Battery Names - The Royal Artillery 1939-45

There are two reasons Batteries may have Battery Names or some sort of title. Some batteries created from Infantry or Cavalry regiments carried over battery names showing where they were raised or which unit they originated from, for example 113 Field Regiment had 227 (Hove) Battery and 228 (Worthing) Battery and 109 Field Regiment had 204 (Cumberland Yeomanry) Battery and 369 (Westmoreland Yeomanry) Battery.

The correct way to pronounce the title of a numbered Battery and Regiment is to read each digit seperately. Therefore 129 Battery should be spoken as “one two nine Battery” not “one hundred and twenty nine Battery”. The number “0” should be read as “Oh” not “zero”. 109 Field Regiment is “one oh nine Field Regiment” not “one zero nine Field Regiment”.

The various names, places and dates that appear in some regular Battery’s designation are Honour Titles. These are awarded to a Battery to commemorate a particular action, event or distinguished commander. Some of these titles were in unofficial use for some time before the official award. Where more than one Battery was present, some or all of them may be awarded the same Honour Title.

Some titles have been moved from one battery to another as batteries have amalgamated or been disbanded. The list given here is correct for 1975 being the last time a complete list of all Honour Titles was compiled by Major General Hughes.

The correct placement for the title can either be between the number/letter and “Battery” or after “Battery”. For example, L (Nery) Battery and O Battery (The Rocket Troop). If you click on the illustrations you will be presented with a pop-up showing a larger version of the badge. Below this is the title in the correct format.

The number in brackets after the title is a clickable link to a short description as to why the Honour Title was awarded.

Battery	Badge	Title	Title at event	Year
A		The Chestnut Troop⁽¹⁾	A or Ross’s Troop RHA	1793
F		Sphinx⁽²⁾	Experimental Brigade Bengal Horse Artillery	1801
G		Mercer’s Troop⁽³⁾	G Troop RHA	1815
H		Ramsay’s Troop⁽⁴⁾	H Troop RHA	1815
I		Bull’s Troop⁽⁵⁾	I or Bull’s Troop RHA	1808
J		Sidi Rezegh⁽⁶⁾	J Battery RHA	1941
K		Hondeghem⁽⁷⁾	K Battery RHA	1940
L		Nery⁽⁸⁾	L Battery RHA	1914
N		The Eagle Troop⁽⁹⁾	1st Troop Bombay Horse Artillery	1843
O		The Rocket Troop⁽¹⁰⁾	1st & 2nd Rocket Troops RHA	1813
P		The Dragon Troop⁽¹¹⁾	C Troop Madras Horse Artillery	1840
Q		Sanna’s Post⁽¹²⁾	Q Battery RHA	1900
T		Shah Sujah’s Troop⁽¹³⁾	1st & 2nd Troops Shah Sujah’s Horse Artillery	1839
4		Sphinx⁽²⁾	Bowater’s Company, 1st Battalion RA	1801
5		Gibraltar 1779-83⁽¹⁴⁾	Grove’s Company, 2nd Battalion RA	1779
7		Sphinx⁽²⁾	1st Company Bombay Artillery	1801
8		Alma⁽¹⁵⁾	1st Company, 3rd Battalion RA	1854
9		Plassey⁽¹⁶⁾	1st Company Bengal Artillery	1757
10		Assaye⁽¹⁷⁾	3rd Company Bombay Artillery	1803
11		Sphinx⁽²⁾	2nd Company Bombay Artillery	1801
12		Minden⁽¹⁸⁾	MacBean’s Company, 1st Battalion RA	1759
13		Martinique 1809⁽¹⁹⁾	Brough’s Company, 7th Battalion RA	1809
14		Cole’s Kop⁽²⁰⁾	4th Battery RFA	1900
16		Sandham’s Company⁽²¹⁾	Sandham’s Company, 3rd Battalion RA	1815
17		Corunna⁽²²⁾	Wilmot’s Company, 3rd Battalion RA	1808
18		Quebec 1759⁽²³⁾	Macleod’s Company, 1st Battalion RA	1759
19		Gibraltar 1779-1783⁽¹⁴⁾	Lloyd’s Company, 2nd Battalion RA	1779
21		Gibraltar 1779-1783⁽¹⁴⁾	Martin’s Company, 2nd Battalion RA	1779
22		Gibraltar 1779-1783⁽¹⁴⁾	Eyre’s Company, 2nd Battalion RA	1779
23		Gibraltar 1779-1783⁽¹⁴⁾	Lewis’ Company, 2nd Battalion RA	1779
24		Irish⁽²⁴⁾	Pritchard’s Company, 7th Battalion RA	1801
27		Strange’s⁽²⁵⁾ (Strange’s Company Jun 37-Jun 57)	5th Company, 12th Battalion RA	1857
29		Corunna⁽²²⁾	Truscott’s Company, 3rd Battalion RA	1808
30		Rogers’s Company⁽²⁶⁾	Roger’s Company, 3rd Battalion RA	1815
32		Minden⁽¹⁸⁾	Phillips’ Company, 1st Battalion RA	1759
34		Seringapatam⁽²⁷⁾	3rd Company, 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery	1799
36		Arcot 1751⁽²⁸⁾	1st Company Madras Artillery	1751
38		Seringapatam⁽²⁷⁾	4th Company Bombay Artillery	1799
42		Alem Hamza⁽²⁹⁾	105/119 Field Battery RA	1941
43		Lloyds Company⁽³⁰⁾	Lloyd’s Company, 10th Battalion RA	1815
46		Talavera⁽³¹⁾	Sillery’s Company, 7th Battalion RA	1809
49		Inkerman⁽³²⁾	4th Company, 11th Battalion RA	1854
51		Kabul 1842⁽³³⁾	2nd Company, 2nd Battalion Bengal Artillery	1842
52		Niagara⁽³⁴⁾	Holcroft’s Company, 4th Battalion RA	1813
53		Louisburg⁽³⁵⁾	Brome’s Company, 1st Battalion RA	1758
54		Maharajpore⁽³⁶⁾	1st Company, 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery	1843
55		The Residency⁽³⁷⁾	4th Company, 1st Battalion Bengal Artillery	1857
56		Olpherts’⁽³⁸⁾	2nd Company, 3rd Battalion Bengal Artillery	1857
57		Bhurtpore⁽³⁹⁾	3rd Company, 4th Battalion Bengal Artillery	1825
58		Eyre’s⁽⁴⁰⁾ (Eyre’s Company Jun 37-Mar 61)	1st Company, 5th Battalion Bengal Artillery	1857
59		Asten⁽⁴¹⁾	25 Field Battery RA	1944
73		Sphinx⁽²⁾	Sproule’s Company, 5th Battalion RA	1801
74		The Battleaxe Company⁽⁴²⁾	Stewart’s Company, 7th Battalion RA	1809
76		Maude’s⁽⁴³⁾	3rd Company, 8th Battalion RA	1857
79		Kirkee⁽⁴⁴⁾	6th Company Bombay Artillery	1817
88		Arracan⁽⁴⁵⁾	4th Company, 2nd Battalion Bengal Artillery	1824
93		Le Cateau⁽⁴⁶⁾	37 Battery RFA	1914
94		New Zealand⁽⁴⁷⁾	C Company, 4th Brigade RA	1861
97		Lawson’s Company⁽⁴⁸⁾	Lawson’s Company, 8th Battalion RA	1808
111		Dragon⁽⁴⁹⁾	D Company, 3rd Battalion Madras Artillery	1840
127		Dragon⁽⁴⁹⁾	B Company, 2nd Battalion Madras Artillery	1840
129		Dragon⁽⁴⁹⁾	C Company, 2nd Battalion Madras Artillery	1840
132		The Bengal Rocket Troop⁽⁵⁰⁾	Bengal Rocket Troop Bengal Horse Artillery	1816
137		Java⁽⁵¹⁾	1st Company, 2nd Battalion Bengal Artillery	1811
143		Tombs’s Troop⁽⁵²⁾	2nd Troop, 1st Brigade Bengal Horse Artillery	1857
145		Maiwand⁽⁵³⁾	E Battery , B Brigade RHA	1880
148		Meiktila⁽⁵⁴⁾	59/73 Field Battery RA	1945
152		Inkerman⁽³²⁾	4th Company, 12th Battalion RA	1854
156		Inkerman⁽³²⁾	7th Company, 11th Battalion RA	1854
159		Colenso⁽⁵⁵⁾	66 Battery RFA	1899
160		Middleton’s ⁽⁵⁶⁾ (Middleton’s Company from Jun 37)	6th Company, 13th Battalion RA	1857
170		Imjin⁽⁵⁷⁾	170 Independent Mortar Battery RA	1951
171		The Broken Wheel⁽⁵⁸⁾	N Battery , 2nd Brigade RA	1882
176		Abu Klea⁽⁵⁹⁾	1st Battery , 1st Brigade Southern Division RA	1885

