History 3rd The King's Own Hussars

1 history

1.1 glorious revolution
1.2 williamite war in ireland
1.3 9 years war
1.4 war of spanish succession
1.5 war of austrian succession
1.6 7 years war
1.7 napoleonic wars
1.8 victorian era
1.9 first world war
1.10 inter-war period
1.11 second world war
1.12 post-war period , amalgamation

history
the glorious revolution

the formation of 3rd king s own hussars can traced 1685. advent of monmouth rebellion in year led king of england, james ii, expand military forces under command suppress rebellion. number of infantry , cavalry units raised during 1685, including unit of 3 troops of cavalry detached duke of somerset s royal dragoons on 16 june order of king. 3 troop captains ordered recruit number of volunteers regions around london, including middlesex, berkshire , essex, , proceed acton in middlesex. once unit had arrived, ordered guard northern approaches city of london against attempts forces commanded duke of monmouth attack city. when monmouth s forces defeated @ battle of sedgemoor on 6 july 1685, unit still stationed in middlesex , had not encountered rebel troops. in aftermath of failed rebellion, original 3 troops combined 3 more cavalry troops, 1 independent , 2 newly raised, form queen consort s regiment of dragoons.

in 1688, prince of orange, william of orange, led invasion of england in came known glorious revolution, landing force of 14,000 troops in devon on 5 november. james ii assembled english army on salisbury plain, approximately 80 miles (130 km) william had landed invasion force, protect london; however, william s forces advanced, large number of english regiments defected , travelled south pledge loyalty william. queen consort s regiment of dragoons split division of loyalties; lieutenant-colonel richard leveson, along several captains, led majority of regiment devon in support of william, colonel cannon , own troop remained loyal james ii , followed remnants of james army retreated london. on 31 december, william promoted leveson colonel of regiment, , leveson proceeded raise new recruits , horses replace had remained loyal james; regiment continued recruit home counties, recruitment particularly focusing within bedfordshire, , renamed leveson s dragoons in honour of leveson , support of william.

the williamite war in ireland

in august 1689, regiment, numbering approximately 400 officers , men organised 6 troops, transported ireland take part in williamite war. james had fled england france in december 1688, had returned army in march 1689 , landed @ cork, ireland, found had support of majority of catholic population. william s expeditionary force had landed south of belfast on 13 august, encountering little resistance local catholic forces, , entered city on 17 august; leveson s dragoons landed in ireland 4 days later, taking position outside belfast. records of activities of regiment scarce, appears advanced rest of williamite forces southwards on 2 september, advancing town of newry, failing catch garrison of town retreated. williamite army moved south dundalk, fortified. did not advance further, catholic army, estimated 35,000 strong, reportedly encamped nearby @ ardee. regiment encountered small catholic force , killed 5 men on 20 september, forced wait until october take part in first major action. on 27 october, 200 troopers regiment, along detachment 6th (inniskilling) dragoons, raided ardee, killing number of sentries , capturing large number of cattle , horses. in november, williamite army moved northwards , regiment saw action 1 last time before entering winter quarters @ lisburn; on 26 november, 60 troopers regiment reconnoitring near charlemont when encountered detachment town s garrison; engage it, taking several prisoners. regiment retired winter quarters rest , took on approximately 200 recruits shipped england replace losses disease; whilst exact casualty figures regiment unknown, entire army had suffered approximately 6,000 casualties result of fever, ague , dysentery november. regiment emerged winter quarters in mid-february 1690 , saw action; gazette issued belfast on 14 february announced squadron regiment had formed part of raiding force had crossed enemy lines , burnt down castle , looted town, killing ten men , taking 20 prisoners. next recorded action regiment took place on 22 june, when squadron , company of infantry tangier regiment encountered fort garrisoned force of infantry , approximately 500 cavalry; enemy force stood ground , fought pitched battle until commanding officer killed , catholic force retreated.

battle of boyne between james ii , william iii, 11 june 1690, jan van huchtenburg.

