101 (Northumbrian) Medium Regiment Royal Artillery is part of the Army Reserve and has sub units throughout the north east as well as one sub unit in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is equipped with M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
| 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1967–Present |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role | Field support |
| Size | 4 Batteries 454 personnel[1] |
| Part of | 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team |
| Garrison/HQ | Napier Armoury, Gateshead |
| Nickname(s) | The Geordie and West Riding Gunners |
| Equipment | M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System |
History
editThe origins of the Regiment can be traced back to 1860 when Artillery Volunteer units were raised in the United Kingdom, as a result of threats of a French invasion. This continued through the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908, and the re-forming of the Territorial Army in 1947.[2]
The Regiment was formed on the restructuring of the Territorial Army in April 1967. It was formed from 272 Field Regiment RA (Northumbrian) TA (formed in 1916, known as 72 Field Regiment until 1947 and based at the Barrack Road drill hall in Newcastle upon Tyne), 274 Field Regiment (Northumbrian) RA (TA) (formed in 1938, known as 74 Field Regiment until 1947 and based at South Shields), 324 Heavy Air Defence Regiment RA (TA) (raised in 1947 and based in Gosforth) and 439 Light Air Defence Regiment (formed in 1955 and based in Tynemouth).[3]
The new regiment was equipped with BL 5.5-inch medium guns and had its headquarters at the Army Reserve centre at Barrack Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.[4] In 1976, it was redesignated as a Field Regiment and re-equipped with the 105mm light gun. Around 1990, the regimental headquarters moved to Napier Armoury in Gateshead.[4] In 2006, 269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery was transferred from 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery to this regiment.[4]
Under Army 2020, its role is more specific. All batteries were re-roled to the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. It was paired with 39 Regiment until the end of March 2015, and with 3 RHA afterwards. It will also support 1 RHA, 19 and 26 RA.[5]
Structure in 2020-21
editThe current structure of the regiment is as follows:[6][7]
- Regimental Headquarters, at Napier Armoury, Gateshead[8]
- 203 (Elswick) Battery, in Blyth[9]
- 204 (Tyneside Scottish) Battery, in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne[10]
- Hexham Troop, at Dare Wilson Barracks, Hexham[11]
- 205 (3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery) Battery, at Northfield Gardens, South Shields[12]
- Catterick Troop, at Marne Barracks, Catterick Garrison[13]
- 269 (West Riding) Battery, at Carlton Gate, Leeds[14]
Freedoms
editThe Regiment has received the Freedom of several locations throughout its history; these include:
January 1980: Newcastle upon Tyne.[15]- 30 April 2016: Northumberland.[16]
Notes
edit- ^ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "History of the Army Reserve". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ Hewitson, p. 173
- ^ a b c "101st (Northumbrian) Regiment". Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Army 2020 Report, page 12" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2014.
- ^ "Information regarding locations of Army Reserve units" (PDF). What do they know?. 6 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "101 Regiment Royal Artillery". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Army Reserve Centre, Napier Armoury, Alexandra Road, Gateshead NE8 4HX". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Army Reserve Centre, Cowpen Road, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 5TA". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Army Reserve Centre, Airport Industrial Estate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2EF". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Army Reserve Centre, Dare Wilson Barracks, Hencotes, Hexham NE46 2ER". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Army Reserve Centre, Northfield Gardens, South Shields NE34 6HH". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Marne Barracks, Leeming Lane, Catterick DL10 7NP". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Leeds, Carlton Gate, Leeds LS7 1HE". Army Careers. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Freemen of Newcastle | Newcastle City Council". www.newcastle.gov.uk.
- ^ "Northumberland County Council - Roads to close temporarily for Saturday's freedom parade".
Sources
edit- Hewitson, T L (2006). Weekend Warriors. Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-3756-9.
- Litchfield, Norman E H, 1992. The Territorial Artillery 1908-1988, The Sherwood Press, Nottingham. ISBN 0-9508205-2-0
- Osborne, Mike, 2006. Always Ready: The Drill Halls of Britain's Volunteer Forces, Partizan Press, Essex. ISBN 1-85818-509-2