Notes

(1) The Chestnut Troop – From the very beginning the Troop used chestnut horses. During the Napoleonic wars they were known as Ross’ Troop but at Waterloo, Wellington asked “Where are my Chestnuts”. As a mark of the distinguished services of the senior RHA unit, in 1902 the King approved the title of A Battery (The Chestnut Troop) RHA.

(2) Sphinx – Awarded for services in the 1801 campaign against the French in Egypt. The following Batteries were awarded the title – F, 4, 7, 11 & 73 Batteries.

(3) Mercer’s Troop – The Troop was at Waterloo where it took up a position in the line of British Artillery along the ridge behind La Haye Sainte. Mercer refused to withdraw his men into an infantry square of inexperienced Brunswickers when attacked by cavalry, for which it earned its Honour Title.

(4) Ramsay’s Troop -The Troop was at Waterloo where it took up a position in the line of British Artillery along the ridge behind La Haye Sainte for which it earned its Honour Title. Captain Ramsay was one of four artillery commanders killed or died of wounds at Waterloo.

(5) Bull’s Troop – The Troop earned its Honour Title at the Battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, Portugal in May 1811. 2nd Captain Norman Ramsay commanded half the troop supporting the infantry squares as they slowly retired. They came into action, fired a few rounds and then limbered up and galloped to the rear of the squares. Here they would come into action again as the squares retired past them. They carried out this procedure several times before being caught by the French cavalry as they were limbering up. It appeared to observers that the half Troop had been overrun and everyone killed or captured. Suddenly, there was a shout, the cavalry burst apart and Ramsay, sword in hand, charged through at the head of the Troop. The guns bounced along behind at full gallop with the mounted gunners close behind them, swords in hand. As the half Troop rejoined the rest, a charge by the 14th Dragoons stopped the enemy cavalry from following.

(6) Sidi Rezegh – In November 1941 the Allies began Operation Crusader. By the evening of the 19th, 7th Armoured Brigade had reached Sidi Rezegh near Tobruk. The German’s were quick to attack. 16 tanks ahaed of the main body came up against the support company of 2nd Rifle Brigade supported by 4 guns from J Battery under 2nd Lieutenant Ward-Gunn. The first attack was repulsed at the cost of several enemy tanks and two of the 2 pdr guns of J Battery. The main attack soon followed and was engaged by 25 pdr guns of 60 Field Regiment and 4 RHA. Only three guns were suitable to engage the tanks and these were the two 2 pdrs of J Battery on portees and a Bofors 40mm AA gun. The gun detachments composed and undaunted fired away as they were picked off one by one. One 2 pdr was destroyed and the Bofors set on fire. The men on the remaining gun were all killed or wounded and the driver attempted to bring the out of action. Major Pinney of M Battery told Ward-Gunn to stop the vehicle leaving. He and the driver then pulled the dead bodies of the gun and got it back into action with Major Pinney joining them. The Germans concentrated their fire on the lone gun but at least two of the nearest tanks were now on fire. The portee was soon alight as well with one front wheel and 2 ammo boxes on fire. Pinney used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the tyre but the ammo boxes were still on fire. During all this Ward-Gunn continued to fire until hit in the forehead and killed instantly. Major Pinney pulled him from the seat and took over until a shell put the gun out of action. He then drove the vehicle away. Ward-Gunn received a posthumous Victoria Cross.

(7) Hondeghem – During the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, K Battery were tasked with defending the village of Hondeghem on one of the German main lines of advanced for as long as possible. The Battery and an officer and 80 men of a searchlight regiment were all that was available. The Battery was armed with old 18 pdr guns although upgraded with pneumatic wheels. The Battery Comander detailed a small HQ and 4 guns of F Troop for the task under Captain Teacher. All roads leading into the village were blocked and 2 guns placed on the outskirts with the other 2 in the village square. At 7.30 a.m. on the 27th May the enemy appeared and were engaged by the 2 outer guns. They destroyed several vehicles and tanks but were soon overrun and the detachments killed or captured. For the next 8 hours a fierce battle raged in the village with the 2 remaining guns firing at point blank range as the Germans attempted to set up machine gun positions in the buildings. With ammunition running low the Troop withdrew at 4.15 p.m. to St Silvestre 2 miles away. This was occupied by the Germans but the Troop came into action by the church. The Troop Commander decided they should charge the enemy and along with 20 men from the RASC rushed forward yelling. The Germans lost their nerve and fled and the Troop continued on their way. After sustaining casualties and losing some vehicles they finally got away. For this action the Battery was awarded a DSO, an MC, a DCM, an MM and 2 Mentions in Despatches.

