Dates: 1722 -
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 sixteen regiments.
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, where it then came underneath the War Office, following the disastrous campaign of the Crimean War, like the rest of the British Army.
69 Batteries - 21 Horse and 48 Field - of Artillery, 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, were formed from Coastal Defence, Mountain, Siege and heavy batteries. There was also the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. This lasted through World War I, until 1924 when all three separate groups were reformed as the Royal Artillery.
The Royal Horse Artillery, which traditionally had separate uniforms and insignia, to this day retains a separate identity within the Royal Regiment of Artillery. It’s considered by its members to be an elite.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Royal Regiment of Artillery
" Hi Everyone, Can anyone help me to find out who is on my World war one photograph please? I have a post card with a photo of one of my Father’s cousins from (I am told) The First World War. He was in The Royal Regiment Of Artillery. I know it is a ..."
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" The complete list of operational honours is below. OPERATIONAL AWARDS LIST NO 25 Honours and Awards to members of the Armed Forces for services on operations in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and other miscellaneous ..."
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" Origins of The Lanyard & The classic "Sapper Leg-pull" There has long been a tale-usually told by Sappers-about the Gunners wearing a white lanyard for cowardice, allegedly for deserting their guns. Of course, the story is nothing more than a piece of leg pulling. The tradition of ‘winding up’ ..."
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"Hi .The royal regiment of artillery had like most regt signalers I was one what regt was he in IE RA OR WHAT . "
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" The extent of overstretch and manpower shortfalls in key Army positions has been revealed, showing which divisions are experiencing high rates of outflow while struggling to replace the departed troops. According to figures provided to MPs, key parts of the Army have lost over a thousand more ..."
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