Elaine Smith's grandfather - Frederick Winchester, was born 6th June 1896 (died 1st June 1965) and went in to the 20th Hussars in the band playing the clarinet at the age of 14. Elaine has provided photos of the band from 1912, 1916 and 1919. He was also in Turkey with the regiment in 1920. Click Here For More Photos

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Click Here For More Photos

Mr Nick Baker has sent us some photographs of his father recently scanned from old negatives. Although not as old perhaps as some of our other Archives (below), they nonetheless predate most of us I'm sure. However, if anyone does recognise any individual on the photos we'd be delighted to hear from you. The period is around 1946/1947 and thought to be in Wuppertal. To see the full collection, Click Here

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Back in April Mitch Metcalfe posted this interesting story: " A few years ago whilst living in Wiltshire a friend of mine (a good bloke did his NS in the 16/5 L) suggested that I visit his home village to have a look at the church clock. The clock had been built by his grandfather, who was the village engineer/blacksmith/general handyman. The clock was an oddity having been made from all sorts of bits and pieces and odds and ends, and worth seeing. So one sunny summer day I took my lady friend and went to see it. The clock is on the village church in Wootton Rivers, which is a pretty chocolate box village. Full of thatched cottages and friendly yokels, with an excellent pub also worth a visit.

We went and saw the clock, and were suitably impressed, but then looking around the church I made a discovery. On one wall is a plaque, all the details of which escape me now. It had been presented to the family of L/Cpl Amor of the 14th Kings Hussars by members of the Regiment. L/Cpl Amor had been killed in action in the Boer war, if you have your copies of the Emperor's Chambermaids you will find the relevant action on pages 281 & 282. The plaque is made of brass and copper and has the Eagle set in relief. It was brightly polished and well looked after, all in all a very impressive memorial. So if you're down in that neck of the woods it's worth having a look at, and you can get an excellent pint and a meal at the pub. Wootton Rivers is set within a triangle between Marlborough and Pewsey and East court.
Enjoy the day. Mitch......... "

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Brian Hunter has recently followed up this visit and sent in the following photographs of the Church and of the Memorial: (Thanks to Mitch and Brian)

       

"I am trying to find any info on my Grandfather, 5563 Thomas Francis Magrath, 14th Hussars. A Private in 1906 and a Lance Serjeant in Great War. Moved from Meerut India to Mespotania, died at Kut 9th May 1916 and is on Basra Memorial. He was crack shot of the Regiment. I have a restored photo of 14th Hussars Pierrot Troup taken in India late 1800s and know my Grandmother but cant place Grandfather. Any advice/help appreciated.
Geoff Haisell."

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The date of this photo is unknown but Geoff does know that the lady sitting on the extreme right is his Grandmother. What is not so certain is which Gentleman is his Grandfather! From information from Grandmother "that he was a good banjo player" his sister believes that he is standing on extreme right - Geoff, however, is unsure and thinks that his Grandfather is more likely to be sitting (2nd from right) next to his wife.

If anyone can provide further information on the Troop, or anyone else in the photo, please get in touch. The full photo is reproduced below.

Peirrot Troop, 14th (King's) Hussars

Albert was born in Brentford, Essex, and the family know that he died of TB in 1937. He is buried in York Cemetery and received a full military funeral. The Iron Cross placed on his grave has long since gone.

Below is a photograph of the football team. Painted on the ball is 'Sqdn Football Cup 1927-1928 Winners B Sqn 14/20th Hrs'
See the Team members below the photo (do these names seem familiar?)
Below that is a phograph of Albert
If you have any information please get in touch

BACK ROW:Tpr Osborne,Tpr Taylor,Tpr Ward, Farrier Coath, Tpr King(Paula's Grandfather), Cpl Maddocks, Tpr Ponsford.
SEATED: Tpr Shaw, Sgt Underhill, Capt Moule MC, Cpl Blake, Tpr Palmer.
FRONT: Tpr Booker. Tpr Lane.

