History of the 10th

1908 - 1939

1715 - 1907
1939 - 1969
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FAMOUS REGIMENTS.  THE TENTH ROYAL HUSSARS

 

Author:  Micheal Brander

Published by Low Cooper Ltd.     1969

 

 

 

1906-10
Colonel Vaughan introduced the Regimental Gazette, and first issued in 1907 edited by that most efficient Quarter-master Major Roland Pillinger who had enlisted with the Tenth in 1879. If not the first of its kind, this quarterly magazine was certainly among the first and very soon by far the best. Col. Vaughan began internal sporting events and in competition with the 12th Lancers. He himself won the coveted Kadir Cup for Pig Sticking in 1907. The Regiment also won the Inter-Regimental Polo Championship each year from 1907 tov 1912, a record never beaten. In 1909, with the help of Major Pillinger, he also produced a Regimental History pocket book to encourage pride in the regiment within the troops. The Old Comrades Association was also opened to all ranks, holding an annual dinner and encompassing a relief fund for deserving cases , and employment found for those requiring jobs. Regimental Gazettes from 1907 until 1935 can be found at: XRH Gazettes
1906-10
1911
Upon the death of King Edward VII, King George V became Colonel-in-Chief. Colonel Vaughan proclaimed "Opportunity is now taken of the occasion to assure His Majesty King George that every Officer, N.C. Officer and man deeply appreciated the distinction bestowed upon them and the Regiment by His Majesty's succession as the supreme Tenth Hussar". the Tenth introduced a new method of forming a machine-gun attachment, allowing them to bring a machine gun into action within 50 seconds. General Douglas Haig was so impressed the drill was introduced to every cavalry regiment in India and was employed in the First World War.
1911
Dec 1911
the Tenth trained to Delhi to play a major part in the Coronation Delhi durbar. A full report of the part the Tenth Hussars took in the Durbar, written by Major Pillinger in the XRH Gazette can be read here: Coronation Durbar
Dec 1911
1912
Colonel R. W. Barnes succeeded Col. Vaughan in command. After winning the Inter-Regiemntal Polo for the sixth and last time the Tenth sailed for South Africa once more, stationed at Potchefstrom. They quelled an uprising following the Johannesburg General Strike with no bloodshed.
1912
May 1913
On the 31st May this year Major Pillinger leaves the regiment "Time Expired" following a bonfire and presentation . The valedictory written by Colonel Barnes in the XRH Gazette as well as his obituary in 1951 can be read at: Valedictory
May 1913
1914
When news of the outbreak of war reached the Tenth in August, they were on manoeuvres, which were promptly cancelled. On august 5th they embarked from Capetown bound for England, docking at Southampton on September 19th. They joined the Royals and 3rd Dragoons, forming part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade and sent to Salisbury for re-equipping and training. Inspected by King George V. On October 8th the Tenth landed at Ostend, marching to Ypres. during a patrol om October 13th under Lieut. Wilson and 2nd Lieut. The Earl of Airlie an encounter with Germans caused the loss of one man wounded and one captured. ( One of the only two of the Tenth captured during the war.)
1914
Oct 19
At the village of Ledeghem, on encountering a German bicycle regiment the machine-gun troop was ordered into the village. An eye-witness account reads: "The Germans could be seen in the turnips in front, however the three hudndred years to the estaminet were devoid of cover and the M.G. commander gave the order to gallop. Reaching the estaminet several of the troop horses failed to respond to the aids to halt. Their riders were faced with the choice of being carried into the German lines or throw themselves off, which they did and the horses galloped riderless into the German lines, one old, grey horse trotting about amongst the turnips and Germans snorting defiance. In the end they all returned unharmed. Meanwhile the excitement of going into action for the first time had caused even the seasoned soldiers of twelve years' service and onwards to emit quite a number of details of elementary training, however both guns were mounted at last. During all this the senior sergeant nearly burst himself with expletives and excitement. At last, with the hoarse cry of "Ere, give it to me" he hurled nos. 1 & 2 from the nearest gun and seized the traversing handle with his left hand and pulled the crank handle over smartly with his right. The failure of the gun to respond to the pressure of the double button cause another and more terrible explosion of language. No.1 politely referred his commander's left hand to the belt and suggested a repetition of the movements of his right. All was well, for the first time we were sending real bullets at a real enemy. The cyclist battalion was completely stopped, but the withdrawal of another brigade caused us to retire also."
