THE CAVALRY BY NUMBERS
Before 1914, the changing face of warfare demanded answers of Britain’s cavalry. John Ash unpicks the key numerics highlighting the swan song of a surprisingly versatile and modern branch
Rifle-clutching members of the 1st Reserve Regiment at Aldershot, 1914. From 1903, British cavalry units were issued with full-length rifles and quickly became proficient with rifles and with fighting dismounted
ALAMY
15 YEARS OF CHANGE
The transformation of Britain’s cavalry force into a more modern force began in 1899, at start of the Second Boer War.
Then, irregular cavalry and mounted infantry had become prominent, their mobility and firepower enabling them to better grapple with Boer kommandos.
