Dismounted Yeomanry cap badges in 1918

[Alan O]

Would everyone care to add in any pictures or accounts that show that dismounted Yeomanry in the infantry role in 1917-19 rebadged to the infantry cap badge.
It shoudl be noted that there were 1/2 and 1/3 battalions left in UK that were not converted to infantry or became cyclist battalions so were not likely to have rebadged..
For starters:

6th (RWY) Bn Wilts Regt: https://twitter.com/vickersmg/status...580417/photo/1
The Wiltshire Regiment cap badge in use.

15th Yeomanry Bn Suffolk Regiment https://www.friendsofthesuffolkregim...k-hussars.html
are recorded as keeping their badges but new joiners had Suffolk ones issued. This is backed up by an obituary in the Regimental Magazine that says the same thing. This officer was commissioned after the conversion but is wearing the LSH badge 5th (Yeomanry) Bn. Suffolk Regiment. http://fwwjournal.blogspot.com/2017/...-in-field.html

14th (F&F) Bn Black Watch https://wartimememoriesproject.com/g...php?uid=254176
The regtl history records they wore the BW insignia and hackle in France in 1918.
Same applies to the 13th (Scottish Horse) Bn.

9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion
https://www.wartimememoriesproject.c...n.php?pid=1017 2 photos of the running horse in use.

[3dg]

It was understood that the Ayrshire Yeomanry wore the Royal Scots Fusiliers badge on the TOS when they and the Lanarkshire Yeomanry merged to form the 12th RSF in January 1917, attached though, puts a spanner in the works!
Chris

[Alan O]

Chris

Great photo. I suspect as with other yeomanry regiments he kept his old badge.

Alan

[Alan O]

This is the 2/1 Dorset Yeomanry in Ireland in 1918. They were re-roled as Cyclists but clearly did not rebadge as ACC.

https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...iw&oe=6313EFF0

[cbuehler]

The 2/1 Dorset Yeo. seems to have gone native
At any rate, this thread clears up a some aspects of a very foggy subject.

CB

[Luke H]

Due to the decreasing role of cavalry in WW1 and growing manpower issues, circa 1917 many Yeomanry were dismounted and re-rolled, predominately as infantry.

The below info and dates are all taken from the excellent Long Long Trail website.

Hopefully this thread can be used as an index page with information and period photos added to solve longstanding questions on which Yeomanry were rebadged to their new parent regiments.

I fully expect there will be cases of mixed badges worn and even contradictory information but this all adds to the debate so please do post if you think you have some relevant information.

N.B. I’ve purposely not included any changes that were subsequently reversed. However I have included the 1916 raft of cyclist conversions just in case any of these units rebadged to Army Cyclist Corps or others.

Please feel free to point out any errors or mistakes to the list.

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Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & amalgamated with 6th Bn, Wiltshire Regt and renamed 6th (Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion.

Evidence: picture of Pte. Edgar John Hinton who joined RWY in 1914 and was KIA 1918 wearing Wiltshire Regiment cap badge.
https://twitter.com/vickersmg/status...580417/photo/1

https://vickersmg.blog/about/remembr...rans-ejhinton/

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=90508

Conclusions: likely whole 1/1st (new and existing troops) rebadged to Wilts Regt.


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Warwickshire Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Yorkshire Hussars
Nov 1917 - 1/1st absorbed into 9th (Service) Bn, West Yorkshire Regt and renamed 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion.

Jul 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
Aug 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Staffordshire Yeomanry
Aug 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Shropshire Yeomanry
Mar 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Cheshire Yeo forming 10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Bn, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, drafts to 2/1st Shropshire Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, KSLI.


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Ayrshire Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st merged with Lanarkshire Yeo forming 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Evidence: undated wartime image of an unnamed man wearing the 1915 pattern Ayrshire Yeo badge on the tam.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...9&d=1659716026

Conclusions: apparent conflicting evidence as to what was worn on the Tam (see Lanark Yeo entry). Other possibilities are the Ayrshire Yeo retained their badge but the Lanarks did not, or, the Ayrshire Yeo picture was taken soon after the merger and the RSF grenade enforced later.


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Cheshire Yeomanry
Mar 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Shropshire Yeo forming 10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Bn, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Yorkshire Dragoons
Feb 1918 - 1/1st converted into a cyclist Bn.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Leicestershire Yeomanry
Aug 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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North Somerset Yeomanry


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Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 2 squadrons of 1/1st absorbed into 12th (Service) Bn, Manchester Regt.


