In a reorganisation of the British Army of the Rhine following the 1957 Defence White Paper, the former 1st Army Group Royal Artillery was reduced to a 1-star command, and redesignated as the 1st Artillery Brigade (Field). The new brigade was headquartered at Tofrek Barracks in Hildesheim.[2][3] On 4 October 1961, 1 AGRA was officially redesignated, but later dropped the '(Field)' title in 1967 following the 1966 Defence White Paper, becoming the 1st Artillery Brigade.[2] The brigade was originally responsible for commanding the two MGM-5 Corporal tactical ballistic missile regiments and a new support regiment. (From 1959, there were two regiments with the missile). It gradually evolved from a command unit solely for the Corporal missile regiments to one for all GHQ field artillery within I (British) Corps. The brigade is shown as having controlled the two Corporal-equipped regiments.[2]
In 1958 218 Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals was part of the brigade.(Lord & Watson, p. 66)[4] It appears to have disbanded in 1960[5] On 1 January 1967 257 Signal Squadron became 1st Artillery Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron, as reported by the National Archives from 1967-70.[6][7] Lord & Watson, p. 80 refers to 218 Squadron still being active, but this seems likely to have been a confusion with 1 Artillery Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron.
The brigade's structure by 1967 was as follows:
1st Artillery Brigade[2][8]
Brigade Headquarters, at Tofrek (East) Barracks, Hildesheim[9]
Following the 1975 Defence White Paper, the "Mason Review," brigades were done away with and replaced by task forces. The 1st Artillery Brigade was also disbanded on 1 September 1977, subsequently merged with the 7th Anti-Aircraft Brigade and became the 1st Artillery Division. In the process, 1 Artillery Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron was disbanded. The new division was organised as follows:
Following the 1981 Defence White Paper, the brigades were reformed, and the division was subsequently redesignated as [the] Artillery Division. In 1984, it was further redesignated as Artillery, I (British) Corps, and on 1 November 1985 became the 1st Artillery Brigade once again.
In January 1985, 12th Air Defence Regiment RA was moving from Rapier Barracks, Kirton-in-Lindsey, in North East District to Napier Barracks in Dortmund.[20] In a semi-swap, at the same time, 16 Air Defence Regiment returned home from Moore Barracks in Dortmund to Rapier Barracks in Kirton-in-Lindsey.[23]
Isby and Kamps 1985 lists the brigade "up to the beginning of 1985" with headquarters at Ripon Barracks, Bielefeld; three heavy regiments (5, 32, and 39); 50 Missile Regiment; and 16 and 22 Air Defence Regiments, though 16 Regiment of course was in the process of moving back to the UK.[24] Also present of course was 8 Artillery Support Regiment, but Isby and Kamps did not list RCT units.
Under the Army 2020 programme announced in 2013, the brigade merged with 43rd (Wessex) Brigade to become 1st Artillery Brigade and Headquarters South West. The old artillery brigade became the operational portion of the formation, while 43 Brigade became the regional headquarters element. The brigade's operational role was expanded and by this point oversaw all artillery units administratively within the army. Operationally, it controlled all but the special regiments (7 Parachute Regt RHA, 29 Commando Regt, RA, the Surveillance/Drone regiments, and the Air Defence regiments). The brigade's role was described "...will deliver both close support artillery and precision fires, as well as leading Air-Land Integration".[43] The brigade's new designation as 'Headquarters South West' indicating its shift to an administrative formation, now overseeing all of South West England and the Channel Islands.[44][45][46][47]
1st Artillery Brigade and Headquarters South West[46][48][49]
Headquarters, 1st Artillery Brigade, at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp[45] – HQ includes 2 x deputies, one for the operational (artillery) sector, and one for the regional sector[45]
Headquarters South West, at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp[45]
In 2019, a reorganisation of the Field Army saw the 1st Artillery Brigade lose its regional affiliation, once again becoming simply 1st Artillery Brigade. In addition to the removal of the regional basis, the brigade was reorganised, and placed under command of the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division.[55] The brigade's structure at February 2022 was as follows:
1st Artillery Brigade[56]
Headquarters, 1st Artillery Brigade, at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp[45]
19th Regiment Royal Artillery,[68][69][70] at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth Camp[60] (Self-Propelled field artillery, 18 x AS-90 155mm self-propelled howitzers[62][66][71]) – supporting 12 Arm Inf Bde[64]
March 2003–March 2004: Brigadier Robert W. H. Purdy
Between 2004 and 2014, the officer commanding the brigade held the rank of colonel[31][86]
June 2014–March 2016: Brigadier Jeremy Matthew James Bennett
August 2016–2018: Brigadier John R. Mead
2018–August 2020: Brigadier Mark Pullan
August 2020 – present: Brigadier Charles Arthur Hewitt
Footnotes
Citations
Notes
^"Deep Recce Strike Brigade". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
^ a b c dWatson & Rinaldi 2005, p. 28.
^British Army Units. "Tofrek Barracks". www.baor-locations.org. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 218 Squadron". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^Lord & Watson Signals (Lord & Watson Royal Corps of Signals, p. 80) state this squadron was disbanded in 1960.
^British Army Units (2023). "British Army units from 1945 on - 257 to 259 Squadrons". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
^Catalogue description 1st Artillery Brigade (Bde) HQ and Signal Squadron (Sqn). 1967.
