THE DISBANDMENT OF THE REGIMENT AS REPORTED IN THE JOURNAL OF THE MEDAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND
Journal of the Medal Society of Ireland
No. 48, June 1999
North of Ireland Yeomanry
Camping at the Curragh
The Regiment to be Disbanded
The North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry assembled for their annual training on Friday last. C. (Enniskillen) Squadron was the first party to arrive in camp, the other Squadrons following in quick succession, excepting B (Derry), this Squadron travelling by night and arriving on Sunday morning at Newbridge at five o’clock. The camp was pitched on the same ground as it was last year- about an English mile from Newbridge.
What a change from last year! Instead of steady and persistent rain, the men have been sweltering under the rays of a glorious sun. When C Squadron arrived at Newbridge, the sun was shining brightly, smiling as it were a repayment for his desertion 12 months ago. The squadron was also paid a high compliment on behalf of the regiment by its sister regiment, for the men marched into camp headed by the fine band of the South of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry.
On Saturday the usual routine of inspecting the horses and the medical inspection of the men, took place and in the afternoon the first parade was held.
On Sunday divine service was attended by all ranks. Formerly, the Protestants of all denominations attended one service, but this year each denomination marched into the military chapel in Newbridge in turn, the different chaplains officiating. The Church of Ireland Presbyterian parties are numerically about the same, as also are the Methodists and Roman Catholics.
The whole topic of conversation in camp is the disbandment of the regiment. Under an order from the War Office this regiment will cease to exist under its present establishment at the end of their training. A new regiment will then be formed called the North Irish Yeomanry, and it will have the proud distinction, in case of an outbreak of war, to act as escort to the general commanding the expeditionary forces abroad. The term of service will be four years, the annual training to be 24 days instead of 18 as at present, and the recruits to do six days’ training in camp before the regiment assembles. While under training the men will receive the ordinary cavalry pay, and in addition to this a bounty of £1 per quarter. Each man on enlisting will also receive £2. Already about 33 per cent of the regiment have been sworn in under the new condition, and doubtless before the disbandment many more will re-engage. It is optional also for those men at present serving whose time is not expired to finish their time in the new corps under the existing condition of regards pay, &c.
C Squadron have a splendid lot of horses. Usually the animals for the first few days in camp are very restless, but on this occasion their conduct has been like that of old campaigners.
Beside the C Squadron lies D (Dundalk), and in it are a number of men from Co. Cavan. Seven hail from Ballyconnell side and are attached to No.2 troop, while Cavan town and the surrounding district furnish a troop, which is the smartest in the squadron, unlike C, is recruited from a very large area. There are men in it from as far Drumshambo in the Co Leitrim to Armagh in the North and Dundalk in the East.
A troop has gone on manoeuvres with the 11th Hussars at Dundalk. The men who left camp on Saturday are under Lieut. Yates and C Squadron furnished seven men. Letters from home to these men will not reach them until they return to camp, on next Saturday. The following are the men out: C. Lance, Sergeant Mair, Corporal Ross, Corporal M’Causland, Private J Trimble, J Nelson, S J Hall, J A Baxter, D Lance Corporal G Pratt, Lance Corporal O’Neill, Troopers W.F. Anderson, J.C. Darling, C. Trimble, Butler, Watt.
North Irish Horse
Source: The Imperial Reporter Enniskillen, June 25th 1908
The Journal of the Medal Society of Ireland reports on the disbandment of the regiment as reported by The Imperial Reporter Enniskillen, June 25th 1908. Our thanks to Roy O’Brien