(8) Nery – During the retreat froms Mons in 1914, 1st Cavalry Brigade with L Battery RHA stopped for the night in the village of Néry. The Battery bivouaced in a sugar beet field just outside the village. The Brigade planned to move on at 4.30 a.m. but a thick fog prevented this. The move was delayed by an hour and the Battery Commander with his Trumpeter walked up to the village to consult with the Brigade Commander. The gun teams had been hooked in but with the poles down to take the weight off the teams. The horses were unhooked in small groups and taken to a stream to water while the men prepared breakfast. The German 4th Cavalry Division in the meantime had found the Brigade and launched a two pronged attack on the village. They were supported by 12 guns that came into action on a plateau alongside the village and overlooking L Battery. One of the first shells to land in the village knocked the Battery Commander unconcious. Down on the field men and horses were being mown down as they were watched by Captain Bradbury and the Subalterns from a corner of the field. Shouting for volunteers the Captain and 3 Subalterns ran for the guns and managed to bring 3 into action. One gun was destroyed by a direct hit before it could fire. The other 2 opened fire but one was soon hit and put out of action. The last gun continued to fire crewed by Captain Bradbury, Sergeant Nelson and Battery Sergeant Major Dorrell. Gunner Debyshire and Driver Motram braved the ground swept by artillery and machinegun fire to bring ammuntion from the other limbers. Captain Bradburry was caught by an exploding shell which removed the bottom half of both legs and wounded Sergeant Nelson. Bradbury continued to direct the gun despite great pain. Eventually the ammuntion ran out and the gun fell silent just as reinforcements arrived and drove off the enemy. For this action Captain Bradbury, Sergeant Major Dorrell and Sergeant Nelson were awarded the Victoria Cross (Bradbury’s posthumously).

(9) The Eagle Troop – Awarded for their action at Hyderabad where they spearheaded the British attack on the right flank firing from successive positions until they were able to enfilade the enemy. Whilst the infantry advanced over extremely difficult ground, the Troop kept up fire on the enemy positions until the very last moment before the infantry came to grips with the enemy. For its part in the battle the Troop was granted the honour of carrying a silver eagle and the word Hyderabad on its appointments.

(10) The Rocket Troop – Formed as two Troops in 1813, 1st Troop served as two detachments in Holland and Spain in 1813-14. 2nd Troop moved to Germany where it played a major part in the Battle of Leipsic in October 1813. It was the only British unit present, attached to the bodyguard of the Crown Prince of Sweden. At the start of the battle its commander Captain Richard Bogue asked permission to engage the enemy. The Troop advanced to attack the village of Paunsdorff occupied by 5 French Battalions. A hot combat ensued between the rockets and the French muskets. Eventually the enemy could withstand the fire of the rockets no more and began to retreat in confusion. Seizing his chance, Bogue ordered the Troop along with their escort of Dragoons to mount and charge the enemy . The French surrendered to the Rocket Troop (some 2,000 men to 200 British) but sadly Bogue was killed at the moment of victory.

(11) The Dragon Troop – To Commemorate the service in 1840-41 of those Madras Artillery units of the Honourable East India Company taking part in the expedition in China.

(12) Sanna’s Post – During the South African War in March 1900 2nd Cavalry Brigade with Q and U Batteries RHA were on operations some 40 miles east of Bloemfontein. The Brigade Commander decide to head for a waterworks on the Modder River taking with him ox-drawn supply wagons and a large number of refugees. The next morning gunfire was heard from behind them and a few shells burst in the camp. The ox drivers set off in a panic along with the refugees, towards Bloemfontein. About ³/₄of a mile ahead they were stopped by the Korn Spruit, a watercourse in a deep cutting with the only drift where the wagons could cross. Wagons had started to cross when U Battery was ordered to cross to cover the convoy. The cutting was so deep that anything going down went out of sight of those on the plain above. When the Battery reached the bottom they found themselves surrounded by 400 Boers. Being jammed in against the wagons that had already descended they were all captured less two men. Meanwhile, Q Battery was moving towards the spruit. About 400 yards from the cutting a gunner from U Bty appeared and warned them of what had happened. The Battery Commander wheeled the Battery behind the wagons for cover and them galloped them to the rear. The Boers seeing this opened fire with rifles. They brought down the teams of one gun and a wagon, the gun overturning. The other 5 guns came into action about 1,200 yards from the spruit near some half built corrugated iron buildings, which gave some cover to the wagons and gun teams. For the next 4 hours the guns in their exposed position kept up their fire pinning the Boers to the spruit. Under continuous rifle fire volunteers brought up ammunition by hand despite constant casualties. The cavalry had been sent in a flanking movement to take the Boers in the rear. This failed but another crossing was found and the Brigade Commander decide to withdraw the entire force. Q Battery came out of action but it was impossible to bring the teams forward under fire. With the help of the mounted infantry they managed to haul 4 of the guns back 70 yards to the cover of the buildings. 1 gun and 5 limbers still remained so volunteers were asked to go out with a gunner, driver and 2 horses for each to recover them. With 1 gun and limber left Driver Glassock and Gunner Lodge made two attempts at recovery. They nearly succeeded when having hooked in the limber, Gunner Lodge was lifting the trail of the gun when Driver Glassock was hit and his horse wounded. No more horses could be risked and so the last gun was abandoned. Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant was enacted allowing 1 officer, 1 NCO and 2 gunners/drivers to be nominated for the award. It went to Major Phipps Hornby, Sergeant Parker, Gunner Lodge and Driver Glassock.

