History Books held in the Collection

Books on the Battle for Palestine

The following books give you an overview of Books used by the archivists in understanding the Battles  and Tactics that occurred in the Region during the time of the Warwickshire Yeomanry tenure.

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The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force 

July 1917 to October 1918,

 compiled from Official Sources by

Lt. Colonel H. PIRIE-GORDON,

Second Edition published in 1919.

We have an original copy of this publication in the Museum – this is a reprint published by Naval and Military Press.

The book contains a wealth of detail:

ALLENBY’s Despatches as published in the London Gazette.

The Order of Battle of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force including Brief Records of Service of the Major Formations.

None Divisional Brigades and Line of Communication Units.

Brief Records of the Various Branches of the Army for example:

Royal Engineers: Water Supply, Signal Service, Military Railways, etc.

Royal Army Service Corps: Establishment and Supplies, Mechanical Transport, etc

Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

The Work of the Medical Services.

There are 56 maps in chronological order with a descriptive text facing the map – see enclosed example for 8th November 1917.

For those with time on their hands wishing to learn more about the First World War then this useful book, can also be found in www.abebooks.co.uk.

Desert Mounted Corps

An Account of the Cavalry Operations in Palestine and Syria

1917-1918’ by

Lt. Colonel The Hon. R.M.P. PRESTON, D.S.O.

This book includes an Introduction by Lieut.-General Sir. H.G. CHAUVEL, K.C.B., K.C.M.G. of which the following is but an extract:

“Though drawn from such widely different quarters of the Empire, the personnel of the Corps was well fitted for the class of warfare it was called upon to undertake. The horseman of Australia and New Zealand were accustomed to wide open spaces and long days in the saddle, and were full of initiative, self-reliance and determination to overcome every obstacle in their way. The Yeomanry, though not accustomed to hardships, had behind them the glorious traditions of the British Cavalry, in the annals of which their charges at Huj and El Mughar will live for all time.”

This book is well worth reading - Chapter V includes a short two page account of ‘The Affair at Huj 8th November 1917’ of which the following is an extract:

‘As our cavalry appeared thundering over the rise, the Turks sprang to their guns and swung them round, firing point blank into the charging horsemen. The infantry, leaping on the limbers blazed away with their rifles till they were cut down. There was no thought of surrender every man stuck to his gun or rifle to the last.’

The book has twelve maps which contain exceedingly small text and are best viewed by way of a magnifier.

Observation

This book has the following inscription – ‘To The Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum from John WALLBANK (son of SQMS WALLBANK).’

SQMS WALLBANK served with the Warwickshire Yeomanry from 1909 to 1935 – his medals are on display in the Museum and will be the subject of a separate post later

For those with time on their hands wishing to learn more about the First World War then here is a useful book first published in 1921 which can also be found in www.abebooks.co.uk.

The Diary of A Yeomanry M.O.

Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Italy’ by Captain O. TEICHMAN, D.S.O., M.C.,

with illustrations and maps.

This book is dedicated to the memory of Captain M.C. ALBRIGHT (“Toby”) 1/1st Worcestershire Yeomanry who fell at the head of his Squadron when charging the guns at Huj (Palestine) 8th November 1917.

We have an original hardback copy in the Museum, together with a reprint published by Naval and Military Press. 

Captain Oskar TEICHMAN was the Medical Officer for The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars. This diarised book provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and includes his account of the Charge at Huj 8th November 1917.

Of which the following is but an extract:

‘At the moment we were dismounted, giving our horses a breather and attending to some of our recently wounded behind a slight ridge. Our Second-in-Command gave the order to mount, and called out, “Now then boys, for the guns!” Away they galloped, and the moment they appeared over the crest of the ridge, 200 yards from the batteries, the gun fire became terrific, accompanied by rifle and machine gun fire from some 2000 Turkish Infantry who were protecting the guns. My orderlies and I followed in the rear, almost unconscious of what was happening on account of the deafening noise as we galloped down the grassy slope; the enemy gunners had shortened their fuses as the Yeomanry came in sight, and were now banging away as fast as they could, the shrapnel apparently bursting on the ground instead of some thirty feet above it. The Worcester and Warwick squadron, already thinned out by casualties swept on and topping a rise, charged through the infantry screen and were lost to view. A wonderful and terrible sight met our view: in addition to the casualties which had already occurred, the ground was strewn with horses and fallen yeoman, many of whom were lying close to and beyond the batteries. Twelve guns, three 5.9s and nine field guns, were in various positions, surrounded by German and Austrian gunners, many of whom were dead or wounded. About 300 yards behind the rearmost battery a mass of enemy infantry were retreating, a few of whom were still firing occasional shots from various directions.' 

