The regiment formed in 1881 during the British Army reforms of that year has a much longer history, a very famous regiment with roots back to 1685 when the regiment was raised in Nottingham by King James 2nd, his aim to bolster his troops with reinforcements during the Monmouth Rebellion!

The American War of Independence in 1776 they earned the nickname “The Snappers”, simply because during the battle for Philadelphia they ran very short of ammunition. The resulting orders were for only the BEST SHOT MARKSMEN to shoot while the other men maintained firing their empty rifles to fool the enemy into thinking they had plenty of ammunition left!

All through the wars with France & 18th + 19th century campaigns they fought with the Duke of Wellington’s other regiments & have many battle honours from the Napoleonic Wars (The Sharp period drama starring Sean Bean made this era come to life again). Also in the Boer War 1899 to 1901 they saw action & in W.W.1 (World War one 1914 to 1918) the regiment was fighting on the Western Front for virtually the whole war! 

In 1922 the Duke of York, the future king, George 6th was given the title Colonel In Chief of the regiment & in 1937 the regiment re designated its title again to Duke Of York’s Own East Yorkshire Regiment, partly being linked with George 5th own silver jubilee celebrations that year. 

The regiment saw out W.W.2 (World War 2 1939 to 1945), finally being amalgamated in the 1958 British Army reforms becoming The Prince of Wale’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire!

This sweetheart brooch is in overall good condition, clasp assembly complete & the fixing pin good working order. 

A badge to wear on a regimental blazer, or simply to show your allegiance & pride towards East Yorkshire! The moto of the regiment….Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense… "Shame on him who thinks evil of it" ….roughly transalated into modern day tongue…."watch out EVIL..."The Snappers" are coming"!!