(13) Shah Sujah’s Troop – The Troop was originally two Troops of the Bengal Horse Artillery raised in 1839 as part of a bodyguard for Shah Sujah, the deposed king of Afghanistan. The Indian Government decided to invade Afghanistan to re-install the Shah on the throne. The two Troops arrived at Kandahar in the winter of 1839. One evening, General Nott requested that 2nd Troop under Captain Anderson clear the road to Kabul with 5th Regiment of Shah Sujah’s Infantry under command. 1st Troop were in support. About half way to Kabul they met over 2,500 men on some hills and battle was joined. Outnumbered two to one the British force deployed into line with the artillery on the flanks. The attack was led by the Ghazis (religous fanatics) who aimed for what they thought was the weak point of the line, the artillery. Two rounds of case shot at point blank range persuaded them otherwise and they turned towards the infantry. This exposed their flanks to more case shot and the attack collapsed. Captain Anderson then ordered a counter-attack and the infantry charged up the hill scattering the remaing tribesmen.

(14) Gibraltar 1779-1783 – Awarded to those serving during the Siege of Gibraltar. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 5, 19, 21, 22 & 23 Batteries.

(15) Alma – Awarded for participation in the Crimean battle fought on 20 September 1854. Moving forward into the Russian positions they neutralised the Russian Artillery in enfilade and helped break up the Infantry until the Russian Army retired.

(16) Plassey – Awarded for the Battle of Plassey in central India in 1757. The battle was mostly an artillery affair with a duel between the guns. As a stalemate was reached a sudden storm erupted soaking both armies in a torrential rainstorm. The enemy cavalry thinking the guns would be out of action with wet powder, as their’s was, charged forward to overwhelm the British force. However the Bengal Artillery were well drilled in protecting their powder from the rain. Three rounds of case shot were fired bringing down men and horses in a tangled mass. The remainder of the enemy’s drenched army suddenly lost the will to fight and melted away.

(17) Assaye – The Battle of Assaye, India where Wellington’s troops beat an overwhelming Mahratta army in 1803.

(18) Minden – 1 August 1759. The Artillery not only gave important support and neutralised the enemy artillery but they showed a degree of mobility on the field never seen before. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 12 & 32 Batteries.

(19) Martinique 1809 – The guns were unloaded from ships boats independant of the two attacking columns. They hauled their guns cross country to attack and subdue the enemy guns on Pigeon Island. This allowed the Navy to enter Fort Royal Bay. They then joined the rest of the force investing Fort Desaix where they set up five batteries with 46 heavy guns landed from the ships. The heavy Howitzers and Mortars available fired exploding shells into the fort and after a week a shell hit the main magazine causing a huge explosion. The garrison surrendered immediately and the island was taken.

(20) Cole’s Kop – The Battery arrived at Colesberg in January 1900 where the Boers had a strong position. Several hills overlooked the Boers positions and the Battery Commander Major Butcher decided that they should put some guns on the top of Coles Kop. The hill stood 800 feet above the surrounding ground with extremely steep sides. With the help of the Royal Engineers and 50 men from the Essex Regiment they managed to get a 15 pounder BL gun weighing a ton and a quarter to the top. Five days later a second gun joined it and a rope way made to haul up ammunition. They then opened fire on the Boers rear areas. When some of the British troops were ordered elsewhere they had to retire. One gun was lowered from the top but time ran out and the second was pushed over the side.

(21) Sandham’s Company – The Company was at Waterloo where it took up a position in the line of British Artillery along the ridge behind La Haye Sainte for which it earned its Honour Title.

(22) Corunna – When Sir John Moore’s force retreated to Corunna, the French were so close behind that it was impossible to embark the troops on the waiting ships. The thinly spread British Artillery managed to surpress the fire of the enemy artillery and the British fought the enemy to a standstill. This bought enough time to allow the British to successfully embark the following night. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 17 & 29 Batteries. Note that curently 29 Battery is amalgamated with 3 Battery to produce 3/29 (Corunna) Battery.

(23) Quebec 1759 – Macleods Company were with the initial landings and came into action on the opposite side of the river to Quebec where they fired carcass (fire) shells at extreme range into the city. When Wolfe decided to make his assault on the city, Mcleod’s stepped up their bombardment and feint attacks were made to pin the majority of the French forces to the opposite flank. This allowed Wolfe to put 4,500 men ashore before the French realised what was happening. He also managed to haul two 6 pounder guns to the top. When the French attacked they were routed and Quebec surrendered two days later.

(24) Irish – In commemoration of the Royal Irish Artillery that existed separately from the Royal Artillery until 1801.

(25) Strange’s – This Honour Title is unique as being the only one named after an officer who wasn’t the commander but a subaltern in the 5/12 Company. In the summer of 1858 the company was engaged in action against the Indian mutineers. In October 4,200 rebels with 6 guns were reported near Doadpore. A column of 2 cavalry regiments, 3 infantry battalions and 2 guns each from F Troop RHA and 5/12 Company totalling 1,400 men set out after them. On arrival at Doadpore the enemy had left. Most of the cavalry had gone on a sweeping flank movement and those left pusued the enemy. Their route led down a narrow track between the jungle and the cavalry charged down followed by the guns. After a couple of miles stragglers were seen and F Troop came into action and fired a few rounds. 5/12 under Lieutenant Strange took the lead and followed the cavalry. They came to an emplacement across the track which appeared to be a ditch and parapet behind which were two guns. The cavalry turned aside looking for a way through the jungle. As the guns could not follow, Strange led them at a gallop straight for the obstacle. The lead pair of horses of the first gun fell but the remainder carried on and smashed through and levelled the obstacle. One enemy gun limbered up and galloped away but the other was in action. Strange and some of his mounted NCO’s were soon on the gun and despatched the gunners and an officer. The cavalry then rejoined and a second gun was captured further up the track.

(26) Rogers’s Company – The Company was at Waterloo where it took up a position in the line of British Artillery along the ridge behind La Haye Sainte for which it earned its Honour Title.

(27) Seringapatam – Awarded for the siege of Seringapatam in 1799. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 34 & 38

(28) Arcot 1751 – In August 1751 a small force of 200 Europeans, 300 Sepoys and 3 guns under Clive set out from Madras to capture Arcot. On arrival the garrison of the fort just outside the city were evicted and the fort occupied. A number of sorties were mounted to discourage the enemy and to bring in two 18 pdr guns that had been sent for. The force’s strength was now 120 Europeans and 200 sepoys. After a fifty day seige the enemy made a determined attack on the fort. Two breaches had been made and hordes poured into the breaches to be met by steady volley fire from the defenders. The artillery fired salvoes of case shot into their flanks causing great confusion. The assault failed and the following day a relieving force arrived and the siege was lifted. 240 men survived the 50 day siege against 10,000 enemy.

