The Royal Garter in oval form with the Imperial crown above and a scroll inscribed ‘Royal Horse Artillery’ below. In the centre King George VI’s cypher ‘GVIR’. This example in white metal with two copper loops to the reverse north-south. Also produced in gilding metal.
Orders of Battle WW2 RHA Units:
| Unit | Notes (work in progress) |
| Field Batteries | |
| C RHA | (Of 4th RHA Regt) Egypt. The Armoured Div. (later named 7th Armoured Div.) Divisional Troops <30/9/39—<1/40. Also ‘Special Group’, same Division (Special Group formed 27.1.40, —? |
| D RHA | (also see J RHA and P RHA) |
| J RHA | Middle East Forces. 31st Jan 1940. [ ‘J’ Bty and one troop ‘D’ Bty 3 RHA] Egypt, Western Desert. (HQ British Troops in Egypt) Attached from HQ RA Group. |
| M RHA | (Of 3rd RHA Regt) 7th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops (Anti-tank) <Jan 1940 …….. 7th Support Group 22.1.40—28.2.41. [Battles: 8.12.40—11.12.40 Sidi Barrani. 3.1.41—5.1.41 Bardia 1941. 21.1.41—22.1.41 Capture of Tobruk. 5.2.41— 8.2.41 Beda Fomm. ] |
| P RHA | (Of 3 RHA) 7th Infantry Division, Divisional Troops 30.9.39 — ?? Egypt. [Attached from RA Group] |
| Field Regiments | |
| 1st RHA | 7th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 24.8.42—13.9.42 |
| 2nd RHA | |
| 3rd RHA | Middle East Forces. ‘In the Delta’ 31 Jan 1940. Command Troops. [ 3 RHA less J & M Btys & one Tp. D Bty.]……7th Support Group 1.3.41—8.2.42……7th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 24.8.42—31.8.45 |
| 4th RHA | 7th Support Group 6.4.41—8.2.42…..7th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 24.8.42—21.9.42 |
| 5th RHA | 7th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 1.12.42—31.8.45 |
| 6th RHA | |
| 11th RHA | |
| 12th RHA | |
| 13th RHA | |
| 14th RHA | |
| 104th RHA | 1st Cavalry Div. Divisional Troops. 13.11.39—7.9.40, UK and Palestine. [Arrived Palestine 20.2.40]……???…….2nd Support Group 26.3.41—4.4.41, Libya. ……..???……1st Armoured Brigade 3.42—6.42, Egypt, Libya. ………4th Armoured Brigade 13.7.42—18.7.42, Egypt. ….???…8th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 13.9.42—26.9.42, Egypt. …..10th Armoured Div. Divisional Troops 27.9.42—3.5.44, Palestine, Egypt, Syria. …???… 27.10.44—13.5.45 Italy |
| 106th RHA | |
| 107th RHA | 1st Cavalry Div, Divisional Troops 1.11.39—23.8.40, Egypt, Palestine?…… HQ 13 Corps, Corps Troops, Attached Mersa Matruth Garrison 31.1.41 — ? (less 426 Bty.)….. Tobruk 6.9.41… 8th Army 1.12.41..? |
Italy – Battle of the Cassino Plain. Priest guns – self propelled of the Honourable Artillery Company, 6th Armoured Division moving to new positions. These are the first S.P. guns to cross the River Gari since the new offensive started. Photo taken by Sgt. Fox 16.5.1944.
For the large version see © IWM (NA 15052) – zoom in -cap badges are just visible.
Pictures from Tobruk. Five Gunners, a gun crew, who have been in Tobruk without a break since the siege began, and who have fired hundreds of shells into the enemy positions, they are, left to right, bombardier Reg. Bush of Coventry, Gunner Gilbert Hill, of Bristol, Gunner Walter Hall, of Brechin, Angus. Gunner George Hunter, of Basingstoke, and Sgt Gordon Parker of Gosberton, Lincolnshire. Photo taken by Capt Keating, 18.11.1941
For the large version see © IWM (E 6572)
For the large version see: © IWM (B 9543)
Mike, you need to correct the description, delete ‘GUARDS’ and insert ‘ARTILLERY’.
Thanks Marc, now corrected. Not the first time I’ve made that error – intending to write ‘Royal Horse Artillery’ and I’ve written ‘Royal Horse Guards’.
Chaps, I’ve just purchased a Royal Horse Artillery cap badge, but I’m not sure how genuine it is!
Is there any way I can send pictures so that someone with verify it (or tell me I’ve just wasted my money!).
Thanks,
Lionel
Sorry, meant ‘will verify it’.
Apologies.