Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Normandy Memorial Bench
Donation protected
The British Normandy Memorial Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Memorial Bench
THE SHERWOOD RANGERS YEOMANRY ASSOCIATION
(ARNOLD BRANCH)
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry were and are, as the name suggests, a Nottinghamshire county cavalry regiment in the British Army.
Formed in 1794 the Regiment was first called to arms in the Boer War and again shortly afterwards in the First World War, where they served with distinction in Egypt, at Gallipoli and in the great cavalry charge to Jerusalem and Damascus, thus ending the great Ottoman Empire.
At the outbreak of the Second World War the cream of Nottinghamshire was once again called upon.
Wherever they were needed the Sherwood Rangers would make it their own.
Firstly to Palestine on horseback in 1940, 600 men, to keep the peace but soon having their beloved horses taken from them as the war escalates.
The army being the army they are given a whole new role and are trained as coastal gunners and in 1941 are separated apart and sent to defend Tobruk, Benghazi, Cyprus and on Crete where 100 Sherwood Rangers are captured as part of the rearguard and the Regiments first fatalities occur.
Regrouping in Egypt, the army being the army, the Sherwood Rangers are to be mounted again but this time armoured.
Three tanks arrive one day, and instantly named ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARION and LITTLE JOHN.
Back again together from where they had been fighting in the four corners of the Mediterranean, the Sherwood Rangers, from the four corners of Nottinghamshire, have found their roots again.
Intense training begins.
The Sherwood Rangers are back on track.
This is where the legends begin.
'Iron' horsed once again they charge across North Africa, always part of the spearhead, from kicking in Rommels front door at Alamein, giving the left knockout hook at Mareth to opening the gates to Tripoli and then chasing the enemy all the way to the end in Tunis, 1600 miles in total.
Then the second front and only the best are needed, just a months leave in their merry Nottingham after North Africa and they are back to full on training for the invasion of France.
From the dry deserts of Africa, the army being the army, they are now to dive in and swim their specially equipped tanks onto French beaches.
-Its D-Day, 6th June 1944.
The Sherwood Rangers are the first Yeomanry tanks to land on the beaches of Normandy, specifically Gold Beach, and with it suffer the first casualties.
For the next three months the Regiment will be in battle almost every day with incredible losses.
The Regiment loses 65 killed and a further 199 men wounded, a casualty rate of 63 %.
Most of these men had already been fighting for the past three years.
And it doesn't stop there.
The Sherwood Rangers chase the enemy across France, with major battles in Belgium and during Market Garden in Holland.
They are first British troops to enter Germany and slog it out during the bitter winter battles of 1944/45, eventually finishing the war in Northern Germany having supported every division, and their units, of the British Army, with more battle honours than any other regiment of the entire war.
Some feat.
--But it is the Sherwood Rangers' actions in the D-Day landings and in the wider Normandy campaign at the vanguard of the armour assaults that have become legendary, with many books published including most recently James Hollands' 2021 bestseller 'Brothers In Arms'.
Sherwood Rangers can be found in nine CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) cemeteries in Normandy.
The British Normandy Memorial is a war memorial near the village of Ver-sur-Mer in Normandy.
It was unveiled on 6th June 2021 and is dedicated to soldiers who died under British command during the Normandy campaign.
The memorial has over 22,000 names engraved on its many pillars and walls.
The Memorial Trust set up an initiative for those who wish to remember a loved one or fallen comrades by offering the lasting memento of a dedicated bench on the grounds.
'How can I live among this gentle
obsolescent breed of heroes, and not weep?
Unicorns, almost,
for they are falling into two legends
in which their stupidity and chivalry
are celebrated. Each, fool and hero, will be an immortal.'
-Captain Keith Douglas, A Squadron Sherwood Rangers
Killed in action 9th June 1944
As 2024 is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Association (Arnold Branch) Committee has been tasked by its members to secure a bench and dedicate it to the fallen of the Regiment in the Normandy campaign.
We feel though that this bench, this resting place, welcome to all, will also be a memorial to all our Sherwood Rangers fallen and to all who served, and to the greater Sherwood Rangers community, their family and friends.
'Like one big happy family......the greatest tank regiment I ever had under command'
-Sir Brian Horrocks
The bench would cost £3000 plus the cost of an engraved plate.
This is a significant sum to a small group and whilst fund raising within the group is ongoing, it was suggested to make a plea to the wider community.
If you feel you may be able to help, please give a little, it will ultimately help alot.
With many thanks.
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Association (Arnold Branch)
Carlton, Nottingham
The supporters list will be acknowledged in a booklet that will accompany our 2024 branch pilgrimage to Normandy which will include the dedication of the bench at Ver-sur-Mer.
Loyal unto Death
Organizer and beneficiary
SRY Arnold Branch
Organizer
England
SRY Memorial Bench
Beneficiary