the regiment present battle of boyne on 1 july, forming part of 36,000-strong williamite army engaged 25,000-strong catholic army commanded james ii. during closing stages of battle, large portion of james cavalry repeatedly charged advancing williamite infantry provide protection retreating catholic infantry, , able reach village of donore. village sited on area of high ground dismounted cavalrymen able fire down on advancing williamite troops. counter move, squadron regiment charged hill , engaged dismounted cavalry whilst remainder of regiment outflanked village , attacked catholic force rear, inflicting large number of casualties. after routing force, regiment joined dutch cavalry unit , advanced. sighting catholic cavalry force, dutch cavalry attacked, repelled heavy losses , retreated down narrow lane. dutch regrouped, leveson s men dismounted , took position amongst hedgerows lining lane, nearby house; when catholic cavalry advanced down lane, came under fire regiment, inflicting heavy losses , forcing survivors retreat. battle decisive victory williamite forces, james forced retire first dublin , france williamite army advanced south , captured dublin on 4 july. regiment did not take part in capture of dublin, instead ordered advance city of waterford, accepted surrender of city s garrison (as garrison of nearby port of youghal) , remained rest of summer. 1 of regiment s troops patrolled surrounding area, detachment engaging large band of armed catholic citizens had been attacking protestant settlements in area; detachment killed 60 , took 12 civilian prisoners, attacking village of castlemartyr , taking catholic garrison prisoner. remainder of regiment moved limerick , took part in failed siege of city, although specifics of regiment did unknown. before regiment retired winter quarters in december, engaged , dispersed several more armed bands of civilians , came aid of detachment 27th (inniskilling) regiment of foot, had been ambushed catholic infantry , had taken shelter in ruined castle; troop regiment drove off infantry , escorted inniskilling detachment safety.

the regiment left winter quarters in february 1691 , saw action, forming part of combined force of infantry , cavalry engaged 2,000-strong catholic force near streamstown , forced retreat; role regiment played in action led leveson being promoted brigadier-general. in may, majority of williamite army moved north , besieged town of athlone, fell after eleven days, regiment took no part in siege, having been ordered encamp in county of mullingar. @ beginning of july, regiment formed part of 12,000-strong williamite army defeated 8,000-strong catholic army during battle of aughrim, taking part in massed cavalry charge breached catholic positions around village of aughrim. battle of aughrim decisive victory king william, number of leading catholic generals being killed, , williamite forces pressed advantage; forced surrender of galway on 20 july , began second siege of limerick in august. regiment did not take part directly in siege, instead being detached in late august , ordered advance south-west kerry reconnoitre , harass catholic forces in area around limerick. on 2 september, regiment ambushed , routed 2 regiments of catholic cavalry, , several days later subdued number of catholic garrisons between cork , limerick. regiment inflicted number of casualties, more importantly captured thousands of cattle , oxen; 1 contemporary source states majority of army s provisions siege of limerick provided regiment. on 22 september, limerick fell williamite forces, ending conflict in ireland; regiment withdrawn winter quarters , transported england in spring of 1692.

nine years war

the regiment remained in england 3 years before saw battle again. during period, in recruited refill ranks, lost colonel leveson when promoted rank of major-general king william. (leveson dispatched command forces fighting in spanish netherlands part of english contribution 9 years war before dying in march 1699 @ belvoir castle). replaced thomas, 5th baron fairfax of cameron in january 1694; consequence, regiment lost title of leveson s dragoons , reverted previous title of queen s dragoons.

in spring of 1694, regiment reviewed king william, along number of other english units, , transported netherlands, landing @ willemstad, (nowadays in north brabant) on 16 april. after 2 months, regiment marched join main body of english army @ tirlemont in flanders, encamping rear of army s positions in order cover majesty s quarters . regiment spent summer of 1694 part of brigade royal horse guards , royal scots greys, taking part in manoeuvres , skirmishing enemy troops before retiring winter quarters in october near ghent. february 1695, strength of regiment had increased 6 8 troops, , regiment had gained new commander, lord fairfax being replaced william lloyd, lieutenant-colonel of essex s dragoon s.

during summer of 1695, while majority of english forces occupied second siege of namur, regiment formed part of force occupied city of diksmuide intention of luring away french forces seeking relieve siege of namur. force successful, luring large number of french troops away namur proceeded besiege city; instead of holding diksmuide intended, however, danish general commanding force surrendered city on 18 july and, consequence, regiment became prisoners of war. officer commanding regiment demanded regiment allowed attempt break siege of city , escape, general denied request. although request denied, many of officers , troopers broke weapons deny them french before surrendered. regiment remained in captivity several weeks, being released when siege of namur successful , commander of french forces there, duke of boufflers, surrendered city; after period of negotiation louis xiii, boufflers exchanged english prisoners of war.