^Lord & Watson BAOR, pp. 65–66
^"Tofrek Barracks". www.baor-locations.org. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
^British Army Units 2023.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 10th Royal Hussars". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b"British Army units from 1945 on - 94th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 20th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b"British Army units from 1945 on - 32nd Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b"British Army units from 1945 on - 39th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b c"British Army units from 1945 on - 50th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b c"British Army units from 1945 on - Regiments 1 to 10". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^Lord & Watson BAOR, pp. 77 & 87
^"British Army units from 1945 on - Royal Scots". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b c"British Army units from 1945 on - 12th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b"British Army units from 1945 on - 22nd Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^ a b"British Army units from 1945 on - 5th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
^British Army Units. "16th Regiment RA". British Army units from 1945 on. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
^ a bIsby & Kamps 1985, p. 256.
^Lord & Watson British Army in Germany, pp. 101–102
^Vieuxbill 2021, p. 11.
^Lord & Watson, p. 114
^"Divisions and Brigades". army.mod.uk. 8 January 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2020."HQ Theatre Troops Organisation". Units & Organisations. 8 January 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
^ a b5 Regiment RA 2004.
^"39 REGT RA". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2 October 2000. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^ a bMackinlay, p. 61
^"Defence News: Image of the Day: 18 February 2013". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^Tanner, pp. 47–52.
^Staff Officer's Handbook 1999, Serial 68.
^ a b c"Post Exerciser Report, 1st Artillery Brigade" (PDF). British Army. 1 August 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 5th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 32nd Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"32nd Regiment Royal Artillery". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 4 August 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"32 Regiment Royal Artillery". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2003. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"British Army units from 1945 on - 39th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"39 Regiment RA - Brief History". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 23 December 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"101 Regiment ( The Northumbrian Gunners) Royal Artillery (Volunteers)". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 19 April 2001. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^Transforming the British Army, p. 10
^Transforming the British Army, p. 11
^ a b c d eSwain, Shirley (10 December 2014). "43 (Wessex) Brigade Lowers Flag For Last Time". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a b"Regular Army basing Matrix by Formation and Unit" (PDF). Army Families Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Army Update: Commander HQ South West Colonel James Coote DSO OBE" (PDF). swlep.co.uk. Swindon & Wiltshire LEP. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
^Transforming the British Army, p. 12
^"FOI(A) regarding the Army 2020 Refine structure" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishing. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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^"British Army units from 1945 on - 19th Regiment RA". british-army-units1945on.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^ a b cDewitt, Aimee (26 June 2018). "26th Regiment Royal Artillery Bids Fond Farewell To AS90 Gun As Part Of Germany Draw-Down". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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^"FOI(A) regarding Army 2020 Refine changes since 2017" (PDF). United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishings. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a b c d e"Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament". questions-statements.parliament.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a bMarshall, Andrew (13 November 2018). "What is the National Reserve Headquarters Royal Artillery (NRHQ RA)?". Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a b"National Reserve HQ RA (NRHQ RA) - British Army Website". 25 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"5th Regiment Royal Artillery - The Yorkshire Gunners, Facebook post on 8 February 2022". Facebook. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
^ a b c d e f g h i"Army, Question for Ministry of Defence — current Order of Battle by manpower and basing locations for the corps". United Kingdom Parliament — Written questions, answers, and statements. 22 November 2018. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
^Gibson, Ali (11 May 2015). "Base to Base: Albemarle Barracks". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a b c d e f g h i"Regimental Family - RA Association". www.thegunners.org.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a bKing, Hannah (26 November 2020). "'Gun Bubbles' Created To Keep Royal Horse Artillery COVID-Safe On Exercise". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a b c"Royal Artillery:Written question – 68813". parliament.uk. UK Hansard. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
^"4YORKS Hand-Over MTU responsibilities to 4th Regiment Royal Artillery". Harrogate Informer. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ a bWatling, p. 2.
^Chuter, Andrew (27 November 2019). "British Army needs bigger guns, study finds". Defense News. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"D-Day: Lone Piper Marks Exact Time First British Soldier Landed On Normandy Beach". Forces Network. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^Banks, Charlotte (31 May 2019). "D-Day Piper: Meet The Soldier Honouring The Legend Of 'Mad Bill'". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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^"Soldiering In The Snow: British Army Troops Pictured In Estonia Training". Forces Network. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Jubilee Barracks, Prescot Road, St Helenes WA10 3UB". Army Careers. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
^ a b"Celebration of Armed Forces in St Helens this Saturday". St Helens Star. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^Jaleel, Gemma (22 June 2016). "Don't miss Armed Forces Day at the Albert Dock". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^Zubova, Xenia (1 March 2021). "How Welsh Is The British Army?". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Raglan Barracks, Barracks Hill, Newport NP20 5XE". Army Careers. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
^ a b"Written evidence - Ministry of Defence". data.parliament.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Prince Philip: Historic Gun Salutes Mark Passing". Forces Network. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Prince Philip's funeral to be at Windsor Castle on April 17". KTLA. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^"Redford Barracks, Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PP". Army Careers. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
^"Sunderland Gulf War veteran's battle to clear name after South Shields Army ban". www.sunderlandecho.com. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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^ a bSharma, Sonia (1 May 2016). "Army troops march through Blyth after being awarded Freedom of Northumberland award". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^Sivills McCann, David (23 October 2020). "Gunners Train With M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System In Scotland". Forces Network. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
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References
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Isby, David; Kamps, Charles (1985). Armies of NATO's Central Front. Jane's Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7106-0341-X.
FOI(A) regarding the 1988 Staff Officer's Handbook. London, United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence. 1988.
Ministry of Defence, Staff Officer's Handbook Number 71038, D/DGD&D/18/35/54, 1999.
Lord, Cliff; Watson, Graham (2004). The Royal Corps of Signals : unit histories of the Corps (1920-2001) and its antecedents. Solihull, West Midlands, England: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1-874622-92-5. OCLC 184820114.
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