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Lanarkshire Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st merged with Ayrshire Yeo forming 12th (Ayr and Lanark Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Early 1917 - 3/1st disbanded and men posted to 2/1st Lanarkshire Yeo and 5th Reserve Bn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

Evidence: picture of VC winner Sergeant Thomas Caldwell VC who was originally 1/1st Lanark Yeo and served at Gallipoli in 1915. Rose to Sgt. prior to winning the VC in October 1918. In the photo it appears he is wearing the RSF grenade on the tam. No ribbon visible but he is a Sgt and has oversees chevrons on the cuff introduced in 1918.

https://cdn-images-express-co-uk.cdn...=1541841868276

http://www.vconline.org.uk/thomas-ca...586139562.html

Conclusions: apparent conflicting evidence as to what was worn on the Tam (see Ayrshire Yeo entry). As a VC winner it’s possible there was an element of regimental politics around the photo of Sgt. Caldwell. Other possibilities are the Ayrshire Yeo retained their badge but the Lanarks did not, or, the Ayrshire Yeo picture was taken soon after the merger and the RSF grenade enforced later


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Northumberland Hussars
Sept 1917 - 2/1st absorbed into 9th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers and renamed 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion.


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South Nottinghamshire Hussars
Apr 1918 - 1/1st merged with Warwickshire Yeo to form B Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps.

Aug 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Denbighshire Hussars
Feb 1917 - 1/1st formed the 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 1/1st transferred to Border Regiment and absorbed to form 7th (Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry) Bn, Border Regt.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.


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Pembroke Yeomanry
Feb 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Glamorgan Yeo to form 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regt.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st merged with 2/1st Glamorgan Yeo to form 2nd (Pembroke & Glamorgan) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded and men posted to 2/1st Pembroke Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn Welsh Regt.


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Royal East Kent Yeomanry
Feb 1917 - 1/1st with 1/1st West Kent Yeomanry formed 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Bn, The Buffs.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Early 1917 - 3/1st disbanded and men posted to 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, The Buffs.


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Hampshire Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & joined 15th (Service) Bn, Hampshire Regt and renamed 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Battalion.

May 1918 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Royal Bucks Hussars
Apr 1918 - 1/1st merged with Berkshire Yeo to form C Bn, the Machine Gun Corps.

Aug 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Derbyshire Yeomanry
Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Dorset Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 2/1st became a cyclist unit again.

Evidence: picture of group of 2/1st Dorset Yeo in Ireland in 1918 wearing their original yeomanry badges in bronze finish.

https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...iw&oe=6313EFF0

Conclusions: appears the 2/1st retained their Dorset Yeo badges after re-role as cyclists.


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Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Berkshire Yeomanry
Apr 1918 - 1/1st merged with Royal Bucks Hussars to form C Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Middlesex Yeomanry
Jul 1918 - 1/1st amalgamated with 1/1st City of London Yeo and the 1/3rd County of London Yeo to form ‘’E” Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st merged with 2/3rd County of London Yeo to form 6th (1st & 3rd County of London) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment.


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Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st dismounted and merged with 1/1st North Devon Yeo to form the 16th (Royal 1st Devon and North Devon Yeomanry) Bn, Devonshire Regt.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Evidence: undated picture of unnamed trooper with bicycle clearly wearing R1DY cap badge and shoulder titles courtesy of Rob Miller.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...2&d=1659877287

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...3&d=1659877302

Conclusions: possible 2/1st retained R1DY badge as cyclists.


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Loyal Suffolk Hussars
Jan 1917 - 1/1st converted to infantry and became 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Bn, The Suffolk Regiment.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Early 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st LSH and 4th Reserve Battalion, Suffolk Regt.

Evidence: recorded as ‘fiercely’ keeping their badges but new joiners being issued Suffolk Regiment ones.

https://www.friendsofthesuffolkregim...k-hussars.html

Picture of 30999 Pte J.A. Gillingham, 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion, Suffolk Regt. Wounded at 3rd battle of Gaza 1917. He wears the LSH cap badge and 2 overseas service chevrons dating the picture to Jan 1918 or after.

https://twitter.com/Taft_gillingham/...z_BlB5K2yol8Fw

Two pictures of Pte. George Everett Nash (d.1918) of 15th Bn wearing what appears to be the Territorial Battalions Suffolk Regiment cap badge and possibly the LSH Yeo badge?

https://www.wartimememoriesproject.c...n.php?pid=7314

Use of the TF badge had been discussed previously here and discounted.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=67853


Conclusions: likely mix of LSH, Suffolk and even potentially Suffolk TF cap badges worn.



