The Scots Greys, formally known as the Royal Scots Greys, have a long and distinguished history. Less well-known, however, is the story of their time in the North York Moors.
One of the most renowned cavalry regiments in the British Army, the Scots Greys were originally formed in 1678, serving in many major conflicts including the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars. They began the 20th century in South Africa and, until 1905, were stationed in Stellenbosch, involved in the post-war arrangements following the Second Anglo-Boer War. But by 1912, their surroundings were looking very different. The Scots Greys had moved to Ravenswick Park in rural North Yorkshire, owned by the Holt family.
Back in Britain, it seems that these elite horsemen would have been undergoing training in this region, in readiness for future campaigns. Their presence in this quiet corner of Yorkshire was relatively brief and it seems to have been by pure serendipity that their departure was captured in a series of remarkable historic photographs by William Hayes.
Originally based in York, Hayes had moved his photography business and entire studio to Hutton-le-Hole in 1911, a year before he was able to capture the cavalry regiment’s departure. Hayes’s studio, the oldest preserved daylight photography studio in the country, is now housed at Ryedale Folk Museum, along with the Hayes collection. From it, Hayes operated a successful studio portrait business, but also documented the surrounding area over several years. Many of his images were turned into postcards.
The departure of the cavalry regiment must have provided an exciting opportunity to add new and original subject matter to his photographic portfolio – quite a contrast from his usual work. The images also offer a rare glimpse into the regiment at a time when cavalry was still considered an essential part of Britain’s military strength.
Their dominance was to be challenged very soon by the trench warfare tactics of the First World War. Within a couple of years, many of these men would be plunged into one of the most devastating conflicts in history, where barbed wire, machine-gun fire and artillery would quickly turn battlefields into death traps for mounted soldiers.
For some of the young men who departed from Ravenswick Park in July 1912, that war would be their last campaign. At Ryedale Folk Museum, we’re very aware that the photos capture the Scots Greys on the eve of momentous change. Whilst the moment must have felt very exciting at the time, there is also a real poignancy to the photos today.
You can see more historic photos from Ryedale Folk Museum’s collection.