GREATWAR-L Archives

From: Iain Kerr <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Re: "Rough Riders"
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 07:05:19 +0000
References: <200011191245.eAJCjaV13203@lists3.rootsweb.com><3A1840F2.25B928BB@xtra.co.nz>
In-Reply-To: <00b201c0527f$830f0de0$0101a8c0@pavilion>

At 23:02 19/11/00 +0000, you wrote:
>Hi Tracey, Charlie, Et All,
> Not wishing in any way to upset
>anyone, over the "Rough Riders" I have definitely read somewhere in the
>books I have (quite a few) about a reference to the "Rough Riders" in WWI,
>but as usual, s**ds law, kicks in, and just when I want to find the
>reference , I can`t:-(
>
>I will keep looking and when I find it will post it to the list.
>
>I will take this opportunity to introduce myself to the list, if I
>may..............
>
>I run 2 mailing lists, one a surname list, the other for the Welsh county of
>Glamorgan.
>
>My interest in WWI stems from both my grandfathers involvement in that war,
>one I know served in the 24th Regiment of Foot, The South Wales Borderers,
>he ended up in 1919 as a sergeant, no other details are yet forthcoming,
>hence my ever growing collection of books..........
>
>Another grandfather has recently, according to family legend, served all
>through the first world war and was a member of the Home Guard during the
>second, again nothing concrete.
>
>My hobbies(?!) are Family History, collecting cap badges/medals and a
>general interest in all Military Insignia.
>
>I have numerous *specialist* books on Cap Badges and Insignia, as well as
>recently purchasing "de Ruvigny`s, Roll Of Honour" and I am more than
>willing to help anyone with a lookup if I can...................

Huw,

The City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders)

The City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders) was raised in 1901. In 1908 it
was incorporated into the newly formed Territorial Force (later the
Territorial Army). It consisted of a RHQ and four squadrons, all based at
Finsbury Square, London.

After mobilisation at Finsbury Square, London on 4 Aug 1914, the regiment
formed itself into two, and eventually three, lines. These were entitled
the 1/1st, 2/1st and 3/1st City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders),
(Territorial Force).

The 1/1st City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders), (Territorial Force) was
mobilised at Finsbury Square on 4 Aug 1914 as part of the London Mounted
Brigade and moved to Hounslow. In Sep 1914 the unit and brigade were
transferred to 2nd Mounted Division at Streatley, Oxfordshire. In Nov 1914
the brigade was moved to the North Walsham area of Norfolk. In Apr 1915
the unit embarked for Egypt. In Aug 1915 it was deployed to Gallipoli in a
dismounted role. Recovered to Egypt in Dec 1915, it became mounted again.
In Jan 1916 the 2nd Mounted Division was broken up and the brigade was
deployed on Suez Canal defences and renamed 8th Mounted Brigade. In Nov
1916 the unit and brigade was redeployed to Salonika. In Jun 1917 it was
returned to Egypt and the brigade joined the Yeomanry Mounted Division on
21 Jul. On 7 Apr 1918, the unit left its formations and combined with the
1/3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) to form E Battalion,
Machine Gun Corps. The new unit embarked for France and Flanders, landing
at Marseilles on 1 Jun 1918 and moved to Etaples. On 19 Aug 1918 it was
redesignated 103rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps and served in First Army
until after the Armistice on 11 Nov 1918.

Those unwilling or unable to volunteer for full-time service with overseas
liability with the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry were formed in Aug 1914
into the 2/1st City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders), (Territorial Force)
in London. In Mar 1915 it moved to East Dereham, Norfolk, joining 2/1st
London Mounted Brigade in the 2/2nd Mounted Division. .On 26 Mar 1916 the
division was renamed the 3rd Mounted Division and the brigade soon after
became 12th Mounted Brigade. In Jul 1916 the unit reroled and became a
cyclist unit and the brigade became the 4th Cyclist Brigade, moving to join
1st Cyclist Division at North Walsham. In Nov 1916, the 1st Cyclist
division was broken up. The unit joined the 2/1st West Somerset Yeomanry
to form the 5th (West Somerset and City of London) Yeomanry Cyclist
Regiment in the 2nd Cyclist Brigade, an independent formation based at
Coltishall. In Feb 1917 the new unit was transferred to 5th Cyclist
Brigade in 1st Mounted Division and moved to Littlebourne, near Canterbury.
On 4 Sep 1917, the division became The Cyclist Division. The unit remained
in the Canterbury area until the end of the war.
The line formation process later repeated itself as the 2/1st City of
London Yeomanry (Roughriders), weeded out non-volunteers into the 3/1st
City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders), (Territorial Force) formed early in
1915. In summer 1915 it was affiliated to a reserve cavalry regiment in
Eastern Command. In summer 1916 it was assigned to the 6th Reserve Cavalry
Regiment at Dublin. Early in 1917 it was absorbed by the 1st Reserve
Cavalry Regiment at The Curragh.

In 1920, the City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders) was converted to
artillery and formed at first C Battery, then No 1 (City of London
Yeomanry) Battery in 11 (HAC and City of London Yeomanry) Brigade, Royal
Horse Artillery, (Territorial Army). Later the battery was separated from
the regiment to form 11th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
(City of London Yeomanry) (Roughriders) (Territorial Army). The regiment
consisted of HQ Battery and 31st to 33rd and 43rd Batteries and was based
in Bunhill Road, London EC1

In World War II, the 11th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
(City of London Yeomanry) (Territorial Army) formed part of 56th
Anti-Aircraft Brigade at the outbreak of war. 43rd Battery left on 15 Feb
1940 to join 101st Light AA/Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
(Territorial Army). 11th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
served in the Western Desert from Nov 1942. A year later it was moved to
Italy and while widely dispersed operated in both ant-aircraft and infantry
roles.

In 1947, the Roughriders were reformed as an armoured regiment. In May
1961 it was amalgamated with the Inns of Court Regiment to form The Inns of
Court and City Yeomanry. Later it was reroled into the Royal Signals as 68
(Inns of Court and City Yeomanry) Signal Squadron, Territorial Army.


Yours aye,

Iain Kerr in Windsor, Berkshire
Web Page at: http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/index.htm
RootsWeb Sponsor and Listowner for the KERR; McTURK and SOUTHON lists and
the WORLDWAR2 List.
Maintainer of the Ayrshire Surnames Index Database at:
http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/genuki/AYR/SID/indexsid.htm
Maintainer of the GENUKI Ayrshire pages at:
http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/genuki/AYR/index.htm

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