3rd Durham Volunteer ArtilleryA public meeting was held in South Shields Town Hall on the 28th November 1859. As a result on the 23rd December 1859 the 3rd Durham Artillery was formed and Mr James Cochran Stevenson was appointed to command. Over the next years further batteries were raised on both sides of the Tyne.
3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery First Drill 27th March 1860 Angus Dixon Clouston Battery Bugler 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery 1892
When the Royal Artillery divided in 1899, the unit became the 3rd Durham Royal Garrison Artillery (Vols) On the formation of the Territorial Army in 1908, the 3rd Durham RGA re-rolled as Royal Field Artillery and designated as the 4th Durham Battery of the 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade RFA (T). |
1914 -1918
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First World War The Great War
The Brigade mobilised in August 1914 and deployed to France in April 1915. In early May, the Brigade were the first Territorial field gunners to engage in the Ypres fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres. A reorganisation of Field brigades in 1916 saw the 4th Durham Battery transferred to 250 (Northumbrian Brigade) as D/250 Battery, the 5th Durhams going to 251 Brigade, D/251 Battery. The units would go on to take part in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Arras (1917), Battle of Passchendaele before the final battles of 1918.
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Honours and Awards World War 1
C.M.G. (2) Order of St Michael and St George D.S.O. (4) Distinguished Service Order M.C. (18) Military Cross D.C.M. (3) Distinguished Conduct Medal M.M and Bar (1) Military Medal M.M (50) Military Medal |
1939-1946
Second World War
The 74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA) mobilised as divisional Artillery within the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, supporting 151st Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), The Durham Light Infantry Brigade, with whom they served from 1939 to 1944 . They deployed to France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The Regiment returned to the UK in the Dunkirk evacuation
In 1941 they embarked with the 8th Army for the Middle East Theatre of World War II. Initially they took part in the Jock column actions to harass the enemy. Supporting 151 (DLI) Brigade they were engaged in the Battle of Gazala, breaking out to avoid capture through Mersa Matruh, though suffering many casualties . Following re-fitting and re-equipment the Regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of El Alamein followed by the assault on the Mareth Line. Joining the Italian Campaign (World War II) they landed in the Allied invasion of Sicily where they were engaged in the battle of Primosole Bridge (Operation Fustian)and the barrage across the Straits of Messina for the invasion of Italy. The Regiments next major action was D-Day and the Invasion of Normandy, landing on Gold Beach with the 50th Northumbrian (Infantry) Division. They were subsequently involved in the Normandy Battle to breakout in Operation Perch. Later service through North West Europe saw the Regiment involved in the liberation of Brussels and the battle of the Gheil bridgehead on the Albert Canal. In September 1944 they formed part of Operation Market Garden. When the rest of the 50th Division returned to England, in November 1944, 74 Regiment was attached to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division being engaged on the Grebbe line. Following the German surrender in May 1945 the Regiment remained in the Army of Occupation returning to South Shields in 1946.
In 1941 they embarked with the 8th Army for the Middle East Theatre of World War II. Initially they took part in the Jock column actions to harass the enemy. Supporting 151 (DLI) Brigade they were engaged in the Battle of Gazala, breaking out to avoid capture through Mersa Matruh, though suffering many casualties . Following re-fitting and re-equipment the Regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of El Alamein followed by the assault on the Mareth Line. Joining the Italian Campaign (World War II) they landed in the Allied invasion of Sicily where they were engaged in the battle of Primosole Bridge (Operation Fustian)and the barrage across the Straits of Messina for the invasion of Italy. The Regiments next major action was D-Day and the Invasion of Normandy, landing on Gold Beach with the 50th Northumbrian (Infantry) Division. They were subsequently involved in the Normandy Battle to breakout in Operation Perch. Later service through North West Europe saw the Regiment involved in the liberation of Brussels and the battle of the Gheil bridgehead on the Albert Canal. In September 1944 they formed part of Operation Market Garden. When the rest of the 50th Division returned to England, in November 1944, 74 Regiment was attached to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division being engaged on the Grebbe line. Following the German surrender in May 1945 the Regiment remained in the Army of Occupation returning to South Shields in 1946.
