Image: Group photograph of a squadron of ERY. ERYC Museum's collections.
Yeomanry
1903 - 1918
Image: Machine gun team, Egypt 1918. ERYC Museum's collections.
Image: Cover of an album by Charles Leonard Smithson. In a private collection.
Image: Lee Smith album page. Courtesy of Hedon Museum & the Estate of Mr W.Palmer.
Download the database
The following downloadable document represents the culmination of research into the East Riding Yeomanry. The document is in the form of an Excel spreadsheet that gives access to all available information on the men of the Yeomanry
Image: The East Riding Yeomanry's running fox emblem and motto.
Chapter 1: A brief history of the East Riding Yeomanry
An overview of the East Riding Yeomanry, where recruitment took place and the main travels of the units.
Image: Anniversary parade, Beverley Westwood. Courtesy of Hedon Museum & the Estate of Mr W.Palmer.
Chapter 2: The Officers
The ERY was one of a number of units formed in the wake of the 2nd Boer War to remedy a perceived weakness in the British Army's structure - the shortage of quality mounted troops. Initial recruitment was by public meetings at Hull, Beverley and other places within the East Riding. The intention was to create a 4 squadron regiment of around 600 officers and men.
Image: General Baden-Power, with Lord Wenlock, founder of the ERY, and his staff, probably 1903. Image courtesy of Hedon Museum & the Estate of Mr W. Palmer.
Chapter 3: Non-commissioned Officers
In the British Army then and now, the Non-Commissioned officers (Corporals, Sergeants and Sergeant Majors) were very much the backbone of any regiment. They were responsible for much of the administration and the day-to-day training. They were the link between the other ranks and the officers of the regiment, thus ensuring (hopefully) discipline and order in the ranks.
Image: Corporal Charles Alvara Lofthouse, 1912, with the C squadron Challenge Cup awarded for shooting. Image from the ERYC collection.
Chapter 4: Rank and File
A look into the recruitment to the East Yorkshire Yeomanry and where recruits came from. Including the initial set up to wartime recruitment and transfers, as well as servants to officers.
Image: Practice trench digging, summer 1915. Image from the ERYC collection.
Chapter 5: Professions and Social Background
In studying the men of the East Riding Yeomanry, much information has been gathered on the jobs that the men did prior to (and occasionally also after) their military service.
Image: Clive and Guy Wilson in hunting dress. Image courtesy of Hedon Museum and the Estate of Mr W. Palmer.
Chapter 6: Religions
The available data on religious affiliation within the East Riding Yeomanry, the breakdown between members and the provision within the regiment.
Image: Sunday service at a pre-war Yeomanry camp. Courtesy of Hedon Museum & the Estate of Mr W. Palmer
Chapter 7: Casualties
A look into the tragic loss of life in the East Riding Yeomanry and the soldiers that were wounded in action.
Image: Grave of Saddler R.B. Throssell. Image in ERYC Museum's collection.
Chapter 8: Medals and Awards
For Yeomen who served overseas, the medal cards and medal rolls (originals at the National Archives) can give useful information on which theatres a man served in and other regiments he may have transferred to/from. Sometimes (mostly for officers) there are also addresses for correspondence. Ranks, dates of discharge and casualty information can also be obtained from these sources.
Image: Parade of ERY veterans, about 1950. Image courtesy of Hedon Museum & the Estate of Mr W. Palmer.
Chapter 9: Sickness and the unfit
Particularly in wartime, the British Army had a vigorous set of regulations relating to the early discharge of soldiers from their service due to ill health or other physical issues. Read about the illness, soldiers who tried to avoid service through faking sickness, reasons logged for discharge and the mental impact of war.
Image: Ambulance, Egypt, 1917. Image from ERYC Archives Service, an album of Robert S. Stephenson.
Chapter 10: Disciplinary issues
Inevitably, the East Riding Yeomanry had its share of disciplinary problems, mainly amongst the enlisted men and junior NCO's. Though punishments are sometimes mentioned in private memoirs, the best sources for these are service/pension records, along with court martial proceedings. Where offences were committed that came under civilian jurisdiction, we can trace proceedings through the newspapers.
Image: Guard duty, July 1915. Image in a private collection.
Chapter 11: Conclusion
The previous chapters have tried to give a picture of how the East Riding Yeomanry was recruited and its social composition. What though can our sources tell us about the personal relationships between the officers, non-commissioned officers and men? Read the final chapter of the East Riding Yeomanry online exhibition for a round-up of the overall research.