This painting is entitled "The Review of the Queen's Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry, on Kempsey Ham". The photo below shows a coloured print, as the original was being restored. The painting is now on display in Worcester Art Gallery and Museum, in Foregate Street. My thanks to Mr T. Bridges, the Collections Manager, and Mr Garston Phillips for their kind cooperation in the taking of this photo, and the Pre-Roman and Court House Excavation materials.
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Kempsey Ham Picture
Painted by W. I. Pringle
"This Plate Representing The Review of the Queen's Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry, on Kempsey Ham
is most respectfully Inscribed to The Hon.ble R.H. Clive, and the Officers of the Corps,
by their Obedient Servant,
W.I. Pringle.
Engraved by H. Papprill.
From the Berrow's Worcester Journal, Friday, May 23, 2003.
A PAINTING depicting the new face of a Worcestershire regiment is taking pride of place in the revamped Worcestershire Soldier Museum.
The Review of the Queen's Own Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry Regiment on Kempsey Ham will be unvelied next month at the museum based in the City Art Gallery on Foregate Street, Worcester.
Reseach into the painting has taken a museum's assistant six months to pinpoint the date the review took place.
Stuart Hadaway, of Worcester City Council, also identified several members of the 900-strong regiment who feature with 700 horses.
After scouring through old newspapers, reference works and long-forgotten documents he has discovered more about what the painting represents.
For the past 150 years the painting is thought to have been painted in 1842, but Mr Hadaway's research discovered it was four years earlier.
He is certain the artist, WJ Pringle, worked on commission between September 1838 and April 1839.
Mr Hadaway said a major clue to the dating of the work was the tiny detail of the cavalrymen's cuffs and colours.
"In December 1837, after Victoria had become Queen, she showed her thanks by making the Yeomanry a Royal Regiment to be called the Queen's Own Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry Regiment (QOWYYC)," said Mr Hadaway.
"As such, they were entitled to wear Royal Blue facings on their uniforms, which they immediately applied, and the regiment called a review on Kempsey Ham to show off its new royal status.
"It was held on September 29, 1839, and the work was delivered the following April.
It's occupied a lot of my own time over the past few months, but I became so engrossed in it, it's become a real labour of love.
From within the ranks Mr Hadaway has been able to pinpoint the regiment's three surgeons, the commanding officer, Colonel Clive the Earl of Plymouth; Lord Ward, the Earl of Dudley and Lord Aston.
He also identified the same two cannons that were sited outside the Earl of Plymouth's home at Hewell Grange at Tardebrigge, near Redditch, where the painting was hung for several years.
The revamped museum is set to be open in mid-June.
Limited edition of 75 copies.
£75 B&W or colour unframed, 615 x 395 mm = 24 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches
Available from:
April Cottage
Main Road
Hallow
WR2 6LS
http://www.ampgworcester.com
E-mail: antiqmap@aol.com
Phone 01905 641300
Fax 01905 641300
Mr. G.P. Nicholls
Queen's Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry
(History summarised from the information in Worcester Art Gallery and Museum)
1794 with the invasion of England by Napoleon's forces seemingly imminent, the Government made provision for volunteer units to be formed for the protection of the counties.
On 29th April at a meeting in the Guildhall Worcester, it was resolved to invite subscriptions in the county to be devoted towards the increase of the military forces of the county. Over £6,000 was subscribed and it was decided to spend the sum equally between augumenting the existing Militia and the raising of a Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry.
At a further meeting on the 15th August, it was decided to raise two troops of 56 men at once, and £1,000 was voted towards the cost of clothing and equipment. The offer of service having been submitted to the King and accepted, the Hon. John Somers Cocks was appointed Captain of the First Troop. 25th October, a parade of the First Troop was held in Worcester. The men were then marched to Powick Ham for instruction in the rudiments of drill. These drills continued daily and in two weeks the troop were reported complete in every item of equipment as well as in numbers.
1795
In April the first standard was presented to the Troop. A further act of Parliament allowed each county to raise troops of volunteer cavalry.
1810
During their training, rioting broke out in Worcester and the yeomanry were called upon to assist the Militia in quelling it.
1827
The Government, for economy reasons decided to disband all yeomanry regiments that had not been called out to defend the civil power during the previous ten years. Colonel Somers Cocks (by then Viscount Eastnor) announced the disbandment and closed the accounts. Arms and accoutrements were returned to the Ordinance Stores; the standards were sent to Eastnor Castle.
1831
The threat of civil disturbances within the county led to the reforming of the Regiment.
1832
In 1832 the Worcestershire Yeomanry escorted Queen Victoria, on the occasion of her visit to the Earl of Plymouth at Hewell. In recognition of this the title ''Queens Own'' was conferred on the Regiment in 1837 and the uniform facings consequently were changed to blue.
1887
Became the Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars.
1915
Gallipoli - The Regiment landed at Sulva Bay and attacked the Turks.
1916
Fought the Turks at Qatia in the Canal Zone.
1917
Fought in the Battle of Gaza. Charged and broke the Turkish line at Huj.
1940
Fought in France, retreated from Dunkirk.
1944
Became an airborn artillery regiment, took part in D-day.
1945
Fought in the Ardennes. Claimed to be first regiment to shell Germany.
1956
Last parade of the Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars took place in Kidderminster on November 4th.
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© 2001 - Andy Morrall
Last updated 12th November 2004.
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