A HISTORY OF DORSET 



In 1879 the Yeomanry did not assemble for 'permanent duty' owing 

 to the depressed condition of agriculture. It then consisted of six troops, 

 viz. the Dorchester, Melbury, Blackmoor Vale, Sherborne, Blandford, and 

 Wimborne troops.^ 



In 1893 the regiment was formed in two squadrons, the field troops of 

 Melbury, Sherborne, and Dorchester having head quarters at Maiden Newton, 

 and those of Blandford, Wimborne, and the vale of Blackmoor having head- 

 quarters at Blandford. 



In 1 90 1 the Queen's Own Dorsetshire Yeomanry was again reorganized 

 and formed in three squadrons, with head quarters at Dorchester, Sherborne, 

 and Blandford respectively. There is also a machine-gun section.* 



A meeting was held at Dorchester on New Year's Day, 1900, in 

 response to the Government's demand for 10,000 Imperial Yeomanry. By 

 8 January 120 men had applied to join the company, 115 only being 

 required from each county. A machine-gun section was also formed, with 

 two Colt guns, mounted on galloping carriages.' The company was ordered 

 to form part of the seventh battalion of Imperial Yeomanry. They entrained 

 at Dorchester, 28 February, and reached the front 7 April. On 18 April a 

 reinforcing draft, consisting of one officer and fourteen non-commissioned 

 officers, was sent out. Altogether, there served in South Africa, of the 

 original Dorset Yeomanry, ten officers and 1 1 5 non-commissioned officers 

 and troopers, two non-commissioned officers and twelve men of the machine- 

 gun section, the above-mentioned draft of April, 1900, and a 1901 draft 

 consisting of one lieutenant and seventy-two men. The casualties were 

 twenty-four, including two killed in action. To the 26th Company of 

 Imperial Yeomanry Dorset contributed seven officers and their thirteen 

 servants, and seven non-commissioned officers and men, with a reinforcing 

 draft of one lieutenant, one corporal, and thirteen troopers.* 



On arrival in South Africa the Dorset Yeomanry acted temporarily 

 under General Sir Leslie Rundle, and took part in the operations for the 

 relief of Wepener. In May, joining Lord Roberts's army at Kroonstad, 

 they advanced along the ruined railway lines on Vereeniging, across the 

 Vaal. The Dorsets were the first to cross into Transvaal territory at this 

 point. They participated in the advance on Johannesburg and Pretoria. 

 After the armistice of early June they took part in the Diamond Hill action, 

 and later some of the force formed part of the Pretoria garrison. Later 

 they joined in the chase of De Wet, and were thus constantly on the move. 

 They had the honour of protecting the retirement after Nooitgedacht,' 

 during which action they had been under fire fourteen hours, and in the 

 saddle twenty-six hours. In January, 1901, they were in the action at 

 Middlefontein. Much uneventful trekking followed, chiefly in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Naauwport. They then took part in the operations in the 

 Western Transvaal. New drafts of yeomanry, drawn from a somewhat 

 different class of men, were sent out in May, 1901, and the original Dorset 

 Yeomanry was then ordered home. The battalion left Cape Town on 

 3 June, 1 90 1, and arrived at Southampton 25 June. 



'Gage, Dorset yeomanry, 175. 'Royal Warrant, Yeomanry Reorganization, 1901. 



' Gage, Dorset Yeomanry, 75-9, * Ibid. Appendix C. 



' Ibid. 127-30. 



