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1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery

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For the predecessor unit, see I Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery.
5th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery
1st Brigade Royal Horse Artillery
1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
RHA Cap Badge
Cap badge of the Royal Horse Artillery
Active 1901–Present
Country Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Flag of the British Army British Army
Type Field Artillery regiment
Role Armoured Artillery Support
Size Regiment
506 personnel[1]
Part of 1st Artillery Brigade
Garrison/HQ Assaye Barracks, Larkhill Garrison
Nickname(s) The South Yorks & Midland Gunners
Equipment AS90 self-propelled gun
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Timothy Granville-Chapman

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery in the British Army. It currently serves in the armoured field artillery role, and is equipped with the AS90 self-propelled gun. The regiment is currently based at Larkhill Garrison, Larkhill. The Regiment completed its move from Assaye Barracks, Tidworth to Larkhill in June 2019.[2]

History[]

Formation[]

The regiment was formed as 5th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery in March 1901 and was renamed 1st Brigade Royal Horse Artillery in October 1906.[3] It served in Iraq in 1920, returned to the UK in 1923 and served in Egypt in 1931, before returning to the UK again in 1936.[3] It was renamed 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery on 1 May 1938.[3]

Second World War[]

The British Army in Italy 1944 NA20334

Sexton 25pdr self-propelled gun of 1st Royal Horse Artillery, operating as part of 'Porter Force' on the Adriatic coast near Ravenna, 1 December 1944. (IWM NA20334)

In 1939, 1 RHA was part of 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, and fought at Saint Valery. The Regiment was captured after severe fighting, but some batteries managed to escape after the Battle of Dunkirk. The Regiment reformed and was deployed to Northern Africa in late 1940. The Regiment then arrived with the Middle East Command in October 1940 and took a large part in Wavell's Campaign which opened on 9 December 1940. The most notable actions were those during the Siege of Tobruk and all the batteries fought during the fierce fighting just before El Alamein and then the First and Second Battles of El Alamein itself.[3]

1 RHA then joined 10 Armd Division in Aleppo and spent the next year training all over Syria, Palestine and the Suez Canal Zone. 1 RHA then landed in Italy from Palestine in May 1944 at Taranto, and were in action south of Rome on 15 May 1944 and thereafter played a full part in the remainder of the Italian Campaign and finished the war in Italy.[3]

Cold War[]

The regiment saw service as follows:[4] 1 RHA was stationed in Palestine after the Second World War, during the period of terrorist activity that led to the creation of the State of Israel.[4] 1 RHA returned to England as part of 6th Armoured Division at Salisbury Plain in 1951.[4] in 1952 1 RHA moved to Münster in West Germany, where they remained until 1958 as part of the 20th Armoured Brigade of 6th Armoured Division.[4] In 1958, it moved to Hildesheim, where it was equipped with the M44 Self Propelled 155 mm Howitzer.[4]

In 1965, RHA deployed to Aden with three batteries (each split into three independent two-gun sections), where they supported British battalions in the Radfan, and South Arabian battalions on the Yemeni border. On returning from the region, the regiment was based at Kirkee Barracks, Colchester Garrison and subsequently renamed as 1st Field Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and its batteries also taking the new designation. The regiment was then equipped with the 105mm Pack Howitzer, and assigned to the 19th Infantry Brigade.[4]

Elements of 1 RHA were deployed on Operation Banner in November 1969. As part of support to support 3rd Infantry Brigade, units were deployed to Long Kesh and Belfast City Centre. After returning from Northern Ireland, the regiment was granted the Freedom of the City of Nottingham. In May 1970 they moved to Hobart Barracks in Detmold and equipped with the new Green Archer Radar and joined CRA, 4th Armoured Division in support of the 20th Armoured Brigade.[4][5]

The regiment then deployed to Northern Ireland on Operation Banner three more times, Sep 72 - Jan 73 in Long Kesh, Mar - Jul 74 in Belfast (City Central), and Mar - Jun 76 Belfast (Grand Central/City Centre). In September 1976, the regiment was equipped with the new Cyberline Radar, and the batteries re-equipped with the FV433 Abbot SPG, and E Bty subsequently became an independent abbot bty. In March 1977 the regiment moved to Alanbrooke Barracks, Topcliffe and E bty remained for one year until joining the regiment again in March 1978. In 1979 the regiment was re-equipped with the new FH70 155mm Field Howizer and joined the 24th Airportable Brigade.[4][5]

In April 1982 the regiment moved to back to Germany, and was based at Haig Barracks, Hohne Garrison, re-equipped with the Abbot 105mm and joined CRA, 1st Armoured Division, and from 1988 in the close support role for the 22nd Armoured Brigade. Just after moving back to Germany, the regiment gained D Battery from 45th Regiment Royal Artillery, but in April 1984 the bty moved to 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.[4]

