Royal Artillery

Royal Artillery
Unit name	Royal Artillery
Caption	The Cap badge of the Royal Artillery
Dates	1716–present
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1716–1800), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922), United Kingdom (1922–present)
Branch	British Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Field artillery, air defence, surveillance, target acquisition
Size	13 Regular regiments, 5 Reserve regiments
Garrison	Larkhill, Wiltshire
Garrison label	Headquarters
Nickname	The Gunners
Motto	Ubique (Everywhere), Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt (Where Right and Glory Lead)
Battles	War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years' War, American Revolutionary War, Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War, Second Boer War, First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Falklands War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War
Current commander	Colonel-in-Chief: Charles III
Ceremonial chief	The Master Gunner, St James's Park

Royal Artillery. The Royal Artillery, commonly known as The Gunners, is the artillery arm of the British Army. It was formally established in 1716 during the reign of King George I and has since participated in every major conflict involving British forces. Its motto, Ubique (Everywhere), reflects its ubiquitous presence across the battlefields of the British Empire and modern operations.

History

The regiment traces its origins to earlier formations like the Board of Ordnance and the Honourable Artillery Company. Its modern formation was a response to lessons from the War of the Spanish Succession, leading to the creation of two permanent companies at Woolwich. It saw extensive service throughout the 18th century, including the Battle of Dettingen and the Battle of Minden. The 19th century featured pivotal actions during the Peninsular War under the Duke of Wellington and the Battle of Waterloo, followed by campaigns in the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Its role expanded dramatically during the First World War, with immense artillery barrages defining battles like the Battle of the Somme and Battle of Passchendaele. In the Second World War, it provided critical fire support from the Desert War at El Alamein to the Normandy landings and the advance into Germany. Post-war, it served in conflicts from the Korean War to recent operations in Helmand Province.

Organisation

The Royal Artillery is organised under the umbrella of 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade and other formations. Its regular component comprises 13 regiments, including field regiments like 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, and specialist regiments such as 16th Regiment Royal Artillery for air defence and 47th Regiment Royal Artillery for surveillance. The Army Reserve contributes five further regiments, including 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery. Key training and doctrinal institutions include the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill and the Royal Artillery Centre of Excellence.

Equipment

Modern equipment includes the AS-90 self-propelled howitzer and the L118 light gun for field artillery. Air defence capabilities are provided by the Starstreak missile system mounted on the Stormer vehicle. For target acquisition and surveillance, units operate the MAMBA radar system and the Watchkeeper WK450 unmanned aerial vehicle. The regiment is also integrating the new Boxer armoured vehicle and awaits the future Mobile Fires Platform to replace the AS-90.

Roles and capabilities

Its primary role is to provide indirect fire support to manoeuvre units using field and strike artillery. Key capabilities include counter-battery fire, using radars like MAMBA to locate enemy artillery. The Joint Fires and Close Air Support teams coordinate strikes with assets from the Royal Air Force. It also conducts intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions and maintains a significant air defence capability to protect critical assets from aerial threats.

Traditions and insignia

The regiment's unique distinction is that it has no battle honours inscribed on its colours, as its motto Ubique is held to represent service in all battles. The Cap badge features a cannon with the motto Ubique above and Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt below. The Royal Horse Artillery, a distinct corps within the regiment, retains ceremonial duties such as the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, which performs the Gun Salutes in Hyde Park, London. The uniform includes a distinctive blue dress uniform for the RHA. The senior appointment is the Master Gunner, St James's Park.

Notable members

Famous Gunners include the scientist and inventor Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet, developer of the Congreve rocket. Military leaders include Field Marshal Lord Roberts, a Victoria Cross recipient from the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War. The explorer Captain Lawrence Oates of Scott's Terra Nova Expedition was a member. More recent figures include General Sir Mike Jackson, former Chief of the General Staff, and Colonel Patrick Sanders, a contemporary senior commander.

Category:Royal Artillery Category:Artillery regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1716