He writes “We commenced to dress the wounded at once and found them scattered in all directions.” 

“Part of a Turko-German Field Ambulance, which had been unable to escape was found in a hollow behind the batteries and their equipment was invaluable to us, as our dressings soon ran out and our Field Ambulance had not yet arrived; the Turkish orderlies were put to work amongst their own men, and the intelligent German sergeants proved quite useful.”

For those with time on their hands wishing to learn more about the First World War then here is an exceptionally good book first published in 1921 which can also be found in www.abebooks.co.uk.

The following books give you an overview of books used by the archivists in understanding the History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry

A Half Century of Memories

by SNAFFLES first published in1949.

Charles "Snaffles" Johnson Payne (1884–1967) was an English painter known for his humorous work and for his outstanding draughtsmanship and depiction of the horse in action.

The book contains a number of sketches of The Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry some of which can be seen online with copyright attached to them.

SNAFFLES chose his sketch of the ‘Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry – and the Band played on’ as the frontispiece to the book “for it is a far hark back into the golden haze of my boyhood memories” and he recalls “it was the annual visit with my schoolfellows to see the review of the Yeomanry on Warwick Common which set the flame alight in me to delineate horse soldiers and fox hunters. For didn’t the two go together in those days? For three parts of the Yeomanry were in some way connected with horses and no less a man than the Master of the Warwickshire Hunt (The Great) Lord WILLOUGHBY de BROKE, was the Colonel.”

Others claim copyright to this sketch so I have deliberately reduced it, to show part only, likewise that of his painting of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 

The original watercolour painting of ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry’ is on display in the atrium of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum.

The book contains a number of sketches relating to the Warwickshire Yeomanry and provides a fascinating insight into bygone days with supporting narrative. Original copies of this book can be found in www.abebooks.co.uk

The County of Warwickshire Roll of Honour 1914-1925.

Volume 1 South Warwickshire

by Kenneth FOWLER.

This book was published in 2005 and includes brief biographical details of those from South Warwickshire who had the misfortune to be killed in action or die whilst serving with the British Armed Forces during the period 1914-2005.

All War Memorials in towns and villages in South Warwickshire are included in alphabetical order commencing with Alcester, in year order with brief biographical details for each person commemorated in alphabetical order.

There are 510 pages of biographical information and 57 pages by way of an alphabetical index: name of person, initials, town or village. The index sadly lacks the relevant page number and those commemorated can be found on more than one memorial in some towns.

Pages 477 to 488 cover those Warwickshire Yeoman whose names are inscribed on the scroll in St Mary’s Church, Warwick for WW1.

My predecessor the late Bryan JOHNSON B.E.M., and I worked with Kenneth FOWLER to ensure that as far as possible accurate information was provided to support entries relating to the Warwickshire Yeomanry for both World Wars.

In more recent years this book has proved invaluable as a starting point when answering Warwickshire Yeomanry research enquiries relating to the Fallen of both World Wars.

I have no recollection of seeing Volume 2 for North Warwickshire.

Observation 

We have also provided information on Warwickshire Yeoman commemorated on Warwickshire War Memorials and in supporting booklets such as ‘Snitterfield Heroes, ’Shipston Remembers,’ and ‘Lest We Forget – The Southam Men in The Great War’ to name but three of many. By far the most challenging in recent years has been 'Warwick War Memorial – In memory of the fallen'.

There are a number of Warwickshire Yeoman commemorated on the Warwick War Memorial and the work we have done to support this project is acknowledged in their website. https://www.warwickwarmemorial.org.uk/

Blackwood’s Magazine

published in March 1977 (No.1937 -Volume 321)

Blackwood’s Magazine published in March 1977 (No.1937 -Volume 321) includes:  

‘Cold Steel at Huj’ by J.M. BRERETON - pages 179 to 197.

Much has been written about ‘The Affair at Huj’ - the last charge of British Cavalry (arme blanche) to capture guns on 8th November 1917, involving a small cavalry force of 190 men assembled from 1.5 Squadrons of the Warwickshire Yeomanry and 1.5 Squadrons from the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars.

BRERETON’s article provides much by way of background to the ‘unique body of part-time, volunteer horse soldiers who throughout their long history were remarkable for patriotism, enthusiasm, and healthy contempt for irksome rules, regulations and military bull,’ as evidenced by the following extract from his excellent article:

‘The authors of the Annals of the Warwickshire Hunt (1896) recount the story of a sergeant in the County Yeomanry who was pulled up for a minor peccadillo of turn-out. “Captain, sir” was the retort “I been a Yeoman these twenty years and no one’s not going to make a soldier of me now.” But soldiers or no, within another twenty-odd years the same Regiment was to earn undying glory far from leafy Warwickshire.’

