The Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum

01/06/2026

28/05/2026

One for your diaries for next year

28/05/2026

He served with the 9th Lancers, 24th Lancers and Sherwood Rangers during WW2

Celebrating Today💐

Sgt.Ben Symes, who was born in Chickerell, Weymouth on 28th May 1908.

Ben Symes' father had unfortunately been killed during the Somme offensive in 1916, so he was brought up in South Wales by his fathers cousin.
Upon leaving school he worked in the local mines and joined the Army in 1928 serving 6 years in the 1st, 3rd and 4th Royal Tank Regiments. He was then in the Army Reserves.
At the outbreak of war he joined the 9th Lancers and went with them as part of the BEF to France in 1940 He was evacuated several months later via Brest.
After significant tank training in the UK Sgt.Symes landed on DDay with 1st Troop C Squadron 24th Lancers and fought his way throughout the Normandy campaign with them until his regiment was disbanded on 31st July.
He was then one of 28 men (two troops) of the 24th Lancers who joined the Sherwood Rangers at this time.
Ben Symes fought with HQ Squadron until the end of the war.
He was Mentioned in Despatches.
He then served with the BAOR till demobbed in 1946.
Ben Symes was a prolific letter writer and wrote home almost daily detailing his experiences in NW Europe.
After the war he worked in the car trade and lived a peaceful life fishing and gardening in Oxford.
Ben Symes passed away just two weeks shy of his 68th birthday in May 1976.

Loyal unto Death

26/05/2026

Mr Brian Hassinger of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons (NWTA) has shared some photos of their last event with us.

If you would like to know more about them, here is their page and their website

https://www.facebook.com/17thregimentlightdragoonsnwta/?locale=en_GB

https://www.17thdragoons.com/

23/05/2026

From the Archives

Ramillies 1706

In 1689 The Royal Dragoons of Ireland were raised in Enniskillen by the Governor. Captain James Wynne was given the responsibility of forming the Regiment and as was the custom at the time they were known as Wynne's Enniskillen Dragoons. The Regiment was raised to support the Protestant King William III against the supporters of the recently ousted the Catholic King James II
1702 saw the Regiment return to the Low Countries to join Marlborough's Army, again engaged against the French. The Regiment fought in all four of the major battles of the campaign: Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet.
On 23rd May 1706 The Royal Dragoons Of Ireland (later to become the 5th Lancers) were involved in the Battle Of Ramillies

Ramillies (now in Walloon Brabant, Belgium) was a battle in the War of the Spanish Succession. The Grand Alliance of Austria, England, Scotland and the Dutch Republic was in conflict with France, Bourbon Spain and the Electorate of Bavaria.
During the battle, under the Duke of Marlborough's command, the Royal Dragoons of Ireland and the Scots Dragoons (Scots Greys), captured both of the French Regiments, the Regiment du Roi (Kings Regiment) and the Regiment de Picardie.
The outcome of the battle was a resounding victory for the Grand Alliance, as the retreat of the French army became a rout.

For their part in the victory, the Royal Dragoons of Ireland were given permission to wear Grenadier Caps (we have a very rare example of this type of cap in the Museum), and were awarded the Battle Honour 'Ramillies'.

23/05/2026

We will be open all weekend

☀ Make the most of your Bank Holiday weekend at Thoresby Park! ☀

🏰 New castle quest trail - £3 per sheet
🚶 Take a walk through the park
🍽 Breakfast, lunch, coffee, cake, cold drinks and Ice-creams at Thoresby Catering
💧 Relax by the river
🛍 Courtyard Shops
🏛 Military Museum
🍺 Refresh with a pint at Tucks Brewery

⏱ Park open daily 9am - 5pm | 🚗 £3 car parking | 🐾 Dog friendly | 🌐 www.thoresby.com |

22/05/2026

A gaggle of historians; Ben Skipper, Pete Blanchard, Dr Jonny Briggs and Dr Phil Blood, at the Royal Lancers and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, Thoresby Park, Notts. Our recent visit to this hidden gem in Sherwood Forest was a great success. We discussed the importance of military museums and expanded on previously embryonic ideas and enjoyed a moment or two at the conveniently sited Tucks Brewery. Stay tuned, the Future is looking bright and exciting.