It1 Illustrated

it 1 Illu strated. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25th, 1S98. Oar Citizen cArm y. III. By CALLUM BEG. Photo, Pavce i t Bard. Catfora, SERGEANT, WEST KENT YEOMANRY, 1837, 278 THE NAVY AND ARMY ILLUSTRATED. [Feb. 25th, 1898. HE past year of Jubilee has done much to bring Our T Citizen Army into close touch with the Regular Forces. During the time of rejoicing in the Capital all branches of the Service were to be seen marching together, living together, and, when off duty, fraternising freely. Nor did this happy state of comradeship exist only among our troops at home. Greater Britain was not behind the Mother Country in patriotism. From efrery part of the globe Colonial volunteers and men of the permanent forces willingly came to do honour to the Queen. These, too, were welcomed by civilians and soldiers alike, and formed strong links in the chain of universal brotherhood which binds us to our Colonies. In 1897 the nation learned more of those who are ready to defend its rights than it could have done at any previous period. Indeed, one could learn much as to the appearance of different regiments, both at that time and in the past, by viewing the pageant as it passed on its way to St. Paul’s. The occasion was one that invited a retrospect— a comparison between our troops of to-day and those that marched under the British flag in 1837. Even during the reign of Queen Victoria every branch of the Service has undergone innumer able changes. It is, perhaps, in the matter of dress that these are most apparent to the civilian, in so far as a gay uniform has stronger attractions for the majority than dry statistics or TROOPER, DRILL ORDER, WEST KENT YEOMANRY, IS97. voluminous military history. The events of last year are still fresh in the memory of all. The first illustration is, therefore, one that may well instead of being attached to the belt of the rider as in 1837, demand some share of our attention. If less serviceable, the is fastened to the saddle. This, in itself, has a military uniform is more picturesque than that of the present day. significance. If the hussar parts company with his charger, The old coatee somewhat resembles the uniform of the modern he is deprived both of his sword and carbine, which is carried lancer, though the scales or epaulettes— a useful protection to in a bucket 011 the off side of the horse. Unless his sword the shoulders—have long vanished into oblivion. The horse- were drawn when he was unhorsed, the dismounted cavalry man would probably be conveyed to the lines of the enemy. During the reign of William IV., the Chislehurst troop, Taised by the late Earl Sydney, formed an escort to His Majesty when lie visited Iiromley. O11 this occasion a royal postillion was overtaken by illness, whereupon a trooper promptly volunteered to fill his place. King William was pleased to accept the mail’s services, and the royal carriage pro ceeded with its two postillions— one in uniform and the other in the royal livery. The regiment was originally equipped as light dragoons, but the uniform at present, as shown in the illustrations, is blue with scarlet facings and busby bag. The plume is red and white. Within the last few years it has twice taken part in the manoeuvres in the South-Eastern District. With the Royal East Kent the regiment forms the Kent Yeomanry Brigade. The Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars form, with the Shropshiie Yeomanry, the 5th Brigade, with headquarters at Worcester. Last year the regiment made an important change in the mode of its annual training. Instead of taking up billets as in previous years, the hussars spent the time under canvas. Each man groomed and fed his horse and cleaned his kit and, in short, performed all the duties falling to the lot of a cavalry soldier in camp. No doubt this system is more productive of efficiency than that usually resorted to, and, ill the case of the regiment in question, was attended with excellent results. The camp was pitched in Witley Park, the seat of the Earl of Dudley, who is a major in the Worcester shire Hussars. The first illustration shows a squadron drawn up in review order in front of the palatial building. The Photo. Payne & Bard. Catfotd SERGEANT, DRILL ORDER, WEST KENT YEOMANRY, l i l t . furniture, as well as the head-dress, are more ornamental than those now sanctioned by regulation, and the carbine is carried in what appears to be a somewhat uncomfortable position. A picture 0:1 this page represents a sergeant of the same period, dismounted, in drill order. The cap will hardly bear com parison with that of the present day, and the sabre is a much more clumsy weapon. The two other illustrations depict the West Kent yeoman