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The combined museums of the Royal Dragoon
Guards and the Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire hold a
wealth of medals, uniforms, silver and memorabilia.
» See the Royal
Dragoon Guards page
The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire came as the result
of an amalgamation of the West Yorkshire
and East Yorkshire Regiments in 1958.
The West Yorkshire Regiment (aka The Prince of Wales' Own, the
14th Regiment of Foot) and the East Yorkshire Regiment (aka The
Duke of York's Own, the 15th Regiment of Foot)
were initially formed in 1685.
After serving in locations around the world, the Prince of Wales'
Own Regiment in Yorkshire are based in Germany and are currently
serving in Iraq.
The West Yorkshire Regiment was based
in York from 1881. Its first experience of active service was in
Flanders in 1693 under King William III. They fought in Queen Anne's
Wars and put down the Jacobite
Rebellion in 1715. The regiment formed as part of the Duke
of Wellington's Army at Waterloo
in 1815.
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| Medals
at the Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire Museum |
The regiment was awarded two Victoria Crosses in the 1899 Boer
War and at the outbreak of the first World Wat, the 1st Battalion
proceeded to France with the French Expeditionary Force.
The regiment was involved with the recapture of Burma in 1945;
the meeting of two regular battalions of the same regiment is unique
in history of the two world wars.
In 1987, the Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of
Yorkshire moved to North Yorkshire after serving in locations across
the world.
The East Yorkshire Regiment saw
early service in Scotland and Flanders following their formation
in 1685.
The Heights of Abraham and the Canadian Moose
Head
They played a major part in the conquest of Canada in 1746. During
the Seven
Years War the Regiment took the Fortress of Louisberg, joined
forces with General Wolfe and as part of a force of 4500 men, climbed
the Heights of Abraham above Quebec in 1759. This was one of the
world's most decisive battles.
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| This moose head was presented
to the museum by the Canadians, who the Regiment helped liberate
from the French during the Seven Years War |
The result of this battle was that Canada was given to Britain,
French power was destroyed and ultimately the battle led to the
independence of almost all British colonies in the New World.
The black background to the silver rose worn on the collar of the
Prince of Wales' Own Regiment commemorates General Wolfe who was
killed in the battle at the Heights of Abraham.
As part of their historical alliance, the Canadians opresented
the Regiment with a moose-head which occupies a prime position at
the top of the museum's stairs.
The regiment also served during the American War of Independence
and throughout the 17th-century, took part in several operations
against the French. In 1900 after many years of inactive service
they fought in the South African Boer Wars.
At the outbreak of the First World War, the
East Yorkshire regiment were sent to France and made world War history
when theirs was the only Infantry Regiment to have two battalions
at the initial assault on the Normandy beaches in 1944.
Opening times
Both the Prince of Wales' Own Regiment and the Royal Dragoon Guards'
museums are located at 3a Tower Street in the shadow of Clifford's
Tower in York.
The museums are open from Monday to Saturday inclusive, from 9.30am
to 4.30pm (except for a period from Christmas to early January for
maintenance purposes).
Contact the museum on 01904 642036 for more information.
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