Watnall Troop S.N.Y.C. local history

  Two very rare books by Thomas Kirkland  (1721 - 1798)  given to Lancelot Rolleston  (1737 - 1802) by the author have recently come to light. In the library of Watnall Hall from the 1790's till sold off in 1954, they were discovered in Jersey by a book dealer in 2022. In the sale of the contents of Watnall Hall held in December 1954, they were described as  --  437 Kirkland (Thomas) A Commentary on Paralytic Affections , full calf, London 1792 438 Kirkland (Thomas) Essay on different branches of Medicine, half calf Both books have personal dedications inside to Lancelot Rolleston  from Thomas Kirkland . It is often found that libraries in such Great Halls and Houses have a family book label to the inside of the front board with name and crest of the family. Neither of these books do, which suggests that the Rollestons of Watnall Hall did not choose to have library labels made. Unless any of the many other books sold in the auction have personal d...

  Henry Strutt, 2nd Baron Belper, originally a Liberal Politician for Derbyshire was made Lieutenant - Colonel of the S.N.Y.C. in 1879 replacing Colonel Earl Manvers. A position he held until 1896 when he was replaced by Colonel Lancelot Rolleston. He became a member of the House of Lords in 1880 replacing his father.  In 1882, Lords Belper presented for use by the Regiment,a large silver trophy which was to become known as, The Colonel's Challenge Cup. A competition established by Lord Belper to be held each year to promote friendly rivalry between the Squadrons and promote high standards of efficiency. Four members from each Troop would compete to be adjudged the best for display, the best efficiency, smartness, cleanliness and best horsed. Each year, the winning troop's captain would be the holder of the cup until competed for again the following year. At the start of the following year's competition, the cup was placed on the officers' me...

 Silver medal presented to members of the Nottingham Troop by Lord Newark in 1802 in commemoration of their important services.  Along with many other Regiments, the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry was established in 1794 in response to fears of a French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars as a potential home defence force. Organised into four Troops including the Nottingham Troop. The S.N.Y. never saw service against the French, but while established did take on the role as a civil defence force for civil unrest. In April1795 the Nottingham Town Troop assisted the Inniskilling Dragoons in quelling the Nottingham Bread Riots. The Regiment was again called in to assist the Army, this time  the 12th Light Dragoons in further rioting in 1796. Two more riots occurred in 1800, the first in April quickly quelled by the Yeomanry, and a more serious riot in August which lasted for three days and involved looting shops and granaries. This riot was...

 The Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal is a particularly rare medal, only 1674 awarded, 56 of which were awarded to the South Notts Hussars.Over fifty Yeomanry Regiments qualified for the award to their members. Authorized by King Edward VII in 1904, and awarded for 10 years service with the Yeomanry, and attending 10 annual camps. In use only for a short period of time being replaced by the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1908, the Yeomanry having been transferred to the newly created Territorial Force in 1908.  522 Sgt John Goode appeared on the 1894 Muster for D (Wollaton) Squadron. Sgt Goode did not go with the Regiment to South Africa in 1901, possibly due to his age or occupation.  The first presentations of the Imperial Yeomanry Long Service Medal to the South Notts Hussars occurred in 1905. At the annual church parade at the regimental church of St' Mary's,Sunday,May 14th Colonel Rolleston had a muster of nearly four hundred....

 A silver cigarette holder with lidded compartments either side, one lid engraved with the badge of the South Notts Hussars, the other engraved with the details, "Non Commissioned Mess, South Notts Hussars, from Colonel C.W. Trotter 1912".  Hallmarked for London 1903, and with the maker's mark of Joseph Brahma.   This presentation was most likely made by Colonel Trotter at the time of the Non Commissioned Officers Mess opening at the new Territorial Army Headquarters, the Drill Hall on Derby Road Nottingham.  The Drill Hall was completed in around 1910. A fine quality baroque revival style building with drill / parade ground to the rear. Officially opened by General Sir John French, February 22nd 1912. Whilst in Nottingham for the opening ceremony, General Sir John French was the guest of the newly Knighted Sir Lancelot Rolleston and his wife, Maud Rolleston at Watnall Hall. The Territorial Headquarters was now the new headquarters of the So...

 The Troopers of South Notts Yeomanry had been armed with the flintlock 1794 pattern Light Dragoon Pistol. A pistol with a nine inch barrel of .65 inch bore. An observed example of which is a privately purchased pistol, not uncommon for Yeomanry units,and therefore does not bear the Crown over G.R. to the lock, and is engraved "NOTTS YEOMANRY" to the side nail plate. Presumably the Ordnance also supplied flintlock Light Dragoon Pistols to the Regiment at a later stage.  With changes to the arms carried by regular cavalry regiments, the issuing of pistols to the regular cavalry ceased in 1838 in favour of the more powerful carbine with the new percussion ignition system. This also prevented the ordnance from having to replace all of the flintlock pistols with the new percussion ignition system. At this point, the ordnance started to convert its stores of flintlock firearms over to the new percussion ignition system.  On 13th May 1844, the...