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Now I know I'm thick, but I'm not called a "Noodle". Well I don't think I am.....why, if they fought in the 2nd Boer War and got a battle honour in 1905. did they have "South Africa 1900-1902"? and why, oh why, were they called "Noodles"
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'Noodles' has a few interpretations, but the two authors of NH unit histories, Howard Pease and Henry Tegner tend towards a derogatory origin. Seems quite common for the various yeomanry regiments in the Victorian era to get an unpleasant nickname. Expected I suppose considering some of their 'tasks'.
A jingle of the time refers to the local yeomanry:
'Blue bummed bumblers
Cock-tail tumblers
Fireside sowjers
Dor'nt gan to war'
(obviously pre 2nd Boer War)
Tegner suggests 'Noodle' as in simpleton.