after release, regiment retired winter quarters , received reinforcements. then, during summer of 1696, formed part of detached corps encamped near nieuwpoort, belgium, skirmishing several times french forces when attempted attack region, never being committed major battle. regiment appears have seen little combat during 1697, moving brussels sometime during year protect approaches city , remaining there until treaty of ryswick signed in september 1697. once treaty signed, signalling end of 9 years war, regiment returned england.

war of spanish succession

the battle of vigo bay, ludolf backhuysen.

the huge expense incurred england during william iii s prosecution of 9 years war angered parliament, leading large cuts in funding military; these affected soldiers pay, drastically reduced, , withholding of gratuities soldiers promised prior going battle. many regiments had strengths reduced, including queen s own dragoon s, had strength reduced half. during period of peace between end of 9 years war in 1697 , beginning of war of spanish succession in 1702, regiment performed number of small tasks befitting reduced size; conducted coastal revenue duty, confronted smugglers, , escorted king when travelled holland. war of spanish succession began in may 1702, , in june english expeditionary force assembled @ cowes on isle of wight under command of earl of ormond, tasked landing in cadiz, spain , capturing surrounding area; 18 officers, 24 non-commissioned officers , 186 troopers regiment formed part of force. sailed cowes on 23 june , landed in cadiz on 15 august, engaged spanish forces. cavalry formation expeditionary force, regiment employed picquets @ forefront of english advance, being used guard , protect outposts. regiment skirmished spanish forces throughout september, attempt besiege cadiz far more difficult expected, ending in spanish victory and, result, regiment embarked on transports destined england. during voyage, however, transports received word spanish naval force had been sighted attempting land near city of vigo. transports turned towards spain, reaching vigo on 12 october, , off-loaded regiment. there few details regiment s involvement in ensuing battle of vigo bay, records indicate of spanish vessels involved in attempted landing either destroyed or burnt, , regiment received considerable amount of prize money part in action.

after battle, regiment did not return spain rejoin english expeditionary force, instead ordered england; period of 4 years regiment remained in england, being quartered in kent , isle of wight garrison force, mustering occasional parades , reviews. in december 1703, william lloyd sold colonelcy of regiment george carpenter, assumed command. in 1706, regiment once again transferred isle of wight, 240 officers, non-commissioned officers , troopers attached 8,000 strong force assembling there. force tasked landing on coast of france near charente , fighting way inland, aided local protestant civilians. fleet left england on 30 july, operation cancelled due poor weather , failure of dutch naval forces, rendezvous transports , escort them french coast. transports ordered head spain, land @ cadiz , reinforce english forces in area; however, poor weather forced ships remain in torbay eleven weeks, troops remaining on board, until mid-august, when attempted sail lisbon. more severe weather meant ships not unloaded @ lisbon either, however, , remained there further 2 months; during time regiment , other english troops on board ships suffered hundreds of casualties lack of proper food , water, , outbreaks of disease. january 1707, weather calmed down enough ships leave lisbon harbour and, in february, reached alicante, troops off-loaded; of 8,000 troops had boarded transports in july 1706, 4,400 had survived.

the battle of almansa, filippo pallotta , buonaventura ligli. (detail)

the remnants of force, including regiment, marched 40 miles caudete link allied army composed of english, dutch, german , portuguese troops under command of earl of galway. army support spanish forces loyal charles of austria, claimed legitimate heir spanish throne; however, claim contested opponent, philip of anjou, had gathered own army , determined defeat charles in battle. campaign against anjou s forces began in march, allies advancing, destroying several magazines , besieging city of villena; after beginning siege, however, alerted several french deserters large franco-spanish force advancing towards almansa north-east. earl of galway informed second enemy force under command of philippe ii, duke of orléans marching reinforce first force; in response information earl advanced in attempt prevent 2 forces linking up. however, manoeuvre failed, leading 15,000-strong allied army being opposed 25,000 french , spanish troops possessed superior number of artillery pieces. 2 forces clashed during battle of almansa, began on afternoon of 25 april. battle began both sides bombarding others positions artillery fire. after general bombardment had ended, allied cavalry dispatched attack centre of franco-spanish positions; queen s own dragoon s committed alongside essex s dragoons attack enemy artillery battery bombarding allied line. regiment charged battery , forced withdraw, engaged force of spanish cavalry outnumbered them approximately 3 1 according regimental records, ensuing battle annihilated regiment, colonel being killed along large number of officers , troopers. remnants of 2 cavalry regiments retreated allied lines, volley-fire allied infantry beginning inflict significant casualties on franco-spanish forces; @ point, however, 7,000 portuguese troops belonging allied army deserted, starting cavalry , rapidly followed infantry. desertion turned tide of battle , led franco-spanish victory, 2,000 allied infantrymen being taken prisoner , remnants of allied army being routed. allied army suffered approximately 4,000 killed , wounded , 3,000 taken prisoner; whilst there no specific casualty numbers regiment, when returned england in spring , began recruiting, muster 150 troopers , officers.