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Trooper Albert King

This is one of the best photographs that I have ever seen for clarity and the detail in the uniform and accoutrements.

Carol writes: "This is my Great Uncle, Francis William Paterson who I think served in 14th Hussars. The photograph belonged to my Grandmother, Francis's sister, she told me that he had been killed in the war, by that I assumed WWI. I searched the Catherine House Index for his birth certificate and that, to date, is the only information I have, that is until an email from Patrick and he has identified the uniform and the medals (I'm swinging from the rafters.)

Details from birth certificate:

Registration district	Shoreditch, sub district of Haggerston, County of Middlesex
Birth Date	8th May 1883
Place	1 Mill Row, Haggerston
Name	Francis William
Father	David James Paterson, Printer
Mother	Emma Matilda Paterson formerly Sheppard
Registration Date	18th June 1883

Who knows someone somewhere may have more information about him.
Regards,
Carol
"

Sadly not the clearest of pictures but nonetheless very interesting. This was sent in by Arnie Greenwood with the hope that someone can date it from the Austin cars in the background. The text below the picture is virtually illegible and is therefore repeated below the photo:


MILITARY LEADERS WITNESSING MECHANICAL MANOEUVRES OF FAMOUS CAVALRY REGIMENTS
Experience gained under modern conditions of warfare from 1914 to 1918 has resulted in the depreciation of cavalry as an effective fighting force. Some of the crack cavalry corps are now mounted in small Whippettanks and Austin cars. Brigadier-General W.T. Hodgson (second figure from left) is seen here inspecting detachments of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, comprising the 14/20th Hussars and the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, at Aldershot prior to their departure for autumn manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain.

I was up in Nottingham on the weekend and visited one of the markets which spring up all over the place. Going through a box of old badges I came across this: I recognized the 'eagle' but not the '26th Hussars'. I picked up the badge out of curiosity.

Having got back home, I did some research and found that this Regiment was raised on the 1st February, 1941 in India at Nira Barracks, Poona. The initial drafts coming from the 14th/20th King's Hussars. The 25th Dragoons were formed at the same time. The main reason these Regiments were raised was the lack of armour in the far east. The rest of the 26th was made up from infantry and other units serving in India at the same time. Most of them had been serving in India for seven years or more and morale was very low. This lowness of morale was quickly taken up by the new drafts coming out from UK. When the regiments were up to strength the old lags were sent back to 'Blighty'.

At the end of 1943 the 25th Dragoons were ordered into the front line. They were moved to Araken with a great deal of secrecy. There they proved at the 'Battle of Admin Box' that tanks could operate in the jungle. During this same period the 26th Hussars had been ordered to mobilize for war, they were supplied with 37mm and 75mm ammo, and all the tanks were loaded ready. Morale was very high and then came the order that the 26th Hussars were to be disbanded.

Most of them were used to reinforce the 3rd Carabiniers. The rest went to Special Forces later known as The Chindits. The 3rd Carbs of course won many Battle Honours, 13 I think in Burma.

Quite interesting I think, I never knew that there was such a Regiment as the 26th Hussars. They were officially disbanded in 1948.

Most of the article that I have written was obtained from A Burma star veteran. Trooper M L Connelly No 7945760. He started his service at Bovey, with the 52nd Training Regiment, went on to serve with 26th Hussars, 3rd Carabiniers and also various other units within the RAC finishing with the Demonstration Squadron, Warminster.

The rest I researched from the Web.

I Wonder if there are any more oldies from the 26th out there ?

All the best for now,

Jim Rudge.

Jim describes it as a 'Shako (which I think is a hat) Badge'.

Who can fill us in with information on this?



'Mit Gott Fur Koenig Und Vaterland'

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Phil Tonks has supplied us with this message - thank's Phil.