The second extract reminds us that:

‘The impact of those charging horseman was felt far beyond Huj as is revealed in the personal memoirs of General Kress von KRESSENSTEIN, Zwischen Kaukasus und Sinai, “Suddenly the news spread that enemy cavalry had pierced the Turkish security line and were about to gallop into Eighth Army H.Q. Although this rumour was false, it caused such intense demoralisation that a considerable number of formations precipitously took flight….the result of the panic was disastrous” and even at Jerusalem it was firmly believed that the Yeoman had captured the entire 8th Army H.Q.’

This excellent article draws extensively on published sources which are quoted by way of foot notes, together with an acknowledgement for details provided by Major Jerry WIGGIN T.D., M.P., a former Worcestershire Yeoman and member of The Royal Yeomanry.   

Yeomanry Wars

The History of the Yeomanry, Volunteer and Volunteer Association Cavalry’

by Peter D. ATHAWES.

This profusely illustrated book published in 1994 includes 15 colour plates, one of which is the Lady BUTLER watercolor painting of the ‘The Storming of the Guns at Huj’ - 8th November 1917. ‘Not an operation to be undertaken light-heartedly or without careful reconnoitre.’ 

‘From its small beginnings with the 1794 Volunteer Act, when the notion that this should include cavalry and even artillery was viewed at that time with extreme misgivings by the military professionals, it expanded and flourished. Firstly it acted as a police force, then as mounted rifleman in Boer War and eventually took over a major portion of the cavalry encounters of the Great War and the Second World War.’

Those of us who recall the wholesale disbandment in 1967 of the Territorial Army of which the Yeomanry formed a part will be well aware of what has transpired since to form a balanced replacement of the Reserve Army. 

This book published in the 200th Anniversary Year of the Yeomanry provides a considerable wealth of detail and is an ideal reference work. It includes the Order of Precedence of the Yeomanry as they stood at the close of the Great War 1919 and provides brief histories for each Yeomanry Regiment and much more. Copies of this book can be found in www.abebooks.co.uk reasonably priced.

Plate 8/2 in ‘Yeomanry Wars’ ‘is actually ‘B’ Squadron, Warwickshire Yeomanry on parade at Rosh Pinna, Palestine in early 1940.

This picture can also be found in ‘Yeoman Yeoman - The Warwickshire Yeomanry 1920-1956’ by Paul BAKER published in 1971.

A History of the Brass Bands of Royal Leamington Spa

By Kenneth Owen

ADDERLEY records that in 1912 ‘The Regimental Band was revived under new arrangements and the services of the Leamington Spa Prize Band were secured with a strength of 25 men, enlisted and qualified to draw pay as Yeoman in camp.  Mr TITCOMB acted as Bandmaster.’[1]

The origins of the Royal Spa Prize Band are covered in ’A History of Brass Bands of Royal Leamington Spa’ by Kenneth OWEN pages 21 to 49.

The Royal Spa Band was originally formed in January 1901 by Alfred TITCOMB - see enclosed image taken in 1902. To differentiate it from other bands in Leamington it later became The Royal Spa Brass Band, and after winning a prize in a prestigious band contest, it became the Royal Spa Prize Band.

The Band had silver plated instruments and in January 1912 they became the Warwickshire Yeomanry Band. 

On the 24 May 1912 the Regimental Band performed in the Public Gardens in Coventry. ‘In addition to the programme the Band played “The Warwickshire Lads and Lassies” as the Yeomanry passed by the Green on their return to camp at Combe Park’. See enclosed newspaper clipping from the Coventry Standard of the 1 June 1912. [2]

Enclosed is a picture of the Band at Combe Park in 1912 with their Bandmaster Alfred TITCOMB.

The late Bryan JOHNSON compiled a list of those who enlisted on 24 January 1912 to serve with the Warwickshire Yeomanry Band.  When comparing Bryan’s list with those shown under the 1902 photograph I conclude that ten of these men enlisted with the Warwickshire Yeomanry Band in 1912.

The Warwickshire Yeomanry Band was broken up in September 1939 on mobilisation for WW2 and the whereabouts of the musical instruments are not known despite investigations at the time. The Bass Drum is in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum, Warwick.

Observation

Those of you who are familiar with the Museum will know that the Regiment had a Mounted Band in the 19th Century, for we have two early Kettle Drum Banners on display in the Museum. The whereabouts of the kettle drums and instruments are not known.

[1] See page 208 of ADDERLEY’s ‘History of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, published in 1912.

[2] Warwickshire Yeomanry ‘A’ Squadron Scrap Book 1900-1945 

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