Royal Regiment of Artillery

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The Royal Regiment of Artillery is generally known as the Royal Artillery and is nicknamed the Gunners. The regiment is an arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it is made up of twenty-two regiments:

Royal Horse Artillery

There are currently four separate regiments that wear the cypher (cap badge) of the RHA:

• King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery is a ceremonial unit equipped with 13 pounder guns for firing salutes, and is located in St John's Wood in Hyde Park.
• 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery at Assaye Barracks in Tidworth
• 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (The Liverpool and Manchester Gunners) are equipped with the AS90 self-propelled artillery, based at Caen Barracks in Hohne, Germany.
• 7th (Parachute) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - Equipped with L118 105MM light gun and are currently part of 16th Air Assault Brigade based in Colchester

Royal Artillery

• 4th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The North East Gunners) are equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery at Alanbrooke Barracks in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
• 5th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The North, East & West Yorkshire Gunners) are equipped for Surveillance and Target Acquisition and based at Marne Barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire

• 12th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Lancashire and Cumbrian Gunners) are equipped with Starstreak HVM and are based at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island
• 14th Regiment Royal Artillery - are the Training and Support Regiment based at Stirling Barracks in Larkhill
• 16th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The London and Kent Gunners) are equipped with Rapier and are based at St George's barracks, in North Luffenham
• 19th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Highland Gunners) are equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery at Horne Barracks in Larkhill
• 26th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The West Midland Gunners) are equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery at Mansergh Barracks in Gütersloh
• 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Commando Gunners) are equipped with the (L118 105MM light gun, and are currently part of 3 Commando Brigade, with most batteries based at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth, and one battery based at the same location as the Special Boat Service in Poole
• 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery - are equipped with Surveillance and Target Acquisition and Unmanned Air Vehicles and are based in Roberts Barracks in Larkhill
• 39th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Welsh Gunners) are equipped with MLRS and GMLRS and are based at Albemarle Barracks near Ouston, Stamfordham
• 40th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Lowland Gunners) are equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, Northern Ireland
• 47th Regiment Royal Artillery - (The Hampshire and Sussex Gunners) are equipped with Starstreak HVM and are based at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island
• 100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery (Armoured/Field/Airborne Artillery)
• 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) (STA & MLRS)
• 103rd (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery (Field Artillery) (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers Band)
• 104th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) (Surveillance and Target Acquisition - Unmanned Air Vehicles)
• 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) 'The Scottish & Ulster Gunners' (Field Artillery)
• 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery (Air Defence Artillery)

History

On the 26th May 1716, two regular companies of field artillery were raised in Woolwich, London (now the home of Royal Artillery Barracks. In 1722, these companies were grouped with independent artillery companies at Gibraltar and Minorca to form the Royal Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Colonel Albert Bogard. By 1757, the regiment had expanded greatly and comprised 24 companies, in two battalions. By 1771, this had increased to 32 companies in four battalions.

In January, 1793, two troops of Royal Horse Artillery were raised to provide fire support for the cavalry. This increased to four troops in November. All personnel were mounted.

The Royal Regiment of Artillery and the Royal Engineers were under the control of the Board of Ordnance until 1855, when they came under the War Office, like the rest of the army, following the disastrous Crimean War.

69 batteries of artillery—21 horse and 48 field—from the East India Company were absorbed into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1861, and there was now a total of 29 horse batteries, 73 field batteries and 88 heavy batteries.

There was further reorganisation in July 1899, and three distinct groups were formed. The Royal Garrison Artillery was formed from coastal-defence, mountain, siege and heavy batteries. There was also the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. This structure lasted through World War I until 1924, when the three groups were reformed into the Royal Artillery.

The Royal Horse Artillery, which has traditionally had separate uniforms and insignia, to this day retains a separate identity within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. It is considered by its members to be an élite.

In 2008 the Royal Artillery Barracks moved to Stirling Barracks in Larkhill.

References

• Graham C A L DSO psc, Brig Gen The Story of the Royal Regiment of Artillery RA Institution, Woolwich 1939

External links

• Royal Regiment of Artillery at army.mod.uk
• Royal Regiment of Artillery at ARRSE.co.uk