The Royal Regiment of Artillery, as it is now known, was formed in 1716, when two companies were permanently established at Woolwich, but, prior to that, artillery formed part of the King's Armies as early as the 15th century. The history of the Artillery is really the history of the British Army, for very seldom indeed has there been an action fought by British troops without some representatives of the Royal Regiment being present. The guns are looked upon as the standards of the regiment, and in the old days one of the guns was known as the colour gun, which was usually the heaviest piece in the field. All ranks are animated with the most intense bravery and devotion, which has been demonstrated on many fields, and won for the regiment many distinctions. The Great War on the Continent has added greatly to the reputation of the regiment.

Nicknamed "The Gunners."