Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers

The Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers were formed in 1861 as a response to a French invasion threat. They became part of the Territorial Force in 1908 and served during the First and Second World Wars until amalgamated in 1961.

Artillery Volunteers 1859–1908
On 8th November 1861 the 1st Administrative Brigade of Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers was formed. It comprised the following Corps:


 * 1st Corps formed at Swansea on 10 December 1859
 * 2nd Corps formed at Briton Ferry on 2 June 1860
 * 3rd Corps formed at Cardiff on 13 June 1860 (absorbed the 4th Corps in 1864)
 * 4th Corps formed at Cardiff on 13 June 1860 (absorbed by the 3rd Corps in 1864)

In May 1880 the Corps were consolidated as the 1st Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteer Corps with 17 batteries provided by the following Corps:


 * Number 1, 2, 3 batteries (Swansea) by the 1st Corps
 * Number 4 battery (Morriston) by the 1st Corps
 * Number 5 battery (Briton Ferry) by the 2nd Corps
 * Number 6 battery (Skewen) by the 2nd Corps
 * Number 7 battery (Neath) by the 2nd Corps
 * Number 8-14 batteries (Cardiff) by the 3rd Corps
 * Number 15 battery (Bridgend) by the 3rd Corps
 * Number 16 and 17 batteries (Penarth) by the 3rd Corps

In 1890 headquarters were moved to Swansea from Cardiff and some of the batteries were detached to form a new unit, the 2nd Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers. By 1892 the Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteer Corps were organised as follows:


 * 1st Glamorganshire Volunteer Artillery – Headquarters at Swansea
 * 2nd Glamorganshire Volunteer Artillery – Headquarters at Cardiff

Territorial Force 1908
In 1908 on the formation of the Territorial Force the 1st Corps formed the 1st  Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (TF), whilst the 2nd Corps provided five companies of the Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery (TF).

1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (TF)
During the First World War the 1st Welsh served in the UK, France, Egypt and Palestine. In 1916 the Brigade was renumbered as 265th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (TF).

Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery (TF)
During the First World War the Glamorgan RGA were mobilised for the defence of the home ports. They were part of No26 Coastal Fire Command, responsible for the defence of Swansea, Cardiff and Barry. The unit was placed in suspended animation in 1919.

Interwar years
After the war, the units were reconstituted in the reformed Territorial Army. The 1st Welsh Brigade RFA (TF), being redesignated 81st (Welsh) Brigade RFA (TF) in 1921. In 1938 it was redesignated 81st (Welsh) Field Regiment RA (TA)

The Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery became the Glamorgan Coast Brigade (TA), later the Glamorgan Heavy Regiment RA (TA).

Second World War
Both units were mobilised for the Second World War. The 81st (Welsh) Field Regiment RA (TA) was placed in suspended animation in 1946.

The Glamorgan Heavy Regiment (RA) was redesignated 531st (Glamorgan) Coast Regiment RA (TA) in 1940 and disbanded in 1942. It was responsible for manning the two 6-inch guns at Lavernock Battery near Cardiff, and the two 4.7-inch guns at Mumbles Battery, near Swansea.

Postwar
In 1947 the unit was reconstituted as 281st Field Regiment RA (Welsh) (TA). In 1953 the unit was redesignated as 281st (Glamorgan Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (TA). In 1956 it was amalgamated with the Glamorgan Batteries of 408th Coast Regiment RA (TA).

In 1961 the unit was further amalgamated with 282nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (Welsh) (TA), 283rd (Monmouthshire) Field Regiment RA (TA) to form 282nd (Glamorgan & Monmothshire) Field Regiment RA (TA).

External sources

 * The Royal Artillery 1939–45
 * The Long, Long Trail
 * The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918
 * Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth
 * British Military History
 * Patriot Files orders of battle