20 Battery Royal Artillery

History

Formation and the American Wars

20 Battery Royal Artillery can trace its origins to the formation of 7 (Johnstone's) Company of the 4th Battalion Royal Artillery in 1771, in Woolwich, under Captain William Johnstone. Shortly after formation the 4th Battalion was posted to New York City, relieving elements of the other battalions stationed in North America. From there, the Company was sent to Pensacola in the British colony of West Florida. Captain Johnstone was then appointed Commander Royal Artillery (CRA) for the colony.

The colonies of East and West Florida had been Spanish possessions until the 1760s when they were ceded to Great Britain at the end of the Seven Years' War. The defences of these colonies and their cities, including Pensacola, had been seriously neglected under Spanish rule. As a result, the British spend a large amount of time and money attempting to bring them up to standard. Captain Johnstone became heavily involved in the planning and construction of the batteries and fortifications around Pensacola during his time there. Detachments from the company were also stationed in Augusta and Baton Rouge during their time in Florida.

Captain Johnstone and some of the Senior Non Commissioned Officers within the company became involved in the training of gunners from the German Regiment of Waldeck, that were part of the Pensacola garrison. They were trained in field gunnery in the hopes that this would make them more versatile. The company remained in West Florida - the only unit of the Royal Artillery in the southernmost colonies - as the American Revolutionary War raged in the north. Whilst the war had not yet spread to West Florida, the men of the company had to endure hardships, including tropical heat and a volatile relationship with the native tribes.

With forces newly arrived from New York and reinforced with soldiers from Pensacola's garrison, the army embarked upon the campaign for control of the southern colonies. 7 Company was attached to the force as the only gunners and joined the second column commanded by General Augustine Prevost. The early parts of the campaign were a success; with the revolutionaries routed, British dominance was secured for several years. The company fought in a number of battles in this campaign and Captain Johnstone commanded throughout. These battles included Brier Creek, Stono Ferry, the Siege of Fort Morris in Sunbury and a number of skirmishes. The company was instrumental in the victories on each occasion. One of the officers from the company was also appointed CRA later in the campaign, during siege of Charleston, which ended with the largest single surrender of American forces during the war.

Captain Johnstone and his company then returned to Florida, where they remained and where concerns of a Spanish attack on the colony increased following the entry of Spain into the war in 1779. To counter this threat, Captain Johnstone received reinforcements in the form of a detachment from another company within the battalion which were placed under his command in Augusta. In May, 1781, a combined Franco–Spanish force of over 10,000 men under Bernardo Gálvez arrived in the harbour and began the Siege of Pensacola.

The garrison of just over 900 men consisting of 16th Regiment of Foot, 60th Regiment of Foot, The Regiment of Waldeck, 7 (Johnstone’s) Company, various Loyalist regiments in addition to large numbers from the Creek and Chickasaw tribes held out against this force for several weeks as they awaited reinforcements from Jamaica. There were a number of sorties in which the company participated that attempted to disrupt the enemy siege works. These sorties included Indians, who terrified the Spanish forces. Captain Johnstone and his men were mentioned in dispatches for their bravery in rushing to a breach in the wall and bringing up a gun, holding off the Franco–Spanish forces and enabling the wounded to be carried off. The fighting continued until the walls were too badly damaged to bring the guns to bear and the garrison ultimately surrendered.

The general commanding the garrison singled out Captain Johnstone and his company on several occasions in dispatches for their bravery and energy in engaging the enemy during the siege. It is also important to note that of all the units in the garrison 7 (Johnstone's), Company were the only unit not to suffer desertions during the siege. After the articles of surrender were signed the company were transported by Spanish ships to the British garrison at New York where they remained until the end of the war. The company was then sent to Quebec, where they spent time in a number of garrisons. Captain Johnstone was posted away after being promoted to colonel and the Company found themselves based in Quebec at the outbreak of the War of 1812. Not much is known as yet about the company's role during this war.

