Better by Far a Cumberland Hussar

Colin Bardgett
�16.95

Anyone interested in local, military or family history will find this book a mine of information. From the early days of the Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomantry in the 18th century this book traces the story of some of the north's finest young men.
The author has thoroughly researched his subject. The book is illustrated with almost 80 photographs which in themselves give a marvellous insight into the life and times of a Westmorland & Cumberland Yeoman. Signed by the author.

Published by :	Hayloft Publishing
Published Date :	2001
Pages :	96
Format :	Large paperback.
Illustrations :	b&w photographs.
ISBN :	954071115

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Review

'On Whit Tuesday, 1839, a troop of mounted cavalry in full regalia but mounted ready for action proceeded down Castle Street towards Carlisle Castle. In front of them was a procession of Chartists with flags and banners flying. They had marched up from Caldewgate as part of a campaign demanding universal voting rights. There was a tense moment as cavalry officers and protest leaders faced each other and then the crowd stood aside and the cavalry moved on to the Castle.
The cavalry was composed of volunteers from the Penrith and Appleby area who had enlisted in the Westmorland Yeomanry.
Three months later they were called to a more serious incident in Botcherby when officers faced a hostile mob of Chartists who were throwing stones and howling abuse. But, staying cool and well disciplined under the assault, the Yeomanry made their way into the Bull Inn where they had their temporary headquarters.
They were uneasy times. Troops of yeomanry had been established up and down the country after the Peterloo riots in Manchester twenty years earlier. After meeting at various places the Cumberland and Westmorland made their headquarters in Penrith. For most of the period their duties consisted in fortnightly assemblies for squad drill. There appears to have been a strong spirit of camaraderie and the drilling was a good excuse for a day out with the lads.
But matters were also taken very seriously and there was pride in military discipline. There needed to be. The splendidly clad horsemen were equipped with a light cavalry sabre which had a 32inch curved blade and they carried a 17 bore, nine-inch flintlock holster pistol.
Five years later, in 1846, the Yeomanry were called on to quell another potentially dangerous situation. Irish navvies working on the Lancaster Carlisle Railway were incensed by the treatment one of their fellow countrymen had received in Yanwath. A mob of five to six hundred armed with blackthorns marched south through Penrith to take revenge on the English navvies. They were placated by the colonel, but rioting did break out in Penrith as the English, armed with scythes and pitchforks, returned in force. The Riot Act was read and the cavalry cleared the streets.
There were few incidents like this and the Cumberland and Westmorland Yeomanry saw little active service until the Boer War when first the Lowther Troop and then others volunteered for their first overseas service.
Further service was necessary in the First and Second World Wars and large numbers of the Yeomanry gave their lives for their country.
Colin Bardgett has assembled the history of the Cumberland and Westmorland Yeomanry from regimental records and old newspaper reports. It is the story of a developing military tradition. There are full listings of Rolls of Honour and medals but there are also many contemporary first-hand accounts of the soldiers' experiences at home and abroad.' - Steve Matthews, Bookcase.

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