Extract from "Chain Mail - The History of the DLOY 1798-1991"
On 7 May 45, shortly after VI Day (as Eighth Army called it) the Regiment moved from the Padua area to Trieste – at that time disputed between the Italians and Marshal Tito’s partisans. Although tense there was no serious violence and the Regiment initially carried armed patrols on Trieste’s streets and guards on shipping and warehouses in the docks. Lt Gen Harding, Commander XIII Corps was responsible for the security of the whole Trieste area and he directed that a mounted police unit be formed to assist in maintaining law and order. Since 78 (DLOY) Med Regt RA (TA) had started the war as horsed cavalry and many of the older members of the Regiment were experienced horsemen they were selected for the role. Horses were not a problem since the Wehrmacht had been using vast numbers for transport purposes and these had been handed over the British after the surrender. Forty horses were co-opted for this role and forty ex-horsemen selected under the command of the RSM, WO1 Harry Miller. He was not only a fine horseman, but had a great natural personality and had even taught himself Italian.
By January 1946, 78 (DLOY) Med Regt RA (TA) had been retitled 78 Regiment (DLOY) (Auxiliary Police).
The Cheshire Yeomanry proudly boasted that they were the last British soldiers to fight on horseback. This is true, but the DLOY members of the Venzia Giulia Polizia, although they never had to fight, could equally well claim that they were the last to serve mounted overseas.
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