Batteries of 19 Regt RA
5 (Gibraltar 1779-1783) Battery - Battery Birthday- 26/27 May
5 (Gibraltar 1779-83) Battery Royal Artillery is the tenth most senior battery in the Royal Regiment's order of precedence. The battery holds the double distinction of both the honour title 'Gibraltar 1779-83', which it was granted somewhat belatedly in 1934, and the Croix de Guerre with 'Palme en Bronze' which was awarded following the actions of the battery on 26/7th May 1918 in support of the French, south of the River Aisne. All members of the battery wear the ribbon of the Croix de Guerre to commemorate this heroic action.
5 Battery was one of five Artillery units stationed in the garrison at Gibraltar. The British forces suffered great hardship as the Spanish tried, for almost two years, to starve the garrison into submission. Despite disease, hunger and the technical difficulties of reaching the Spanish forces with Artillery fire, Grove's Company, the title of the battery at that time, played a critical role in the British victory. Lieutenant-General Robert Boyd, a British Commander who was present throughout the siege, wrote 'for braver soldiers and better practice from any batteries in the Universe was never made, than what has crowned this day'. One of the Gun Troops is now designated Grove's Troop in remembrance of the distinction showed by all ranks so early in our history.
28/143 Battery - Battery Birthday - 9th July
28/143 Battery provides indirect fire support to elements of 12 Mechanised Brigade. The battery holds the honour of firing the first British field artillery rounds of the Second World War.
143 Field Battery was raised on the 24th June 1825 as part of the Bengal Horse Artillery. Within months, it was engaged in the siege of Bhurtpore, from 7th December 1825 too 18th January 1826. In 1856, Major Henry Tombs took command of the battery during the Indian Mutiny. The battery was at the siege of Delhi from 8th June to 14th September 1857 during which Major Tombs and Lieutenant Hills were awarded the Victoria Cross, for their gallantry.
28 and 143 Battery were amalgamated on the 1st November 1992 at Topcliffe in North Yorkshire and moved to Kirkee Barracks in Colchester. Most recently the batteries TAC Group has returned from its third Afghanistan tour at the end of 2009.
127 (Dragon) Battery - Battery Birthday - 21st July
127 Battery was originally raised as No 6 Company Madras Artillery in 1778. Details of this period are obscure but it is recorded the Battery became B Company of 2nd Bn Madras Artillery in 1812.
The governor of India published an order of the day entitling the batteries of the Madras Artillery to wear the insignia of a dragon with an imperial crown and the word China on their appointments, in recognition of their assault at Canton.
In October 2008 the battery moved from Larkhill to a new home in Tidworth. In March 2009 the battery Commander, with Fu troop, deployed on Op HERRICK 10 with 40th Regiment RA. In June 2009 members of the battery deployed with 39th Regiment RA with X-Troop.
52 Battery has recently been deployed on Operation HERRICK 10 providing the additional Fire Support Teams for 40 Regiment Royal Artillery.
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13 (Martinique 1809) HQ Battery - Battery Birthday 25 February
The battery was raised in Dublin in May 1775, as 1st Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Artillery and became Captain Lindsay's Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Artillery after the act of Union in 1801. On 29th July 1934 the War Office gave approval of the inclusion of "Martinique 1809" in the batteries title in recognition of its distinguished conduct during the capture of Fort Desaix, Island of Martinique on 25 February 1809.
In October 2008 the Battery moved from Larkhill to Tidworth its new home, June 2009 saw several members of the battery deployed on OP HERRICK 10.5 with 39 Regiment RA as part of X Troop, working on an urgent operational requirement assisting troops on the ground.