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

  Another Martini-Henry Cavalry carbine has come to light recently marked to the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. The butt stamped, Y over NTT.S over 236. Previously recorded was an identical carbine with identical marking, but with the individual number of 166. It is still unclear as to whether the "S" refers to Sherwood, or South for either of the two respective  Yeomanry regiments of Nottinghamshire. Some swords with similar markings with the "Y", and "NTT" have also had "SN", and presumably, swords issued to the Sherwood Rangers would be marked "SR", but the observed carbines only carry "S". It may be that both units were supplied with firearms from the same armoury somewhere in Nottinghamshire, and therefore firearms were only marked as belonging to the Notts Yeomanry, rather than one, or the other of the two regiments.  Both carbines carry a store's date in the 1880's, one clearly marked 1886, the last digit on the othe...

 A pair of cased field glasses by one of the worlds best optic makers, Ross of London. One tube engraved "S.N.H.", the other with the issue number of "66". The case lid stamped "S.N.H.", and the base with the same issue number of "66". Also written at the base of the case, "Cpl.Walker". The writing now a  little faded, but the full lettering can be made out when held against angles of light. The set remains in excellent overall condition.  It would be interesting to know when the South Notts Hussars acquired these field glasses, and how many. With this one being number 66, maybe it was the case that every man was issued a set, or maybe just the Officers and N.C.O.s. Were they may be purchased by the South Notts Hussars in their preparations to embarch for South Africa, field glasses being of much use for mounted troops in the vast expanses of land across the South African landscape.  George Walker was born in the Parish St Marys Notting...

 Shorthose's Queen's South Africa medal along with the five bars he was entitled to, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, and South Africa 1902. His medal records his rank of Corporal, and his number, 20299.  One of the local volunteers taken to the South African campaign by Captain Rolleston William Belfield Shorthouse was born in Cotmanhay Derbyshire 5th July 1878. In the 1881 census, at the age of 2 he is shown as living with his family in 4 Church Street Ilkeston along with his parents and several siblings. After his schooling, William went to work for his father, a successful local timber and coal merchant and Colliery proprietor.  William had been serving with the 1/3rd Sherwood Foresters Militia Battalion. With the outbreak of the Boer War, and the following early setbacks on the front, the call went out for volunteers to join local yeomanry units to bolster numbers in the campaign. William completed his attestation forms fo...

 J.R. Gaunt of London and Birmingham, probably one of the world's most prolific badge makers, and during the first world war, maker to the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, and some of the war time Sherwood Foresters Territorial Battalions.  The standard Sherwood Foresters badge was a two part nickel and gilt brass badge. Until recent years, it was thought that the one piece S/F badge was part of the 1916 war economy drive to speed up, and reduce the costs of WW1 British cap badges. Many regimental badges which were two parts, two materials were simplified to a single brass stamping. Collectors had thought that the single piece brass Gaunt S/F badge was part of this scheme.  Badge collectors have since concluded that at some point, Gaunt was contracted to produce one piece brass badges for Nottingham's Yeomanry and Territorial Battalions. This contract may have been paid for privately, as all examples carry the commercial "J.R.GAUNT LONDON" make...

 A most wonderful object has surfaced recently relating to the underground control room at RAF Watnall.A painting for the purpose of aircraft recognition by the celebrated marine artist, Harold Wyllie M.B.E Supplied to the intelligence office, No 12 Group, RAF, this picture hung in the control room at Watnall, 1941 - 1945, or possibly even till 1946 when the group HQ was moved to RAF Newton.  Harold Wyllie, son of the famous artist of the same name, was mostly a painter of marine images, sail ships, Napoleonic battle scenes, etc. Born in London in 1898, he served as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps during WW1, was a founding member of the Royal Society of Marine Artist, and its vice-president in 1858, and was the Honourable Marine Painter to the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, 1934 - 1946. His numerous works of  Naval art are displayed in galleries and collections around the world.  Believed to be his only work relating to German Aircraft, it is...

 Thomas Savage was born in Kimberley in 1899 and lived with his family at 30 Alma Hill . Thomas served with the Sherwood Foresters and would go on to be awarded the decoration of, The Military Medal, for bravery in the field.  Thomas lived on Alma Hill with his father Joseph, his mother Sarah, his brother Joseph, and his sister Daisy.  Thomas joined up to serve in the Great war in 1916 at the age of 17 as a Private. Attested 19-6-1916, and sent to the Army Reserve, 20-6-1916.  with the service number, 46436, serving with the 4th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters. This unit took part in manning coastal defences along the Sunderland coast.  Given the new service number of 116436,  he was transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters which mobilized 22-4-1918 for service on the Western Front. The final months of the war saw some of the most fierce fighting of the whole conflict. The 10th Battalion saw action around Arras in 1918. O...

 One advantage of being a  Trooper serving in a Yeomanry Regiment was the awarding of prizes and trophies. The South Notts Yeomanry Cavalry like other Yeomanry regiments was led by members of the local gentry who could afford to present quality awards on parade days, training days and regimental competitions.  J.W. Thackeray was formerly in the 41st of Regiment Foot . He was made Cornet in the S.N.Y.C. on the 10th of March 1870 of "D", Bingham Troop. He appeared on the officers list for the regiment in January 1871 as such, and again in October 1871 as Cornet of the Bingham Troop. In May 1872, he presented a silver chalice to Sergeant Neale for being the "SMARTEST MAN Riding his own horse, BINGHAM TROOP S.N.Y.C.".  J.W. Thackery became Lieutenant Thackeray on the 1st of June 1873, and appeared on the 1875 Officers lst as such. In July1878 he was part of the parade which escorted His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales from Nottingham...