15 replies to this topic

[odin432]

Hi
I need a little help here, I found one of my Great Uncles on the 1911 census serving in South Africa with the 15th Hussars, his name is Arthur W  Harris, No 46403 I cannot find his service record but know he was a cpl of saddle ? as a trade in the 1911, as ex Infantry I know nothing about the Cav units, any help would be great as im trying to put togeather my family war history down in black and white
Thanks Dave

[munster]

Hi Dave he has a Medal Index Card on ancestry link below,went overseas into theatre of war 16/8/14 dont say which.john
http://search.ancest...&recoff=9 10 11
You will see on link below his unit landed Rouen 18/8/14 he was a couple of days ahead
http://www.1914-1918.net/hussars.htm
Dave i also could find no service or pension records for him,you may know the majority of records were lost in an air raid in 1940.Referance to 1938 on MIC is to the issueing of clasp and roses for his 1914 star. His 15th Hussars Reg Number was 4763 then 46403 Corps of Hussars.

[Cam]

Hi Dave,
Here is a link to the Light Dragons Association. Look at the enquiries section
for a downloadable history of the 15th Hussars.
http://www.lightdragoons.org.uk/
Regards
Cam

[ianw]

There is a good history of the 15th Hussars available which will tell you the full story of this regiment in the Great War.

[odin432]

Thanks Guys
I am going to get the book, and checking out the web site of the light Dragoons, I have found that there is a museum in Newcastle but thats to far for me to go,

[Steven Broomfield]

In an appendix to the book Ian mentions, The History of the 15th the King's Hussars, 1914-22 (Lord Carnock, MC), H/46403 Saddler Corporal A Harris is mentioned as having been wounded. No date unfortunately.

I'd also agree with Ian's recommendation: it's a very good book indeed 9and a very good regiment, too). I believe it's available as a reprint from naval & Military Press.

The Museum's pretty good, too. I was there before C*******s and will be (I hope) visiting again in a couple of weeks while collecting daughter from University.

[ianw]

Well done Steven. I should have had a look in the various appendices of the 15th H history but couldn't immediately put my hand on my copy.

By the way, I have a copy as my G.father was in the 19th Hussars who were brigaded with the 15th and eventually amalgamated with them. The history has mentions of the 19th who didn't manage a history of their own.

I think the museum in Newcastle has material on both the 15th and 19th - including pics of my GF that I had never seen before.

As regards books I would also recommend "Hussar of the Line" which is about the 19th H but brilliantly describes the domestic arrangements of any hussar regiment (literally) just before WW1. It closes as the regiment leaves the barracks for war in August 1914.

[Steven Broomfield]

ianw, on 02 March 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

I think the museum in Newcastle has material on both the 15th and 19th - including pics of my GF that I had never seen before.

As regards books I would also recommend "Hussar of the Line" which is about the 19th H but brilliantly describes the domestic arrangements of any hussar regiment (literally) just before WW1. It closes as the regiment leaves the barracks for war in August 1914.

It really is a good museum, and I'm quite chuffed to have an opportunity to visit again so soon. Good old Harriet! I won't have a lot of time, but if there's anything you want me to look at while I'm there, if I have time I'm more than happy to.

The amalgamation between the two regiments wasn't too happy at first: in the museum is an item which confused me -  copy of Standing Orders from about 1935 (in India), in which the regiment is referred to as the 15th The King's Hussars. despite having the elephant badge of the 19th also stamped on the document, it is obviously referring only to the 15th.

I discovered, reading Richard Holmes's last book ("Warriors"?), that the Colonel of the Regiment, Chetwode, an ex-15th Hussar, persuaded george V that the 15th/19th wished to revert to the title of the 15th. The King agreed, and it was sanctioned, only for the 19th's ex-officers to kick off big time, resulting in the King having to reverse the decision after a year or two. Rather fun.

As for the "Hussar of the Line", I have seen a copy for sale in a second-hand shop in Winchester and intend to purchase tomorrow if I can get into town. I've read good reports of it. Interestingly, the 15th and the 19th both spent the war together in the 9th Cavalry brigade (1st Cavalry Division), both having been Divisional Cavalry in 1914. Happy coincidence.

[ianw]

Yes, and the 15th/19th they remained!

Steven -  You will really enjoy "Hussar of the Line".  My grandfather features on the regimental drum-horse as the frontispiece picture - although with his name misspelt as Livingstone rather than Levingston. But he does look splendid!

[odin432]

WOW Thanks Steven
Looking at my family history I have dicovered that all of my Grandfathers brothers joined the Army before the Great war, its just a shame that only the service record for one of them surived the ww2 bombing, so it looks at the moment 2 wounded and one died of wounds and one suffering from Malaria, not good out of the four that went to war, upside three surived, out of the whole Family severn went and four did not return, including my Great grandfather Albert Edward Jones 19th Royal Welsh Fusillers killed in action at Bourdon Wood 24th November 1917.
Thanks for all your help Guys
Dave

[ianw]

odin432, on 03 March 2012 - 03:41 AM, said:

..... including my Great grandfather Albert Edward Jones 19th Royal Welsh Fusillers killed in action at Bourdon Wood 24th November 1917.
Dave

...  and of course, the 15th Hussars (and the 19th!) were actively engaged at Bourlon Wood in November 1917.

[odin432]

Thanks Ian
Looks like I have a lot of reading to do, I have The History of the 15th Hussars on order now, and hunting down the historys of the other units that family members were serving in.

[Steven Broomfield]

ianw, on 02 March 2012 - 09:53 PM, said:

Steven -  You will really enjoy "Hussar of the Line".  

Sadly, I'm going to have to wait to find out. They'd only sold it two weeks ago!

I should have bought it when I saw it, but I had a daughter stalking me, so I was in a bit of a difficult situation. I shall keep my eye open on the 2nd hand lists.

[ianw]

Steven,

I think that "Hussar of the Line" is not too uncommon - but if needs be, you are welcome to a lend of my copy.

[Steven Broomfield]

That's very kind - I'll see what I can turn up, but I might take you up on that offer.

[odin432]

Hussars of the line on Amazon is about £60, I had a look yesterday but wife was looking over my shoulder and said NO to much