Batteries of 101 Regt RA (V)

203 Elswick Battery RA (V) - Battery Birthday - 31st January
The battery is based in Blyth, Northumberland and are equipped with the battle winning Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) first proven by the British Army in the first Gulf War.
On the 31 January 1900 The Elswick Battery, as it was known by this title since its inception, was formed. They marched to Newcastle Town Hall, headed by the band, to be sworn in before the Lord Mayor of Newcastle.

The battery was armed with 12 pounder guns manufactured by Armstrongs at Elswick, which had been paid for by the eccentric brewery heiress Lady Meux. Later that year on the 3 April they left Aldershot for London. Their destination was the Albert Docks where they would embark on the SS Devon for the voyage to South Africa, where the Boer war awaited them. On the 28 April the SS Devon arrived at Table Bay South Africa.  The batteries role in the War in South Africa is well documented in the book '272' which is the history of 272 Field Regiment Royal Artillery.  On the 28 June 1901 the battery sailed from South Africa for Southampton, only 175 of the original 246 returned then. Seven, including two sergeants had died of disease, and the rest were for one reason or another retained in South Africa. The remainder of the battery arrived back at Southampton on the 17 July.

In April 1992 the battery was re-equipped, with FH-70 Howitzers, later in 1998 the battery became one of only 2 Territorial Army Batteries to be equipped with the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
In the last twelve months we have had three soldiers deployed on Op TOSCA, seven soldiers deployed on Op HERRICK, with a further three set to mobilise in January 2011. In addition, the battery has had one soldier return from an FTRS post with the RA Display Troop, with another currently serving with 39 Regiment RA on FTRS.

The battery form up on Tuesday nights. If you are interested in joining a team of professionals, please come and visit our recruiting staff on Tuesday nights between 7:30 and 9pm. Alternatively please call 01670 541570 for further information.

205 (3 Durham Volunteer Artillery) Battery RA (V) - Battery Birthday - 30th January
205 Battery are based in South Shields, Tyne and Wear and are equipped with the battle winning Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) first proven by the British Army in the first Gulf War.

The battery held its first Drill Night on 30 January 1860 after the idea of raising a Volunteer Artillery Unit was put forward at South Shields on 28 November 1859 by Mr James Cochran Stevenson, son of the owner of the South Shields Gazette newspaper.

In 1947, the Regiment was re-formed as 274th Field Regiment RA. They continued until 1967 when as a result of Defence cuts, they were reduced to a single Gun Battery and joined 101st Regiment as 205 Battery.
Equipment used by the unit has ranged from 32 Pounder Cannon through 5 inch and 4.5 inch Howitzers, 18 Pounder and 25 Pounder Field Guns, 5.5 inch Medium Gun, 155mm FH70 and currently MLRS.

The battery form up on Tuesday nights. If you are interested in joining a team of professionals, please come and visit our recruiting staff on Tuesday nights between 7:30 and 9pm.

204 Battery RA (V) - Battery Birthday - 1st July
204 Battery are based at the Airport Industrial Estate, Kingston Park, Tyne and Wear and are a Surveillance Target Acquisition (STA) battery equipped with the ASP (Advanced Sound ranging Programme) RADAR Antenna which is in use by several regular regiments on Operations. 

Given their noble history and their proud affiliation to The Black Watch, 204 (TS) Battery RA (V) soldiers wear the Tam o' Shanter, TS Badge and Red Hackle with pride. To the best of knowledge, the honour title 'Tyneside Scottish' remains the sole such title in the British Army today which traces its roots to the creation of Kitchener's New Army of 1914, when so many brave volunteers rallied to the defence of Crown and Country - Jocks and Geordies amongst them.

The battery form up on Tuesday nights. If you are interested in joining a team of professionals, please come and visit our recruiting staff on Tuesday nights between 7:30 and 9pm.
269th (West Riding) Battery - Battery Birthday - 1st July
269 (West Riding) Battery can trace its origin back to 1860 when the 1st West Riding Volunteer Artillery was formed with two 32 pounder guns.

In 1975, 269 (West Riding) OP Battery was reconstituted with its headquarters in Carlton Barracks. In 1993 the battery was redesignated 269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery (V). Since 1975 the battery has re-roled 6 times and has been equipped with the 25 pdr, 105 mm Light Gun, Rapier FSB 2. Rapier FSC and ASP. The battery is under command of 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) in the Surveillance and Target Acquisition role. The battery has re-trained its soldiers for this role and their new disciplines are Advanced Sound-ranging Project (ASP) and the Lightweight Counter Mortar RADAR. The battery has had several soldiers deployed on Operation TELIC and more recently Operation HERRICK.