The Tigris and Euphrates expedition and Crimean War

The Company had a variety of postings after the American Revolutionary War and were based in Malta when Captain Francis Rawdon Chesney took command, after his predecessor was posted Absent without Leave. This new commander launched an expedition to establish a land route to the Indian Ocean via Basra. Taking with him a detachment from the company as well as scientists and engineers from across Great Britain, he set out with the two small steamers Tigris and Euphrates, which he dismantled and carried across the desert to the rivers that were their namesake. The expedition faced a variety of challenges and hostility from local tribes and Chesney published a number of books on the tribes, customs and the geography of the region. For this and his earlier endeavours Chesney was one of the first recipients of the Royal Geographical Society Gold Medal. Chesney was also given acting rank of colonel for the duration of the expedition.

Although Great Britain decided against following through on his research the French did in the form of the Suez Canal and its builder Ferdinand de Lesseps hailed Chesney as the father of the Suez at the public celebrations in Paris. Chesney went on to become a general and wrote numerous books. During this period the battery absorbed two other batteries, including 34 Battery RA.

After the expedition, the battery had a number of other postings, before being sent to fight in the siege of Sevastopol during which the battery commander Captain Fitzroy was twice mentioned in despatches for his bravery.

20th century

After the Crimea the battery next served in the First World War as the ‘Y’ Coastal Defence Battery based on the Isle of Wight. During the inter war years the Battery was posted to Ceylon where they remained during the Second World War. Known as 15 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, they were responsible for shooting down a number of Japanese aircraft during the air battles over Ceylon.

After the Second World War the Battery was re-formed in 1955 as 20 Medium Battery as part of 21 Med Regt based at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh but deployed in the Internal Security role to Cyprus in 1956 where the Regt lost several men to the EOKA terrorists. Re-numbered again and re-rolled (a change of equipment and role) as an Amphibious Operations (AO) Battery. They were posted to Hong Kong and renamed 20 Commando (AO) Battery as part of 29 Commando Regiment. Due to the fact that only 20 and 148 Commando (AO) Battery fulfilled the AO roll there was a lot of movement between the batteries most men serving in both. The battery had absorbed 3 (AO) Troop on their move to Hong Kong and was involved in a number of operations including the Korean War and a little known operation in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Battery was involved in clearing Russian, American and Cuban personnel off remote Caribbean islands in the region and arrested 60 men who later turned out to be CIA operatives, causing a minor political incident. The Battery was placed into suspended animation in 1969 following the downsizing of the British Army and the reduction to one Commando Artillery Regiment, having lost out to 148 Commando (AO) Battery. Many of 20 Commando (AO) Battery's personnel ended up in 148 Battery and so did much of the battery property.

Reformation

In the late 1980s G Troop was formed at 16th Regiment Royal Artillery as an air defence troop to support 3 Commando Brigade, a result of lessons learned in the Falklands War. The Troop was formed under Capt M G Flannigan who had served as a Bombardier in 20 Commando (AO) Battery. He was instrumental in the reformation of the Battery with G Troop as its nucleus. Warrant Officer II Owen Morrison was appointed as the first Battery Sergeant Major. In 1991 the Battery was officially reformed as 20 Air Defence Battery RA shortly later becoming 20 Commando Battery and served as the integral Air Defence Battery for 3 Commando Brigade. The Battery was posted to 22 Regiment Royal Artillery a couple of years after its formation and took part in a number of operations with the Brigade. This included an Operation to capture a number West Side Boys. The Battery was also involved in the initial invasion of Afghanistan.

2004 onwards

In 2004 the decision was made by Chief of the Naval Staff that 3 Commando Brigade no longer needed an integral air defence capability and after the Operation Banner deployment that year the Battery lost their Commando status. This coincided with the disbandment of 22 Regiment Royal Artillery in Kirton In Lindsey and the Battery was posted to the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery in Woolwich. Those who chose not to remain with the Battery went to 21 (Gibraltar 1779-83) Air Assault Battery in 47th Regiment Royal Artillery.

The now renamed 20 Battery RA has been deployed on Operation Telic (Iraq) being the first United Kingdom unit to deploy using the Counter RAM system and after the move of the regiment to St George's Barracks, North Luffenham, deployed to the Falkland Islands. The Battery has since been deployed to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 12 in the Sense & Warn role and HERRICK 17 in the AS&W role, Base ISTAR and BM roles. More recently the Battery was reduced to an HQ Battery, losing its Air Defence equipment and much of its manpower. It now provides the HQ element of 16th Regiment RA and the Corps Air Defence Cell.