A
Oct 19
Ypres !st Battle
The 6th Cavalry Brigade moved to Mons and fought dismounted in the trenches relieving the Brigade of Guards on October 21st. Involved in heavy fighting during the First Battle of Ypres until November 20th. The Tenth then join the 8th Cavalry Brigade , their divisional Commander being Major-General the Hon.J Byng. Casualties were seven Officers and forty-seven O.R. killed, ten Officers and 85 O.R. wounded. It was now clear that the cavalry were the best all-round trained soldiers in the British Army. They could bayonet and throw a bomb, were fine shots and had their own machine guns. In reserve they looked after their horses whilst digging trenches, constructing roads and railways. And as ever the Tenth were to the fore in all these duties.
A
Ypres !st Battle
1915
Colonel Barnes (Twice Wounded At Ypres) Succeeded By Lt-Colonel Shearman.
1915
1915 Feb
Zillebeke on February 3rd the Tenth went into the trenches in very wet conditions. On May 9th the 8th Brigade were moved forward and the Tenth were again in trenches for the Second Battle of Ypres. On May 9th Colonel Shearman was killed during heavy shelling and casualties were heavy. Tenth rallied by Lieut. Bouch and the Earl of Airlie. Then relieved by the 8th Cavalry Brigade. Four Officers and 27 O.R. killed, six Officers and 101 O.R. wounded.
A
1915 Feb
June - Sept
Lt.-Col H F Wickham now succeeded to command of the Tenth upon the death of Colonel Shearman and the Tenth returned to the trenches at Hooge, but remained in reserve . In September they moved to Loos and were engaged in then Battle of Loos. The Tenth had the job of searching the cellars and houses for prisoners and many were taken, finding several still in communication with their own side by telephone.
A
June - Sept
1916
In January the dismounted battalion was in action against the Hoolenzollern redoubt and in trenches for six weeks. Then training and rest at Emery and Bethune. On June 24th they moved to take part in the great Somme Offensive as mounted cavalry but never engaged. A long period was spent in appalling conditions for both men and horses. Retired to billets on July 4th and parties from the regiments were used to lay cables under shellfire. During the bitterly cold winter, on December 22nd the Tenth moved two billets by the sea at Merlimont. Lt.-Colonel J P Hardwicke took command . Wild boar in the syurrounding countryside were always under "observation."
1916
1917
On April 9th the Division was moved suddenly to Arras and soon engaged on Orange Hill. The village of Monty-le-Preux was captured in dashing style, but the entire force came under heavy and sustained shellfire, causing tremendous casualties amongst both men and horses. The machine-guns held the outskirts and returned fire, but a counter attack was hampered by the number of dead and dying littering the streets. The main potion of the force was relieved by April 12th and the town secured. A survivor writes "You never have seen cavalry like them.... mud encrusted figures in flat, metal hats, men with three days' beard and faces covered in grime in no way suggesting the smart Lancers, Dragoons or Hussars"
1917
The Tenth's casualties were two Officers, twenty-five O.R.s killed, seven Officers and 150 O.R.s wounded and five missing. Total 189.
A
. "We paraded just after daylight below the ridge on a snow-covered bleak hillside. Bugles rang out and off we went, slowly at first over the hilltop, on past our guns and into the valley beyond. Things now began to hummm. Shrapnel shrieked and machine-guns rattled, each taking its toll. Not a man looked back and the pace increased; our objective a village on the next hilltop. Some wheeled right other left to enter at either side. One squadron got bogged and became an easy target for enemy gunners. As we dashed up the village street the enemy disappeared into the nearest hole. "Dismount for Action." Three-fourths of the men hurried away to dig themselves in desperately, while the remainder took the horses to cover behind some walls and buildings. Our objective was gained and all seems well. But the price was yet to be paid. As we looked to our girths and adjusted saddles an enemy aeroplane droned overhead and the airman spied us out. His stary signal had scarcely died out when a shell smashed a hole through a wall nearby and others crashed in the street, Horses plunged and reared , but soon became quiet when checked and never flinched again. Hell now seemed to let loose, houses crumbled and fell about our ears and men and horses were torn asunder by evil smelling high explosives. All had work to do, perhaps shoot a horse to end its suffering, or tie a bandage on a wounded pal; even a Jerry saved a Tommies life by trying a tourniquet on his shattered thigh. friend or foe became comrades thus. A shell burst near me. I felt a violent shove and warn blood spurting from a wounded horse drenched my face. Two horses went down and it took all my strength to drag clear a