Northumberland Hussars
Encyclopedia
The Northumberland Hussars is a Squadron of The Queen's Own Yeomanry (QOY) is an armoured Squadron of the British Territorial Army. It is part of a Formation Reconnaissance Regiment
, equipped with the FV107 Scimitar
and FV103 Spartan
type armoured reconnaissance vehicles. They are based in Newcastle upon Tyne
and are part of the 15th (North East) Brigade
of the 2nd Division.
On mobilisation, it provides a reinforcemant squadron to reinforce the regular formation reconnaissance regiments. It has provided personnel on Operation Telic, Operation Herrick, who have served with their regular counterparts in the Royal Armoured Corps.
was Prime Minister of Great Britain
, and across the Channel , Britain was faced by a French nation which had recently guillotined its King and which possessed a revolutionary army numbering half a million men. The Prime Minister proposed that the Counties form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry which could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the Lord Lieutenant to subdue any civil disorder within the country. Then in 1819 , the regiment was renamed The Newcastle Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. Shortly after, in 1831, the regiment was used against its own countrymen, putting down the miners strikes of that year. In 1876 they were again renamed this time as the Northumberland Hussars.
was raised to match the Boer
s' skill as fast moving, mounted infantry. The Boer War brought unexpected defeats for the British army at the hands of the Boers in "Black Week
", December 1899. This was attributed to the skill and determination of the Boer farmers-fast moving, highly skilled horsemen operating in open country. Britain's answer to the Boers was the Imperial Yeomanry, hurriedly dispatched in January 1900. Among the officers chosen to organise this force was Viscount Valentia
, CO
of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
, who became Assistant Adjutant General. The 9th Duke of Marlborough was also appointed to the Headquarters Staff. Volunteers were called for from present and past members of Yeomanry regiments and from new recruits. Over 20,000 men came forward in two years. The regiment was sent to South Africa as part of the Imperial Yeomanry
during the Anglo Second Boer War
. They first saw action in May of that year. Awarded the battle honour “South Africa”.
and attached to the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. In September 1914 , they joined the 7th Infantry Division.
In April 1915 the regiment was split up with regimental Headquarters and A Squadron remaining with the 7th Division, while B Squadron joined the 1st Infantry Division, C Squadron joined the 8th Infantry Division.This lasted until May 1916 , when all the units reformed in France
, to form the XIII Corps
Cavalry. They would then move between Corps
being attached to the VIII Corps in August 1917 , III Corps , in November 1917 and finally XII Corps in October 1918.
, in April 1916 , the regiment was split up with the regimental headquarters and B Squadron joining the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division
, A Squadron would operate as an independent unit based in Scarborough , C Squadron joined the 59th Infantry Division.
This lasted until February 1917 , when all the regimental units reformed in England , prior to moving to France
on March 19 , 1917 , they joined the XIX Corps
a few days later. They were then designated for infantry training and on August 28 , 1917 , they moved to Etaples
for infantry training. Having completed the training on September 25 , 1917 , they were re designated and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers.
until absorbed by the 5th Cavalry Reserve Regiment
in early 1917.
. A Fifth (Shoeing Smith G. Stephenson) was recently added to Panel 60.
In December 1939 , the regiment was re rolled to become a Royal Artillery
, Anti-Tank Regiment , the 102nd Royal Horse Artillery
(Northumberland Hussars) , they were equipped with 36 x 2 pounder Anti Tank guns.
In 1941 , the regiment was attached to the 2nd Support Group, of the 2nd Armoured Division in North Africa
, they then joined the 1st Armoured Brigade in Greece
. They were deployed to hold the Metamorphos Pass , with the Greek Horse Artillery. ON April 22 , they were subjected to Dive bombing and tank attacks. They were now in a rearguard action together with their New Zealand
allies. They reached Athens
on April 25 , after a 12 hour battle and 160 mile march through the night.By April 26 , they arrived at Rafina Beach , near Athens and waited to be evacuated having destroyed all their guns and equipment. They were taken aboard HMS Havoc on April 27 and landed at Suda
on the island of Crete
. Here they were equipped with rifles to fight as infantry on the Akrotiri Peninsula between Canea and Suda. From May 15 , they were again under air attack and 11 gliders landed in the regimental area but by the May 26 , the peninsula was under allied control and all gliders destroyed. Then on May 27 , the Evacuation of Crete was decided. The regiment had to withdraw across the mountains from the town of Suda to Sphakia , a distance of 50 miles, to the evacuation beeches. A lot of troops did get away but owing to heavy shipping losses the embarkation was stopped and those who were left had orders to capitulate to the advancing German forces on May 31.