When the Cold War ended in 1990, the Options for Change reforms were published, and the regiment ordered back to England within the next two years. Another change was during the Gulf War, all three batteries, A, B, and E amalgamated to form A/B/E Bty for Gulf service. On returning from the gulf in April 1991, the batteries were separated into their independent identities again. In September 1992, the regiment moved to Assaye Barracks, Tidworth, renamed as 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and re-equipped with the L118 light gun in CRA, 3rd (United Kingdom) Mechanised Division in support of the 1st Mechanised Brigade.[4]

Post Cold War[]

In September 1993 the regiment was equipped with the new AS-90 and the observation parties equipped in the Warrior tracked armoured vehicle. In December of that year, L (Néry) Battery and O Battery (The Rocket Troop) joined the regiment after the disbandment of the 2nd Regiment Royal Artillery, and O Bty became O Headquarters Battery (The Rocket Troop) of the regiment. The regiment now controlled the following batteries after the recent reforms; A Battery (The Chestnut Troop), B Battery, E Battery, and L (Néry) Battery as field batteries, and O Headquarters Battery (The Rocket Troop). In April 1994 the regiment's radar troop deployed to Bosnia and the regiment then joined and deployed many times until 2002 when it ended its last deployment.[4]

In November 1999 after the recent Strategic Defence Review 1998, N Battery (The Eagle Troop) joined from 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and amalgamated with L (Néry) Battery to form L/N (Néry) Battery (The Eagle Troop).[4]

Modern Era[]

In 2004, 1 RHA deployed to Basra, Iraq on Operation Telic (Op TELIC 4) as part of 1st Mechanised Brigade: Sergeant Terry Bryan[6] from 1RHA was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions during an incident on 9 August 2004.[7] On 28 September 2004, a convoy of 1 RHA vehicles was ambushed, resulting in the loss of Cpl Marc Taylor REME and Gunner David Lawrence in an improvised explosive device attack.[8] In 2007, 1 RHA re-deployed to Basra, Iraq on Operation Telic (Operation TELIC 10).[9]

In September 2009 1 RHA deployed for approximately 7 months to Helmand province, Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 11 supporting 11 Light Brigade.[10] 1 RHA deployed to Afghanistan for a second time, on Operation Herrick 16, in 2013.[11]

In 2010, the regiment's structure was as follows:[12]

Current Role[]

Under Army 2020, and its successor, Army 2020 Refine, the regiment is now part of the re-organised 1st Artillery Brigade and provides armoured artillery support to the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade.[13][14][15] Under the reorganisation, H Battery (Ramsay's Troop) moved to 26 Regiment RA, so that the MLRS capability could be combined in that regiment.[16] In addition, the regiment moved from its location at Assaye Barracks, Tidworth Garrison to Larkhill Garrison 'not before 2017'.[17][18][19]

Following the refine, the current structure of the regiment is as follows:[20]

See also[]

footnotes[]