comrade who was firmly pinned beneath them. Blood mingling with slushy snow ran down the gutters. Curiously, I thought of Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade" and I felt that famous incident was child's play to this. How long it lasted I know not, for time and eternity seemed strangely mixed. But darkness came at last. Some thirty or so surviving horses with their attendant horsemen went sadly away. We left a thousand horses and msny comrades in that village street. I rode one horse and led another that was badly wounded. To him I said "Charlie, if you can't gallop, leave you I must" but gallop he did, like the hero he was, and back we went, past our guns over the hilltop, along a shell-torn track and through a festered city. When at last we bivouacked snow was falling heavily. I and two other crouched together sheltered beneath a blanket, the snow soon covering us like a shroud. fatigue and exposure brought fitful sleep, the end of a desperate day."
A
1917 June
For some weeks after the Tenth spent time in billets, re-inforcing and re-fitting. Lt.-Colonel W. O. Gibbs takes command and raiding parties and trench digging were the duties. Night patrolling following the Battle of Cambrai with only few casualties.
A
1917 June
1918
In February the Tenth rejoin the 6th Cavalry Brigade. The Tenth move to Terty where they receive a direct bomb hit on a hut filled with troops one night. Six men killed and 34 injured, four later dying from their wounds.
1918
1918 March
On March 21st the Germans began an advance which was only stopped at Amiens. On that day, after standing by since 4am a mounted squadron, under the command of Major Watkins-Williams of the Tenth, with the 3rd Dragoons and 1st Royal Dragoons, was ordered to support the shaky infantry near Collezy by cavalry charge. Approaching Collezy they came under machine gun fire from Golancourt. The 3rd Dragoons successfully drove the enemy into a wooded area and dismounting and shooting at point-blank range. The second troop of the Tenth under Viscount Ednam charged in line, starting close but the line opened out due to gun fire. The distance was about 600 yards, the last two over heavy plough, and under persistent machine-gun fire. With sabres drawn and shouting loudly the enemy surrendered freely at the site of them. Between70 and 100 Germans were sabred and 107 prisoners taken. Six machine-guns were captured. Later a German Officer stated "the cavalry attack of the British regiment over no-man's-land near Arras was a heroic effort ....so courageous and well carried out that we are proud to have witnessed it.". Heavy fighting continued until April 4th when they were relieved by the Australians. Casualties were one Officer killed, 7 Officers wounded, 9 O.R. killed, 61 wounded and 15 missing.
A
1918 March
April
On April 7th Lt.-Colonel Whitmore took over command of the regiment. At a Brigade Show the Tenth won most of the prizes, including for the best conditioned horses.
A
April
Amiens
The offensive at Amiens began in August and from that point the tide of the war began to shift. The follow-up continued east of Arras, over the country around Monchy-le-Preux; The Tenth were attached to a Canadian force , armour3ed cars and other units, being with them at the capture of the Drocourt-Queant line. Once this was achieved the Tenth rejoined the 6th Cavalry Brigade. A stubborn action followed at Honnechy where the Tenth lost five Officers wounded, seven O.R. killed and fifty-eight O.R. wounded, mostly by bomb and shellfire, and 106 horses killed or wounded. The Tenth went on to Manancourt and were put in reserve. During this time they found plenty of good game shooting organised by Major Buxton.
A
Amiens
November
On November 6th the regiment was ordered to move north in very wet conditions with the horses up to their knees and hocks in mud. Early on the 11th they were ordered to press forward as quickly as possible. Two troops went out on reconnaissance to gain touch with the rapidly retreating enemy. One troop ran into machine gun fire and did not return until 8.00pm. Meanwhile the Tenth had reached Lease where they were told to cease hostilities at 11.00am.
A
November
Honours
The Tenth were permitted to add the following to their battle honours: Ypres 1914-15, Loos, Arras 1917-18, Frezenburg, Somme 1918, Amiens, Pursuit to Mons, Acre, Drocourt-Queant, France and Flanders 1914-18.
A
Honours
Loses
Their total casualties were: fifteen Officers, 199 other ranks killed,; forty-one Officers, 528 other ranks wounded and two other ranks taken P.O.W.
A
Loses
1919 - 23