After being evacuated to Egypt
in June 1941 , the regiment was strengthened by men from the suspended 106th Royal Horse Artillery , the regiment was then attached to the 7th Armoured Division, for Operation Crusader
in November 1941 and at the Battle of Gazala
in 1942 as an Anti-Tank unit. Theyt then reverted to Royal Artillery status and served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division at El Alamein
and in Sicily
and landed at Salerno
in Italy
.
The regiment landed at Liverpool
on November 5, 1943 , they had been away for 12 days less than 3 years. The Northumberland Hussars were by this stage a very experienced unit with six major battle honours including two amphibious landings under their belts. They were an obvious choice to be placed at the forefront of Operation Overlord
, the D-Day
landings. For the next six months they joined thousands of allied servicemen training in Britain for the assault on the French Coast.
The regiment was to land at Gold Beach
on D Day with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division as part the 69th Infantry Brigade and 231st Infantry Brigade. 69th Infantry Brigade would land at La Riviere and move south by Crepon
and Creully
to St. Leger on the strategically important Bayeux
-Caen
road. The Anti-Tank Plan was for "A" Battery to remain with 69th Infantry Brigade until reaching St. Leger. "C" Battery would stay with 231st Infantry Brigade for the first phase only and then change over, the Battery going to 151st Infantry Brigade (less one troop who went to 56th Infantry Brigade). They would then be relieved by "B" and "D" Batteries and would then go on an "exploitation" role with 8th Armoured Brigade.
"A" and "C" Batteries would be the first of the regiment to land at about H-Hour plus one followed by the two self-propelled units with "B" and "D" Batteries coming after. In addition to themselves the regiment was allotted two self-propelled Anti-Tank Batteries (189th and 234th Anti-Tank Batteries of the 73rd Anti-Tank Regiment R.A) who were to be placed under the direct command of the Northumberland Hussars. .
The 231st Infantry Brigade (previously an independent unit formed from regular troops stationed on Malta
) permanently attached, and the 56th Infantry Brigade temporarily attached to the 50th (Northumbrian)Division.
The 50th (Northumbrian) Division was considered to have performed very well in Normandy; out of the three divisions that were veterans of the desert (the others being 7th Armoured Division and 51st Highland Division), it was considered to have performed the best. It was one of the driving forces behind the British advance, and was exhausted by the end of the battle. It later played a minor role in Operation Market Garden
, where the 231st Infantry Brigade was detached to help support the advance of Guards Armoured Division. The division stayed in north west Europe until December 1944, when it was again returned to Britain. When the 50th (Northumbrian) Division returned to the UK the Northumberland Hussars joined 15th (Scottish) Division, with which it remained until the end of the war in Northern Europe
.
or Afghanistan
but it has provided personnel for Op Telic and Op Herrick.
Formation reconnaissance regiment
The Formation Reconnaissance Regiment is one of two organisations currently provided by cavalry regiments of the British Army. Until recently, it was known as the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment....
, equipped with the FV107 Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps, Armoured Regiments in the Reconnaissance role...
and FV103 Spartan
FV103 Spartan
FV103 Spartan is a tracked armoured personnel carrier of the British Army. It was developed as the APC variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family. The vehicle can carry up to 7 personnel, including 3 crew members. Armed with a single machine gun, it is almost indistinguishable from the...
type armoured reconnaissance vehicles. They are based in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and are part of the 15th (North East) Brigade
British 15th Infantry Brigade
The 15th Infantry Brigade is a British Army brigade. It was part of the regular British 5th Infantry Division during the Second World War, and is now part of the British 2nd Infantry Division in the north of the United Kingdom, with specific responsibility for the areas of North East England and...
of the 2nd Division.
On mobilisation, it provides a reinforcemant squadron to reinforce the regular formation reconnaissance regiments. It has provided personnel on Operation Telic, Operation Herrick, who have served with their regular counterparts in the Royal Armoured Corps.
Formation and early years
In 1794 , King George III , was on the throne, William Pitt the YoungerWilliam Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806...
was Prime Minister of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, and across the Channel , Britain was faced by a French nation which had recently guillotined its King and which possessed a revolutionary army numbering half a million men. The Prime Minister proposed that the Counties form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry which could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the Lord Lieutenant to subdue any civil disorder within the country. Then in 1819 , the regiment was renamed The Newcastle Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. Shortly after, in 1831, the regiment was used against its own countrymen, putting down the miners strikes of that year. In 1876 they were again renamed this time as the Northumberland Hussars.
