Swindon is home to a squadron of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (Prince of Wales' Own) - a key part of the Territorial Army.

Swindon Borough Council bestowed the freedom of the Borough of Swindon on the regiment in 2002 - acknowledging the 207-year relationship between the regiment and the people of Wiltshire and re-affirming Swindon's continuing support in the future.

A Distinguished History

The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry can trace its origins back to 4 June 1794. On this date, at a meeting at the Bear Hotel in Devizes, the decision was made to create a body of Yeomanry Cavalry in Wiltshire. Initially consisting of ten troops acting independently, a single regiment was formed in 1797 by Lord Bruce. That regiment was named The Regiment of Wiltshire Yeomanry Cavalry.

During its early history, the regiment's first main role was to assist local magistrates in keeping order.

In 1831 it was allowed to use the title 'Royal' and in 1863, having escorted the Prince of Wales on a visit to Savernake, the regiment was awarded the title 'Prince of Wales' Own Royal Regiment'. Since then, the regiment has proudly worn the Prince of Wales's feathers as its main badge.

In 1899, the Imperial Yeomanry was formed in response to the rise of the Boers in South Africa - The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (PWO) providing three companies for its 1st Regiment.

In 1914 The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (PWO) was mobilized at Winchester and, from 1915 to 1918 saw service in the First World War as both Cavalry and Infantry.

In 1917 the regiment became the 6th Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment and in 1920 it reformed as cavalry.

During the Second World War, the regiment was involved in further action: first in Palestine in 1939 as part of 1st Cavalry Division, and then in 1941 B Squadron became a Searchlight Unit and was besieged in Tobruk; whilst the remaining squadrons were involved in operations in the Syrian Desert, Iraq and Iran.

At the end of 1941 the regiment was re-roled as an armoured regiment in 9 Armoured Brigade under the command of 2 New Zealand Division. In recognition of that close association, The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (PWO) continues to wear the 'fern leaf' flash on their Blue Patrols to this day.

At EI Alamein The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (PWO) had the honour of being the first British tank regiment to engage the enemy.

In 1944, the regiment moved on to Italy and saw yet more action in the break out from Monte Cassino. Later it was withdrawn to England under the Python scheme to become a training regiment.

Between 1947 and 1954 the regiment was reformed as an anti-tank regiment in the Royal Armoured Corps. It then became an armoured regiment before converting to armoured cars in 1958.

The regiment continued that role until 1967 when it was reduced to a squadron and became 'A' - The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry (PWO) - Squadron The Royal Yeomanry.

With the raising of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry in 1970 B Squadron was designated a Wiltshire Yeomanry Squadron.

The Regiment Today

The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry now consists of two squadrons: A Squadron in Swindon, and B Squadron in Salisbury.

A (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Squadron, based at Church Place, Swindon, is one of the Royal Yeomanry’s two NBC squadrons acting as reserves to the Joint NBC Regiment

The squadron's primary role is to provide vitally important decontamination skills, and to provide reinforcements for chemical and nuclear reconnaissance.

The squadron has an active sporting and social life, with members of the squadron playing football, sailing, skiing or riding.

If you are interested in the regiment, then you can visit them at Church Place on any Wednesday evening from 7.30pm.

Further Information

See the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry website (www.rwya.co.uk).