(29) Alem Hamza – During the pursuit of the Axis forces after the relief of Tobruk in 1941, 105/119 Battery (as it was then) was in support of a Brigade of 4 Indian Division. On the 13th December the Brigade reached Point 204 on the western end of Alem Hamza ridge. At the same time the other Brigade reached the eastern end of the ridge which was strongly held and their attack failed. This left the other Brigade isolated on the ridge. Early morning on the 14th saw the 25 pdr Troops pushed forward to where they could engage the enemy tanks expected at any moment. The Germans soon attacked preceeded by heavy shelling and dive bomb attacks. This continued throughout the day and a Troop from the other battery was lost. These attacks continued the next day until about 2.0 p.m. when there was an all out assault. The attack consisted of 400 tanks, 3 Battalions of infantry, 4 batteries of guns and a machine gun battalion. The tanks stood off, shelling the gun positions before charging, supported by infantry. Each Troop in turn was overrun with the detachments firing until they were all killed or captured. They took a toll of German tanks before finally being overwhelmed.

(30) Lloyds Company – The Company was at Waterloo where it took up a position in the line of British Artillery along the ridge behind La Haye Sainte for which it earned its Honour Title. Captain Lloyd was killed on the gun position, cut down by a French Cuirassier.

(31) Talavera – Awarded for its part in the Battle of Talavera, Spain in July 1809.

(32) Inkerman – The Battle of Inkerman in the Crimea war was fought in an early morning fog. The field guns fought a close range battle with the attacking Russians, using mostly case shot. Some guns were overrun but retaken later. The artillery took many casualties and performed many acts of bravery. The artillery commander Brigadier-General Fox-Strangways was killed on his horse next to Lord Raglan. His replacement Colonel Dacres had his horse killed under him and took the horse of Trumpeter McLaren of 5/11. He told the boy to retire to camp. The boy instead joined a gun crew in his battery and served as a gunner for the rest of the battle. Company Sergeant Henry of G Field Battery fought off a party of Russians along with Gunner Taylor. Both were bayoneted, Taylor fatally, and Henry collapsed as the Russians continued to bayonet him. Having received 12 wounds he passed out from loss of blood. He survived and was awarded the Victoria Cross and commissioned. Two 18pdr siege guns were brought up and proceeded to methodically neutralise the 135 Russian guns. Without the support of their artillery the Russian infantry could no longer hold off the allied attack. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 49, 152 & 156 Batteries.

(33) Kabul 1842 – Awarded for its part in capturing the Khyber Pass and releasing the hostages in Kabul.

(34) Niagara – During the attempted American invasion of Canada in 1813 the Battery, then known as Holcroft’s Company, provided artillery support against the three failed American attempts between Lakes Eerie, Ontario and Huron. They were also involved in the capture of Fort Niagara.

(35) Louisburg – In 1758 as part of the campaign to take Canada from the French, a seaborne expedition was mounted against Louisburg. The fortress was on a promontory in a large harbour. Three batteries protected the entrance on the Island, Lighthouse Point and Grand Battery. Over 200 guns protected the fort with mostly swamp on the landward approach. There were very few beaches suitable for landing. The beach furthest from the fort was chosen but the French had already put troops in position on all beaches. The attack had to withdraw but three boats of Light Infantry on the extreme right were covered by a small bank and managed to land. Brigadier General Wolfe siezed the chance and landed more men to support them. They took the French in the flank and attacked the nearest battery with the bayonet. The rest of the British force began to land and the French opposition collapsed and they retired to the fort. Then began the task of unloading the heavy equipment. During this, they learnt that the French had abandoned the Grand and Lighthouse Batteries. After bringing up the siege guns and ammunition, a five day bombardment of the Island battery began. The battery was silenced and French ships in the harbour moved to the protection of the guns in the fort. The siege of Louisburg then began in earnest. A road of brushwood fascines was built and a 9 foot embankment raised on a quarter mile stretch in view of the enemy. 500 yards out from the wall, the batteries were built and finally occupied after many weeks work. After several days of bombardment during which the mortars destroyed three French ships and British crews in ships boats took the remainder, the Governor surrendered. Only three guns remained in action on the landward side of the fort and the poorly made walls had begun to crumble.

(36) Maharajpore – The battle was the first in a series of 8 great battles fought in the Gwalior campaign of 1843 in India. The Bengal army was commanded by Sir Hugh Gough whose tactics were always to deploy the infantry in line, 2 ranks deep with the cavalry on the flanks. The artillery was pushed forward to deploy in range of the enemy. The whole line would then advance under cover of the artillery bombardment until the infantry reached the guns when they would charge with the bayonet. Although a good tactic against an enemy not of the highest moral, the Mahrata and Sikh troops faced in these battles did not break so easily. They generally had larger and stronger artillery as well. On arriving at Maharajpore Sir Hugh found the Mahratas in strength in the walled village and he gave orders for an immediate attack. The infantry had to move accross some difficult broken country before deploying into line. 1 Company, 1 Battalion Bengal Artillery was one of two batteries supporting the centre Brigade. With five 9 pdr Guns and a 24 pdr Howitzer they trotted in front of the infantry and came into action about 800 yards from the village. The enemy guns were protected by field works which were difficult to damage with the 9 pdrs. As the guns were making little impression the Battery limbered up under fire and advanced to 350 yards from the defences. At that range they had such an effect that when the infantry charged, the enemy guns were unable to produce the normal storm of case shot and the attack suceeded.

(37) The Residency – During the Indian Mutiny in 1857, the garrison of Lucknow decide to reinforce the compound around the Residency. The garrison consisted of the 32nd Foot and 4 Company, 1 Battalion Bengal Artillery, both under strength, as all the native units had mutined. The buildings around the compound were joined together by hastily built structures but neither walls nor buildings of brick and mud could expect to last long. The compound was surrounded on 3 sides by buildings and some overlooked the compound. A number of these were blown up and supplies stored in anticipation of a siege. Before this happened however, news came that a small number of mutineers had gathered a few miles outside the city and a small force assembled and marched out to meet them on the 30th June. The column was about 500 men in all supported by 8 field guns of the Oudh Irregular Artillery and a heavy 8 inch howitzer firing a 46 pound shell. This was manned by the 4/1 Bengal Artillery. The force met the enemy near Chinhut and engaged them. The 8 inch howitzer dominated the battle but the enemy was in greater strength than first reported and they swept round the flanks of the British force threatening to envelop them. They now had to perform the difficult task of withdrawing in the face of overwhelming superiority. Things started to go wrong. The native gunners and drivers of the Oudh Artillery deserted and the elephant pulling the howitzer objected to being shot at and took off for Lucknow. It was recaptured and brought back but would not stand still long enough to hook in the howitzer to its limber. The howitzer had to be spiked and abandoned. The force suffered 200 casualties. The siege of the Residency then began. They were under fire for the whole of July and several attacks were made. In return the garrisson made several sorties to destroy posts and spike guns. During one of these raids Gunner Thomas won the Victoria Cross for carrying back a wounded sepoy under fire. The mutineers then tried tunneling but the presence of some Sappers a number of Cornish miners in the 32nd allowed for counter-mining. Reinforcements arrived towards the end of September and a stronger relieving force in November.

