To explain the history of The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars, and particularly with regard as to how the Regiment found itself as the first gunners to be flown into action against an enemy in the Second World War, we must first look at the threat of an earlier invasion to these shores in 1793-4.

At this time the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was rampaging his way across Europe and threatened Great Britain with his victorious army. To counter this invasion threat the government tasked local authorities with the raising of troops of Yeomanry Cavalry and so came into being The Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry who some 40 years later became The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars in recognition of the Regiment escorting Her Majesty Queen Victoria on a visit to the County in 1837.
During the war in South Africa the Regiment provided volunteers who made up the 16th Coy. 5th Batt. Imperial Yeomanry.

At the outbreak of hostilities leading to The Great War (1914-1918) the Regiment was sent to Egypt as part of the 2nd Mounted Division. They served with distinction in Gallipoli and Palestine and took part in what is considered to be one of the last great classic cavalry charges and certainly the last ever charge to capture field guns.

In 1920 the Worcestershire Yeomanry were converted to artillery and provided two batteries in 100th (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The Regiment was re-roled as an anti-tank regiment in 1938 as war clouds were again gathering across Europe.

The Regiment were mobilised days before the outbreak of War and were sent as part of The British Expeditionary Force to France just prior to Christmas 1939. They served in the advance through France into the Low Countries and were then ordered to cover the withdrawal of the BEF to the Dunkirk beaches. Although many Officers and Soldiers were killed, wounded or captured many, against all odds, were evacuated from the beaches and returned to the UK to be reformed.

They were reformed as Anti Tank Gunners and trained in this role until October 1943. They were then asked to become the Field Artillery in support of the 6th Airborne Brigade and were to be equipped with the new, lightweight and highly accurate American manufactured 75mm Pak Howitzer towed into action by a jeep containing the crew and delivered to the point of action by Glider. The Regiment took part in the Normandy landings, observers and signalers by parachute, one battery by glider and the remainder in the sea-borne invasion. The Regiment took a very active part until August and until they reached the River Seine. They were then withdrawn to enable them to work up towards the invasion of Germany. However, by the winter of 1944 they were back assisting in repulsing the German counter attack which came to be known as The Battle of the Bulge. Thereafter, they took part in the 'Bouncing' or Crossing of the Rhine and the move into Germany.

Above: A gun detachment of 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment Royal Artillery with its US M8 75mm pack howitzer. Above right: A photograph of Captain O. E. Brownlow-Wray MC of 53rd (WY) Airlanding Light Regiment RA. showing the pear blossom cap badge and 'collar dogs' of the Worcestershire Yeomanry which were worn by the officers of the regiment. Warrant officers, NCOs and gunners wore the Royal Artillery's insignia. (Photos: Imperial War Museum & Maj O. R. Brownlow-Wray MC)

The Regiment is credited, through lineage, as having formed the Regular Airborne Gunner Regiment of 7th (Para) Royal Horse Artillery. In 1946 the Regiment (QOWH) was demobilised and placed in suspended animation. This did not last for long and in 1947 the Regiment was reformed as 300th (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Anti Tank Regiment RA. However, in 1950 it was transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps as The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars and equipped with tanks. It served as such until amalgamation with The Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1956 when the new Regiment was granted the title of The Queen's Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry. The Regiment ceased to exist in 1969 however, two successor units; A (S and WWY) Sqn Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry and 67th (QOWWY) Sig Sqn Royal Signals were formed. Both of these successor units preserve the badges, accouterments and traditions of the Worcestershire Hussars and are very proud of their association with the Royal Artillery.