launched Operation Constellation to clear the remaining German forces from west of the

1410: 767:

were able to free a number of the prisoners. Methuen then pushed on to relieve 9th Division, which was besieged at

712: 508: 6144: 6069: 5909: 5538:, 11th Edn, London: War Office, 14 October 1805/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2005, ISBN 978-1-84574-207-2. 2453: 2360:, appointed to 63rd (QOOH) A/T Rgt 21 October 1939, continued with 387 (QOOH) Fd Rgt and 299 (RB&QOOH) Fd Rgt 2050: 2042:

on the night of 28 April. After the Elbe there was little opposition, and hostilities were ended on 5 May by the

1646: 1556: 1498: 1376:

fierce engagements on foot and in the trenches themselves. Formally, the 2nd Cavalry Division was engaged at the

1323: 1303: 578: 450: 430: 349: 1876:

61st Division remained in Northern Ireland until February 1943. On 25 June, while the regiment was stationed at

6089: 6064: 6029: 5984: 5894: 5343:, London: Macmillan, 1939/Uckfield: Imperial War Museum and Naval & Military, 2009, ISBN 978-1-845747-28-2. 5267: 3235: 2513: 2508: 2492: 2489: 2301: 2110: 1535: 1442: 1438: 1385: 1044: 1030: 700: 639: 602: 555: 468: 353: 68: 2459: 1712:(TA). Both batteries were initially at Oxford, though 400th Bty later moved to Banbury. The brigade HQ was at 5944: 5939: 5843: 5231: 2698: 2689: 2518: 1705: 1461: 1401: 1279: 783:

to cut off de Wet, but after their long march the day before the yeomanry could not keep up with the Boers.

377: 4298:

Order of Battle of the Forces in the United Kingdom, Part 2: 21 Army Group, 24 July 1943, with amendments,

2105:

On 24 December 1941, convoys WS12Z-A (Aden), WS12Z-B (Bombay) and WS12Z-M (Malaya) departed Durban. The SS

1641:

The 2/1st QOOH was disbanded in Dublin on 21 June 1919, when the personnel were sent to join an improvised

6054: 6014: 5959: 5914: 5876: 5785: 5722: 2596: 2580: 2479: 2465: 2345: 2308: 2236: 2202: 1966: 1961:

By 1944 the batteries of infantry divisional A/T regiments such as 63rd A/T Rgt consisted of one troop of

1896: 1572: 1540: 1457: 1381: 1377: 1311: 1152: 980: 551: 547: 446: 313: 132: 1615: 1611: 6134: 6114: 5899: 3613: 2680: 2620: 2474: 2432: 1962: 1778: 1763: 1743:(Banbury) were renumbered as 211 and 212 (Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars Yeomanry) A/T Btys. After the 1701: 1504:

2nd Cavalry Division was now spit up between the BEF's various armies. 4th Cavalry Bde was present when

1465: 1454: 1425:

and Harman's Detachment on 27 March. On 30 March the brigade supported 'Carey's Force' (improvised from

1307: 309: 1187: 3564: 1688: 6124: 6109: 5969: 5954: 5413:

Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945

5285: 2470: 2272: 1907: 1826:

in June 1940 during the post-Dunkirk invasion crisis. Soon after arrival 63rd A/T Rgt transferred to

1588: 1584: 1247: 1235: 1227: 420: 337: 155: 136: 5264:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1939/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-41-X. 5250:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8. 5243:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1934/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-38-X. 1766:

guns, organised into four batteries each of three troops, but many TA units had to make do with the

1334:

who had been detached, while the other squadron remained behind to help dig a reserve defence line.

1298:

clashed with a QOOH patrol on 5 October; the regiment was thus the first TF unit to see action. The

5999: 5919: 5596: 5378:

History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941

2930: 2537: 2408: 2354:, TD, former CO of 100th (W&OY) Field Bde, appointed to 53rd (W&)Y) A/T Rgt 2 February 1939 2156: 2016: 2000: 1740: 1599: 1518: 1430: 1343:

then shifted away from Messines, and the fighting gradually died down. The QOOH was transferred to

1238:

that was being assembled. After only a month's training, the regiment received a telegram from the

764: 756: 507:

and other places, and again in 1831 (Otmoor and Banbury), 1832 (Otmoor) and 1835. After a visit of

325: 5257:

London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.

