1 YORKS History
The foundation of the regiment is traced back to 22 June 1685 with the raising of the 14th and 15th, two of nine new regiments of foot, raised to meet the Monmouth rebellion.
THE PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN REGIMENT OF YORKSHIRE
(14TH AND 15TH FOOT)
The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire was formed on 25th April, 1958 by the amalgamation of the West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince Of Wales's Own) and the East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own). Following amalgamation the Regiment conducted three tours in Aden, two in Bosnia, six in Northern Ireland and one in Sierra Leone (2000).
1 YORKS Historic Images
THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (THE PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
(14TH FOOT)
The Regiment was raised on the 22nd June, 1685, as the 14th Regiment of Foot and saw arduous service under King William lll, taking a prominent part in the capture of Namur (1695). The Regiment served as Marines in the Channel and West India Fleets and in 1791 it was serving in Jamaica. It was one of the first British Regiments sent to Flanders and took a notable part in the Battle of Famars (1793). At this battle the Colonel ordered his drummers to strike up the 'Ca Ira', which the French were then playing, and called out, "Come on lads; we'll break them to their own....tune!"
The Regiment took part in the capture of Mauritius (1810) and Java (1811) and for its distinguished services in India (1826) the Regiment was granted the badge of the Royal Tiger subscribed 'India'. There followed further service in the West Indies, Canada, Malta, the Crimea (1855), New Zealand (1860-1866), Afghanistan (1879-1880) and South Africa (1899-1902).
In 1876 the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward Vll, conferred on the Regiment the title of 'The Prince of Wales's Own' and in 1881 the Regiment was given the county title of the West Yorkshire Regiment and the Depot was established in York.
During the First World War (1914-1918) the Regiment raised thirty-seven battalions of which twenty-four served overseas. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded and the 8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion was rewarded for its gallant conduct at the assault of the Montagne de Bligny by the award of the French Croix de Guerre. In all over 13,000 officers and other ranks lost their lives.
During the Second World War the Regiment saw action in Burma, (including the battle for Imphal), Eritrea, Egypt, including El Alamein, and Java. Post 1945 the Regiment served in Malaya and in the Suez operations.
THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (THE DUKE OF YORK'S OWN)
(15TH FOOT)
The Regiment was raised on 22nd June, 1685 as the 15th Regiment of Foot and saw early service in Scotland and Flanders. In 1702 it formed part of Marlborough's Army and took a prominent part in the battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Malplaquet and Oudenarde.
During the Seven Year's War the Regiment took the fortress of Louisberg (1758) and was present at Quebec (1759) when General Wolfe was killed. The Officers of the Regiment have marked his death ever since with a black border to their badges and black lines on their stable belt. Further campaigns followed in Martinique, Havannah and the American War of Independence (1776-1778), during which time the Regiment gained its nickname 'The Snappers'. From 1790 to 1810 the Regiment served almost continuously in the West Indies and did not see active service again for over 60 years. In 1881, as part of the Cardwell Reforms, the 15th Regiment of Foot was renamed the 'East Yorkshire Regiment' and deployed to South Africa in 1900.
During the First World War the Regiment raised twenty-one battalions. A memorial to the 9,000 fallen men of the Regiment stands in the Soldiers' Chapel within Beverley Minster. Four Victoria Crosses were awarded to men of the Regiment. In 1935 the Regiment was granted the additional title of 'The Duke of York's Own'. During the second World War the Regiment saw action in Dunkirk, the Middle East, Sicily and Burma. The Regiment had two battalions (the 2nd and the 5th) in the first wave of the assault on the Normandy Beaches in 1944. Post 1945 the Regiment served in Palestine, Malaya and Germany.