The regiment was eventually stationed at Konigshaven in 1919 as part of the Rhine Army of Occupation, an unpleasant duty that only lasted six months. Under Lt.-Colonel Seymour the regiment returned home for the first time in nearly twenty years, moving to Canterbury. Abruptly however they. were posted to West of Ireland in April 1920, where the squadrons were scattered amongst various villages, whose occupants were mostly hostile. The Tenth acted as Escort to King George V at the state opening of the first parliament in Northern Ireland. The troop train carrying H.Q. and B Squadron was deliberately de-railed on the way to Dublin. Two of the Hotchkis gun team were killed. A third man, Private J Bodhill, one of four brothers and the son of an Old Tenth Hussars, was injured. When the Tenth returned from Ireland to Canterbury H.R.H. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, joined as a Lieutenant in July. Now the Tenth were allowed a reasonable stay of home duty. In 1923 Lt.-Colonel Malise Graham assumed command.
1919 - 23
Nov 1920
April: Move To West Ireland. Escort Duties For The State Opening Of Parliament In Northern Ireland By George V. Troop Train Derailed Between Dublin And Belfast; 2 Killed.
Nov 1920
1924 - 27
Major-General Sir Hugh Dawnay died in 1924. He had served as Colonel of the Tenth Royal Hussars for twelve years, with 38 years of connection to the regiment. His successor was Field Marshall Viscount Byng of Vimy, who was then Governor General of Canada; his association to the Tenth went back to the Second Afghan War of 1878-9. The regiment moved from Canterbury to Aldershot, and in 1927 moved again to Hounslow. In 1925,26 and 27 that remarkable horse Broncho ridden by Colonel Malise Graham won trophies at the International Show Jumping. In 1927 the XRH Gazette was again published and in the first issue was comment about the creeping mechanisation of the regiment. Fourteen motor lorries, three motorcycle combinations caused concern of the coming loss of the horses.
1924 - 27
1928 - 30
Lt.-Colonel V. J. Greenwood assumed command in 1928 and the regiment won the International Regimental Polo at Roehampton before leaving for Cairo where they remained for twelve months before moving to Meerut in 1930, where they relieved the 4th Hussars. They found an old “Hussar” already there in the form of a horse known as “Old Timer” who they had left with the 21st Lancers in 1912. He was wounded on the N. W. Frontier and had subsequently been recognised as fine show jumper winning many prizes. When his old regiment arrived, he appeared to recognise the regimental call; he was retired and allowed to roam around the barracks as he pleased. He died two years later, still a Tenth Hussar.
1928 - 30
1931 - 34
Lt.-Colonel Willoughby-Norrie assumed command in 1931 and lie continued for the next four years in the familiar fashion. In 1932 The Tenth moved to Lucknow, and once again won the Regimental Polo Championship in 1933. In 1932 and 1933 they won the Kadir Cup, thus they won it on six occasions during their total time in India. They also participated in football, cricket, boxing swimming and running competitions. Regular concerts were held and the band provided outstanding performances. Among them was Bandsman Norman Wisdom who came seventh in the inter-regimental cross-country run.
1931 - 34
1935 - 36
In 1935 Lt.-Colonel B. O. Hutchison assumed command and mechanisation was moving in. They gained a final victory in the Inter-Regimental Polo Championships before leaving India and their horses forever. Then the Tenth Hussars returned home, without having to divert for a fight for the first time, although they expected to be delayed in Palestine to deal with Arab unrest, but this did not happen. The Tenth were barracked at Tidworth where they were engaged in learning a new role of a mechanised regiment. H. R. H. The Duke of Gloucester was appointed their new Colonel-in-Chief on the accession of George VI and an era came to an end.
1935 - 36
1938
In 1937 the Tenth joined the Queen’s Bays and the 9th Lancers to form the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. Mechanisation first meant that the regiment were introduced to 15cwt. trucks and the regiment settled into training for their new role. Progress was however slow because of lack of proper equipment. Skilled horsemen had to become drivers, gunners, tank commanders, fast map reader, and pathfinders for their vehicles. They still managed to win the Inter-Regimental Polo Championship at Hurlingham that year, becoming the first regiment to win in India and England in consecutive years. Major G. M. Roddick also won the Military Gold Cup and went on to do so for the next two years. In 1938 the Tenth received some obsolete 18-year-old Mark IV light tanks and some Bren carriers and their tactical prowess was improving.
1938
1939
In 1939, because of new regulations, Viscount Hampden relinquished the Colonelcy on his 70th birthday and was succeeded by Colonel V. J. Greenwood. In April the Royal Armoured Corp was formed and the Tenth became a part, with the 2nd Cavalry Brigade becoming the 2nd Armoured Brigade. When the war broke out in September the Brigade was no-where near being fully armed, with the Tenth having only one squadron of the new cruiser tanks, the remaining squadrons being armed with the old Mark VI with merely machine guns as armament.
1939
History Timeline

