Yeomanry

Yeomanry, a British force of cavalry for home defence, a large proportion of which, however, volunteered for service in South Africa in 1899-1901, and did admirable work in the field. The 'Imperial Yeomanry' there (mounted infantry rather than cavalry, in strictness) included a large number of new recruits not already in the yeomanry, and amounted in all to 79 companies. The normal number of the yeomanry at home has been about 12,000. The force, now forming 38 regiments and 18 brigades, was originally formed during the wars of the French Revolution, and then comprised infantry as well as cavalry; but all the infantry corps, and many of the cavalry, were disbanded after the peace of 1814. The organisation of the corps is by counties, under the lords-lieutenant. Troops are raised and drilled locally, and then assembled by regiments for training (eight days). The men provide their own horses and uniform, receive annually a clothing and contingent allowance of £2 a man, and draw during the annual training 2s. a day for forage, besides a subsistence allowance of 7s. a day. If called out for permanent duty, they receive cavalry pay, with forage allowance. Unlike the volunteers, yeomanry can be called out in aid of the civil power; and in time of invasion, or apprehended invasion, the sovereign may embody them for service in any part of Great Britain. When serving they are subject to military law under the provisions of the Army Act of 1881, and are then on the same footing as regular soldiers.