THE BRISTOL GUNNER TRADITION
By
Major J. Smith RA [V] MBE TD ©2003
Regrettably
a comprehensive history of the Volunteer Artillery Movement in Bristol has yet
to be written. The task of
unraveling the kaleidoscope of amalgamations that went to produce the ancestry
of the present Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery unit needs more investigation
to make it complete. The following is
intended as a starting point for further research in the future.
Without
claiming any direct lineage it is of interest that the Bristol Castle Ordnance
Park was second, in size, to that held within the Tower of London.
The castle also had it's own Master Gunner and Staff, from the earliest
of times.
The
numerous Volunteer Trained Bands of Artillery. which had been raised in the City
and adjoining Counties during the War of the Roses, were amalgamated into a
single body in 1486.
From
1625, up to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642, the City supported the
Bristol Artillery Company. In 1642
approval for the provision of suitable Ordnance was granted, with five skilled
gunners. 1644 brought the first
permanent military establishment for the City of Bristol that included about
sixty gunners. There can be little
doubt that the members of the Artillery Company served in the defense of the
City, during the Civil War, which supported the Parliamentary cause.
After
the Restoration in 1660, the Militia Act [1662] made almost every man bound to
serve in the militia units raised within his county.
It was not until 1678 that the Bristol Artillery Company was reformed, under Royal Warrant issued by King Charles II. This unit was run on the same lines as those of the Honorable Artillery Company which had been formed in London by King Henry VIII in 1537.
In
1680 the Merchant Ventures noted that "There are three Foot Companies and
one Artillery Company, the latter having their arms lodged in the new Artillery
House, within the Castle". [It should be noted that Cromwell during the
Civil War had destroyed the castle]
Lord
Berkeley offered the use of the North Gloucestershire field pieces for the
duration of the war. It is of
interest that these very guns can still be seen on the walls of Berkeley Castle.
On the declaration of peace, on the 27th June 1814, the regiment was drawn up in front of the Bristol Corn Exchange and formally disbanded.
In 1859, the 1st and 2nd Gloucestershire [City of Bristol] Rifle Volunteers were formed, both having links with many of the Volunteer Corps formed during 1797 and 1814. When the Territorials were formed in 1908 these units became part of the 4th Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment [T], and served as such during the First World War. It was reformed in 1920 and served as an infantry battalion until 1938 when it was re-badged as the 66th Searchlight Regiment RA [TA]. After service during the 2nd World War it change it's role and became the 601st [City of Bristol] Heavy Anti Aircraft [Mixed] Regiment RA [TA] in 1947.
On
the 22nd November 1859 the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery was formed,
making it's headquarters at the Artillery Ground, Whiteladies Rd. Clifton,
Bristol. On the formation of the
Territorials in 1908 it became the 1st [South Midland] Brigade RFA [T] with a
further change of name in 1915 to the 240th Brigade RFA [T], under which it
served through-out the First World War. On
being reformed in 1920 it became the 66th [SM] Brigade RFA [T], then renamed in
1924 as the 66th [SM] Field Regiment RA [TA], in 1938 as the 76th
[Gloucestershire] AA Regiment RA [TA]. as which it served during the 2nd World
War.
In
1947 the 312th Medium Regiment RA [TA] was formed.
All
the above units served until 1954 when they were amalgamate to form the
311th
[Bristol] Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment RA [TA].
In
1937 the 223rd [Field Artillery] Signals Section, Royal Signals [TA] was formed
and after many alterations of role, became the 3rd Survey Regiment RA [TA] from
which the
In
1961 an amalgamation of 883 Bty, with 311 Regt and the 43 Div CB Staff Troop
formed the
In
1961 HQ RA [Rear] 43rd Wessex Division [TA] was formed and located in the Artillery Grounds.
In
1967 the Territorial Army was reduced, under a review, produced by Generals
Hacket and Carver [Hatchet & Carver]. Thus
883 Battery became A [GVA] Squadron, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars [V] and
served as part of the TAVR 3 force, with a responsibility for Home Defense,
until 1969 when it was disbanded.
Even
so the Bristol Gunners refused to relinquish their right to parade at the
Artillery Ground and formed the Bristol Royal Artillery Club, which met every
Friday night for "Bar Drills".
The
Battery had the responsibility of providing 18 Observation Post Parties to
regular gunner units in the time of war, together with a four gun troop of 25pdr
field guns, the unit consisted of :-
22 Officers
18 WO's /
SNCO's
60 Junior
NCOs
69 Other Ranks
Total
169 All Ranks
The
Battery at first made it's Headquarters in the main drill hall, but later moved in
to the 1860 buildings used by the first
Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery unit, at the Artillery Ground, Whiteladies
Road, Clifton, Bristol.
266 [GVA] OP Bty moved in 19-- , from the old GVA buildings into the refurbished TA Center and in 19-- once again changed
Role It became 266[GVA] Parachute Bty RHA [V]
additional info to be added here
It should be noted that the Royal Artillery Association has supported the Regiment from the 1930's to the present day
From this somewhat fragmented history it can be seen that the City of Bristol has an exceptionally long history of Volunteer Service to be proud of, especially by it's Gunners.