Designations

01/01/1771 Formed as 7th (Johnstones) Company 4th Battalion

1859 Renamed 6 Battery, 10 Brigade

01/07/1877 Renamed 8 Battery, 9 Brigade.

01/04/1882 Renamed 1 Battery, 1 Brigade Scottish Division

01/07/1889 Renamed 7 Battery, Southern Division

01/08/1891 Renamed 7 Company, Southern Division

01/06/1899 Renamed 7 Company RGA, Southern Division RGA

01/01/1902 Renamed 14 Company RGA

31/08/1918 Became Part of No 6 Fire Command RGA

30/06/1920 Became Part of HQ Golden Hill

04/09/1920 Became Part of F Coast Battery RGA

10/04/1922 Separated from F Coast Battery. Renamed Y Coast Battery RGA

01/05/1924 Renamed 15 Heavy AA Battery

01/03/1928 Absorbed 34 Heavy Battery

14/12/1940 Renamed 15 Coast Battery

Renamed 15 HAA Battery

01/04/1947 Renamed 20 HAA Battery

1955 Renamed 20 Medium Battery

1961 Renamed 20 (Amphibious Operations) Battery, 95 Regiment

1964 Renamed 20 Light Battery

1965 Renamed 20 Commando (Amphibious Operations) Battery

1988 G Troop formed

1990 20 (Commando) Battery reformed

2004 Renamed 20 Battery Royal Artillery, 16 Regiment RA

Battery Commanders

01/01/1771 - 01/12/1782 Captain W. Johnstone (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)

01/12/1782 – 21/05/1790 Captain T. Hare (Transferred to invalid Bn)

21/05/1790 – 25/09/1796 Captain T. Seaward (Promoted to Major)

25/09/1796 – 03/03/1797 Captain C. W. Thornton (Transferred to Invalid Bn)

04/03/1797 – 16/07/1799 Captain E. Trelawney (Appointed to C Tp RHA)

16/07/1799 – 01/10/1799 Captain S. C. Parry (Exchanged with G. Wulff 2 Bn)

01/01/1799 – 20/07/1804 Captain G. Wulff (Promoted to Major)

20/07/1804 – 24/03/1817 Captain J. T. Caddy (Promoted to Major)

24/03/1817 – 1820 Captain A. Bredin (Exchanged with G. Turner)

1820 – 26/12/1824 Captain G. Turner (Appointed to E Tp RHA)

26/12/1824 – 03/071830 Captain W. Greene (Suspended for being AWOL)

03/07/1830 – 13/04/1842 Captain F. R. Chesney (Promoted to Lt. Colonel) (Tigris and Euprhates Expedition)

13/04/1842 – 27/05/1850 Captain D. Thorndike (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)

27/05/1842 – 26/01/1855 Captain J. H. Lefroy (Appointed Sec to RA Institution)

26/01/1855 – Captain S. R. Robinson

Although appointed on 26/01/1855 did not assume command until later, and Captain A.C. L. Fitzroy assumed command until his death.

26/01/1855 – 10/09/1855 Captain A.C.L. Fitzroy (Died of his Wounds at Sebastopol, mentioned twice for Gallentry)

01/01/1862 – 01/08/1862 Captain C. Carpenter (Acting Command)

oooooooooo - 05/08/1864 Captain S.R. Robinson (Promoted to Lt. Colonel)

05/08/1864 – Captain H.S. Elliot

Taken ill and shipped back to the UK G.U. Knox assumed temporary command.

01/10/1866 – 08/05/1868 Captain G. U. Knox (Acting command)

oooooooooo - 11/07/1867 Captain H.S. Elliot (Replaced 11/07, went onto half pay 24/07. Died 28/12.)

11/07/1867 – 02/02/1868 Captain F.G. Ravenhill (Posted, never arrived at Bty Knox remained in command until his replacement arrived)

08/05/1868 – oooooooooo Captain J. T. Daubuz

Taken sick on 10/12/1869 and returned to the UK and did not return to the Bty. Lt. B. A. Ogle assumed acting command until his death, acting command was then assumed by Lt S. Simpson, until J.T. Daubuz died.

