55 'The Residency ' Bty RA
This is a site to keep gunners serving and ex in touch,
55(THE RESIDENCY)BATTERY
The Battery can trace it's history back to 1786 when it formed in Calcutta. As the second company of the 3rd Battalion, the Bengal Artillery,it was equipped with the 6 pounder gun. In 1794, as part of the Oush Brigade, it took part in the second Rohilla war.
The Battery remained in India and was involved in the 3rd Mysore War (1799) and the second siege of Bhurtope (1825-1826). By this time it had been re-named Number 4 Company, the 1st Battalion in the Bengal Artillery.
In May 1857 the Battery was quartered at Marion when the Matice Infantry mutinied.Due to the foresight of the local chief commissioner, Sir Henry Lawrence, the European women and children had already been gathered into the Residency at Lucknow, 3 miles north of Marioan. By June 29th the complete Oush area was in revolt and the revolutionaries had captured an 8 inch Howitzer which they were using to great effect. From the 1st to the 17th November, The Residency was successfully defended by the loyalist troops and the union flag kept flying. The Battery now uses the Union flag as its' Battery flag, the only sub-unit in the British Army with this honour.
On the 27th September 1857 a force was sent from the Residency to storm the enemies defences. This force included Bdr Jacob Thomas,one of the gunners from 4th company with the 1st Battalion of the Bengal Artillery (Now "55(The Residency)Battery"). During the action, Bdr Jacob Thomas rescued severely wounded infantrymen from the open ground, while under heavy musket fire and took them to safety. For this act of heroism he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In 1889 the Battery was re-named 22 Field Battery. In 1908 the Battery sign outside the "wet canteen" was continually defaced by an artistic practical joker who painted two ducks in a lake of beer. Eventually the struggle of repainting the sign was given up and the Battery earned the nickname "The Double Ducks"
By now the Battery had the battle honours Bhurtpore, Seringapatam and Lucknow.
During the Great War the Battery served at Mons. The Aisne.1st Battle of Ypres and in Salonika and in 1919 Gallipoli.Between the wars the Battery served in England, as a troop of mounted riflemen and then returned to India. In 1931 it was given the last Union flag to fly over The Residency at Lucknow. This flag can still be seen, now encased on the wall in the Battery History Room.
During WW2, 22 Field Battery served in France, The Middle East and finally, Italy. During this time 5 officers and 53 men of the Battery were killed or died from their wounds. While in Italy, 55 Battery plus 127 Battery served together as the only priest Batteries in the campaign.
In 1945 the Batten converted to Anti Tank Guns and in 1947 was renamed The Residency Battery. Since then that Battery has served in Egypt, Cyprus, Hong Kong, U.K, Ireland, Belize and Germany.
In April 1982, the Battery moved from Germany to Topcliffe and was equipped with the 155mm FH70. A FOO party from the Battery took part in the Falklands campaign in 1982 joining 2nd battalion The Scots Guard and supported them throughout the 5 Brigade action.
In 1986 the Battery returned to Lippstadt, Germany and were equipped with the M109 self-propelled guns. In early October 1990 19 soldiers from the Battery were deployed to support 40 Regiment RA, who were part of 7 Armd Bde for the Gulf conflict. Between December 1990 and January 1991 a total of 43 soldiers were deployed to supporting units of the 1st UK Armd Div Artillery Group for Operation Granby. Including BCR's a total of 5 officers, 9 SNCO's and 61 other ranks were awarded the CRAs Commendation for Meritorious Service during this operation.
At 23:59 hrs on September 30th 1992 the Battery was placed into suspended animation. At 0001 hrs on October 1st 1992 the Battery title was transferred to the HQ Battery of 26 Regt Royal Artillery, based in Gutersloh, Germany. The Battery was titled 55(The Residency)HQ Battery Royal Artillery.
 Free Webpages at Webspawner.com |
| Artillery-Friends |
| Abbot site |
Yahoo Quick Search
Send E-Mail to: mick759@webspawner.comCopyright © 2000 mick (skully). All Rights Reserved