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

  A rare pad cheek horse bit. In steel with cast brass bosses to either side. Garter edging with the script "SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY" and a Victorian crown in the centre. Dating from the mid-Victorian period. Although the name for the regiment started to appear as being the shorter version, the South Notts Hussars, from the mid-1870s, it was not officially named as such until 1903. It may well be the case that equipment such as this horse bit was still marked with the official name of the South Notts Yeomanry Cavalry right up until the end of the 19th century; as such, the exact date of this horse bit is hard to pin down. That said, the construction of the steel scrollwork can be seen on examples attributed to dating from around the 1870s; as such, this piece was most probably made in that period.  Along with two charger throat plumes, one with black horsehair, the other with red and white horsehair. Before 1897, the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry used ...

Many people still believe that the RAF base at Watnall, the underground Control Room, and Headquarters of Fighter Command 12 Group took part in the most important air battle in history, the Battle of Britain 1940, where the German Luftwaffe attempted to defeat the RAF and then be in a position to force the UK to surrender or leave it open to invasion. Some of the most highly respected books on the subject of the Battle of Britain name Watnall as being the location of 12 Group Headquarters during the battle. In the modern world of online research, several historical research websites list Watnall as the location of the control room for the battle, as do some local historians. So why is this? RAF Hucknall had been in operation since the First World War. Over time, its role with the RAF changed. It was to become a training centre for flight crews and involved in aircraft repair and research in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and by 1939, it was the location of the ...

  Possibly the earliest item relating to the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry in existence. The sword of the regiment's first commander, and captain of the Retford Troop, Anthony Hardolph Eyre.Previously a time served professional soldier, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the 1st Foot Guards in 1776, made Captain in 1778, and rose to be the regiments    Lieutenant-Colonel in 1787. Retiring from the regular army in 1790. With the Government establishing the Yeomanry cavalry volunteer force in 1794, he became Captain of the newly formed Retford Troop, and  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the whole Corps receiving the Regiments Standard in Nottingham's Market Place in 1795.  It is fair to assume that from his previous military career,  Anthony Hardolph Eyre already owned a number of swords. It may stand as good testament to how seriously he took his new role in 1794 as the  Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the new...

  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...