On 1 December it was announced that 'Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to direct that the two Regiments of Artillery Militia of the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire shall, on after the 1st ult.

[5][6][7][8][10] Lieutenant-Colonel Fryers remained in command until 9 February 1876, when he became honorary colonel and was succeeded by Marmaduke J. Grimston (died 1879), who had come from the East Yorkshire Infantry Militia and had been Major of the Yorkshire Artillery Militia since 5 March 1863,[8][11] and then by Major Arthur Brooksbank (1831–1903) of Middleton Hall, Driffield, a former captain in the 38th Foot.

However, before the official embodiment, an 80-man detachment of the unit under the command of Capt William Fell had been called out on 13 March 1900 to restore order during a riot at Scarborough.

The angry crowd showed no antagonism towards the gunners and ended up cheering them and singing Soldiers of the Queen and other patriotic songs before dispersing.

There were moves to reform the Auxiliary Forces (Militia, Yeomanry and Volunteers) to take their place in the six Army Corps proposed by St John Brodrick as Secretary of State for War.

[16][17] Under the sweeping Haldane Reforms of 1908, the Militia was replaced by the Special Reserve, a semi-professional force whose role was to provide reinforcement drafts for Regular units serving overseas in wartime.