A national auxiliary cavalry force was formed in 1794 under two principal designations, 'volunteer' and 'yeomanry' cavalry. Commentators have sought to maintain the military predominance and exclusivity of one group - the 'yeomanry' cavalry. They claim it was a feudal force comprised of landowners, used as a national police force during the mid-nineteenth century, and enjoyed a period of prosperity culminating in inclusion in the South African War of 1899-1902. Conversely, a mounted volunteer force that formed in 1859 that styled itself as reserve cavalry, was considered inferior, filled with urban recruits, and only to be used as part of a defensive force. The 'yeomanry' cavalry, however, was used sparingly for riot control, and remained principally part of the reserve military army. The mounted volunteer force of 1859 succeeded in being recognized as auxiliary cavalry, and between the years 1870-1898, the volunteer cavalry endured stagnation and decline that almost culminated in the body's disbandment. Both regiments of yeomanry cavalry and mounted volunteer corps were saved from demobilization, however, by dispatch to the war in South Africa. After 1902, moreover, the auxiliary cavalry was forged into a mounted force 'yeomanry' cavalry officers had criticized so harshly in the nineteenth century.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:629424 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Gilks, Andrew Douglas |
| Publisher | University of Birmingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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