The Royal Wessex Yeomanry

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), Swindon (Wiltshire) and Telford (Shropshire

• 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.

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 HRH The Earl of Wessex at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.