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The Royal Artillery, is the common name for the Royal Regiment of Artillery, is an Arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it is made up of a number of regiments.
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Before the 18th century, artillery 'traynes' were raised by Royal Warrant for specific campaigns and disbanded again when they were over. On 26 May 1716, however, by Royal Warrant of George I two regular companies of field artillery, each 100 men strong, were raised at Woolwich. During the 1720 the title "Royal Artillery" (RA) was first used. On 1 April 1722 these companies were expanded to four, and grouped with independent artillery companies at Gibraltar and Minorca to form the Royal Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Colonel Albert Bogard. In 1741 the Royal Military Academy formed in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich (RWA). The regiment expanded rapidly and by 1757 had 24 companies divided into two battalions, as well as a Cadet Company formed in 1741. During 1748 the Presidential Artilleries of Bengal, Madras and Bombay formed. 1756 saw the creation of the Royal Irish Regiment of Artillery. In 1762 the Royal Artillery Band was formed at Minden to become the oldest British military band. By 1771 there were 32 companies in four battalions, as well as two Invalid Companies comprising older and unfit men employed in garrison duties. During 1782 RA moved to current RA Barracks (front parade) on Woolwich Common. In January 1793, two troops of Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) were raised to provide fire support for the cavalry, joined by two more in November 1793. All RHA personnel were mounted. The Royal Irish Artillery was absorbed into the RA in 1801. During 1805 RWA moved to Woolwich Common for RA and RE officers. In 1819 the Rotunda was given by Prince Regent the RA to celebrate end of the Napoleonic Wars. In 1832 the Regimental Motto's were granted.
The regiment was under the control of the Board of Ordnance until the Board was abolished in 1855. Thereafter the regiment came under the War Office along with the rest of the army. The School of Gunnery established at Shoeburyness, Essex in 1859. In 1862 the regiment absorbed the artillery of the British East India Company – 21 horse batteries and 48 field batteries – which brought its strength up to 29 horse batteries, 73 field batteries and 88 heavy batteries. On 1 July 1899, the Royal Artillery was divided into three groups: the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery comprised one group, while the coastal defence, mountain, siege and heavy batteries were split off into another group named the Royal Garrison Artillery. The third group continued to be titled simply Royal Artillery, and was responsible for ammunition storage and supply. Which section a gunner belonged to was indicated by collar badges (R.A., R.F.A., R.H.A., or R.G.A.). The RFA and RHA also dressed as mounted men, whereas the RGA dressed like foot soldiers. In 1920 the rank of Bombardier was instituted in the Royal Artillery. The three sections effectively functioned as separate corps. This arrangement lasted until 1924, when the three amalgamated once more to became one regiment. In 1938, RA Brigades were renamed Regiments. There used to be hundreds of regiments within the Royal Artillery - at the end of the Second World War, the RA was larger than the Royal Navy[citation needed]. In 1947 the Riding Troop RHA was renamed The King's Troop RHA, and in 1951 the appointment of regiment's Colonel-in-Chief became Captain General.
The Royal Horse Artillery, which has always had separate traditions, uniforms and insignia, still retains a separate identity within the regiment, however, and is considered (by its members at least) to be an élite.
Before the Second World War, Royal Artillery recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 4 inches (1.6 m) tall. Men in mechanised units had to be at least 5 feet 8 inches (1.7 m) tall. They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve or four years and eight years. They trained at the Royal Artillery Depot in Woolwich.[1]
The Royal Artillery is equipped with a variety of equipment and fulfils a wide range of roles, including:
The Captain General of the regiment is Queen Elizabeth II. The post was previously known as Colonel-in-Chief until King George VI expressed the desire to be known as Captain General. The head of the regiment is the Master Gunner, St. James's Park.
The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises both regular (full-time) and Territorial (part-time) units. The current regiments of the Royal Artillery are:
The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises the Royal Artillery and the Royal Horse Artillery. The Regular Army units are:
Regular Regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery
Regular Regiments of the Royal Artillery
The Royal Artillery's traditional home was Woolwich, in south east London but much of their training activity takes place at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. The Royal Regiment of Artillery is unique in that it has sub-units that often move between Regiments, or placed into Suspended Animation. See List of Royal Artillery Batteries
The Royal Artillery is equipped with two main weapons in the air defence mission;
In the support mission, the Royal Artillery has three types of weapon;
| Preceded by: Royal Armoured Corps |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by: Corps of Royal Engineers |
Canada - Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
Australia - Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
New Zealand - Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
India - Regiment of Artillery
Pakistan - Regiment of Artillery
Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka Artillery
Singapore - Singapore Volunteer Artillery
Malta - Armed Forces of Malta
Malaysia - Rejimen Artileri Diraja
Gibraltar - The Royal Gibraltar Regiment
South Africa - South African Artillery Corps|
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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
