THE heroic actions of the Dorset Yeomanry whose ride into battle 100 years ago was a ‘game changer’ in the war against Turkey, was hailed at a county event.

The First World War assault involving 198 Dorset soldiers, who made the last British Army cavalry charge at Agagia in Egypt, was outlined by Lieutenant Colonel James Selby Bennett, guest speaker at The Society of Dorset Men’s annual County Dinner.

He told members: “They brought about a game changer in the war against Turkey.

“By their sheer skill, courage and audacity they charged on horseback and defeated a much larger Turkish force – thereby clearing the way for the British advance into Palestine, Lebanon and Syria which eventually forced Turkey out of the war.”

Lt Col Selby Bennett is a life member of the Society, born and bred in Dorset. He is a solicitor, and runs the family farm at Slepe, the third generation to do so, and is President of the Dorset Country Landowners Association.

The Dorset Yeomanry was founded in 1794 by ten Dorset landowners, each of whom raised a troop. Lt Col Selby Bennett’s ancestor Thomas Weld of Lulworth was one of the founders.

The County Dinner, held at the George Albert Hotel near Evershot, was attended by almost 200 members and their wives, and began with the president, Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, reading a letter of greetings from the Queen.

Proposing the toast to the Queen, long serving magistrate, Sir Philip Williams spoke of the “sad day” when Dorchester Crown Court closed.

Vic Pomeroy from Portland was presented with the Bryan Challis Challenge Cup by Lord Fellowes. Dating from 1952, the silver cup is awarded to the society member who enrols most new members in the year. Mr. Pomeroy introduced 11 new members.

Lord Fellowes told the company it is “rather marvellous to remember those Dorsetmen of 100 years ago, combining together to defeat the enemy.”

He remembered Lady Fellowes’ great uncle Lord Kitchener, who was drowned in an accident in the Orkney Islands, in 1916.