Description
Imperial Yeomanry Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, 2187 Private W.J. Nicholls, Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars, Middlesex Imperial Yeomanry.
Officially impressed: “2187 Pte W.J. Nicholls. Middx: (D.O.C.H.) I.Y.”
Confirmed, awarded during May 1908, Army Order 104.
Excellent condition.
This medal was rarely awarded to the Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars, who received just 25 of these medals during it’s short lifetime of issue. Only a few have surfaced, at least 3 separate examples out of the 25 issued.
Provenance: Ex DNW 5th April 2006.
Further mentioned in the Volunteer Service Gazette of 20th May 1908, which records 2 recent issues to the unit including the one to Nicholls.
The “Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars” as it was known at the time is a long standing Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in the British Army, going back to 1797.
They gained particular renown later in World War 1, where they earned 2 Victoria Crosses, a large chunk of the only 6 awarded in total during WW1 to the Yeomanry.
The unit survives today, as part of the Royal Signals, now since 2014 being known as the 31st Middlesex Yeomanry and Princess Louise’s Kensington Signal Squadron.