I believe that this particular badge was the one worn on all Prussian Regimental Helmets in the German Army up to and including the Great War. It should have been shaped in a roundish way to fit the front of a Kaiser Wilhelm type helmet or "Pickelhaube" as they were known. I stress, also, the word Prussian, as some other areas had their own variation. I used to have a "Pickelhaube" with this very badge on it until I was persuaded to sell it round about 1984. It has no regimental connotation unless you say that any connection with the Preussens Adler is included.

Patrick

I was looking at the ARC website and found that you are researching the 14th. My grandfather, William George Green, joined the Hussars at the age of 14 (he falseified his birth)and was discharged in about 1920. He most certainly served in Persia and India. My Father and Aunt both have a few pictures and memorabilia, including some medals.

What I currently have is a wonderful picture of my Grandfather with his horse. See the attachment.

I would like to learn more about the 14th myself, and will certainly ask my father if he has any information that he will share with you.

Chris Green

Dear Patrick,
My name is Gary King, living in Ontario, Canada. I noticed your web site tonite, and thought perhaps you might have some information about a cotton flash that I have come across in an old family bible, enscribed with 14th(king's) Hussars.
My Grandfather's mother's father, Thomas Snook was born Aug 9, 1858, presumably in the UK. We do not know much more about him.
I have his Holy Bible in which his name and address are inscribed as follows:

Mr Thomas Snook
9 Westbourn Grove
West St
Bedminister
Bristol

Inside the Bible there is a 3" x 1 3/4" 14th (Kings)Hussars cotton flash. It has Blue and Purple badge containing insignia of Purple Bird & Leaves on Beige Background; with the words 14th (Kings)Hussars in Blue across bottom of the Beige Flash. A photo of this flash is attached.
Was this flash used over a period of years? By whom? What did it signify?
Are there Lists that we can review, to determine if there were any Snook's in the 14th (Kings Hussars) during this period?
Any advice, history, or sugggestions are most welcome.
Sincerely, Gary King, Burlington, Ontario.

Hi Patrick,
I've only just found out some info on a relative of a friend of mine. His name was Joseph Wallace Hardy, and he served with the Hussars during the First World War. His number was #6968, and he was a resident of Howden-le-Wear, Co Durham. He died in Mesopotamia on 17 February 1917. This info conflicts with some that we'd found earlier, where we'd been informed that he'd been killed in 1915 on the forced march from the siege of Kut-al-Amara... looks like he was (briefly) one of the lucky ones.
I've attached a photo of Wallace (he's the one on the right - don't know who his friend is) - if you find any more information on the Hussars' involvement in the Mesopotamia campaign during this time, I would love to know.
Regards, Debbie Minto


Followed By: Back from my weekend away, and I have a bit more info on Wallace Hardy.
In your last Email you asked what evidence we have for thinking that Wallace died on the route march from Kut-al-Amara. Unfortunately, we have no written evidence (any letter or telegram having been lost over the years) - my friend, Margaret, whose uncle Wallace was, was told by her late mother and father that this was the case. In doing a little research on her own, she found out very little about the siege of Kut except that it was supposed to have been in 1915, which is when she assumed Wallace had died. All in all not a great deal, I'm sure you'll agree!!!

We're more convinced that the records stand as correct, as the information we have has been mostly "family folklore" and (it appears) mis-information about Kut. Any further information you could give us about the 14th Hussars involvement in Kut, and in India around the time of Wallace's career with them, would be gratefully received. Unfortunately, we don't know Wallace's date of birth (looking into it with the record office at Bishop Auckland, his place of birth at the moment), but we believe he was 23 or 24 when he died, so it would have been about 1893 or 1894 (assuming that THIS information is correct about his age!!).

However, the one thing that we have found is the photo of him in his dress uniform (he is the chap seated on the right - we have no idea who his friend is - it's not the same chap as on the photo taken in India, and his uniform is completely different). It's not in such good condition as the other photo, but still quite interesting - hope you think so too.

Warm regards, Debbie Minto