(38) Olpherts’ – Captain William Olpherts was known throughout the Bengal Artillery as “Mad Jack” or “Hell Fire Jack” and for good reason. The Honour Title was awarded for his time in charge of 2 Company, 3 Battalion Bengal Artillery during the Indian Mutiny but he had been involved in many campaigns before that. He was in Burma in 1841, the Gwalior campaign in 1843, the campaigns in Sind in 1844-45 and Peshwar in 1852. He even managed a visit to the Crimea. He began his command of 2/3 Bengal Arty at Benares where 3 Native Infantry Regiments mutined. He led the Company with a few men from 10th Foot and the Madras Fusiliers, about 200 men in total, and charged the mutineers and completely routed them. They then joined the relief column to Lucknow. After much hard fighting the column reached the Residency where they joined the garrison. They took part in its defence from the 26th September to the 22nd November when the siege was lifted by the arrival of fresh troops.

(39) Bhurtpore – To Commemorate the Battery’s part in the siege of Bhurtpore in 1825 when they were 3 Company, 4 Battalion Bengal Artillery.

(40) Eyre’s – In July 1857, Major Eyre was ordered to move his company from Calcutta into Oudh to take part in operations around Lucknow. The guns and gunners travelled by boat up the Ganges while the drivers and horses went by road. Arriving at Buxar, Eyre heard that a small group of civilians were under siege at Arrah some 40 miles from the river. A relief had been attempted by 4 companies of British infantry and 6 guns but it had failed. He decided to go to their aid with a force of his own men and guns and 150 men from the 5th Fusiliers. Bullocks were obtained to haul the guns and they marched on Arrah. On arrival they found their way barred by over 4,000 trained soldiers. He attacked immediately supported by the fire of his guns. 2 determined attempts were made to rush the guns but both were beaten off by salvoes of case shot. After an hour’s fighting skirmishers turned the enemy’s right flank and the artillery poured case and shrapnel into their front. A bayonet charge by the Fusiliers then won the day. A week or so later Eyre once again defeated a numerically superior enemy. With a force of no more than 522 men he fought a running battle with a few thousand rebels in Jugdispore Jungle capturing 2 of their guns. He then contiued his journey to Oudh and took part in the operations at Lucknow.

(41) Asten – In October 1944 the Allies occupied the west bank of the Maas. On the night of the 26th October the enemy pushed forward to occupy Meijel, Holland in the centre of the American 7th Armoured Division’s position. 25 Field Regiment including 25 Battery moved to provide extra support for them. The Regiment arrived early on the 28th to find an American company overrun and Tiger tanks advancing. The came into action immediately. Two Panzer Grenadier Divisions were now involved and 25 Battery was firing contiuously during the day until a halt came at 4.30 p.m. The enemy had gained 1,000 yards but suffered heavily. The Americans had also suffered extreme casualties and were thin on the ground with no reserves. Responsibilty for the defence now relied heavily on the artillery. They fired 108 rounds per gun during the night despite severe counter-battery fire. The following day 131 Field Regiment arrived in support and 25 Battery fired a further 400 rounds per gun. Support finally arrived on the evening of the 29th when lead elements of 15th Division arrived. For its part in supporting the American 7th Armoured Division the Battery was given the very rare honour of a United States’ Presidental Citation.

(42) The Battleaxe Company – To commerate the capture of Martinique, the British commander presented a French pioneer’s axe to Captain Stewart’s Company. To this day the axe is “Trooped” by the tallest man in the Battery every 25th February.

(43) Maude’s – At the start of the Indian Mutiny there were no Royal Artillery units in India the nearest being 3 Company, 8 Battalion RA (much under strength) under command of 2nd Captain Maude in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). They were despatched to India arriving at Calcutta on the 13th June 1857. A few days later they proceeded by train and then the Grand Trunk Road to Allahbad. Here they were equipped as a bullock drawn field battery with two each of 6 pdr and 9 pdr guns and two 12 pdr howitzers. Thirty one infantry from the 64th and 84th Foot were trained as gunners and they also received Lieutenant Crump, Madras Artillery, 18 Indian gunners of the Bengal Artillery and 22 European “Invalids”. The column under Brigadier General Havelock then set out for Cawnpore. They knew that the garrisson had surrendered but they hoped to release the women and children believed to be in rebel hands. The force camped near Futtephore on the 12th July and was attacked by a large rebel force. Maude’s battery played a major part in beating off the attack and re-equipped themselves from captured guns. They now had five 9 pdrs and a 24 pdr howitzer, the standard equipment of a field battery. Three days later the force attacked and defeated another enemy force at Aong after a 5 hour battle and captured the bridge over the Pandoo River. They reached Cawnpore after another hard fought action to find the rebels had left but not before murdering the women and children. After reinforcements arrived at Cawnpore the operation to relieve Lucknow began. Maude’s battery were involved in all the actions to reach the Residency overcoming fierce resistance all the way.

(44) Kirkee – In 1817 there was much unrest in central India. The Governor General called on the Mahratta princes for help including the untrustworthy Peshwa of Poona. The British Resident at Poona was suspicious of the Peshwa’s aims and withdrew his small escort of a weak Brigade from the city. They encamped on the open plain near Kirkee. The Peshwa’s army of 26,000 men and 14 guns poured out of the city to attack the British Force which consisted of three and a half battalions of infantry and 4 guns. The British made an immediate attack with all the infantry in line and two guns on each flank. The left battalion charged and broke up the opposing infantry. This left it open to attack by the Mahratta cavalry. Fortunately the cavalry rode into a patch of marshy ground and the Bombay gunners took full advantage. They fired salvoes of case shot into the packed mass of men and horses turning a disciplined force into a panic striken mob. The whole British line now moved forward with the guns on the flanks and the enemy broke and fled.

