F Squadron News
Frezenberg Memorial Parade
On Sunday 21st May the Corps of Drums, Banner Party and a Troop of cadets
from ‘F’ (Leics & Derbys Yeomanry) Squadron, L.N.R. ACF
were to be found at one of the highest points in Leicestershire. This
was at the Regimental Memorial in Bradgate Park which remembers the part
played by the Leicestershire Yeomanry during the battle of Frezenberg
in May 1915.
The battle of Frezenberg occurred during the second Battle of Ypres and started with an intense German bombardment and one of the first Gas attacks of the First World War on 8th May 1915.
The Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert’s Own) were part of the 7th Cavalry Division under the command of General Byng. They entered the line on 12th May with orders to “Hold the line”, and when regular units on their flanks pulled back they were left to face the advance of 2 – 3000 Germans.
They “held the line” standing their ground, each one of them backed by a Short Magazine Lee Enfield .303 rifle and 150 rounds of ammunition, for three days but paid a heavy price.
Of the 281 officers and men who started the battle, by the end of 13th May the Leicestershire Yeomanry had lost 12 officers and 179 other ranks including their Commanding Officer Lt. Col. The Hon Percy Evans-Freke.
Following this action the bodies of many of those killed were either never recovered, or identified. This explains why, with 83 names, the Regiment has the second largest entry for a Cavalry regiment on the Menin Gate memorial to the missing at Ypres.
The aftermath of the battle resulted in much distress and suffering in Leicestershire & Rutland and to this day the Leicestershire Yeomanry Association holds a service of remembrance on the Third Sunday in May which the cadets participate in.
Major Andy Ball the OC of ‘F’ Squadron said “I think it important that the cadets take part in these events to remember the sacrifice made by the men of the Leicestershire Yeomanry, whose cap badge we wear, many of whom were only a few years older than the cadets are.”
