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The Yeomanry Cavalry and the Reconstitution of the Territorial Army

Hay, George (2016) The Yeomanry Cavalry and the Reconstitution of the Territorial Army. War in History, 23 (1). pp. 36-54. ISSN 0968-3445. (doi:10.1177/0968344514536704) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:60591)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1177/0968344514536704

Abstract

This paper provides an insight into the complex relationship between Britain’s amateur cavalry regiments – the Yeomanry Cavalry – and their political and military masters during the reforming of the Territorial Army in the early 1920s. It discusses the force’s use of its influential political lobby to shape its future in the face of a determined restructuring exercise of the whole Territorial Army, but argues against the suggestion it was simply reactionary or anachronistic in its approach. As a county institution with a pedigree stretching back more than 125 years, the Yeomanry was naturally opposed to the fundamental changes being forced upon it: being dismounted to rebalance the Territorial Army with more artillery and a number of armoured car regiments. However, despite the interference of powerful advocates and elements of the force itself, and the eventual minor alterations to the original General Staff plan, the vast majority of regiments converted successfully to new arms, with only one voluntarily disbanding. This analysis finishes by highlighting the considerations that have always limited political interference with the Territorial Army, providing a cautionary historical example of the dangers of asking too much from the voluntary system.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/0968344514536704
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of History
Depositing User: G.M. Hay
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2017 11:07 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 12:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/60591 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Hay, George.

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