History
The Wessex Yeomanry was formed on 1st April 1971 by re-raising cadres from the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Royal Devon Yeomanry to form four squadrons. The regiment was granted its royal title on 8th June 1979.
Initially roled as infantry, in the 1980s it was re-roled as a reconnaissance regiment and became one of the Military Home Defence Reconnaissance Regiments. Following the Strategic Defence Review, the regiment merged with the Dorset Yeomanry in July 1999 and was reorganised and re-roled into its current ORBAT.
The regiment currently has three roles:
- The training of Challenger 2 main battle tank crewmen as Turret Crew Replacements. This commitment is provided by B (RWY), C (RGH) and D (RDY) Squadrons.
- Armour Replacement. This role is provided by A (DY) Squadron.
- The provision of skilled officers and senior non-commissioned officers to support the Regular Army on operations as watchkeepers and liaison officers. This is provided by all four squadrons.
Each squadron maintains its' own traditions of their forebear regiments, maintaining a sense of pride and rivalry. In 2011 there was a Regimental Celebration of 40 years since the founding of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, although at this time, the Dorset Yeomanry was not part of the regiment. HRH Earl of Wessex the Regimental Colonel visited, met members of the regiment and their families and also participated in a private guided tour of the neighbouring Tank Museum
Read more about this topic: Royal Wessex Yeomanry
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