10/12/1869 – 23/04/1870 Lt. B. A. Ogle (Acting Command, died 23/04)

23/04/1870 – 14/03/1871 Lt. S. Simpson (Acting Command)

oooooooooo - 14/03/1871 Captain J. T. Daubuz (Died 14/03)

15/03/1871 - oooooooooo Captain F.G. Baylay

Assumed although appointed on 15/03/1871 did not arrive until 29/06/1872. Lt W. H. M. Duthie assumed acting command until the arrival of Captain A.J. Rait on 17/02/1872 who then assumed acting command, until F.G. Baylay’s arrival.

15/03/1871 – 17/02/1872 Lt W.H.M. Duthie (Acting Command)

17/02/1872 – 29/06/1872 Captain A.J. Rait (Acting Command)

oooooooooo - 27/07/1875 Captain F.G. Baylay (Posted)

27/07/1875 – 14/08/1875 Captain W.J.R. Harrison

15/08/1875 – 11/1877 Major R. Sandham (Exchanged with H. Brackenbury)

11/1877 - oooooooooo Major H. Brackenbury

Went on leave leaving Captain T. A Davies in command, Lt Vibart was in command 08/1878 – 09/1878, Captain T. W. Bridges assumed command 10/1878 – 11/1878 whereupon Lt Vibart took over from 12/1878 – 02/1879 was relieved by Lt M’Q Mcleod until Major Townsend arrived

02/1878 – 03/1878 Captain T.A. Davies (Acting Command)

08/1878 – 09/1878 Lt F.M.E. Vibart (Acting Command)

10/1878 – 11/1878 Captain T. W. Bridges (Acting Command)

11/1878 – 02/1879 Lt F.M.E. Vibart (Acting Command)

02/1878 – 09/1879 Lt R.G. M’Q Mcleod (Acting Command)

ooooooo - 09/1879 Major H. Brackenbury (Staff College)

09/1879 – 1880 Major C.W. Townsend (Exchanged with L.W.Taylor)

1880 – 23/05/1884 Major L.W. Taylor (Appointed to G/A RHA)

23/05/1884 - oooooooooo Major P.K.L. Beaver

Appointed from half pay and did not arrive until 09/1884, Captain B. Burton assumed acting command until his arrival. Major Beaver went on leave from 06/1887 – 10/1887 Captain J.T. Johnston assumed Acting command until 09/1884, when Major Beaver retired to become a remount agent in Calcutta.

23/05/1884 – 09/1884 Captain B. Burton (Acting Command)

06/1887 – 09/1887 Captain J.T. Johnston (Acting Command)

09/1887 – 09/1887 Captain E.A.P. Hobday (Acting Command)

ooooooo - 25/05/1889 Major P.K.L. Beaver (Retired to become remount agent in Calcutta)

25/05/1889 – oooooooooo Captain E.A.P. Hobday

08/1889 - 03/01/1889 Captain R.A.K. Montgomery (Acting Command)

oooooooooo - 03/01/1889 Captain E.A.P. Hobday (Transferred to 55 Field Battery)

03/01/1889 – 27/01/1889 Lt H.B. Foote (Acting Command)

27/01/1889 – 28/02/1894 '''Captain G. Wright ''' 28/02/1894 – 05/12/1896 Captain H.S. Dawkins (Transferred to 26 Field Bty)

05/12/1896 – 03/09/1897 Captain F. Potts (Acting Command)

03/09/1897 – 19/10/1897 Lt L.B.S. Christie (Acting Command)

19/10/1897 – 02/1898 Captain W.B.R. Sandys (Acting Command)

02/1898 - 12/11/1898 Major J.T. Johnston (Appointed DAAG RA Ireland)

12/11/1898 – 12/01/1899 Captain W.B.R. Sandys (Acting Command)

12/01/1899 – 28/06/1901 Major C.A. Howard (Transferred to 25 West Div)

28/06/1901 – 09/1905 Major Brownlow (Appointed to 2 MTN Bty RGA)

09/1905 - 03/04/1908 Major H.F. Head (Appointed as Director of Ordinance and Commandant of permanent forces in New Zealand)

