The Cheshire Yeomanry can trace its history back to 1797
when Sir John Fleming Leicester, Bart. of Tabley raised a body
of provisional cavalry comprising six troops. Although this early
regiment did not survive intact, the troops formed in Knutsford and
Macclesfield remained and became constituents of a reformed
regiment in 1802 which in 1803, was granted the right to
incorporate the Prince of Wales's feathers in its cap badge.
During the early years of the 19th Century there was general
unrest in the manufacturing areas of Lancashire and Yorkshire
following the end of the French Wars and the economic decline which
followed, the troubles spread into East Cheshire and the
Regiment was involved in aiding the Civil Power. This was
followed by relatively quiet time until, at the very end of
the Century, the Imperial Yeomanry was formed out of many
county yeomanry regiments to fight in the Boer War. The Cheshire
Yeomanry provided two companies and as a result of their service
were awarded their first battle honour 'South Africa
1900-01'.
During the Great War the Regiment saw service in Eastern
England before being sent overseas to Egypt in 1916. Whilst there
the Cheshire Yeomanry and the Shropshire Yeomanry merged together
to form the 10th. Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry
and saw service in Palestine and France together until the end of
the war.
The Cheshire Yeomanry was reformed as cavalry
in 1920 and remained such until 1942. At the outbreak of
the Second World War they served in the Middle East and were one of
the last regiments to fight on horseback. After losing their horses
in 1942 they became a Signals Regiment serving in the Middle
East, England and North West Europe.
The Regiment was again reformed and equipped with tanks
on May Day 1947 and in 1958 they were allocated Daimler
armoured cars. Later they became a Recce regiment and retained this
role until the defence reorganisation of 1967 which resulted in the
Regiment being disbanded.
In 1971 the Queen's Own Yeomanry was formed and one of
the Squadrons became 'C' (Cheshire Yeomanry)
Squadron. 1999 saw a further reorganisation
and the Cheshire Yeomanry Squadron transferred to the
Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry again as 'C' (Cheshire
Yeomanry) Squadron. This squadron is based in Chester and many of
its soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.