Essex Yeomanry A Brief History
The Regiment has its roots in the Yeoman Cavalry movement during the late 1700's when gentlemen formed cavalry units as part of a defence against an invasion by the French.
Over the years Yeoman Cavalry Regiments came and went until 1901 when the Essex Imperial Yeomanry was formed which in 1901 after the Territorial Army was launched became the Essex Yeomanry.
During the war the Essex Yeomanry fought on the western front and took part in many of the main actions which included Corporal Mugford winning a VC.
During the Great War a second and then a third line unit was formed.
In 1921 it was clear that horse cavalry would no longer be viable and the Yeomanry could chose between the modern equivalent with armoured cars or the field artillery.
A vote was taken and the Essex Yeomanry supported the change to a field artillery. The main though appears to have been the fact that horses were still required at this time for field artillery although that was of course to change very quickly.
On 1 November 1921 the Essex Yeomanry were no more and from that date were known as the 104th ( Essex Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