Boer War
The Imperial YeomanryImperial Yeomanry
The Imperial Yeomanry was a British volunteer cavalry regiment that mainly saw action during the Second Boer War. Officially created on 24 December 1899, the regiment was based on members of standing Yeomanry regiments, but also contained a large contingent of mid-upper class English volunteers. In...
was raised to match the Boer
Boer
Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
s' skill as fast moving, mounted infantry. The Boer War brought unexpected defeats for the British army at the hands of the Boers in "Black Week
Black Week
In one disastrous week, dubbed Black Week, from 10-17 December 1899, the British Army suffered three devastating defeats by the Boer Republics at the battles of Stormberg , Magersfontein and Colenso , with 2,776 men killed, wounded and captured...
", December 1899. This was attributed to the skill and determination of the Boer farmers-fast moving, highly skilled horsemen operating in open country. Britain's answer to the Boers was the Imperial Yeomanry, hurriedly dispatched in January 1900. Among the officers chosen to organise this force was Viscount Valentia
Viscount Valentia
Viscount Valentia is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It has been created twice. The first creation came in 1621 for Henry Power. A year later, his kinsman Sir Francis Annesley, 1st Baronet, was given a "reversionary grant" of the viscountcy, which stated that on Power's death Annesley would be...
, CO
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
The Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars was the designated name of a Yeomanry regiment of the British Army between 1888 and 1922. In response a call by the government for troops of volunteers to be formed in the shires, meeting of “Nobility, Gentry, Freeholders and Yeomanry” was called at the Star Inn...
, who became Assistant Adjutant General. The 9th Duke of Marlborough was also appointed to the Headquarters Staff. Volunteers were called for from present and past members of Yeomanry regiments and from new recruits. Over 20,000 men came forward in two years. The regiment was sent to South Africa as part of the Imperial Yeomanry
Imperial Yeomanry
The Imperial Yeomanry was a British volunteer cavalry regiment that mainly saw action during the Second Boer War. Officially created on 24 December 1899, the regiment was based on members of standing Yeomanry regiments, but also contained a large contingent of mid-upper class English volunteers. In...
during the Anglo Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
. They first saw action in May of that year. Awarded the battle honour “South Africa”.
World War I
In the first World War the Northumberland Hussars formed second and third line regiments , the regimental names would be the 1/1st Northumberland Hussars , 2/1st Northumberland Hussars and the 3/1st Northumberland Hussars.1/1st Northumberland Hussars
The 1/1st were mobilised in August 1914 , in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and attached to the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. In September 1914 , they joined the 7th Infantry Division.
In April 1915 the regiment was split up with regimental Headquarters and A Squadron remaining with the 7th Division, while B Squadron joined the 1st Infantry Division, C Squadron joined the 8th Infantry Division.This lasted until May 1916 , when all the units reformed in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, to form the XIII Corps
XIII Corps (United Kingdom)
XIII Corps was a British infantry corps during World War I and World War II.-World War I:XIII Corps was formed in France on 15 November 1915 under Lieutenant-General Walter Congreve to be part of Fourth Army. It was first seriously engaged during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. On the First day on...
Cavalry. They would then move between Corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
being attached to the VIII Corps in August 1917 , III Corps , in November 1917 and finally XII Corps in October 1918.
2/1st Northumberland Hussars
The 2/1st were formed in October 1914 and remained in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, in April 1916 , the regiment was split up with the regimental headquarters and B Squadron joining the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division
62nd (2nd West Riding) Division
- History :During the First World War the division fought on the Western Front at Bullecourt in the Battle of Arras and Havrincourt in the Battle of Cambrai. In the First Battle of the Somme , they were in the line near Arras and in the Second Battle of the Marne, in the Ardre Valley...
, A Squadron would operate as an independent unit based in Scarborough , C Squadron joined the 59th Infantry Division.
This lasted until February 1917 , when all the regimental units reformed in England , prior to moving to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on March 19 , 1917 , they joined the XIX Corps
XIX Corps (United Kingdom)
The British XIX Corps was a British infantry corps during World War I.- History :British XIX Corps was formed in France in February 1917 and fought at the Battle of Passchendaele in Autumn 1917. In Spring 1918 it was driven back 20 miles in five days and found itself in disarray...
a few days later. They were then designated for infantry training and on August 28 , 1917 , they moved to Etaples
Étaples
Étaples or Étaples-sur-Mer is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. It is a fishing and leisure port on the Canche river.There is a separate commune named Staple, Nord.-History:...
for infantry training. Having completed the training on September 25 , 1917 , they were re designated and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers.
