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Their Ancestors were the men of the "Loyal Corps of Volunteer Cavalry" raised on the 25th July 1794 at Milverton under the command of Lord Somerville. The first record of the Regiment as West Somerset Yeomanry is in 1850.

Boer War

The inscription "South Africa" on the Regimental crest commemorates service in the Boer War. At squadron strength the Regiment, as a part of the 7th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, sailed for the Cape in March 1900.

1914-1918 War

The Regiment started the war as Yeomanry Cavalry and fought dismounted at Gallipoli. Later as Infantry (12th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry) it fought in Palestine in operations culminating in the capture of Jerusalem and later in France took part in the recapture of the Hindenburg Line.

Between the Wars

The Regiment was reformed in 1920 as a Gunner Brigade. On re-organisation in 1927, two West Somerset Yeomanry Batteries were brigaded with two Batteries of the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry forming the 94th Brigade R.F.A.

1935-1945

The Regiment was moblised in September 1939. It served in many parts of England until D plus 21 when, as part of the Guards Armoured Division which it joined in 1942, it landed in Normandy. On the 29th June 1944 it was first in action at Pubot en Bassin and subsequently took part in the Normandy battles, including Carpiquet Areodrome, Caen and Miny Bocage. It then took part in the Guards Armoured Division's advance from the Falaise Gap to Brussels and subsequently in the assault on the Albert and Escaut Canals. It also took part in the Reichswald battle and supported the troops crossing the Rhine. It continued the advance until the final German capitulation at Cuxhaven. After the war the Regiment went to Aachen in an occupational role. Thirty four officers and men of the Regiment lost their lives during the war and eighty were wounded. Honours awarded included one DSO, six MCs, one MM and two Croix de Guerre.

1947-1967

In 1947 the Regiment was reformed with the sub title 55th Field Regiment RA until February 1967, when with the severe reduction of the Territorial Army it ceased to exist as a Regiment. The final parade was held on Sunday 26th February. The salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lord Hylton. Elements of the Regiment, however, along with elements of the North Somerset Yeomanry, combined with the Somerset Light Infantry to form the Somerset Yeomanry and Light Infantry, which in 1971 became the 6th Battalion The Light Infantry (Volunteers).

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