as he is now equipped. The uniform is Photo*. Payne & Bard. Cstford. similar to that of an hussar. As may be noticed, the sword. TROOPER, REVIEW ORDER, WEST KENT YEOMANRY, 1897. Feb. 25th, 1898.] THE NAVY AND ARMY ILLUSTRATED. second depicts another parading outside the temporary stable in a more serviceable attire, before proceeding to drill. The juniolO officer is in the act of inspecting the ranks before reporting to the officer in command. In the third is seen the mode of watering horses in camp. The water is conveyed from the stream to the trough by means of an hydraulic engine on the left of the picture. The last photograph of two non-commissioned officers and two troopers shows how closely the uniform resembles that of the Photo. Mclsaac & Riddle. Oban, ASCENDING BEN NEVIS. hussars of the regular Army. It is blue, with facings, busby bag, and plume of scarlet. The Hertfordshire forms with the Suffolk Yeomanry the 7th Yeomanry Brigade, with headquarters at St. Albans. It is partly recruited in London, and took part in the Lord M ayor’s Show o f 1896. A s m ay be seen from the illustration, the uniform is similar to that of dragoons or dragoon guards. It is scarlet with white facings, and the plume is black. Sergeant-Major Parrott is the central figure of the group. He is one of the oldest— if not the oldest—yeomen in the Service. He joined in 1842, and has been forty-five years efficient. The trumpeter, on the other hand, must be one of the youngest in the Yeomanry. He enlisted in the Hertford shire Regiment in 1895, at the age of thirteen. Four of the group, including the two non-commissioned officers 011 either side of the mounted men, are wearing the old stable jacket which by a recent order has ceased to be worn in the regular cavalry. The commanding officer is the Earl of Clarendon.-< The Staffordshire Yeomanry—The Queen’s Own Royal Regiment—was formed in 1794, when a sum of over £ 8,000 was subscribed towards it by the inhabitants of the county. The original articles of the corps are interesting, as showing the conditions on which the patriots of Staffordshire offered “SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT." themselves for service. ■ 4 R fet*£l Photos, from a Volunteer Officer. INSPECTION, SCOTTISH BORDER BRIGADE. 280 THE NAVY AND ARMY ILLUSTRATED. [Feb. 25th, 1898. SQUADRON WORCESTERSHIRE HUSSARS (REVIEW ORDER). l u i SQUADRON WORCESTERSHIRE HUSSARS {DRILL ORDER). WATERING HORSES, WORCESTERSHIRE HUSSARS. w«r*«t«f. Feb. 25th, 1898.] THE NAVY AND ARMY ILLUSTRATED. 281 SERGEANT-MAJOR, WORCESTERSHIRE HUSSARS. [Feb. 25th, 1898. 282 THE NAVY AND ARMY ILLUSTRATED. All pay received from Government was to be divided equally among the corps, and all pay allowed to officers was to be put “ into one general Stock Purse.” The document stated that in this way “ the daily allowance to every person serving in the ranks will be augmented considerably beyond the pay allowed by Government to Light Dragoons, and ................ persons enrolling themselves will not be liable to any other expense than the maintenance of themselves and their horses during the few hours they are called together for exercise.” The regiment at first consisted of five troops, but after wards six troops were added, and in 1819 the strength of the corps was 838 of all ranks. The first commanding officer was Earl Gower, and the present commanding officer is the Duke of Sutherland. The first illustration represents the Wolver hampton troop on parade. The uniform, which is blue, is similar to that worn by hussars. The facings and busby bag are scarlet, and the plume white. The Staffordshire Yeomanry> Photo. Bennett & Sons. Worcester. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN , WORCESTERSHIRE HUSSARS. with the Warwickshire, forms the 8th Yeomanry Brigade, with headquarters at Lichfield. The West Somerset, with the North Somerset Yeomanry, forms the 4th Brigade, with headquarters at Taunton. The total strength is 250 of all ranks, divided into three squadrons. Viscount Porlman is honorary colonel, and the regiment is commanded by Lieutenaut-Colouel F. W. Forester. The uniform, of hussar pattern, is blue with scarlet facings. Red is the colour of the busby bag, and white that of the plume. As observed in a former number, scouting forms an important part of the duties of yeomanry. A reference to our illustrations will show that the yeomen of West Somerset are instructed theoretically in a somewhat novel and interest ing way. Tapes of various breadths are used to represent roads and rivers. Other objects 011 a table depict build ings, woods, trees, etc., and miniature horsemen guided by the instructor take the place of scouts.

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