Description
An Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine campaigns 1914-1920 British War Medal awarded to Private Ernest L. White, Hertfordshire Yeomanry, (2341 Pte. E. L. White Herts Yeo), heavily toned very fine
The Herts Yeomanry’s involvement in The Great War came about through a reorganisation of the United Kingdom’s Territorial Forces in 1914. Upon the outbreak of war, many men serving in the Yeomanry (a home service unit) volunteered for ‘Imperial Service’ overseas, and as a result, the Herts Yeomanry, like many other Territorial Force units was split into two; the 1/1 and 2/1 Hertfordshire Yeomanry.
The 1/1 was the fighting arm, it comprised of men who had volunteered to serve overseas. The 2/1 remained a ‘home service’ unit and did so throughout the war.
The 1/1 Hertfordshire Yeomanry was mobilised in August 1914 as part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade. In January 1915 the Yeomanry embarked for service in Egypt where it was absorbed into the Yeomanry Mounted Brigade.
As a fighting unit, the Yeomanry first saw action in the infamous Gallipoli campaign, where they acted as dismounted cavalry through most of the campaign. Remaining in theatre until the withdrawal of British and Commonwealth Forces, they returned to Egypt in December of 1915, having suffered significant numbers of casualties.
In 1916 the 1/1 Hertfordshire Yeomanry was split up into its constituent Squadrons. ‘A Squadron’ would go on to serve in Palestine as part of the British 54th Division’s mounted troops. ‘B Squadron’ would return to the UK with the 11th Division before later seeing service again in Egypt and later with their ‘A Squadron’ comrades in Palestine. ‘D Squadron’ were employed for much of the war in the ‘Mesopotamia’ theatre of Operations and spent time with the North Persia Force (in modern day Iraq) as part of the 13th Division Cavalry.
Sold with copy Medal Index Card and Copy Medal Rolls
