The Berkshire Yeomanry

 

First raised in 1794 for home defence to counter the threat of invasion at the time of the French Revolutionary Wars, the forerunners of the Berkshire Yeomanry originally  provided their own horses and uniform, with arms and ammunition being supplied by the government. The Yeomanry units were generally disbanded in government cutbacks in 1827 only to be re-established three years later at the time of the "Swing Riots" by agricultural workers. There were no disturbances at Englefield but the four Berkshire yeomanry troops were deployed to deal with civil unrest elsewhere in the county. Three of the four troops were disbanded again as part of further economies in 1838, only for two to be raised again (at Reading and Newbury) following fears of another French invasion in 1852.

 

Volunteers from the Regiment, including Tpr George Pusey from North Street, served in the Boer War in two Berkshire Yeomanry companies of the Imperial Yeomanry and the Berkshire Yeomanry became part of the new Territorial Force created by the Haldane Reforms of 1908.

 

The Berkshire Yeomanry mobilised on 5 August 1914 with B (Reading) Squadron assembling at Yeomanry House in Castle Hill. Each squadron was split into four troops, numbered 1 to 4, with most of the Englefield men in 4 Troop. After the inevitable administrative formalities they moved initially to Churn Camp, then to the East Coast to guard against invasion. Englefield men known to be with them at this time were cricketers 2 Lt Henry Benyon (commanding 3 Troop) and George Claydon, Dick Partlo, Ted Van Veen and Arthur Claydon, brother of George. Owen Wyatt, born at Parker’s Corner though living in Theale at this time, was also in the Berkshire Yeomanry early in the War.

 

In September 1914 they were re-designated the 1st/1st Battalion when a second line unit was formed (the 2nd/1st). This latter unit remained at home throughout the War, converting to a Cyclist Unit in July 1916. There was also a 3rd/1st, formed as a training unit in 1915 and remaining in the UK until absorbed into the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment.

 

The 1st/1st moved to Egypt in April 1915, where they had a chance to ride camels instead of their usual horses. On 14 Aug 1915 they left Alexandria for Gallipoli on SS Lake Michigan and after transshipment at Mudros on the 17th landed at Suvla on the morning of the 18th. At 1500 on 21 Aug they took part in general attack  against the Turks entrenched on Hill 70. The brigade advanced across the open by regiments under heavy shrapnel fire with the Berkshire Yeomanry leading. At 1645 they formed up under cover of Hill 53 and at 1715 started the attack. At 1815  they charged and captured the enemy front trench but were enfiladed and unable to hold it. At 2000 they started to retire and rallied on the western slope of Hill 53. Heavy casualties were sustained by all units and of the 9 officers and 314 rank and file of the Berkshire Yeomanry who went in only 4 officers and 150 rank and file returned.

 

They then spent three months in defence on and around Chocolate Hill suffering from heat, disease, lack of shade and water, and continuous shell and rifle fire. On 1 Nov they embarked for Mudros and Egypt. During the Berkshire Yeomanry’s time on Gallipoli Trooper Potts won the Victoria Cross and there were also 3 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 2 Military Crosses and 8 mentions in despatches. Both Arthur and George Claydon were wounded during this time.

 

General Peyton the divisional commander wrote to Col Henderson, the Commanding Officer:

 

 “Much as I am delighted and proud of the rank and file of this Yeomanry Division, I am still more so of the officers who one and all are a pattern of devoted, self-sacrificing leaders of men. The best trained Army in the world could not produce more gallant or devoted officers who know their responsibilities and accept them with earnest courage. The real secret is they are gentlemen and their breeding sees them through. It makes me hot to think of the half-hearted recognition these same officers received at all our hands; I mean officers of the Regular Army, before they had an opportunity of showing themselves. I hope you will let it be known what my opinion now is of the Yeomanry officer – he, and his men, are the salt of the earth, God bless them!”

 

Back in Egypt, they campaigned in the Western Desert during 1916 and on the first day of the new year began the advance towards Jerusalem. They took part in both the first and second Battles of Gaza and in the latter the Berkshire Yeomanry charged over the 2 miles separating them from the enemy then dismounted and drove in the first lines of the Turkish advance.

 

In April 1918 the Regiment was amalgamated into 101 (Bucks & Berks Yeomanry) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps and sailed from Alexandria for Marseilles. About 100 miles out their ship, the Leasowe Castle, was torpedoed and sunk. The men spent some time in the water until they were rescued by the sloop HMS LADYBIRD. In France the 1st/1st saw action on the Somme and in the final battles in Belgium.