8th London Artillery

265 (Home Counties) Battery is an artillery unit of the British Army, currently part of the 106th (Yeomanry) Artillery Regiment within the Royal Artillery. The battery operates the Starstreak HVM system and its based in London with the RHQ of 106 Regiment RA. The battery's history can be traced back to the 8th London Howitzer Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery.

Background
n 1907, Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane announced a series of reforms, which would effect mostly the Volunteers and Yeomanry. These two groups were merged to form the "Territorial Force". On 1 April 1908 the Territorial Force was born. These reforms formed fourteen divisions, fourteen mounted brigades, and coastal defence troops. As part of these reforms, all of the volunteer battalions were renamed loosing their "volunteer" title and gaining regional or regular titles.

Following the creation of the Territorial Force, the 8th London Howitzer Brigade was formed within the Royal Field Artillery. This regiment was formed as a result of the re-designation of the 2nd Kent Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery. From 1908-14 the regiment had the following structure;


 * Regimental Headquarters at Bloomfield Road, Plumstead (Until 1913) then 'Oaklands', St Margaret's Road, Woolwich
 * 21st County of London Howitzer Battery in Plumstead, later Woolwich
 * 22nd County of London Howitzer Battery in Plumstead, later Woolwich
 * 8th London Ammunition Column in Plumstead [Formed in 1909] in Plumstead, later Woolwich

World War I
During World War I, the regiment formed two regiments, a first line (8th London) and second line (16th London). These regiments both saw service during the war but were both broken up following the disbandment of the howitzer brigades in 1917.

CCXXXVIII Howitzer Brigade
The brigade was still stationed under Commander Royal Artillery, 47th (1/2nd London) Division during mobilisation. Eventually in May 1916 the brigade was re-designated as CCXXXVIII Howitzer Brigade, and on 21 January 1917 it was broken up.

CCCIII Howitzer Brigade
The 2/8th (London) Howitzer Brigade was formed after mobilisation of the 8th (London) Howitzer Brigade. After formation, the regiment joined the 60th (2/2nd London) Division. The CCCIII brigade had better luck compared to their counterparts. The regiment was not disbanded in 1917, but was in November 1918 following the end of the war.

Interwar
In 1919 the Territorial Force was disbanded, and concurrently reformed in 1921. Just before reformation, the 8th (London) Howitzer Brigade was reformed. During this time, the regiment had the following structure; RHQ, 21st, 22nd, and 24th London Batteries in Plumstead, and 23rd London Battery in Eltham. Following the formation of the new Territorial Army, the reigment was re-named and re-designated as the 65th (London) Brigade with its batteries being renamed as 257th (21st London), 258th (22nd London), 259th (23rd London), and 260th (24th London) batteries. In 1922 the regiment was renamed as the 65th (8th London) Brigade, and by 1924 was renamed as the 65th (8th London) Field Brigade. In 1932 and 1934 the following happened with the batteries;


 * [1932] 257th (21st London) Battery moved to Greenwich
 * [1932] 260th (24th London) Battery moved to Eltham
 * [1934] 257 (21st London) Battery and 258 (22nd London) Batteries moved to Lee Green
 * [1934] 259 (23rd London) Battery moved to Plumstead

Finally, in 1938 the regiment was renamed as the 65th (8th London) Field Regiment. During this time, the regiment was still based within the 44th (East Anglian) Infantry Division. Just before mobilisation, the regiment had the following structure;


 * Regimental Headquarters at 43 Eltham Road, Lee Green
 * Honourable Colonel, Captain W H Revan
 * Lieutenant Colonel C C West TD
 * 257 (21st London) Battery at 43 Altham Road, Lee Green
 * 258 (22nd London) Battery at St Margaret's Grove, Plumstead