Batteries of 39 Regt

35 Battery - was formed on 20th February 1765 in Madras as part of the Army of The Honourable East India Company. As such it was designated C Company, 3rd Battalion Madras Artillery; a title it retained until 1861.

Monday 22nd March 2004 marked the first day of The 4th Battery, 39 Regiment RA, later to be 35 Battery. The battery would be rolled as a Multiple Launching Rocket System battery, however first they had to re-role as a Surveillance and Target Acquisition battery in the form of COBRA and ASP for deployment to Op Telic 7 in 2005, returning in 2006. On the battery return they re-rolled to GMLRS in preparation for deployment into Afghanistan in 2007 for Op Herrick 7 where they were the first Royal Artillery battery to fire GMLRS.

35 Battery have continued to be a theatre asset providing precision fire on Op Herrick 10 and are currently deployed on Op Herrick 14.

56 (Olpherts's) Headquarters Battery - has its origins in India.  It was frequently in action, most notably during the siege of Pondichery in 1793, the Nepal

 

war 1814 and the second siege of Bhurtpore in 1805, the Nepal war 1814 and the second siege of Bhurtpore in 1825.

During the first relief of lucknow, Captain Olpherts or 'Hellfire Jack' as he was known (later General Sir William Olpherts) won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry; he charged the enemy on horseback and captured two rebel guns which were pouring fire onto the flanks of the advancing forces. To commemorate this distinction on 19th October 1966, the honour title 'Olpherts' was awarded to 56 Battery Royal Artillery as the direct descendants of Captain Olpherts Battery.

The battery continues to provide the Headquarters, Technical, Administrative and logistic Support to the Regiment.

 

74 Battery (The Battleaxe Company) - was raised at Kilkenny in 1801 from men of the disbanded Royal Irish Artillery. During the Napoleonic Wars it helped capture the Caribbean island of Martinique on 24th February 1809. Having distinguished itself the Force Commander wished to give a captured French gun to the Company. The Battery Commander petitioned that the gun be replaced by something more easily carried and two French trophies captured at Martinique were given in its place. These trophies were a brass drum and a battle axe. The Company has been known as Battle Axe Company Royal Artillery since that day, although the title was not officially recognised in Army Orders until 1926, 117 years later.

132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop) - On the 13th September 1816, The Bengal Rocket Troop was formed as a camel mounted unit in the service of the Honourable East India Company under the command of Captain (later General) William Sampson Whish. The Troop carried a total of 912, 6 pound rockets, either in camel carried buckets or by horse drawn carts. The Troop first saw action at the Siege of Hattrass in February 1817 and in the same year played a decisive role in the Pindari/Mahratta War with the mountainous terrain during the latter conflict resulting in the Troop being dependant on horseback.

"The Bengal Rocket Troop", is currently part of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, "The Welsh Gunners". Based in Albemarle Barracks near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne the Troop is equipped with the GMLRS artillery system and is responsible for providing precision strike capabilities in all conditions. They currently form part of the enduring operational commitment in Afghanistan for Operation HERRICK.
176 (Abu Klea) Battery - Battery Birthday 1 May
176 Battery is the junior currently-existent regular battery of the Royal Artillery. The battery is commonly called "The Abus", and its members as "Abus", after the batteries Honour Title. The battery is one of the sub-units of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, part of the British Army. It was formed in 1860 and since then has participated in many campaigns, most notably the Battle of Abu Klea in 1885, where it earned a Victoria Cross and later its Honour Title.  On 22 June 1955, 176 Battery was awarded the Honour Title "Abu Klea" in recognition of its distinguished service in this action. 

Abu Klea Day is held on 22 June. This is the anniversary of the awarding of the Honour Title "Abu Klea" in 1955. It is the primary date of celebration for the battery, and is usually marked with much revelry.

The batteries emblem is the kicking mule, in recognition of the important role played by mules in its history. It had previously been the batteries emblem but had been dropped. It was reinstated on 22 June 1993, Abu Klea Day, further reinforcing the significance of this date.