4152:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Another war – another role" 3488: 1739:(RA 'brigades' being redesignated 'regiments' at this time). The two QOOH batteries at Oxford and 638:. On 13 December, the decision to allow volunteer forces to serve in South Africa was made, and a 6104: 6079: 6024: 6019: 5989: 5828: 5800: 5795: 5770: 5704: 5694: 5684: 5651: 4320: 3602: 3299: 3171: 3094: 3039: 2217: 1978: 1900: 1713: 1283: 1219: 1035: 1024: 1015: 941: 935: 929: 918: 913: 693: 655: 531: 416: 365: 332:. After a series of postwar mergers and changes of role, the regiment's lineage is maintained by 5444:, Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1948/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2014, ISBN 978-1-78331-085-2. 3575: 3553: 3370: 3350: 3330: 3310: 3288: 3268: 3257: 1724:(RA), and the unit was redesignated as an 'Army Field Brigade, RA', serving as 'Army Troops' in 1278:

However, the QOOH did not accompany the RND when it moved from Dunkirk on 3 October to join the

5545:, London: War Office, 7 November 1927 (RA sections also summarised in Litchfield, Appendix IV). 1906:

Churchill then influenced the QOOH's history again. When the regiment saw others leave for the

650:' skill as fast moving, mounted infantry. Among the officers chosen to organise this force was 5979: 5929: 5904: 5871: 5866: 5727: 5633: 5500: 5479: 5453: 5423: 5369:, London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-59-9. 5150: 5125: 4849: 4824: 4799: 4628: 4598: 4530: 4449: 4259: 2628: 2503: 2375: 2357: 2121: 2038:, which required a fullscale assault crossing (Operation Enterprise). This was carried out by 2012: 1974: 1243: 1106: 1020: 822: 760: 740: 643: 391: 293: 262: 5241:

History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 1: The Regular British Divisions

5192: 763:. Most of the force in Lindley had already surrendered, but 5th and 10th Bns IY under Lt-Col 356:

proposed on 14 March 1794 that the counties should form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry (

6094: 6034: 3719:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Churchill intervenes" 3089: 2576: 1846: 1823: 1657:

The 3rd Line regiment was formed in 1915 at Oxford and in the summer it was affiliated to a

1595: 1295: 1138: 1134: 986: 728: 671: 569: 438: 278: 117: 38: 4043:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Territorial gunners" 3421:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Churchill's funeral" 3166: 3034: 2794: 1833:

On 27 September 1941, 251 A/T Bty was detached from the regiment and sent to Butlin's Camp

1602:, 1st Mounted Division (the 3rd Mounted Division renamed). The brigade was concentrated at 1464:

on 8 August. 1918. Next morning 2nd Cavalry Division's brigades, each with a detachment of

6099: 6084: 5858: 5373: 4555: 3922:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – The QOOH in action" 2801: 2528: 2439: 2319: 2315: 2171:

The rest of the regiment became Prisoners of War on 15 February 1942 and were marched to

2053:

carrying out occupation duties until they passed into suspended animation on 18 May 1946.

1892: 1881: 1786: 1721: 1634:. About January 1918 it went to Ireland with the 4th Cyclist Brigade and was stationed at 1567:

The 2nd Line regiment was formed at Oxford in September 1914. In January 1915 it was with

1481: 1426: 1259: 1231: 1144: 1110: 1048: 1040: 635: 610: 543: 442: 361: 317: 289: 195: 127: 93: 5380:, Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996, ISBN 1-85753-080-2. 3141:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Viscount Valentia" 1199:, the QOOH and the rest of the TF were embodied on 4 August 1914. In accordance with the 5587: 5002:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Post-war changes" 4982: 6159: 6139: 5180: 5169: 4756:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Wartime prisons" 2704: 2424: 2143: 2068: 2007:. By late March 1945 21st Army Group was ready to carry out an assault crossing of the 1945: 1941:

Liberated Belgian civilians crowd round a 17-pdr A/T gun deployed on the streets, 1944'

1862: 1834: 1803:

On the outbreak of war on 3 September 1939 63rd A/T Rgt mobilised at Oxford as part of

1576: 1473: 1469: 1389: 1326:

since 12 October. Two squadrons of the QOOH went up to join the brigade in the line at

360:) that could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the 301: 81: 3475: 6272: 2371: 2176: 2172: 1970: 1969:

but corps A/T regiments were fully equipped with 17-pounders, two batteries towed by

1854: 1744: 1735:, the 100th Field Brigade was converted on 28 November 1938 to the anti-tank role as 1717: 1662: 1642: 1494: 1255: 804: 719: 598: 228: 5363:

