A Short History covers the use of artillery by the British Army from the earliest times through the formation of the Regiment to recent times.
Artillery was in use as early as the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and became a semi-permanent function under Henry VIII.
At this time most British units were raised for a campaign and disbanded afterwards. The gunners at the Tower of London and other forts around the country were retained under the Ordnance Office and their guns stored and maintained. The personnel were then used to raise Traynes of Artillery when needed for campaigns. These became the first regular artillerymen in 1540 under control of the Board of Ordnance and paid directly from the Exchequer.
Their numbers were small, just 41 Master Gunners and 178 gunner assistants in 1720. In 1716 the first two permanent Field Companies of Artillery were formed, however the existing coastal gunners in the forts remained independent until 1771. In 1720 these two Companies became the Royal Artillery. In 1722 they had increased to four Companies and on the 1st of April joined with the independent Batteries at Menorca and Gibraltar to become the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
By 1780 the Regiment had expanded to 32 Companies in four Battalions plus two Invalid Companies for garrison duties and the Royal Artillery Band. In 1793 the Royal Horse Artillery was formed to provide support for the cavalry. Transport of the artillery had been in the hands of hired civilian horse teams and drivers but in 1793 the Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers was formed to take over the transport duties. In 1810 the Royal Irish Artillery became part of the Royal Artillery.
King William IV granted the Regiment a motto in 1832 which was ” Ubique” “Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt”. This translates from the Latin as “Everywhere” “Where Right and Glory Lead”. The following year the King decreed that in future no battle honours would be granted to the Regiment and that all existing honours would be removed. In their place the Regiment would have a single battle honour to serve in place of all others. This was to be “Ubique” (Everywhere). Also the guns were accorded the status of Colours when on parade and are treated with the same respect and reverence as the Colours of the Infantry. Even off parade the guns are treated with respect. Many a young gunner has been bawled out for “leaning on the Colours”.
In 1855 the Board of Ordnance was abolished and the Regiment came under control of the Army. In 1862, when the East India Company was dissolved, its artillery was absorbed into the Royal Artillery. The strength of the Regiment was now 29 Horse batteries, 73 Field Batteries and 88 Heavy Batteries.
On the 1st of July 1899 the Regiment was divided into three branches, the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Field Artillery forming the two mounted branches. The third branch was the Royal Garrison Artillery and was the dismounted branch. The Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Garrison Artillery were merged in 1924 becoming the Royal Artillery. The Royal Regiment has consisted of two branches ever since, the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Artillery.
A Short History wouldn’t be complete without a summary of the Regiment today. The Regiment currently (2023) consists of King’s Troop and 13 Regular Army Regiments including one Parachute Regiment (7 RHA) and one Commando Regiment (29 Regiment RA). There is also an Army Reserve consisting of a National HQ and five Regiments.