Our history from 1830-1899

West Kent Yeomanry (Queen's Own) c1895; Watercolour by John Chester Mathews

West Kent Yeomanry (Queen's Own) 1830-1899

By 1830, the distressed state of agriculture led to attacks on private property and the Government appealed to the recently disbanded regiments to return to service

The West Kent Yeomanry re-formed with seven troops (Cobham, Chislehurst, Dartford, Oxenhoath, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone).

Apart from annual training, the regiment assembled only when called out to aid the civil power and for occasional ceremonial and social occasions.  It had no permanent headquarters or regular training as in modern times.

In 1864, in recognition of the frequent occasions on which the Regiment had furnished escorts for members of the Royal Family when travelling through Kent to and from the continent, the Regiment was granted the title 'Queen's Own'