To serve the guns has always been the gunner’s privilege and honour. Our modern day regimental motto Ubique (everywhere) acknowledges our place in battle. Raised from the Royal Artillery the Royal Horse Artillery quickly became the elite of the arm and even today is accorded the privileged position at the right of the line over all other Arms, Branches and Regiments when it has its Guns on parade. The Guns are our colours and are treated as such by all, giving them the respect of a Regimental or Kings Colour of the infantry or Gideon of the cavalry. The term ‘Guns’ is taken to mean any artillery piece with which we are armed be it Cannon, Howitzer, Mortar or the latest Congreve Rocket launchers.

The Artillery, along with the Engineers of our time, came under the Board of Ordinance rather than Horseguards like the rest of the Army. Both arms were treated with some disdain, being considered tradesmen due to the unique approach taken to the training of their officers and men. Today we take pride in the same approach to the technical training of our gunners in the use of all types of equipment. While currently holding a 3 pounder cannon and six Congreve Rocket Launchers (sponsored by ‘Firepower’ the museum of the Royal Regiment of Artillery). We have also been asked to man other guns by event sponsors, which we are only too happy to oblige with.

Your uniform is blue with red facings, the colours of the Royal Regiment but cut and braided in the Light Cavalry style as befits the mounted arm. While the Guns are your primary weapon, your side arms are the pistol and sword, again of the light cavalry style, for the times that you are called to defend the guns in close action. You may well be equipped with the Cavalry Carbine to allow you to take your place in the Line under extreme circumstances, for you will be fighting your Guns along side the Rifle Company and you’ll doubtless get into as much mischief as they.