(45) Arracan – As 4 Company 2 Battalion Bengal Artillery the unit took part in the First Burma War in 1824-25. In February 1825 the force advanced to the River Arracan and attacked the town. Split into 4 columns, they advanced on the only pass leading to Arracan. The way was blocked by numerous teak log stockades that had to be overcome. Eventually the final assault was made on the pass and the enemy finally gave way and Arracan was captured. During this attack the Battery was often firing on the bunkers well within musket shot of the defenders.

(46) le Cateau – During the retreat from Mons in 1914, 37 Battery RFA with 4.5 inch howitzers was attached to 15 Brigade RA. On the third day of the retreat, 2 Corps Commander General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien decided his Corps would make a stand to check the German advance. 37 Battery was on the extreme right flank immediately behind le Cateau with the Brigade’s artillery on the forward slope of a low ridge. The infantry’s first line were just in front of them about 1,000 yards from the enemy’s start line. The guns were not only in full view of the Germans but also most vunerable to enfilade fire from their right flank. The Germans attacked just after 6 a.m. and the British artillery fired on the flashes of the German guns about 5,000 yards away. The Germans had a superiority in guns and inflicted many casualties on both infantry and gunners. All morning the gun positions were swept by fire from the front and flank while they engaged wave after wave of German infantry down to 800 yards range. After five hours of combat and with ammunition running low and some guns out of action through damage or casualties, the Corps Commander decided he had achieved his objective of checking the German advance. The Corps was ordered to retire. The gun teams were brought up, losing some to artillery fire, and four howitzers from 37 Battery and nine guns from the rest of the Brigade were recovered. German infantry were now surging forward on the right flank to within 500 yards of the gun positions. Captain Reynolds of 37 Battery called for volunteers and two gun teams were taken forward to recover the remaining two howitzers. One team was shot down but one howitzer was recovered with the Germans only 200 yards away. 2nd British Corps, still intact, then continued its retirement unmolested.

(47) New Zealand – Awarded for its service in that country between 1861-63. During its time there it used both bullocks and horses for pulling the guns and learnt to make its own roads to get anywhere. It formed an improvised troop of cavalry from 100 of the men armed with swords and carbines and often hacked its way through dense woodland to engage the enemy.

(48) Lawson’s Company – Awarded for their participation in the Peninsular war 1808-13. Lawson’s Company took part in the following battles and sieges:
Roliça, Vimiera, Douro, Talavera, Bussaco, Fuentes d’Orno, Cuidad Rodrigo, Salamanca, Burgos, Vittoria, Pyrenees, San Sebastian, Neville and Nive.

(49) Dragon – To Commemorate the service in 1840-41 of those Madras Artillery units of the Honourable East India Company taking part in the expedition in China. The following Batteries were awarded the title – 111, 127 & 129 Batteries.

(50) The Bengal Rocket Troop – The Honour Title is to commemorate the Troop’s service over a considerable period of time. Originally mounted on camels they took part in the siege of Hathras in 1817. They fought in the Pindari/Mahratta war of 1817-18 and then, in 1824, the First Burma war. It took part in the Afghan campaign in 1839 and the First Sikh war before being absorbed into the Royal Artillery.

(51) Java – An expedition was mounted in August 1811 to invade Java. Having landed unopposed, the force moved inland towards the capital. The French finally attacked the invaders but were pushed back into their heavily fortified base at Cornelis. The fortress was situated between two rivers protecting the East and West faces. The curtain wall was 5 miles long with 7 strong redoubts and mounted 280 cannon. 20 heavy guns and 9 heavy howitzers and mortars were landed and brought up to be emplaced and manned by the field gunners. The fortress was bombarded for 5 days while under continuous fire from the more powerful French guns. Because of the accuracy of the British artillery, in particular from the 3 guns under Lieutenant Cameron of 1/2 Bengal Artillery, the French gunners were reluctant to man their guns. When the British stormed the fortress hardly a gun fired on them. The attack was a complete success and the troops forced their way into the interior, the remaining garrison then fled.

(52) Tombs’s Troop – Henry Tombs took command of the Troop at Meerut in 1856. When the mutiny began in 1857, the garrison commander let the mutineers march of to Dehli. When he was superseded, the garrison set off in pursuit. The mutineers tried to stop them at the Hindun river but while the infantry made a frontal attack the Troop moved to the flank, crossed the river and broke up the enemy with enfilading fire. They continued on to Dehli defeating another attempt to stop them. There they joined the small British force on The Ridge outnumbered ten to one. Here they waited for the siege train to join them all the time being under attack on all sides. Tombs led his Troop and others in defending the position as the rebels tried to outflank them. Eventually on the 9th July, rebel cavalry worked round the flanks and rode into the outskirts of the camp. Two guns from the Troop moved forward to engage the enemy but the piquet they had come to support panicked and rode into the guns as they were being unlimbered. Lieutenant Hills in charge of the guns galloped forward to engage the enemy on his own to give the guns time to load. He cut down the first man and struck another before he and his horse were ridden down. He got to his feet and was attacked by two mounted men and one on foot. He wounded one with his pistol then grabbed the lance of the next and wounded him with his sword. The third man snatched Hills sword from him and threw him down. Tombs arrived at this point and taking careful aim shot the man with his pistol. The two then walked forward together and seeing a rebel with Hills pistol, Tombs attacked him. In the ensuing melee Hills was severely wounded in the head and Tombs ran the rebel through with his sword. Both officers were awarded the Victoria Cross. At last the siege train arrived but the Troop wasn’t finished yet. While supporting the Cavalry Brigade, the Brigade were required to stay in the open under heavy fire to hold off counter-attacks on the exposed right flank. The Troop lost 27 men out of a total of 48 and 19 horses during that one engagement.

