Dates: 1685 - 1958
The West Yorkshire Regiment was raised in 1685 by Sir Edward Hales, originally called Hales's Regiment. It was raised to meet the Duke of Mormouth’s rebellion. In 1694, it was named the 14th Regiment of Foot.
During 1880 the Regiment was given the title "The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)". The Depot was established at York.
The regiment took part in several campaigns. These included service in Scotland, protecting Gibraltar against the Spanish, the War of Independence, the Crimean War, the Boer Wars and the two World Wars.
1899 saw The 2nd Battalion of The West Yorkshire Regiment sent to Second Boer War 1899-1902 in South Africa and after a number of engagements two members of the Battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross- Captain (later Colonel) Mansel-Jones in February 1900 and Sergeant Traynor in February 1901.
On the outbreak of the First World War the regiment were part of the original Expeditionary Force and saw numerous battalions of The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) serving at Neuve-Chappelle, Loos, the Somme, Passchendaele, Ypres, Marne, Arras, Cambrai and Gallipoli. At its peak The West Yorkshire Regiment numbered 37 battalions, 66 Battle Honours were bestowed and four Victoria Crosses were awarded.
During WW2 they were involved in conflict’s in Egypt, Cyprus, Tobruk and Burma.
Post WW2 in 1956 took part in the Suez operation and was stationed in Dover. In 1958, it amalgamated with the East Yorkshire Regiment to form the Prince of Wales’ Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving West Yorkshire Regiment
" Let’s not forget the men murdered by our own generals: Shot at dawn, pardoned 90 years on More than 300 British soldiers who were shot during World War I for military offences are to receive formal pardons, Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced. Mr Browne said he would be seeking a ..."
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" Quoting: John (scouse) Hirons Let’s not forget the men murdered by our own generals: Shot at dawn, pardoned 90 years on More than 300 British soldiers who were shot during World War I for military offences are to receive formal pardons, Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced. Mr ..."
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" Quoting: John (scouse) Hirons Let’s not forget the men murdered by our own generals: Shot at dawn, pardoned 90 years on More than 300 British soldiers who were shot during World War I for military offences are to receive formal pardons, Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced. Mr ..."
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" Hello everyone,i am looking for people who were possibly in the same regiment as my grandad and may have known him.My grandad was Gordon Robinson and he was a Private in The West Yorkshire Regiment from 1943-1945.If anyone can help i would be most grateful.I would like to know more about my grandad ..."
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" Hi Mary,would this be your grandfather;- Medal card of Howarth, Arthur Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment Rank: Major... 1914-1920 WO 372/10 Go to National Archives for more info. Regards, Tom "
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