Under threat of invasion by the French Revolutionary government from 1793, and with insufficient military forces to repulse such an attack, the British government under William Pitt the Younger decided in 1794 to increase the Militia and to form corps of volunteers for the defence of the country.

[3] The next, and longest lived, incarnation came in 1830 when the Dorsetshire Regiment of Volunteer Yeomanry Cavalry was reformed due to the Swing Riots.

The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each.

[5] The first contingent of recruits contained 550 officers, 10,371 men with 20 battalions and 4 companies,[6] which arrived in South Africa between February and April, 1900.

[8] On 17 April 1901, the regiment was renamed as the Dorsetshire Imperial Yeomanry (Queen's Own) and reorganised in three squadrons and a machine gun section.

[3] On 1 April 1908, the regiment was renamed for the final time as the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own) and transferred to the Territorial Force, trained and equipped as hussars.

[13] The 1st Line regiment was mobilised in August 1914 and attached to the 1st South Western Mounted Brigade.

[16] At this battle, the retreating Senussi were attacked by the Dorset Yeomanry with drawn swords across open ground.

[17] Under fire, the Yeomanry lost half their horses, and about a third of their men and officers were casualties (58 of the 184 who took part).

Colonel Soutar, leading the regiment in this charge, had his horse shot from under him and was knocked unconscious.

He drew his revolver, shot several, and took the Turkish leader Jaffir Pasha prisoner.

Following the experience of the war, it was decided that only the fourteen most senior yeomanry regiments would be retained as horsed cavalry, with the rest being transferred to other roles.

This was a short-lived marriage, the Somerset Yeomanry batteries being moved to 55th (Wessex) Army Field Brigade, RA in July 1929.

[21][22][23] At this time (July 1929) the regiment was renamed as the 94th (Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry) Army Field Brigade, RA with headquarters at Dorchester.

[3][22] It was joined by 224 (Dorset) Battery at Dorchester, transferred from 56 (Wessex) Field Brigade, RA.

The experience of the BEF in 1940 showed the problem with this organisation: field regiments were intended to support an infantry brigade of three battalions.

[26] 94th (Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry) Field Regiment served in the Home Forces for most of the war, taking part in the North West Europe Campaign from June 1944.

[28] It remained in the United Kingdom until June 1944, when it was deployed to France, still with the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.

[29] 141st (Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry) Field Regiment served in the Home Forces throughout the war.

After 1850, a dark blue tunic was introduced and in 1883 a hussar style uniform, complete with white looped braiding and busby, was adopted.

[39] Subsequently, khaki service and battle dress of standard British Army pattern was worn for nearly all occasions.