North York Rifle Militia 4th Battalion, Green Howards | |
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Active | 1558–1908 |
Country | England (1558–1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) United Kingdom (1801–1908) |
Branch | Militia |
Role | Infantry |
Size | 1–4 Regiments |
Part of | Green Howards |
Garrison/HQ | Richmond Castle |
Nickname(s) | 'Hexham Butchers' |
Engagements | Great Siege of Scarborough Castle Siege of Bolton Castle Hexham riot Second Boer War |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Sir William Pennyman, 1st Baronet Henry Belasyse, 2nd Earl Fauconberg Thomas Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas |
The North York Militia, later the North York Rifles, was an auxiliary military force raised in the North Riding of Yorkshire in Northern England. From their formal organisation as Trained Bands in 1558 the Militia regiments of the riding served in home defence and internal security in all of Britain's major wars. It was one of the first British units to include specialist riflemen. The regiment became a battalion of the Green Howards in 1881, and saw service in the Second Boer War. It was disbanded in 1908.