26th Regiment Royal Artillery

History

The regiment was formed from 4th Field Regiment RA in 1947. It saw action in Malaya later that year and deployed to Libya in 1951. It was renamed 26th Airportable Regiment RA in 1962 and re-equipped with 105mm Pack Howitzers. In 1963, it was renamed 26th Medium Regiment RA and re-equipped with 5.5" Howitzers and then deployed to Cyprus. It moved to Hohne in 1965 and was renamed 26th Field Regiment RA when it re-equipped with the Abbot self propelled gun.

In the 1970s, it saw tours in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and during the 1980s it was based at Baker Barracks with a tour of Belize in 1987 followed by Northern Ireland in 1990. Under Army 2020 Refine, the regiment will be a divisional fire regiment.

On 14 May 2019, the regiment's last group of members left Mansergh Barracks in Germany. The regiment has, of October 2019, fully been based in Purvis Lines in Larkhill. These barracks are brand new and were designed especially for the regiment. During their farewell parade, the regiment received the ceremonial ribbon, which is Germany's most prestigious award.

In 2024, the MOD reached a settlement with 26th Regiment Royal Artillery corporal, Kerry-Ann Knight for racist and sexist abuse she suffered during her 12 years in the British Army and as a member of the regiment.

Batteries

The batteries are as follows:

• 19 (Gibraltar 1779–1783) Battery Royal Artillery
• 55 (The Residency) Battery Royal Artillery — Headquarters Battery
• 132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop) Royal Artillery
• 159 (Colenso) Battery Royal Artillery
• 176 (Abu Klea) Battery Royal Artillery

Three batteries are equipped with M270A2 MLRS systems, while 176 (Abu Klea) Battery is equipped with the EXACTOR 2 systems.

26th Regiment Royal Artillery Association

In 1993, the association was formed to enable serving and ex serving members of the regiment to meet bi-annually. Since then, the association has grown in membership and currently has approximately 500 full members. The association's website is intended to reach people in all parts of the world that either serve or have served in 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, whatever their cap badge might have been.

References

References

1. "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence".
2. "26th Regiment Royal Artillery". British Army units 1945 on.
3. "British soldiers with Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 artillery howitzers are deployed in Estonia". Defence and Security News.
4. "26th Regiment Royal Artillery". British Army.
5. "Request for Information Releating to A2020 Refine". gov.uk.
6. at 1:45pm, Rob Olver. (14 May 2019). "Goodbye Gütersloh: Germany's Last Royal Artillery Unit Returns To UK".
7. Al-Othman, Hannah. (2024-08-02). "Face of British army recruitment drive wins payout for racist and sexist abuse". The Guardian.
8. "26th Regiment Royal Artillery".
9. Rob Olver. (2015-02-09). "Artillery Regiment Says Farewell to 137 (Java) Battery". Forces TV.
10. (2016-02-24). "Gunners complete live fire exercise with AS90 - British Army Website". Army.mod.uk.
11. "Welcome". 26th Regt RA Association.