History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West

4870: 2318:, appointed on 29 July 1896; Colonel-in-Chief 29 September 1904 after succeeding as 1551:

The 2nd Cavalry Division re-assembled on 15 November, and then covered the front as

658:(CO) of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, who became Assistant Adjutant General. 6154: 5848: 5838: 5805: 5780: 5775: 5435:

Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecedents

5358: 4316: 2552: 2330: 2327:, former CO, appointed 24 September 1904; continued with 100th (W&OY) Field Bde 1732: 1670: 1603: 1477: 1331: 896: 780: 775: 586: 372:, in 1794. This led to the formation in May 1798 of a troop of yeomen known as the 321: 285: 212: 5578:

Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth – Regiments.org (archive site)

2770: 1418: 18:

63rd (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

5494: 4681: 2214:

299 (Royal Bucks Yeomanry and Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars) Field Regiment, RA

2098:, Sierra Leone on 25 November 1941, left Freetown on 28 November 1941 arrived at 1314:

to provide desperately needed reinforcements. On 31 October the QOOH was sent to

5330:

May–July: The German Diversion Offensives and the First Allied Counter-Offensive

5147:

The story of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry: Queen's own Oxfordshire Hussars 1798–1998

4896: 3115:"The story of Oxfordshire Yeomanry – Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars – Boer War" 2600: 2448: 2088: 1631: 1526: 1522: 1513: 1262:

ports. The QOOH thus became the first Yeomanry unit to go overseas, landing at

1196: 675: 297: 200: 2220:. On 1 May 1961 part of the Berkshire Yeomanry left, and the regiment absorbed 1910:, they were anxious to join the action. However, Winston Churchill, though now 1807:, which was being organised as the duplicate of 48th (South Midland) Division. 1246:, instructing them to prepare for immediate embarkation. They were to join the 830:

joined the same regiment in 1913 and was ultimately promoted to major in 1921.

6075:

Lanarkshire Yeomanry (Queen's Own Royal Glasgow and Lower Ward of Lanarkshire)

4682:"APPENDIX I – PARTICULARS OF CONVOYS ESCORTED DURING JANUARY 1942 Convoy DM 1" 2610: 2128: 2035: 1607: 1414: 1148: 884: 873: 748: 630: 621: 497: 296:

and was the first Yeomanry regiment to serve in Belgium and France during the

2398:

style full dress of dark blue with white (silver for officers) braiding. The

388:

were soon raised in the county, giving the following by the end of the year:

5227: 2747: 2268: 2181: 2020: 1885: 1877: 1530: 1156: 890: 796: 752: 605:

formed the 2nd Yeomanry Brigade. The Yeomanry brigades disappeared from the

590: 582: 2348:, former CO of QOOH, appointed to 100th (W&OY) Field Bde 2 October 1929 2184:, but some died in Sumatra, Formosa, China (Hong Kong), Malaysia or Japan. 2175:. Later in 1942, the POWs were enslaved and forced to work on the infamous 2116:

joined convoys WS12Z-A, WS12Z-B and WS12Z-M at 0832 (GMT +4). At 1000, USS

2109:

was in Convoy WS12Z-M, headed to reinforce Singapore. On 30 December 1941,

554:

took over the command on 8 May 1866, and later became the regiment's first

5385:

History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Far East Theatre 1939–1946

1517:(9.7 km) in five bounds by the end of the day. During the subsequent 546:

as their address, and the regiment was officially headquartered at nearby

308:, where cavalry had been superfluous, the QOOH led the advance during the 5886: 5468:

Lord Methuen and the British Army: Failure and Redemption in South Africa

5197: 2638: 2284: 2132: 2095: 2084: 1850: 1623: 1251: 1205: 1128: 768: 736: 593:. This was never more than a paper organisation, but from April 1893 the 539: 357: 281: 107: 5562: 5420:

The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)

3392:"Churchill's Commissions and Military Attachments, The Churchill Centre" 1857:. On 28 July 1942 301 A/T Bty also left the regiment to help form a new 5815: 5742: 5714: 5666: 5543:

Titles and Designations of Formations and Units of the Territorial Army

5297:

History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1914

5290:

History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1914

2080: 1989: 1627: 1619: 1580: 1490: 1263: 1230:

in the East Coast defences. Then on 29 August it moved to Churn on the

1223: 1160: 992: 947: 902: 674:. Over 20,000 men came forward in two years, among them about 240 from 410: 406: 165: 122: 6025:

1st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex, Duke of Cambridge's Hussars)

5567: 5348: