My time in National Service - 1954 -1956. The 8th Hussars Tank Regiment
I spent some time at Catterick Camp, Richmond, Yorkshire doing my basic training, small arms and rifle on the ranges. The regiment was founded in 1693 from the survivors of the siege of Londonderry. Taking the name Conynghams Dragoons from the Commanding Officer, and first saw service in Spain in the War of the Spanish succession. At Almenara in 1710 the Regiment was ordered to attack a corps of Spanish Cavalry. The Dragoons completely routed them and equipped themselves with the Crossbelts of the fleeing and the fallen.
These the Regiment were allowed to keep as part of its accoutrements in recognition of its gallantry on this occasion, thereby earning the nickname of The Crossbelts. In exchange King George 111 was graciously pleased to grant them the title of the V111 KINGS ROYAL IRISH HUSSARS.
It was presented the badge of the Harp and Crown, and the motto PRISTINAE VIRTUTIS MEMORES, was added two years later. The most famous campaign in which the Regiment was engaged was in the Crimea where it formed part of the Immortal Light Brigade at Balaclava. Indeed, it was Colonel Sherwell, the Commanding Officer at the time, who rallied the remnants of the Brigade to withstand and break up a counter charge of Russian Cossacks who broke in disorder before. On it's return from the Crimea the Regiment was not left in peace for long. It was then sent to India where the mutiny had broken out. At Gwalior in 1850 a squadron of the Eight charged and routed a vastly superior force of mutineers. The squadron of ninety eight sabres was awarded four Victoria Crosses at Beejapore a further V.C was awarded to the regiment. In the Great War the regiment arrived in France at the end of 1914 and stayed on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. The last mounted charge of the Eight was at Villers Faucon in March 1917 where two machine guns were captured, and one German Officer and fifteen men were taken prisoner
The regiment finally crossed the German frontier at Eupen on 1st December 1918.
On the outbreak of World War 11 the Eight was equipped with tanks and was a founder member of the 7th Armoured Division up to the final victory parade in Berlin.
In April 1951 at the battle of the River Imjin, the 29th Independant Brigade was able to withdraw after its historic action largely due to a fine rearguard action fought by C Squadron of the regiment. In October 1951 A and B Squadrons took part in Operation Commando. Here the Centurion tank, with which the regiment was equipped, proved that it could be manoeuvred in ground which had been considered untankable, and it's 20 pnd gun with its accuracy. After this battle the 8th and the 31st BN of the Royal Australian regiment were affiliated.
The Regiment returned to England in January 1952 and left for Boar in March 1954.