3/1st Northumberland Hussars
The 3/1st were formed in February 1915 , they remained in United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
until absorbed by the 5th Cavalry Reserve Regiment
Cavalry Reserve Regiments (United Kingdom)
Seventeen Cavalry Reserve Regiments were formed by the British Army on the outbreak of the Great War in August, 1914. These were affiliated with one or more active cavalry regiments, their purpose being to train replacement drafts for the active regiments. In 1915, the 3rd Seventeen Cavalry Reserve...
in early 1917.
Menin Gate
Four Northumberland Hussars who have no known grave from World War 1 between 1914 and August 1917 are commemorated on panel 5 of the Menin GateMenin Gate
The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium dedicated to the commemoration of British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of the First World War and whose graves are unknown...
. A Fifth (Shoeing Smith G. Stephenson) was recently added to Panel 60.
Between the wars
On reforming the TA, the 14 senior Yeomanry Regiments would remain as horsed cavalry regiments (forming the 5th and 6th Cavalry Brigades). The Northumberland Hussars initially remained a horsed unit but would convert to an artillery regiment early in World War II.World War II
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, Anti-Tank Regiment , the 102nd Royal Horse Artillery
Royal Horse Artillery
The regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery , dating from 1793, are part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery of the British Army...
(Northumberland Hussars) , they were equipped with 36 x 2 pounder Anti Tank guns.
In 1941 , the regiment was attached to the 2nd Support Group, of the 2nd Armoured Division in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, they then joined the 1st Armoured Brigade in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. They were deployed to hold the Metamorphos Pass , with the Greek Horse Artillery. ON April 22 , they were subjected to Dive bombing and tank attacks. They were now in a rearguard action together with their New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
allies. They reached Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
on April 25 , after a 12 hour battle and 160 mile march through the night.By April 26 , they arrived at Rafina Beach , near Athens and waited to be evacuated having destroyed all their guns and equipment. They were taken aboard HMS Havoc on April 27 and landed at Suda
Suda
The Suda or Souda is a massive 10th century Byzantine encyclopedia of the ancient Mediterranean world, formerly attributed to an author called Suidas. It is an encyclopedic lexicon, written in Greek, with 30,000 entries, many drawing from ancient sources that have since been lost, and often...
on the island of Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. Here they were equipped with rifles to fight as infantry on the Akrotiri Peninsula between Canea and Suda. From May 15 , they were again under air attack and 11 gliders landed in the regimental area but by the May 26 , the peninsula was under allied control and all gliders destroyed. Then on May 27 , the Evacuation of Crete was decided. The regiment had to withdraw across the mountains from the town of Suda to Sphakia , a distance of 50 miles, to the evacuation beeches. A lot of troops did get away but owing to heavy shipping losses the embarkation was stopped and those who were left had orders to capitulate to the advancing German forces on May 31.
After being evacuated to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in June 1941 , the regiment was strengthened by men from the suspended 106th Royal Horse Artillery , the regiment was then attached to the 7th Armoured Division, for Operation Crusader
Operation Crusader
Operation Crusader was a military operation by the British Eighth Army between 18 November–30 December 1941. The operation successfully relieved the 1941 Siege of Tobruk....
in November 1941 and at the Battle of Gazala
Battle of Gazala
The Battle of Gazala was an important battle of the Second World War Western Desert Campaign, fought around the port of Tobruk in Libya from 26 May-21 June 1942...
in 1942 as an Anti-Tank unit. Theyt then reverted to Royal Artillery status and served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division at El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
and in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and landed at Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The regiment landed at Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
on November 5, 1943 , they had been away for 12 days less than 3 years. The Northumberland Hussars were by this stage a very experienced unit with six major battle honours including two amphibious landings under their belts. They were an obvious choice to be placed at the forefront of Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
, the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
landings. For the next six months they joined thousands of allied servicemen training in Britain for the assault on the French Coast.
