The Fighting Fourth
4th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Fighting Fourth) is a Light Role Close Support Artillery Regiment whose primary role is to provide combat support to Infantry and Cavalry Regiments within 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (The Desert Rats).
Equipped with the L118 Light Gun, the Regiment has a proud and successful history of deploying on Operations having deployed operationally 17 times since 1945. The Fighting Fourth currently has members of the Regiment deployed globally and is part NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land).
Our Regiment
Facts & Figures
Active From:
28 May 1939
Role:
Light Role Artillery and Joint Fires
Specialism:
FIND-FIX-STRIKE
Our Skills
Not just experts in operating the L118 105mm Light Gun, the ‘Northeast Gunners’ offer a wide and diverse range of opportunities to our soldiers including:
- Gun Operators – Fire a 15kg high explosive shell over 17km
- Forward Observers – Control and coordinate artillery, mortar and rocket fire from a concealed observation post.
- Communicators – Become an expert in operating cutting-edge technology.
- Drivers – Gain civilian qualifications, drive military vehicles.
- Forward Air Controllers – Control the weapons of an international array of multimillion-pound aircraft.
Our Location
4th Regiment are located in Alanbrooke Barracks, Thirsk. We are in the shadow and of the North Yorkshire Moors and a stone’s throw from York and Harrogate. We recruit from the Northeast; hence the Regiment being known as the “Northeast Gunners”. We are one of the three Royal Artillery Regiments based in the North offering fantastic stability to our soldier’s families and friends.
2Lt Brigid Hay – CPO
I joined 4th Regiment in summer 2023 as a Troop Commander and Command Post Officer (CPO). I lead around 25 soldiers in camp and manage their welfare, careers, and vehicles. In the field as a CPO, I deploy in the Command Post (CP) and work in a small team to allow artillery fire to be delivered onto targets on the battlefield.
The CP are the brains of the gun group and are responsible for computing target data and sending that to the guns to ensure accurate and timely artillery support.
LBdr Morgan January – TACP Signaller
I have spent the last 10 months with 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. During this time I have deployed three times, including a deployment to Kosovo. My most recent deployment was to
Germany and Poland.
My role is a Tactical Air Control Party signaller. I work as part of a small team that controls and deconflicts Close Air Support (CAS) for the Brigade. While deployed we had the opportunity to work with multiple nations from across NATO such as the American, German, and Polish. Providing CAS is a key function within 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
In addition to my deployments and being held at readiness as part of as part of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Land); myself, and several other members of my team can continue to conduct Sports and adventurous training, all year round, such as skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and hill walking.
LBdr Innocent Mchiswe – Arty Log
I have been in 4th Regiment Royal Artillery for four years and I have deployed on exercises in Kenya and the UK and on operations in Estonia as part of Op CABRIT.
I have worked on the gun line as a loader which requires professionalism and skills and drills for the effective firing in support of the mission. Currently I am working in the Mechanical Transport (MT) department as a driver. As a driver in MT, I gained my CAT C licence to support our departments driving a HGV which carries vehicle spare parts, lubricants, and other items during exercises and deployments.
I can also drive the Enhanced Palletised Loading System (EPLS), a vehicle which carries ammunition to and from the guns. In this role I ensure that ammunition is provided to the gun line on time under my chain of command.
Gnr Bailey Wright - JFC
I have served in 4th Regiment Royal Artillery for 3 years now and have deployed to places such as Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Spain.
As part of my role an Artillery Command Systems (ACS) signaller, I work alongside a great group of people keeping up vehicle and equipment maintenance. We also conduct exercises supporting the Regiment and the wider Brigade to make sure we are ready to roll out the door when called upon.
When deployed I am part of a close-knit team in the Brigade Headquarters, and I work as a Brigade Joint Fires Cell signaller.
I have represented the regiment in football on many occasions and have had plenty of experiences on adventurous training such as rock climbing and hill walking in Scotland as well as mountain biking in the Lake District.
LBdr Jack Hall – CO’s Tac
I have been in the Regiment for the last 18 months, having spent the previous two years working with the Army Reserve.
I am a member of a Fire Support Team (FST), we deliver artillery support to the battlefield working with the Infantry or Royal Armoured Corps. Most recently I had the opportunity to deploy as a Fox hound driver as part of the Commanding Officer’s Tactical Party (CO’s TAC) in the largest NATO exercise to date.
The Regiment is currently aligned to VJTF(L), providing Close Support Artillery to 7 LMBCT.
In addition to this, several personnel recently represented the Regiment at the Royal Artillery Boxing Finals in Larkhill. We also have many adventure training opportunities open to all personnel in the Regiment, all year round.
Contact Details
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Where to find us