(53) Maiwand – During the Second Afghan War, E/B Battery RHA were in support of the Cavalry Brigade at Kandahar. There was also an Infantry Brigade and a large force of supposed friendly tribesmen under Sher Ali. On the 4th July 1880 this force marched from Kandahar to attack a group of rebels threatening to cut their lines of communcation back to India. As they approached Herat, Sher Ali’s troops deserted to the enemy. They were pursued by the cavalry who re-captured the six smooth bore guns that they had. These were formed into a battery under Captain Slade of E/B and manned by men of the 66th Foot. The rebel force was larger than expected and moving forward towards Kandahar. It was decided to intercept them at Maiwand. The cavalry brigade made contact and the enemy deployed on a wide frontage. The commander then learnt that he faced a force of 10,000 Afghan regulars with 30 guns and about 15,000 armed tribesmen. He decided to withdraw his cavalry and move the infantry up to the guns so that both became the front line. Dry watercourses gave the enemy a covered approach while the British were in full view in the open. The whole line was pinned down by enemy fire while they started to move round the British flanks. The smooth bore battery ran out of ammunition and the whole unit was sent back to the park to replenish. At about 2.0 p.m. an all out attack was made by the rebels and the left flank penetrated. They swept on towards E/B’s gun position where the battery just had time to bring up the teams before the enemy were on the left section and cutting down the gunners. Despite having some horses shot down they managed to get the guns away and Lieutenant Osborne charged alone at the enemy to give them time to get away He was last seen, sword in hand, fighting on the gun position. Having cleared from the enemy the guns came back into action. The British then withdrew in disorder down the road to Kandahar. E/B Battery retained their cohesion and discipline and formed the rearguard being constantly in action holding off the pursuing Afghans. Early the following day contact was made with a relief column. The galantry of E/B Battery was regonised by the award of two Victoria Crosses and eight DCM’s. Captain Slade was made a CB.

(54) Meiktila – Awarded for their part in the operations to capture the major communications and supply centre for the Japanese at Meiktila in Burma (Myanmar). 59/73 Field Battery from 18 Field Regiment was acting as an independent battery armed with M7 Priest 105 mm Self Propelled guns.

(55) Colenso – The Battery was part of the Relieving force for Ladysmith in the South African War. The British force of about 20,000 included five field batteries armed with the 15 pdr BL gun. The Boers held the line of the Tugela river beyond which rising ground concealed their positions but gave them good observation of the British. The first attack by the British came to a halt when they failed to find the ford by which they intended to cross the river. In the centre, 6 Brigade was to cross by the bridge at Colenso. It was supported by 14 and 66 Batteries and six naval 12 pdrs. They were led forward by Colonel Long, the artillery commander, in a mist. Coming in to action they realised, as the mist cleared, that they were well in advance of the infantry and too close to the river. However they opened fire and for the next hour engaged various conspicuous earth works until the Boers fire began to slacken. There was no sign of the infantry advancing and ammunition was running low. The last few rounds were set aside for the expected attack and the detachments withdrawn into cover and the wounded carried away. The officer who had been sent back to order up more ammuntion looked back when some distance from the guns and saw they were unmanned. He jumped to the conclusion that the guns had been abandoned as did General Buller who had just arrived and he immediately ordered their recovery. Buller’s ADC’s volunteered, Captains Schofield and Congreve and Lieutenant Roberts (the Field Marshall’s son). They took limbers and teams from 66 Battery under Corporal Nurse and recovered two of the guns. As no one had warned the detachments the officers and drivers had to struggle on their own to hook in the guns. During this attempt Captain Congreve was wounded and Lieutenant Roberts killed. A second attempt was made by Lieutenants Schrieber and Grylls but both were lost. Finally Captain Reed of 7 Battery tried with three of his teams but he, half his men and two-thirds of his horses were hit. General Buller then forbade any more attempts to recover the guns. Captains Reed and Schofield and Corporal Nurse were awarded the Victoria Cross and 19 men received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

(56) Middleton’s – Awarded for its actions during the Indian Mutiny. It took part in the second relief of Lucknow helping to take several strongpoints on the route through the city to the Residency. It also was engaged at the Battle of Cawnpore and the final siege of Lucknow.

(57) Imjin – During the Korean War in 1950 the British 29th Infantry Brigade with 45 Field Regiment RA and 170 Independent Mortar Battery RA in support was sent there in the October. By April 1951 the front line had stabilised along the line of the Imjin river. The brigade held a frontage of about 12 miles with three Battalions. The Gloucestershire Regiment was on the left, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the centre and a Belgian battalion on the right. The Royal Ulster Rifles were in reserve. Each front line battalion had a Troop of 4.2 inch mortars from 170 Battery in support. A large scale attack was launched against 29 Brigade at 10 p.m. on the 22nd of April. The communist troops crossed the river and infilterated between 29 Brigades Battalions. Soon three battles were being fought as each battalion was squeezed into a decreasing area. All fought valiantly for three days but it was on the left that C Troop gained its Honour Title. Supporting the Gloucesters they fought on when on the 23rd the enemy cut the road preventing a re-supply of ammunition. By the following morning the gun position became untenable and the mortars were carried into the Battalion perimeter. They continued to give fire support from there until the ammunition ran out. They then acted as infantry. On the morning of the 25th, Brigade decided to withdraw and the Gloucesters were ordered to try and get back in small parties under cover of a mist. Nothing more was heard of them. For their part in this action C Troop 170 Battery RA was awarded the American Presidential Unit Citation.

(58) The Broken Wheel – During the Egyptian campaign of 1882, the British force confronted the Egyptian army at the entrenched position at Tel-el-Kebir. The attack began at dawn and eventually the British infantry forced their way into the trenches where hand to hand combat took place. As soon as it was light enough the guns were ordered forward to come into action inside the entrenchments. From here they could engage the defences in enfilade. N/2 Battery galloped forward with the rest of the artillery. Their Battery Commander found an angle in the line of entrenchments where the ditch was not as deep and the right hand gun galloped straight at it. It bumped into the ditch and most of the horses got over but the gun stuck fast on the face of the parapet. With the help of some men from the 42nd Foot they lifted and shoved the gun over the top but one of the wheels had been smashed to pieces. The rest of the Battery came into action inside the entrenchments and engaged the rear of the defences with shrapnel in enfilade at 1,000 yards. The enemy was soon broken up and victory complete.

(59) Abu Klea – In 1885, half the battery were part of a mobile column sent to relieve Khartoum. They had three 2.5 inch RML screw guns carried on camels. The column was 1,800 strong with 2,200 camels. On the 16th January 1885 the column met the enemy covering the wells at Abu Klea. The next morning the force formed a hollow square, with the guns on the front face, and advanced on the enemy. A large body of enemy appeared on the left front and charged the square. The guns replied with shrapnel and the square held. However more enemy broke into the left rear of the square by weight of numbers and hand to hand combat began inside the square. Although the intruders were evicted, some managed to reach the guns. Lieutenant Guthrie knocked down an Arab but fell in the melée. Gunner Albert Smith brained the Arab with the handspike from his gun and then held off all comers until none were left. For saving the life of his officer Gunner Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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