03/04/1908 - ?? Captain T.S.N. Hardinge (Acting Command)

?? - 11/12/1908 Major W.H. Robinson (Posted to 95 Coy RGA)

11/12/1908 – 23/12/1908 Captain T.S.N Hardinge (Acting Command)

23/12/1908 – 01/01/1914 Major C.O. Smeaton

01/01/1914 – 10/05/1915 Major Fowler

10/05/1914 – 26/05/1917 Major J.A. Williams

26/05/1917 – 26/08/1917 Captain R.G. Bignall148 Commando (AO) Battery

26/08/1917 – 24/11/1917 Major F.J.N Smyth

24/11/1917 – 25/05/1918 Captain E.A.E Hall

29/05/1918 – 26/10/1918 Captain C.J. Buckland

26/10/1918 – 01/01/1919 Captain E.A.E. Hall

01/01/1919 – 01/01/1920 Lt Colonel N.E.B. Bellairs

01/01/1920 – 04/09/1920 Lt Colonel Corbett

04/09/1920 - oooooooooo Major M.H.C. Bird

01/01/1939 – 01/08/1945 Major G.R. Johnston

01/08/1945 – 11/05/1946 Major G.F. Cane

11/05/1946 – 25/05/1946 Major G.C. Moody

25/05/1946 – 01/06/1946 Major W.H.S. Crackle

01/06/1946 – 17/08/1946 Major G.C. Moody

17/08/1946 – 01/04/1947 Major R.P.H. Walter

01/04/1947 – 01/01/1948 Major H.L.G. Livingston

06/05/1948 – 19/05/1948 Captain A. Clewes

19/05/1948 – 01/01/1949 Captain A. Howe

01/01/1948 – 27/07/1949 Captain A. Clewes

27/07/1949 – 01/09/1951 Major (Sir) H.F.C. Farrington

01/09/1951 – 31/08/1954 Major V. Womersley

31/08/1951 – 01/02/1955 Major O.R. Jenkins

01/02/1955 – 16/07/1955 Major D.O. Griffiths (Formerly the BK)

16/07/1955 – 17/04/1956 Major L.G. Wilkes

17/04/1955 – 04/05/1958 Major P.F. Palmer

04/05/1958 – 13/03/1960 Major K.D. Davidson M.C.

13/03/1960 – 20/12/1961 Major N.G. Scotter

20/12/1961 – 01/10/1963 Major D.R. Francis M.C.

01/10/1963 – 09/11/1964 Major M. Lochhead

09/11/1964 – 06/07/1965 Major K.R.H. Eve

06/07/1965 – 01/09/1966 Major J.M. Rogers

01/09/1966 – 01/07/1968 Major D.G. Anderson

01/07/1968 – 01/03/1970 Major R.A. Rodick

01/03/1970 – 01/04/1970 Major K.R.H. Eve

01/04/1970 – 01/05/1971 Major R.A. Preedy

Suspended Animation

10/1988 G Troop formed, under command of Captain M.G. Flannagan (formally of 20 Commando (AO) Battery).

01/09/1989 Major R.P. Lungmuss tasked with reforming 20 Battery with Captain Flannagan.

01/04/1990 G Troop becomes part of resurrected 20 Battery under the command of.

01/04/1990 – 01/12/1991 Major R.P. Lungmuss

01/12/1991 – 07/02/1994 Major T. Marjot

07/02/1994 – 10/11/1996 Major N.C. Best

10/11/1996 – 01/2000 Major T. M. Wood

01/2000 – 03/2002 Major S. Atkinson

03/2002 – 06/2004 Major S. D. Fraser

07/2004 - 09/2005 Major M. R. Legh-Smith

09/2005 - 06/2006 Major M. J. Smith

06/2006 - 08/2008 Major P. J. Oxley

08/2008 - 07/2010 Major J. E. Mardlin

07/2010 - 08/2011. "Major R. A. Wade"

08/2011 - 2013. "Major T. R. Osman"

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References

References

1. "20 Commando Battery". 22nd Regiment Royal Artillery Old Comrades Association.
2. "16 Regt RA". [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)]].