6 Battery was formed in Flanders in 1743 as Captain Michelson’s Company to fight the French in the War of the Austrian Succession.  The Battery also served at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 with 6 Pounder guns and 8” howitzers.  In the same year the Battery was recalled to England and incorporated into the Duke of Cumberland’s Army.  Michelson’s Company played a decisive part in the Battle of Culloden during the second Jacobite rebellion and after victory they were returned to Flanders.

The Company served in the Americas throughout the American War of Independence.  From 1796 – 1819 the company formed part of the Gibraltar Garrison.  In 1852 the Company was stationed in Ceylon and in 1845 they moved to Canada.  The Battery also served in the Crimea in 1855 and until 1900 served in Ceylon, Bermuda and Canada.

Throughout the 1914 – 1918 War the Battery was stationed on the Isle of Wight as a coastal defence Battery.  In May 1940 the Battery was involved in the advance into Belgium and with the Battles at Ellingham.  In June of that year the Battery was temporarily disbanded.

It was reformed two years later and equipped with 7.2” howitzers.  In March 1944 they were re equipped with 155mm howitzers in preparation for the invasion of Europe and landed at Courselles-Sur-Mer, Normandy on 8^th July 1944.  In 1948 the Battery returned to England and became 6 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery of 27 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery.

Between 1949 and 1957 the Battery was based in Hong Kong, where it was present during the disturbances in China 1949 – 50.  In March 1990, 6 Battery moved with 27^th Regiment to Dortmund and from here most members of the Battery saw service on Operation Granby in the Gulf.

They have also had 5 tours of Northern Ireland, the last being with 27^th Field Regiment ending in July 1992.

36 (Arcot 1751) Battery Royal Artillery

The Battery was formed as Madras Battery on the authority of a minute from the Court of Directors of the Honourable East India Company dated 17 June 1748.  The Battery’s major action was the capture and defence of Arcot in 1751 (an action that was later said to be the major turning point for the British in India).

Thereafter, the Battery took part in the Battle of Plassey and in the Three Mysore Wars. With the amalgamation of the Royal Artillery in 1862 it became 1 Battery 17 Brigade Royal Artillery.

Throughout the Great War it served as a heavy Battery in France and Flanders and in 1947 became 36 Medium Battery.  Between the wars it served in India, Malta and England, ending up in Italy in 1943 where they stayed until 1947.

From 1947 until 1972 the Battery was part or 39^th Regiment Royal Artillery and served in Palestine, Tripolitania and Cyprus.  As a result of reorganisation in 1972 the Battery became part of 50^th Missile Regiment.

The Battery was awarded the honour title “Arcot 1751” in 1970.

6/36 (Arcot 1751) Battery Royal Artillery

Options for Change in 1993 saw the amalgamation of 6 Battery and 36 (Arcot 1751) Missile Battery from 27^th Field Regiment Royal Artillery and 50^th Missile Regiment respectfully, which were both put into suspended animation.  In January 1993 6/36 (Arcot 1751) Battery Royal Artillery joined 40^th Regiment Royal Artillery becoming the senior Battery in the Regiment.

Since joining 40^th Regiment Royal Artillery, 6/36 (Arcot 1751) Battery has been re equipped with AS90 and deployed to Northern Ireland in 1995.  Between July 1997 and January 1998 the Battery deployed to Bosnia on Operation LODESTAR and in the same year moved from Hohne to Topcliffe in North Yorkshire.

The Battery deployed to Bosnia on Operation PALATINE, July 1999 – January 2000 and was split between 137 (Java) Battery and 38 (Seringapatam) Battery Royal Artillery.

40^th Regiment Royal Artillery deployed on a Pan Balkan tour, Operation Agricola, June – October 2001, 6/36 (Arcot 1751) Battery deployed as the Kosovo Battery for this.  Following the second Gulf War the Battery deployed on Operation TELIC 2 to Az Zubayr in Southern Iraq, in the infantry role from June – November 2003.  The Future Army Structure changes of 2004 saw 6/36 (Arcot 1751) Battery re role from an AS 90 Battery to a Light Gun Battery.