‘Many thanks for your letter. It was a great blow to me to find on my return from leave, that your Squadron had left the Division, and that our very pleasant connection had come to an end.
‘I can assure you that it has been the greatest pleasure to me to have had your Squadron under my command; and I should be very much obliged if you would tell all your Officers, N.C.O.’s and men how deeply I appreciate all the good work they have done whilst with this Division. They have frequently been called upon to do work which was quite outside of what Cavalry are trained to perform; and on every occasion, they have carried it out with zeal and efficiency which has been deserving of all praise.
‘You will be glad to have the whole Regiment together again; I shall watch all you do with the greatest interest; I know that all you are called upon to do, will be done well.’
Again, in 1917, when the same Yeomanry Regiment left the XVIIth Corps, in consequence of the decision of the Army Council, notified in the Field-Marshal’s Order as above, to dismount them and utilize them ‘in other branches of the Service,’ Lieut.-General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bt., Commanding the Corps, wrote to Lieut.-Col. Eley:
‘On the departure of the Regiment from the XVIIth Corps I wish to express to you and to the Officers and men under your command my thanks for the loyalty and assistance which has invariably been given by the Regiment during the period of its connection with the Corps.
‘Its smartness, discipline, and soldierly spirit have been conspicuous; and no matter what the work has been, it has always been carried out in accordance with the best traditions of the Regiment and of the Service.
‘I know that Officers and men will continue to live up to these traditions, and that no matter where duty and the service of the country call them, they will never forget that the reputation and good name of the Regiment remain in their hands. Whether as a unit or as individuals the spirit of the Regiment will remain; and when the time comes for it to be re-united, the knowledge that they have done their duty under all circumstances will add to the pride and satisfaction with which Officers and men will look back to their record in the war.
‘I wish goodbye and good luck to all ranks.’
Again, in 1919, when the Yorkshire Dragoons left the Rhine (these particulars, too, will be found below), Lieut.-General Sir C. W. Jacob, K.C.B., Commanding the IInd Corps of the Second Army, addresses the following letter to Major-General the Earl of Scarbrough, in his capacity as Hon. Colonel of the Regiment:
‘The Yorkshire Dragoons are leaving very shortly for England on reduction to cadre, and as you are the Hon. Colonel of the Regiment, I thought you would like to hear how well the Regiment has done all the time that it has been with the IInd Corps.