The regiment was to land at Gold Beach
Gold Beach
Gold Beach was the code name of one of the D-Day landing beaches that Allied forces used to invade German-occupied France on 6 June 1944, during World War II....
on D Day with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division as part the 69th Infantry Brigade and 231st Infantry Brigade. 69th Infantry Brigade would land at La Riviere and move south by Crepon
Crépon
Crépon is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Population:-Architecture:Historic architecture :* Parish church, Saint-Médard-et-Saint-Gildard, 12th-14th century...
and Creully
Creully
Creully is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.The town square is named after Canadian Lieutenant Bill McCormick of the 1st Hussars Canadian Armoured Regiment . Lt...
to St. Leger on the strategically important Bayeux
Bayeux
Bayeux is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandy in northwestern France.Bayeux is the home of the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.-Administration:Bayeux is a sub-prefecture of Calvados...
-Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
road. The Anti-Tank Plan was for "A" Battery to remain with 69th Infantry Brigade until reaching St. Leger. "C" Battery would stay with 231st Infantry Brigade for the first phase only and then change over, the Battery going to 151st Infantry Brigade (less one troop who went to 56th Infantry Brigade). They would then be relieved by "B" and "D" Batteries and would then go on an "exploitation" role with 8th Armoured Brigade.
"A" and "C" Batteries would be the first of the regiment to land at about H-Hour plus one followed by the two self-propelled units with "B" and "D" Batteries coming after. In addition to themselves the regiment was allotted two self-propelled Anti-Tank Batteries (189th and 234th Anti-Tank Batteries of the 73rd Anti-Tank Regiment R.A) who were to be placed under the direct command of the Northumberland Hussars. .
The 231st Infantry Brigade (previously an independent unit formed from regular troops stationed on Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
) permanently attached, and the 56th Infantry Brigade temporarily attached to the 50th (Northumbrian)Division.
The 50th (Northumbrian) Division was considered to have performed very well in Normandy; out of the three divisions that were veterans of the desert (the others being 7th Armoured Division and 51st Highland Division), it was considered to have performed the best. It was one of the driving forces behind the British advance, and was exhausted by the end of the battle. It later played a minor role in Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
, where the 231st Infantry Brigade was detached to help support the advance of Guards Armoured Division. The division stayed in north west Europe until December 1944, when it was again returned to Britain. When the 50th (Northumbrian) Division returned to the UK the Northumberland Hussars joined 15th (Scottish) Division, with which it remained until the end of the war in Northern Europe
Northern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
.
World War II timeline
- UK 1940-1 - 2nd Armoured Division
- Greece 1941 - 1st Armourd Brigade
- N Africa 1941-2 - 7th Armoured Division
- N Africa 1942-3 - 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- El Alamein 10/42 - 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- Sicily 1943 - 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- UK 1943-4 - 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- D Day 1944 - 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- NW Europe 1944 - 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division
- NW Europe 1944-5 - 15th (Scottish) Division
Post-War
- 1946 – The regiment was disbanded from Regular service in the Royal ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
and returned to the TA Order of battle. - 1949 – Equipped with Cruiser TankCruiser tankThe cruiser tank was a British tank concept of the inter-war period. This concept was the driving force behind several tank designs which saw action during the Second World War....
as The Northumberland Hussars. - 1967 – Reduced to Cadre strength after the formation of the TAVR.
- 1971 – Reformed as HQ Sqn (The Northumberland Hussars) The Queen's Own Yeomanry. Equipped with Ferret Armoured Cars and Alvis SaracenAlvis SaracenThe FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army. It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.-History:...
Armoured Cars. - 1986 – D Sqn ( The Northumberland Hussars) formed at CramlingtonCramlingtonCramlington is a town and civil parish in the county of Northumberland, North East England, situated north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or an Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town. The population was estimated as 39,000 in...
, NorthumberlandNorthumberlandNorthumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. Equipped With Fox armoured reconnaissance vehicleFox Armoured Reconnaissance VehicleThe FV721 Fox Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance was a 4x4 armoured car deployed by the British Army as a replacement for the Ferret scout car and the Saladin Armoured Car...
. - 1999 – D Sqn and HQ Sqn amalgamated to form D Sqn (The Northumberland Hussars) in Fenham Barracks , Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, Equipped with CVR(T) Sabre then FV107 ScimitarFV107 ScimitarFV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps, Armoured Regiments in the Reconnaissance role...
Tracked Armoured Reconnaissance cars.
Iraq and Afghanistan
The Northumberland Hussars have not been deployed as a unit in IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
or Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
but it has provided personnel for Op Telic and Op Herrick.
