The English Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry can trace its origins to 1794 when local volunteer troops were raised to assist the civil powers. Each troop was about 50 strong with three officers (Captain, Lieutenant, Cornet), they were required to provide their own uniforms and mounts while the government would supply their arms and ammunition.
In 1827 the government disbanded the Yeomanry Regiments in those districts where they had not been mobilised in the previous 10 years. The Kent Regiment was stood down and their equipment returned to the regular army. But for this gap in service, the Kent Yeomanry formations would have been the most senior Yeomanry Regiments in the country in terms of the date of acceptance of its senior troop - the Cinque Ports Cavalry.
In 1830 the West Kent Yeomanry was reformed and in 1864 the West Kent Yeomanry was awarded the title Queen's Own and became known as the Queen's Own West Kent Yeomany.
Read more about Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry: Boer War, World War I, Between The Wars, World War II, Post War, Battle Honours
Famous quotes containing the words queen and/or west:
“The Queen has lands and gold, Mother
The Queen has lands and gold,
While you are forced to your empty breast
A skeleton Babe to hold”
—Amelia Edwards (1831–1892)
“Look for me all around you, for with God’s grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions of Black slaves who have died in America and the West Indies and the millions in Africa to aid you in the fight for Liberty, Freedom and Life.”
—Marcus Garvey (1887–1940)