History Timeline

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The Regiment was raised in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties by Brigadier Humphrey Gore in 1715, as the Tenth Regiment of Dragoons. This was in response to the Jacobite Rising. Mounts were to be no more than fifteen hands high. The Regiment never saw action against the Jacobites.

Law and revenue enforcement was the Regiment’s duty at home for the next 30 years. Pay for a Private was 1s 9p per day less the cost of food.

History Timeline

History Timeline

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Copyright 2019 © Major Pillinger/Richard Pillinger. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission is strictly prohibited. www.sciweb.co.uk

Troopship HM Ismore Sinking in Paternoster Bay

The Ismore Sinking on the Rocks in Paternoster Bay

Wreck of Troopship Ismore

 

 

No Lives Lost —- Supposed Drowning of Many Horses

 

The Secretary of the Admiralty states that information has been received from the Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope, dated December 3rd, reporting that the transport Ismore struck on the rocks off Columbine Point, near St Helen’s Bay, distant about 75 miles north of Table Bay, in calm, thick weather. The troops had been landed, also a quantity of baggage, most of the guns, swords, carbines and some ammunition. The men were reported to be comfortable and plenty of food available. The Admiralty was sending HM ships Niobe and Doris, also the transport Columbine, with lighters to assist.

A copy of a telegram has been received from the principal transport officer at Cape Town, dated the 4th inst., reporting that the transport Ismore (no 52.)broke up on Sunday night. Her stern is out of water and her bows gone. All hands and 20 horses were saved and will probably entrain to Malmesbury. The Ismore, which went ashore in Helen’s Bay on Sunday morning is the second transport that has come to grief on the voyage to the Cape the Persia having been disabled in a storm at St Vincent while conveying the C Squadron of Dragoons and some men of the Inniskillings on November 8th. In the latter case all the troops and horses were successfully transferred to the transport Goth, but in the case of the Ismore a large number of the horses were lost. She had on board the 63rd Field Battery, Royal Artillery from Bristol, “A” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars and a troop of “B” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars from Aldershot, and No. 9 Company (Bearer) Royal Army Medical Corp from Colchester. The military details would necessarily have with them a considerable number of horses, for the mounted troops on board number 460. As only 20 horses were reported saved, it is feared that the loss of animals is serious, inasmuch as they would not be3 of the chartered class, but selected trained chargers and gun-teams. The value placed upon such animals by military authorities is very considerable, and the loss will be much keenly felt by reason by the dearth of suitable and reliable mounts and gun-teams at the front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is too be hoped that the troops will be able to save the six field pieces, if not the wagons and other pieces of the Field 63rd Battery, but nothing is said as to this being effected.

The presence of warships at the scene of the wreck may have been valuable in this respect, assuming that the position of the wreck and weather permitted the sufficiently near approach of the working parties who would have the advantage of the necessary appliances for transferring the guns. The time at the disposal of those on the spot between the hours of the vessel sinking and breaking up to save much other than themselves would seem to have been very limited, and  therefore it cannot be hoped that any considerable proportion of the vessel’s war stores can have been saved. It is known that with the troops were landed some guns, swords, carbines etc. and ammunition; but the bulk of Ismore’s cargo cannot have been landed in the time available. It will be remembered that the Ismore endeavoured to leave England in a gale, and after futile attempts took shelter in Moelfre Bay on the Anglesey coast until November 8th, when she put to sea four days late.

 

The Ismore had on board 400 rank and file of various sections. The 63rd Field Battery consisted of six officers, 170 men and 140 horses, with six 15 pounder guns 11 four-wheeled military vehicles, ambulance wagons, and stores. The Bearer Company of the Royal Army Medical Corps on board consisted of one officer and 52 men, with ambulance wagons and fittings. The A squadron and troop of B squadron of the Tenth Hussars on board numbered about 180 officers and men. There were altogether about 250 horses shipped, together with numerous wagons and vehicles. Major W Paget is the officer commanding the Field battery , and Major Alexander the Hussars.

 

The Press Association added that 230 valuable horses have been lost to the British cavalry and artillery proceeding to the front by the wreck of the Ismore. It is scarcely possible that the numerous ambulance wagons and other vehicles referred to in the above telegram can have been saved owing to the difficulties of transfer, and consequently one of the most important non-combative branches of the military service has lost probably their conveyance and medical equipment and supplies.

 

From the Glasgow Herald 3rd December 1889

By kind Permission of the British Library Board.