Notable Old Comrades
- Major Lawrence JohnstonLawrence JohnstonMajor Lawrence Waterbury Johnston was a British soldier and garden creator.- Early years & military career :Johnston was born in Paris, France, into a family of wealthy American East Coast stockbrokers from Baltimore. He went to England to study at Trinity College, Cambridge. Soon after his...
(1871–1958), created Hidcote Manor GardenHidcote Manor GardenHidcote Manor Garden is a garden located on the outskirts of the small village of Hidcote Bartrim, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England and owned by the National Trust....
, now in the care of the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural BeautyThe National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, Boer War and World War I. - Sir Hubert Swinburne, of Capheaton, 8th Baron Swinburne, Boer War.
- William Henry Armstrong Fitzpatrick Watson-Armstrong, 1st Baron ArmstrongBaron ArmstrongBaron Armstrong is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first creation came on 6 July 1887 when the industrialist Sir William Armstrong was made Baron Armstrong, of Cragside in the County of Northumberland. The title became extinct on his death in 1900...
, World War I. - Stanley Norman Evans (1898–1970) was a British industrialist and Labour PartyLabour Party (UK)The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician, World War I. - John Arthur Tournay Middleton (1906–1939), Lieutenant, He held the office of Justice of the PeaceJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(J.P.) for Northumberland , World War I. - Colonel Douglas Clifton Brown, 1st and last Viscount Ruffside, (1879–1958) , He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry Territorial Army,He gained the rank of Brevet Colonel in the service of the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry (Territorial Army).He held the office of Member of ParliamentMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for HexhamHexhamHexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
between 1918 and 1923 and between 1924 and 1951. He held the office of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons between 1938 and 1943. He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1941. He held the office of Speaker of the House of CommonsSpeaker of the British House of CommonsThe Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, the United Kingdom's lower chamber of Parliament. The current Speaker is John Bercow, who was elected on 22 June 2009, following the resignation of Michael Martin...
between 1943 and 1951, World War I - Hugh PercyHugh Percy, 10th Duke of NorthumberlandHugh Algernon Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland KG, GCVO, KStJ, PC, TD, FRS was the son of Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland and Lady Helen Gordon-Lennox.-Career:...
10th Duke of NorthumberlandDuke of NorthumberlandThe Duke of Northumberland is a title in the peerage of Great Britain that has been created several times. Since the third creation in 1766, the title has belonged to the House of Percy , which held the title of Earl of Northumberland from 1377....
, World War II. - Major David Muir Langton (1912–1994), actor best remembered for playing Richard Bellamy in the period drama Upstairs, DownstairsUpstairs, DownstairsUpstairs, Downstairs is a British drama television series originally produced by London Weekend Television and revived by the BBC. It ran on ITV in 68 episodes divided into five series from 1971 to 1975, and a sixth series shown on the BBC on three consecutive nights, 26–28 December 2010.Set in a...
, World War II. - Captain Sir Laurence Pumphrey, EichstattEichstättEichstätt is a town in the federal state of Bavaria, Germany, and capital of the District of Eichstätt. It is located along the Altmühl River, at , and had a population of 13,078 in 2002. It is home to the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, the lone Catholic university in Germany. The...
, Oflag VII-BOflag VII-BOflag VII-B was a World War II German POW camp for officers, located 1 km from Eichstätt, Bavaria.- Timeline :The camp was built in September 1939 to house Polish prisoners from the German September 1939 offensive...
POW tunnel escaper (63 escaped), sent to ColditzColditzColditz is a town in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, near Leipzig, located on the banks of the river Mulde. The town has a population of 5,188 ....
July 1943, World War II. - (Harry) John Neville Vane, 11th Baron Barnard (b. 1923) of Barnard CastleBarnard CastleBarnard Castle is an historical town in Teesdale, County Durham, England. It is named after the castle around which it grew up. It sits on the north side of the River Tees, opposite Startforth, south southwest of Newcastle upon Tyne, south southwest of Sunderland, west of Middlesbrough and ...
, Lt Col 1964-1966, Post-War - Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount RidleyViscount RidleyViscount Ridley is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1900 for the Conservative politician Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet, Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900. He was made Baron Wensleydale, of Blagdon and Blyth in the County of Northumberland, at the same time,...
, Brevet Colonel in the Northumberland Hussars, he would become Honorary Colonel in 1979, Post-War.
External links
- Northumberland Hussars web site http://www.northumberlandhussars.org.uk
- DSQN Queens Own Yeomanry web site http://www.theqoyeye.co.uk
- UK MOD web site http://www.army.mod.uk/qoy/d_nh_sqn/index.htm