war of austrian succession

member of 3rd king s own hussars (on right) 1815

when regiment had finished recruiting in england, dispatched north scotland. there, formed part of english garrison, intimidating scottish population in attempt repress attempts @ jacobite rising. when george ascended english throne in 1714, regiment s title once again altered, , same year became king s own regiment of dragoons. shortly after ascension, major jacobite uprising occurred; regiment amongst english troops assembled in scotland bar advance of jacobite forces. @ battle of sheriffmuir on 13 november, english army commanded duke of argyll, included regiment, defeated larger jacobite army; sources vague on exact details of regiment s involvement, known formed part of army s left wing, supporting several infantry regiments. wing struck jacobite infantry assault, inflicted significant casualties, 3 squadrons regiment charged infantry , forced retreat; allowed english forces retire , reassemble without further loss. regiment did not see further action during uprising, remaining duke of argyll s army, pursued jacobite forces retreated northwards. army occupied aberdeen on 8 february; shortly after rebellion came end. short period, regiment stationed @ elgin, , transferred southern england, remained more 20 years; became understrength garrison force , did little apart conduct occasional raids against smugglers on english coast. on 20 october 1740, charles vi died , daughter, maria theresa of austria, took place on habsburg throne; ascendancy caused great deal of political controversy, resulted in war of austrian succession. king george ii pledged support of great britain maria theresa and, in may 1742, 16,000 strong british army sailed ostend link military forces of dutch republic, had decided support maria theresa. king s own dragoons formed part of army.

the english forces arrived in dutch republic, did not go on campaign, instead moving winter quarters in bruges , ghent. army departed in february 1743 , advanced towards rhine valley; regiment chosen form part of advance guard. june, english army had joined hanoverian , austrian forces river main. allied forces, totalled approximately 44,000 troops, opposed 70,000 french troops. after period of marching , counter-marching, , arrival of king george ii took personal command of allied forces, french army engaged allies @ battle of dettingen on 27 june. king s own dragoons placed on left flank of allied army, instructions protect infantry force advanced. exposed french artillery fire 3 hours, suffering heavy casualties, regiment ordered advance, , clashed larger force of french household cavalry; after fierce engagement, , more casualties, drove off french cavalry. shortly after this, french army forced retreat, , remnants of regiment participated in general cavalry pursit of french forces, inflicted further casualties. regiment suffered 42 officer , other ranks killed, , 106 wounded, shrinking size considerably; provoked comment george ii when reviewed allied forces after end of battle. asked aide whom regiment belonged in sharp tone, commanding officer replied, please, majesty, regiment, , believe remainder of @ dettingen.

the battle of dettingen had brought french advance towards dutch republic halt, , conflict devolved long series of small , indecisive battles in southern netherlands. in late 1743, regiment moved winter quarters in ghent , received shipment of recruits bolster ranks; however, regiment did not move southern netherlands until may 1745, when duke of cumberland dispatched continent take command of allied army. cumberland advanced towards city of tournai in may, failed besiege due strengthened defences; few days later, allied army engaged @ battle of fontenoy, decisively defeated superior french forces. unfortunately, there no detailed records describe king s own dragoons s participation in battle; regiments commanding officer noted regiment had launched several cavalry charges against french line, had been forced retreat rest of allied army after suffering 9 killed , 18 missing. allied army retreated towards southern netherlands, pursued french, regiment did not engage in further fighting; instead, dispatched northwards receive more recruits, , ordered prepare transported england. on 25 july, taking advantage of english defeat @ battle of fontenoy, prince charles edward stuart landed in invernessshire , began organise jacobite uprising.

