Origin
The Hertfordshire Yeomanry was originally set up in the 1790s as a cavalry unit to defend against possible invasion from Napoleon’s France. Between 1800 and 1900 the Yeomanry grew and served with distinction in the Boer War, the First World War and the Second World War. Some units served at home and others volunteered to serve abroad, from South Africa to Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Iraq. Between the World Wars, some Yeomanry regiments were changed from cavalry to artillery. The Yeomanry was eventually absorbed into the current Royal Artillery. The collection was built up across many years by Colonel John David Sainsbury OBE TD FSA, an avid historian who was born in Hitchin and who produced many publications on the Yeomanry. The collection passed to our museum service in 2004.
Summary
The collection includes articles of costume, weaponry, militaria objects and medals, including medals relating to service in the Boer War, First World War and Second World War.
Key Objects
Royal Artillery Flag and hand-made box of dominoes made in Pagoda Camp, Petchabun, Thailand, 1942-5
The Yeomanry was serving in Singapore when the city fell to the Japanese. Trapped in prisoner of war camps, soldiers made things from whatever was available to keep up morale and sometimes to sell for food and medicine.
Herts Imperial Yeomanry drum about 1902
Painted banners show locations of service; ‘South Africa 1900-1901’ marks the unit’s involvement in the Second Boer War.
Warrant Officer’s full dress jacket, 1909
Thomas Taylor, a Private and then Lance Corporal in the Second Boer War (1899-1902) later wore this jacket. Dress jackets are now only used on ceremonial occasions.
Dragoon helmet of the Hertfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry Northern Troop, 1830-1840
This helmet is the only one of its type to survive and is similar to those used at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This helmet underwent in depth conservation cleaning before display in the museum.