History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery

Guns were first used by the English in the battle at Crecy in 1346 and ever since they have played a fundamental and ever increasing role in war. Henry VII formed the first force of artillery in England in 1486 when he established a permanent body of gunners in the royal fortresses. Master Gunners were appointed to look after the guns and the first Master Gunner of Whitehall and St James's Park was appointed in 1673. Then in 1716 a permanent Regiment of Artillery was formed at Woolwich and the title 'Royal' was awarded to it in 1722. The Royal Horse Artillery was founded in 1793.
Because gunners rallied to the guns in battle the guns became the Colours of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Since 1756 The Royal Artillery, when on parade with guns, has taken precedence over all regiments of the Army except the cavalry. Since 1793, when on parade with their guns, The Royal Horse Artillery has taken precedence over all regiments of the Army. At Woolwich the Regiment possesses one of the World's greatest collections of books and archives on the subject of artillery. Its museums tell the story of the guns from Crecy to the present day. However, the official history of the Regiment ended in 1914. In the 1960's the Royal Artillery Historical Affairs Committee embarked on a major project to bring the history up to date under the leadership of 'Bil' Hughes.
This volume is concerned with the period of relative peace between two World wars. It includes details of operations in Europe, Russia and the Near and Middle East but is mainly concerned with the lives of members of the Regiment. This period saw the end of the horse as the means of draught and its replacement by mechanical vehicles. This is a work of social and military history but also contains an account of the weapons with which the Regiment was equipped up to the outbreak of war in 1939. It has been written by a number of Gunners who played a distinguished part in the story of the Regiment between the Wars.