We are a Regimental Museum completely supported by Volunteers and our aim is to safeguard the heritage and collective memory of those who have served with the Warwickshire Yeomanry so that both present and future generations may learn the importance of the past through its history.  

The museum was until 1967 located at the Regiment’s Headquarters in Warwick when it moved to the Drill Hall at Stratford upon Avon. It was soon realised alternative premises would be needed to house the entire collection and although attempts were made to find an alternative venue, nothing suitable was forthcoming. 

In 1976 the Mayor of Warwick offered the use of the Basement of the Court House, Warwick and in 1979 a public appeal was launched and on the 25 April 1981 the Museum was officially opened by the Mayor of Warwick. 

The Court House including the Basement occupied by the Museum was subject to a major refurbishment programme requiring structural repairs to the building thanks to a successful Heritage Lottery Bid; the building work commenced in June 2012.

The contents of the Museum were packed and stored in a secure area by our team of volunteers in 18 days by 15 June 2012. The structural alterations to the Court House including the installation of a lift and additional storage space within the Museum were completed by 23 March 2014. We then commenced to build much improved exhibits using a team of volunteers in accordance with an agreed plan requiring  four months to complete the task.  The refurbished Museum re-opened on 9 August 2014 to coincide with the commencement of the 100th Anniversary of the Great War. Since 2014 we have continued to make further improvements each year to the Museum displays..

At Warwick on the 23rd April 1794 a public meeting was held in Shire Hall for the purpose of which appears in Aris’ Birmingham Gazette:  “To adopt means for helping the internal Defence of the United Kingdom and for the protection of the Peace and Security of the Country”.

As a result, the Warwickshire Regiment of Fencible Light Dragoons was raised by public subscription, under the command of the Earl of Warwick “all mounted on fine hunters superior to most Regiments of Light Dragoons.” 

Four Troops of Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry were raised under the command of the Earl of Aylesford and they became a Regiment in 1797, and thus the Warwickshire Yeomanry took their place, second only to the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry.  During the years that followed the Regiment was called out on several occasions in aid of the Civil Powers to quell riots and other disturbances in many parts of the County.

The WkY Museum Archives contain a considerable amount of material on the War in South Africa 1899-1902, including, diaries original photographs, newspaper cuttings, letters and other documents.

The Anglo–Boer War of 1899-1902 is a vast complex subject and those wishing to learn more will find the www.angloboerwar.com a valuable resource.

Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa

The Imperial Yeomanry was formed by Royal Warrant on 24th December 1899. It comprised mainly one volunteer Squadron from each Yeomanry Regiment and these were grouped into battalions.

The WKY Squadron became 5th Company, 2nd Bn. Imp. Yeomanry consisting of five Officers and 116 Or’s and sailed for South Africa on SS Lake Erie, on the 1st of February 1900.

At Kheis Drift (Kleis Drift) on 25th May 1900, Major Orr-Ewing and 2 ORs were killed when trying to help wounded comrades, ten others were wounded.

     There was a second contingent of Warwickshire Imperial Yeomanry of 146 men who went out to South Africa to replace losses through illness, wounds and death.

The 5th Company took part in the search for General de Wet in the Spring of 1901. 

In May of that year, they received orders to return home, returning to a rapturous welcome on the Warwick Market Square.

The 103rd Company, (Warwickshire) was also in the 2nd Bn Imperial Yeomanry and saw service in South Africa during 1901 - 02.

For further information see ‘With the Warwickshire Yeomanry in South Africa’ by Meynell Hunt, published in 1902 and ‘The History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ by The Hon H.A. Adderley published in 1912.

The Affair of Huj is immortalised in Lady Butler’s watercolour painting, when 1.5 Squadrons of Warwickshire Yeomanry and 1.5 Squadrons of Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars took part in the last classic unsupported Cavalry Charge of the British Army (arme blanche) against guns. Out of the 190 Yeoman who took part, 36 were killed, 57 were wounded and 110 horses were killed.

The enemy lost nine field guns, three 5.9in howitzers and 3 machine guns.

The Yeoman put a Turkish Infantry Brigade estimated at 2000+ to flight, causing panic and mayhem in the Turkish rear.

Major Oscar Teichman, the Medical Officer for the Worcestershire Yeomanry writing in the Cavalry Journal in 1936 said “The Charge at Huj had it occurred in a minor war would have gone down to history like the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. In the Great War when gallant deeds were being enacted on all fronts almost daily it was merely an episode, but as the Official Historian remarks, for sheer bravery, the episode remains unmatched.”  The success of this charge is a remarkable example of the power of mobility in the attack.

In January 1940 the Regiment was sent to the Middle East to become part of the 1st Cavalry Division.   During March/April 1941 they gradually lost their horses converting to motorised infantry, in trucks. They served in Iraq, Syria and Persia.  Moving back to Palestine in October 1941, converting to a Tank Regiment, which later fought with distinction at El Alamein in October/November 1942.

The Battle of El-Alamein started on the 22nd of October 1942, and the Regiment’s part in it is fully described in the book Yeoman Yeoman which is the history of the Regiment from 1920-1956.  The following brief account of it does not really do justice to the great gallantry of the Regiment in the battle.

On the night of the 2nd of November began the shattering barrage that heralded the battle of El-Alamein. For five days the Yeomanry blasted their way through the enemy minefields in support of the New Zealanders.  As the New Zealand forces reached their objective, Miteriya Ridge, the Yeoman were held up by a further minefield. On the 24th, a gap was cut in the minefield, and they passed through without support to “roll up” the enemy flank.

They were ordered, however, to return to the ridge and there they stayed for three days and nights, to rest and refit for the next offensive. On the 1st of November 1942 they were lined up for the second attempt. This was a “do or die” effort that had been made clear by General Montgomery for he said that the operation must succeed even if no man came out of the battle alive.

At 0105 hours on the 2nd of November, began a barrage lasting four hours during which 15,000 rounds of ammunition were poured by the artillery into a front of 4,000 yards. Delayed again by minefields the Yeoman were caught by the rising sun as the advance towards the enemy lines began. By 1000 hours only seven tanks out of fifty-two were left in running order. The attack was successful, two days later the advance through the lines began.  By the 8th of November Rommel had withdrawn to reform in Tunis where of course the Germans were finally thrown out of Africa.

The Regiment gained its unique battle honour of the New Zealand Fern Leaf to be worn on its vehicles as a sign of valour, awarded by General Bernard Freyberg VC, the General Officer Commanding, New Zealand Forces. 

Following El-Alamein the Regiment spent 15 months refitting and training in Egypt and Palestine. 

 On the 4th May 1944 they joined the campaign in Italy, landing at Taranto.  Moving through close hilly country to Cassino and after the fall of Cassino pursued the enemy through Rome into the rough hilly country beyond Orvieto and Lake Trasimento.  The Regiment was in action many times in this campaign and fought with great determination and courage. 

In April 1944 they moved to Italy pursuing the enemy with great determination and courage.  In November 1944 after nearly five years continuous service they finally arrived at Livermore Camp, near Bury St Edmunds as a Tank Training Regiment.