Sharpshooters 1900-1908
On his return from South Africa, Lord Dunraven applied to raise a regiment for home service and on 23 July 1901 the 3rd County of London (Sharpshooters) Imperial Yeomanry formally came into being.
The Regiment had a full strength of 596 all ranks formed into four Squadrons and a machine gun detachment. Their main weapon was the Lee Enfield rifle with swords used largely for ceremonial duties. Following the Boer War experience, training concentrated more on the mounted infantry role than pure cavalry operations
The Sharpshooters first home was in their old recruiting office in Cockspur Street off Trafalgar Square. By 1902 larger premises had been provided at Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park. Recruits used the Household Cavalry riding school at Albany Street and they learnt to shoot at the rifle range on Wormwood Scrubs.