History and Tradition

Once a Gunner always a Gunner. Regular and territorial, you will always be a valued and respected member of a family that enjoys life to the full. Visit the family forums at www.theraa.co.uk and chat with serving and past members of the Royal Artillery.

Royal Artillery guns and launchers are our colours. On parade, the Royal Horse Artillery takes precedence over every other regiment and corps in the Regular British Army; placed at the right of the line.
The Royal Artillery has been present at every campaign in which the British Army has fought. We have one battle honour, Ubique ("Everywhere"), granted by William IV in 1833. Its subsidiary motto is Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt ("Where Right and Glory Lead").

Captain General and Master Gunner

Her Majesty the Queen is our Captain General and St Barbara the patron saint of Artillerymen. We celebrate our saint's day on the 4th December. We have our own prayer (The Royal Artillery Collect), musical marches and museum.

The Master Gunner is the head of the Regiment and our home, The Royal Artillery Barracks was Woolwich Arsenal for almost 300 years. The Premiership Football Club Arsenal 'The Gunners' were formed in 1886 by a group of workers from the 'Royal Arsenal'. There are two 32lb cast iron guns, from our museum on display outside Emirates Stadium, London. Our new home is The Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill in Wiltshire.

Royal Artillery regiments and batteries carry a unique number, except Royal Horse Artillery batteries which bear letters. Most batteries bear an honour title commemorating an exceptional act of service. Royal Artillery regiments wear the Regimental Cap Badge on their beret, while Royal Horse Artillery regiments wear the Royal Cypher.
The comedians Spike Milligan and Sir Harry Secombe served as Gunners in World War II. Other famous Gunners include Sir Edward Heath, Sir Denis Thatcher, actor Sir Anthony Hopkins and recently retired, England rugby player Josh Lewsey. Current national sportsmen include Andrew Clark (British Telemark skiing) and Charlie Unwin (British modern pentathlon).

Battle of Crecy

The first recorded use of cannon was by Edward III at the Battle of Crecy in 1346 during the Hundred Years War.  Before the 18th century, 'artillery traynes' were raised by Royal Warrant for a specific campaign and disbanded when they were over.  On 26 May 1716, by Royal Warrant of George I, two regular companies of field artillery, each 100 men strong were raised at Woolwich.  They were joined by the Gibraltar and Minorca companies in 1722, to form the Royal Regiment of Artillery.  By 1771 this had expanded to 32 companies and four battalions.

Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars saw the formation of the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) in 1793 as a mobile reserve to the cavalry.  The Royal Irish Artillery was absorbed in 1801 to produce twelve RHA troops and a hundred RA companies in 10 battalions.  In 1825 batteries ceased to be known by their commander's name and were given a number.  RHA batteries were given a letter.

The Crimean War

The Crimean War increased the Royal Artillery to 199 batteries.  In 1855 control of the RA was transferred from the Board of Ordnance to the War Department.  In 1861 the regiment absorbed the artillery of the British East India Company (Bengal, Madras and Bombay) swelling the ranks to 30 RHA, 73 field batteries and 88 heavy batteries.

On 1 July 1899 the Royal Artillery was divided into two distinct branches:
- Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
- Royal Garrison Artillery (coastal defence, mountain, siege and heavy batteries).
This lasted until 1924 when all amalgamated once more.

World War I & II

The two World Wars brought massive expansion.  By 1917, there were 1,769 batteries in over 400 brigades totaling 548,000 men.  In the Second World War over a million men were serving in over 960 Gunner regiments.  With the coming of peace the Gunners reduced to 250,000 men and 365 batteries in 106 regiments.  Following the end of National Service and the Cold War, the Royal Artillery fell further to its lowest strength since the 1820s; 15 Regular and 7 Territorial Artillery Regiments.