within month of landing, stuart had raised force of 1,600 men various scottish clans, , began march south, increasing numbers 2,500 mid-september, when entered edinburgh. prince advanced, duke of cumberland assembled english regiments in flanders , had them transported england, arriving in london on 25 october , joining rest of english army @ lichfield. however, advice of several of senior officers, combined lack of support french , english jacobites, prompted stuart order retreat, forces moving north towards scotland english army in pursuit. on 16 december, advance guard of english army, included king s own dragoons, managed overtake jacobite rearguard , laid ambush. ambush did not succeed due being performed in dark, , english forces suffered more casualties inflicted. regiment dismounted , fought infantry during ambush, clashing repeatedly jacobite forces , engaging in hand-to-hand fighting, suffering number of casualties. regiment re-mounted , pursued jacobite rearguard carlisle, being stationed near town until surrendered on 30 december. records regiment next year vague; appears did see action during battle of culloden in 1746, there no details. after english victory @ culloden, regiment advanced scotland rest of english army, before being detached dundee; after rebellion had been suppressed, moved york, guarded jacobite prisoners.

seven years war

uniform of 3rd light dragoons, 1840s

the regiment next saw action during raid on st malo, destroying of french stores, in june 1758 during 7 years war. went on equal success, destroying vessels in harbour, @ raid on cherbourg in august 1758. regiment stationed in islington , placed on guarding duties @ apsley house, home of lord bathurst, during gordon riots in 1780.

napoleonic wars

in july 1809, regiment departed netherlands , took part in disastrous walcheren campaign: many of men caught disease called walcheren fever , thought combination of malaria , typhus, before returning home in september. in april 1810 regiment tasked restoring order after riots caused protesters objecting incarceration of sir francis burdett in tower of london. regiment landed in lisbon in august 1811 service in peninsular war. took part in siege of ciudad rodrigo in january 1812 , siege of badajoz in march 1812 , undertook successful charges @ battle of villagarcia in april 1812 , @ battle of salamanca in july 1812. regiment next saw action @ battle of vitoria in june 1813 , then, having pursued french army france, @ battle of toulouse in april 1814. regiment returned home in july 1814.

victorian era

the regiment renamed 3rd (the king s own) regiment of (light) dragoons in 1818. served in ireland between january 1820 , june 1822 , between march 1826 , april 1829. dispatched in india in july 1837 and, having moved on afghanistan, saw action @ battle of kabul in september 1842 during first anglo-afghan war. fought again @ battle of mudki , @ battle of ferozeshah in december 1845 , @ battle of sobraon in february 1846 during first anglo-sikh war. went on fight @ battle of chillianwala in january 1849 , battle of gujrat in february 1849 during second anglo-afghan war. regiment renamed 3rd (the king s own) hussars in 1861. regiment deployed south africa in december 1901 service in second boer war , involved in last great drives, capturing boers, in north-east of orange river colony.

first world war

commemorative scroll given family of lieutenant in 3rd hussars (1915)

on outbreak of first world war, regiment stationed @ shorncliffe part of 4th cavalry brigade. on mobilisation, brigade assigned cavalry division of british expeditionary force, , sent france. 4th brigade assigned 2nd cavalry division in october, remained remainder of war, serving on western front.

inter-war period

crewmembers light tank mk.via of 3rd king s own hussars. circa. 1937

the regiment renamed 3rd king s own hussars in january 1921. deployed turkey in november 1921 part of british intervention force, remaining there until 24 august 1923, when sailed egypt. in 1926, regiment stationed in lucknow, india. returning england in 1932, regiment garrisoned in york, moved tidworth in 1934. regiment began mechanising in 1935, when began receiving lorries, followed armoured cars in following year. in 1937, regiment moved aldershot, served reconnaissance unit of 2nd infantry division.

second world war

a light tank mkv1b light tank squadron of 3rd king s own hussars, oosthaven, sumatra, netherlands east indies. circa. 1942.

the 3rd king s own hussars brigaded 4th hussars in 1st armoured brigade in 1939. after fall of france, 3rd king s own hussars shipped north africa , assigned 7th armoured brigade. regiment served in north african campaign. in 1941, b squadron sent singapore reinforcements, fall of singapore, diverted java where, after brief fight, ordered surrender , men spent rest of war prisoners of war. fifty 4 members of b squadron died prisoners of japanese army. few survivors returned regiment in 1945 after war ended. remainder of regiment fought part of 9th armoured brigade in battle of el alamein. after campaign in north africa, 3rd king s own hussars next saw action in italian campaign, serving through 1944 , 1945.

post-war period , amalgamation

the regiment posted palestine in october 1945. moved kingsway barracks in rendsburg in summer 1948 before transferring ripon barracks in bielefeld in 1951, epsom barracks in iserlohn in july 1953 , york barracks in munster in september 1957. returned home in october 1958 tidworth camp, amalgamated 7th queen s own hussars, form queen s own hussars in november 1958.