  1. ↑ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616. 
  2. ↑ "Army 2020". https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report.pdf. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Artillery Regiments That Served with the 7th Armoured Division". Desert Rats. http://www.desertrats.org.uk/orgartillery.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery". British Army units 1945 on. http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-artillery/1st-regiment-rha.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 54, 105, 115.
  6. ↑ "In Foreign Fields". Monday Books. http://www.mondaybooks.com/in_foreign_fields/assets/In%20Foreign%20Fields%20extract.pdf. 
  7. ↑ "Armed Forces honours and awards" (in en-GB). 2005-03-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4360543.stm. 
  8. ↑ "Corporal Marc Taylor and Gunner David Lawrence killed in Iraq". Ministry of Defence. 1 October 2004. https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/corporal-marc-taylor. 
  9. ↑ "Defence: Iraq Roulement". Hansard. 22 February 2007. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070222/wmstext/70222m0001.htm. 
  10. ↑ "Afghanistan". Hansard. 15 July 2009. https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2009-07-15/debates/09071575000340/Afghanistan. 
  11. ↑ "Crowds welcome 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery home". BBC. 21 January 2014. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-25816043/crowds-welcome-1st-regiment-royal-horse-artillery-home. 
  12. ↑ "1 RHA - British Army Website". 2009-12-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20091209155201/http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/units/4105.aspx. 
  13. ↑ "1 Regiment RHA" (in en-GB). https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/1-regiment-royal-horse-artillery/. 
  14. ↑ "Regimental Family - RA Association". https://www.thegunners.org.uk/regimental-family. 
  15. ↑ "Royal Artillery — Question for Ministry of Defence". 21 March 2017. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2017-03-21/68813. 
  16. ↑ "Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise". 10 March 2017. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf. 
  17. ↑ "Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit". 29 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf. 
  18. ↑ "Regular Army Basing Plan - 5 March 2013". 5 March 2013. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136406/regular_army_basing_plan.pdf. 
  19. ↑ "Army Basing Programme: Salisbury Plain Masterplan". 20 June 2014. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/342489/AB-SP-Masterplan_Final-Outcome.pdf. 
  20. ↑ "1st Regiment RHA - British Army Website". 2016-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055850/http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/regiments/24664.aspx. 
  21. ↑ [0=AZVQhY1BYl9wTigsMsGh5QRLhpi3kmuEn9kN794p_YMty4z5kiIJ0cuysDY1--g4FXco4mB9DJgPC58EQrCtGBAS2WxY2kxOIhUjDJBzuD9ORQbL1WY-byq1EKk74VU70-N_9UBrgN3Pe4WNXzyM2ll6&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R "O Headquarters Battery (The Rocket Troop) Way Back... Well, back to Operation Desert Storm where the then O Battery (The Rocket Troop) managed 3 countries in 100 hours, Can you spot your name?"]. 14 October 2020. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/posts/3507061629339595?__cft__[0]=AZVQhY1BYl9wTigsMsGh5QRLhpi3kmuEn9kN794p_YMty4z5kiIJ0cuysDY1--g4FXco4mB9DJgPC58EQrCtGBAS2WxY2kxOIhUjDJBzuD9ORQbL1WY-byq1EKk74VU70-N_9UBrgN3Pe4WNXzyM2ll6&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R. 
  22. ↑ [0=AZX61EZkXeMJSzGi2gdcAa24ugSWnT2X4DBZtsgFrRHopRnLYsJPd_ZXf4W_euJmqPsVPteDBUNg1ULvZFAcuSnQhchsM9h6kjRqx70TOvfTpYWDRAfdmlnr-c71P0OYoHpu1WBeanEL3Rd17PJE6MYm&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R "Yesterday, on 1 February 2021, A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) Royal Horse Artillery celebrated their 228th Battery Birthday – Foundation Day."]. 2 February 2021. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/posts/3809702265742195?__cft__[0]=AZX61EZkXeMJSzGi2gdcAa24ugSWnT2X4DBZtsgFrRHopRnLYsJPd_ZXf4W_euJmqPsVPteDBUNg1ULvZFAcuSnQhchsM9h6kjRqx70TOvfTpYWDRAfdmlnr-c71P0OYoHpu1WBeanEL3Rd17PJE6MYm&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R. 
  23. ↑ [0=AZUR-54h2eTcQgafrLgeattEn_ew1W01fsQNFhD-EcH5fU3BiPOYJwMP5pPaI7w6T_gzk1hWLFOlOtoDJVGlRK5qWYCt7nSkoiM2EsAfQJWuzQ34JWS30-1LI6Du-AJBCIrVSUjAXDovEFOaZbUjxXzodd_UxoNMJVAN98zKKR7vPw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R "Approximately 400 members of the 5 RIFLES Battlegroup, including soldiers from D Squadron The Queens Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish), A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) 1 Royal Horse Artillery and 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment recently deployed to Castlemartin Training Area in Pembrokeshire."]. 18 June 2020. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/posts/3148370501875378?__cft__[0]=AZUR-54h2eTcQgafrLgeattEn_ew1W01fsQNFhD-EcH5fU3BiPOYJwMP5pPaI7w6T_gzk1hWLFOlOtoDJVGlRK5qWYCt7nSkoiM2EsAfQJWuzQ34JWS30-1LI6Du-AJBCIrVSUjAXDovEFOaZbUjxXzodd_UxoNMJVAN98zKKR7vPw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R. 
  24. ↑ "Some members of B Bty have spent the start of their leave Volunteering at Swindon Food Collective. A great charity that aims to support as many as possible with food parcels this Christmas.". 16 December 2020. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/. 
  25. ↑ [0=AZUWSqS7qWvsaZFSVkB0GqSQRnLKJcgDasc_Imb2zDOemcIhXXklF9nHlPFLxZ1jOdpfHyEmHl2mz88ONUFg9tiDGRQ-Ax4hkIToZAkfmoRJ36LBVSO_hUAKsMJFagmLMMbHAXpS9VrUGTjmydqejV_a&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R "Maj R Pusinelli handing over command of E Battery Royal Horse Artillery. A new chapter begins for the Battery with Maj C Blakiston."]. 6 July 2020. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/posts/3198484686863959?__cft__[0]=AZUWSqS7qWvsaZFSVkB0GqSQRnLKJcgDasc_Imb2zDOemcIhXXklF9nHlPFLxZ1jOdpfHyEmHl2mz88ONUFg9tiDGRQ-Ax4hkIToZAkfmoRJ36LBVSO_hUAKsMJFagmLMMbHAXpS9VrUGTjmydqejV_a&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R. 
  26. ↑ "Fire for Effect! 💥💪". 1 December 2020. https://www.facebook.com/1stRegimentRoyalHorseArtillery/photos/a.846193252093126/3641845435861213/?__tn__=%2CO*F. 

References[]

  • Graham E. Watson, Richard A. Rinaldi (2005). The British Army in German (BAOR and After): an Organisational History 1947–2004. United Kingdom: Tiger Lilly Book Productions. ISBN 0-9720296-9-9. OCLC 241300352. 

External links[]

AS-90
Light Artillery
Surveillance and Target Acquisition
Unmanned Air Systems (UAS)
Air Defence Artillery
Airborne Artillery
Commando Artillery
Ceremonial
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Mobile Artillery (Strike)
MLRS Artillery
Units of the Royal Horse Artillery
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(1859–1938)
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