Live a life less ordinary
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry is the Nation’s Armoured Reserve. It operates the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank in support of the Armoured Regiments of the Regular Army.
Active from:
1 April 1971
Role:
Armour
Specialism:
Challenger 2
We train Challenger 2 commanders, loaders/operators, gunners and drivers. The Regiment also trains personnel in roles, such as combat medical technicians, administration specialists and chefs.
- Commanding a Main Battle Tank
- Operating tank weaponry
- Driving armoured vehicles
- Close combat
- Destruction of enemy Armour
We provide fully trained Challenger 2 Crews to support the Armoured Regiments of the Regular Army. We provide support to NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) on Operation Cabrit (Estonia) and to peace keeping duties on Operation Tosca (Cyprus).
Our past deployments include Operation Telic (Iraq) and Operation Herrick (Afghanistan).
We primarily recruit from Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire but members of the Regiment come from across the south of England. As Reservists, our soldiers are drawn from many professions and walks of life, from apprentice mechanics to nuclear researchers.
Our Reservists not only provide a vital role in supporting the Regular Army but also get to enjoy the excellent sporting and outdoor activities the Army encourages. Members of the Regiment have represented the Army (and Nation) in various sports including target shooting, show jumping/equestrian, Jiu Jitsu, weightlifting, motor sports, sailing, skiing, cycling and swimming.
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry consists of a regimental headquarters and five sabre squadrons, located across the Southwest of England.
The Regiment's Squadrons operate from Army Reserve Centres in Bovington, Cirencester, Exeter, Salisbury and Swindon as well as having Troops located in Poole (Dorset), and Telford (Shropshire).
Get directions- Regimental Headquarters
Address: Allenby Barracks, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JA
Contact: 01929 403774
Email: [email protected] - A Squadron
Address: Allenby Barracks, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JA
Email: [email protected] - A Squadron (Agagia Troop)
Army Reserve Centre Wallisdown Road Poole Dorset BH12 5AD
Email: [email protected] - B Squadron
Address: Army Reserve Centre, Old Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6BY
Email: [email protected] - C Squadron
Address: Army Reserve Centre, Somerford Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1TT Email: [email protected] - C Squadron (Cassino Troop)
Alamein Hall, Venning Barracks, Donnington, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 8LA
Email: [email protected] - C Squadron (El Alamein Troop)
Army Reserve Centre, Church Place, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5EH
Email: [email protected] - D Squadron
Address: Army Reserve Centre, Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, Devon, EX2 6AR
Email: [email protected]
We support the Regular Armoured Regiments of the British Army by providing fully trained Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank crews on operations and exercises across the world.
The role of Armoured Regiments like the Royal Wessex Yeomanry is to defeat the enemy using shock action: the sudden and overwhelming application of controlled violence. Armoured Regiments such as The Royal Wessex Yeomanry also provide close support to infantry units in offensive and defensive operations.
As Reservists, our soldiers complete all of their training in their spare time.
I wanted to live a life less ordinary."
Our customs
To show the Regiments support to the 3 Armoured Regiments of the Regular Army, Royal Wessex Yeomanry Warrant Officers carry a ‘Blackthorn’ Cane (Queen's Royal Hussars), all Ranks wear a Brown Beret (King's Royal Hussars), and the Regimental Cap Badge has black backing (Royal Tank Regiment).
In addition, each Squadron observes Battle Honours and Customs of Antecedent County Yeomanry Regiments:
A Sqaudron (Dorset Yeomanry): Charge of the Dorset Yeomanry at Agagia (1916).
B Squadron (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry): Second Battle of El Alamein. In recognition of Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry’s support to the 5th New Zealand Brigade during the battle, B Squadron were granted the right to wear a Silver Fern on the left arm of No.1 and No.2 Dress.
C Squadron (Gloucestershire Hussars): Battle of Qatia (1916) and Battle of Bir El Gubi (1941).
D Squadron (Royal Devon Yeomanry) : Battle of Monte Cassino (1944). In recognition of the Royal Devon Yeomanry’s support to the Canadian Division during the battle, D Squadron were granted the right to wear a Maple leaf on the left arm of No.1 and No.2 Dress.
Operation Cabrit
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry has provided Challenger 2 Crews in support of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the King’s Royal Hussars, and the Royal Tank Regiment in Estonia as part of the UK’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.
The crew, which deployed with the Royal Tank Regiment in 2021, are believed to have been the first Main Battle Tank crew, formed entirely of Reservists, to deploy on operations since World War Two.
In addition, individual augmentees from the Regiment have supported other Arms and Services in a variety of roles on Operation Cabrit in Estonia and Poland.
Past to present
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of three historical regiments; the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Royal Devon Yeomanry. They were joined in 1999 by the Dorset Yeomanry and in 2014 by A Squadron of the Royal Yeomanry.
The Wessex Yeomanry are formed.
The Regiment is granted its Royal title.
The Dorset Yeomanry merge with the Regiment and provide Turret Crews and Armour Replacement duties.
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry deploy Troops in support of Operations Telic (Iraq) and Herrick (Afghanistan).
The Regiment assumes command of A Squadron, Royal Yeomanry and re-roles to provide fully trained Challenger 2 Crews.
The Royal Wessex Yeomanry is presented with its first Regimental Guidon by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
Our equipment
Challenger 2
Find out more
General Purpose Machine Gun
Find out more
SA80 Individual Weapon System
Find out more
Glock 17
Find out more
Contact us
Please feel free to contact us. We are keen to hear from individuals who have the skills to work with us. We have locations in Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Wiltshire.
Telephone: 03001 642605
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bovington Camp, Dorset, United Kingdom