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North Devon Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st dismounted and merged with 1/1st Royal 1st Devon Yeo to form the 16th (Royal 1st Devon and North Devon Yeomanry) Bn, Devonshire Regt.


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Worcestershire Hussars
Nov 1916 - 2/1st became half of the 12th (Gloucestershire and Worcestershire) Yeomanry Cyclist Regiment.


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West Kent Yeomanry
Feb 1917 - 1/1st with 1/1st East Kent Yeomanry formed 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Bn, The Buffs.

Oct 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st West Kent Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Royal West Kent Regt.


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West Somerset Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & converted to infantry and became 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st merged with 2/1st City of London Yeomanry to form 5th (West Somerset and City of London) Yeomanry Cyclist Regt.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st West Somerset Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Somerset Light Infantry.

Evidence: picture of men of the 230th Field Ambulance RAMC and the 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, 74th Yeomanry Division at the Regimental Aid Post. Near Carvin, 14th August 1918. A mix of both SLI and WSY badges are being worn.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205239003

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...5&d=1660078402

Conclusions: mix of badges in wear. Possible new recruits wore SLI badge whilst old 1/1st West Somerset Yeomen retained their WSY badges.


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Oxfordshire Hussars
Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
Mar 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Welsh Horse to form 25th (Montgomery & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Early 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st Montgomershire Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.


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Lothian and Border Horse
Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Royal Glasgow Yeomanry
Aug 1917 - 1/1st (A & B squadrons) dismounted & joined 18th Bn, Highland Light Infantry and renamed 18th (Glasgow Yeomanry) Battalion.


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Lancashire Hussars
Jul 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & absorbed into 18th (Service) Bn, The King’s (Liverpool Regt) and renamed 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion.

Jul 1916 - converted into a cyclist unit.

Jul 1917 - 3/1st reconstituted and transferred to 5th Reserve Bn, King’s (Liverpool Regt).


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Surrey Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 1/1st dismounted and absorbed into 10th (Service) Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regt).

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
Dec 1916 - 1/1st dismounted & formed 14th (Fife & Forfar Yeomanry) Bn, Black Watch.

Nov 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Norfolk Yeomanry
Feb 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & formed 12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Bn, Norfolk Regt.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Early 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st Norfolk Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Norfolk Regt.


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Sussex Yeomanry
Jan 1917 - 1/1st converted to infantry as 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Sussex Regt.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Jan 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st Sussex Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Royal Sussex Regt.


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Glamorgan Yeomanry
Feb 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Pembroke Yeo to form the 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Bn, The Welsh Regt.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Welsh Horse
Mar 1917 - 1/1st merged with 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeo to form 25th (Montgomery & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeo or 4th Reserve Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.


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Lincolnshire Yeomanry
Apr 1918 - 1/1st formed ‘D’ Battalion Machine Gun Corps with 1/1st East Riding Yeo.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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City of London Yeomanry
Apr 1918 - 1/1st formed ‘E’ Battalion Machine Gun Corps with 1/3rd County of London Yeo.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Westminster Dragoons
Apr 1918 - 1/1st became “F” Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

1917 - 2/1st most personnel transferred to Tank Corps?


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3rd County of London Yeomanry
Apr 1918. - 1/1st became “E” Battalion Machine Gun Corps upon amalgamation with 1/1st City of London Yeo.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Bedfordshire Yeomanry


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Essex Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.


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Northamptonshire Yeomanry
Aug 1917 - 2/1st (1 squadron) absorbed into Tank Corps.


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East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry
Apr 1918 - 1/1st formed ‘D’ Battalion Machine Gun Corps with 1/1st Lincolnshire Yeo.

July 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Evidence: Jan 1919 dated picture of Herbert Levi, 1601 (later 50387) East Riding Yeomanry and subsequently L/Cpl 160939 MGC wearing MCG collars.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...0&d=1660062627

Picture of Corporal Leonard May believed to have joined ERY in 1915 wearing MGC cap badge.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...8&d=1660080853

Conclusions: MGC insignia (cap and collars) appears to have been adopted eventually.


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Lovat Scouts
Sept 1917 - 1/1st with 1/2nd Lovat Scouts and 1 coy of 1/3rd Scottish Horse, converted to 10th (Lovat’s Scouts) Bn, Cameron Highlanders.

