The article below was written about the 32nd (Lancashire Company, but doubtless it applied to the Imperial Yeomanry in general.
....The officers of the local Hussars—as they are getting to be termed—have been discussing the utility of field-glasses, and I am told that, judging by the prevailing opinion, a present of 50 or so would be very acceptable. The aim with the Yeomanry is to have as mobile a force as possible. The men are of a better class than would be needed for mere blind fighting at the command of an officer, necessary as that is very often. To this end everything that makes for the greater efficiency of the individual is to be sought and provided. Among such articles field-glasses must take an important place. With the long range weapons now in use a force unprovided with the keen sight of an Indian scout, or the next best substitute, powerful field-glasses, might easily run into dangers of which they might otherwise have been warned. But it would not be necessary for every man to carry a glass. And with the weight they already have to carry it would be undesirable. One glass between three or four would be ample. The quality would need to be of the best, giving a wide field with good definition. Their cost would be somewhere about £4 or £5. That is, if they could be obtained. I am told that so great has been the run on the best makers that they are overwhelmed with orders, and it is very doubtful whether they could supply any number within a reasonable time. The lenses are all hand-ground, and require careful testing and individual treatment to secure the good results aimed at—in fact, that is the chief element in their greater cost. And with the limited number of skilled men obtainable it is obvious they could not be turned out quite as if the whole work were possible of execution by machinery.—But that is a secondary difficulty; I dare say that 50 or so could be spared in Southport if the owners saw the wisdom of equipping the Hussars with this aid.
The Southport Visiter, Tuesday 16th January 1900