Nov 1916 - 2/1st and 2/2nd Lovat Scouts form 1st (Lovat Scouts) Yeomanry Cyclist Regt.


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Scottish Horse
Oct 1916 - 1/1st became 13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Bn, Black Watch.

Jul 1916 - 2/1st converted into a cyclist unit.

Feb 1917 - 3/1st disbanded, men posted to 2/1st Scottish Horse Yeo and 4th Reserve Bn, Black Watch.


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North Irish Horse (Special Reserve)
Mar 1918 - 1st NIH converted into a cyclist unit.

Aug 1917 - 2nd NIH disbanded, men posted to 9th (Service) Bn, Royal Irish Fusiliers and retitled 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion.

Evidence: picture of Sergeant William Ewart Gladstone Lockhart who joined NIH in 1909 and was transferred to 9th Bn RIF Sept 1917 issued new service no. 41543, taken POW in 1918 seen wearing Royal Irish Fusiliers badge.
http://www.northirishhorse.com.au/NI...20Lockhart.htm

Also 1918 dated group pic of 9th RIF men all wearing the former badge.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...4&d=1659880088

Conclusions: likely whole 2nd NIH (inc. NCOs) rebadged to Royal Irish Fusiliers.


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South Irish Horse (Special Reserve)
Sept 1917 - 1st & 2nd SIH dismounted and converted to infantry as 7th (South Irish Horse) Bn, Royal Irish Regt.


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[Alan O]

Nick is a former colleague of mine and his history of the 9th RIF is superb. As you can see the NIH were drafted into the battalion alongside soldiers from many other regiments so I think you can say with near certainty that they were rebadged in the same way that all of the other transferees would have been.

https://www.nickmetcalfe.co.uk/the-e...th-irish-hors/

Several photos of former NIH soldiers wearing RIF badges here:

http://www.northirishhorse.com.au/NI...age/People.htm

And the 9th NIH in 1918 -every man wearing RIF badges.

[CAM]

This is very interesting. Thanks Alan for starting it and Luke for the information.

Chris

[Rob Miller]

This chap would presumably (judging by the bicycle) have been 2/1st Royal 1st Devonshire Yeomanry and is still wearing their cap badge and shoulder titles.

Rob

[Luke H]

Thanks Alan. Very likely re the NIH.

Perhaps you can merge the thread you started? Mine wasn’t intended to tread on any toes but to add some structure as it’s such a huge topic.

Intention was to edit this post long term to insert a summary and reference any relevant material e.g.

Originally Posted by Luke H

Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
Sept 1917 - 1/1st dismounted & amalgamated with 6th Bn, Wiltshire Regt and renamed 6th (Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion.

Evidence: picture of Pte. Edgar John Hinton who joined RWY in 1914 and was KIA 1918 wearing Wiltshire Regiment cap badge.
https://twitter.com/vickersmg/status...580417/photo/1

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=90508

Conclusions: likely whole 1/1st (new and existing troops) rebadged to Wilts Regt.

as a quick summary to save reading through lots of posts. Hopefully interested members will find this helpful and those wanting further reading can look into the evidenced threads etc.

When I have a bit of time I’ll get round to editing the ones we have already into post #1.

[Alan O]

I have always assumed that the second battalion Yeomanry Regiments kept their badge and identities rather the Cyclist Corps ones.

Where the first battalions were disbanded or converted to infantry there does seem to have been a pattern of former Yeoman retaining their old badges where they could get away with it.

The same thing happened when soldiers were transferred into the Labour Corps and most chose to keep their old badges. This was officially tolerated as photos show.

[Alan O]

The regimental history of the 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) battalion is available online. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?...ew=1up&seq=213

Alas no mention of their insignia nor any photos.

[Alan O]

No photos of the SIH but the gravestones are clearly RIR

https://rememberourdeadregimentallis...-regiment.html

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Alan O

No photos of the SIH but the gravestones are clearly RIR

https://rememberourdeadregimentallis...-regiment.html

Thanks for all the posts Alan.

There is a website dedicated to the SIH run by Doug who I’ve corresponded with before. I’ll ask him if he has any relevant pics. I strongly expect it will be the same scenario as NIH and we will see Royal Irish Regt badges universally worn.

[Alan O]

https://www.facebook.com/ww1incolour...999937/?type=3

12th Somerset soldiers wearing both SLI and West Somerset Yeomanry cap badges. It is dated Aug 18 so is at the end of the war.