HQ, 296th (4th Durham) Bty: South Shields
293rd (1st Durham) Bty: Hebburn-on-Tyne
The regiment served under command of 50th (Northumbrian) Division from 3 September 1939 until 29 November 1944, when it transferred to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. It mobilized at South Shields and moved to Northleach near Cheltenham on 12 October 1939. It crossed to Cherbourg on 1 February 1940 and moved first to La Hutte and later to Bouvelles. It moved into Belgium on 16 May and came into action at Deftinge on the Dendre. It was ordered to withdraw on the 17th and moved to St. Genois the next day to support 151st Brigade. It took up positions on the La Bassée-Aire Canal on the 19th. It had RHQ at Don with 25th Brigade with 296th Battery at Magenta. The regiment fought a major action on 27 May against the advancing panzers. It embarked at Dunkirk on 31 May. On return to England, the regiment assembled at Knutsford, Cheshire but then moved to Weymouth as infantry. It ended 1940 at Weston-Super-Mare. The unit embarked from the United Kingdom on 22 April 1941 and arrived by sea in Egypt on 24 July 1941. It arrived in Cyprus shortly after 25 July 1941 and served there until 3 November. On return it moved to Iraq from 4-21 November and garrisoned Iraq until 12 January 1942. It then moved by road to Syria from 13-21 January and remained there until 10 February. The regiment then moved to Egypt with the division and on 21 February entered Libya. 452nd Battery was formed in the regiment in the Western Desert on 28 April 1942. It withdrew from Libya on 16 June and returned to Egypt. 293rd Battery was disbanded on 20 August 1942 due to casualties. After Alamein, it again moved into Libya on 5 December and into French North Africa on 4 March 1943. It returned to Libya on 28 April and Egypt on 9 May. 440th Battery joined the regiment on 10 May 1943. It embarked for Sicily on 29 June and landed there on 10 July. It remained in Sicily until 19 October and returned to England on 6 November. It left on 1 June and landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944. It then served in Northwest Europe for the rest of the war, transferring to 49th (West Riding) Division on 29 November 1944
293rd (1st Durham) Bty: Hebburn-on-Tyne
The regiment served under command of 50th (Northumbrian) Division from 3 September 1939 until 29 November 1944, when it transferred to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. It mobilized at South Shields and moved to Northleach near Cheltenham on 12 October 1939. It crossed to Cherbourg on 1 February 1940 and moved first to La Hutte and later to Bouvelles. It moved into Belgium on 16 May and came into action at Deftinge on the Dendre. It was ordered to withdraw on the 17th and moved to St. Genois the next day to support 151st Brigade. It took up positions on the La Bassée-Aire Canal on the 19th. It had RHQ at Don with 25th Brigade with 296th Battery at Magenta. The regiment fought a major action on 27 May against the advancing panzers. It embarked at Dunkirk on 31 May. On return to England, the regiment assembled at Knutsford, Cheshire but then moved to Weymouth as infantry. It ended 1940 at Weston-Super-Mare. The unit embarked from the United Kingdom on 22 April 1941 and arrived by sea in Egypt on 24 July 1941. It arrived in Cyprus shortly after 25 July 1941 and served there until 3 November. On return it moved to Iraq from 4-21 November and garrisoned Iraq until 12 January 1942. It then moved by road to Syria from 13-21 January and remained there until 10 February. The regiment then moved to Egypt with the division and on 21 February entered Libya. 452nd Battery was formed in the regiment in the Western Desert on 28 April 1942. It withdrew from Libya on 16 June and returned to Egypt. 293rd Battery was disbanded on 20 August 1942 due to casualties. After Alamein, it again moved into Libya on 5 December and into French North Africa on 4 March 1943. It returned to Libya on 28 April and Egypt on 9 May. 440th Battery joined the regiment on 10 May 1943. It embarked for Sicily on 29 June and landed there on 10 July. It remained in Sicily until 19 October and returned to England on 6 November. It left on 1 June and landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944. It then served in Northwest Europe for the rest of the war, transferring to 49th (West Riding) Division on 29 November 1944
74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA): 296 Battery 298 Battery
74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA) fought with distinction in some of the most decisive battles of the Second World
3 DSO
7 MC
8 MM
125 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA) re-roled as 125 Anti-Tank Regiment in 1940.It deployed to the Far East and was captured in 1942. Many of the Regiment became Far East Prisoners of War.
3 DSO
7 MC
8 MM
125 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA) re-roled as 125 Anti-Tank Regiment in 1940.It deployed to the Far East and was captured in 1942. Many of the Regiment became Far East Prisoners of War.
1947
In 1947 the Territorial Army was reconstituted, 74 Regiment was re-formed as 274 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA), with 125 Regiment formed as 325(Durham) L.A.A. Regiment R.A. (T.A.). Following subsequent amalgamations 325 Regiment became 463 (Durham Light Infantry) Light Air Defence Regiment R.A. (T.A.). On disbandment of Anti-Aircraft Command in1955, 274 Regiment absorbed 487 H.A.A. Regiment R.A. (Durham) (T.A.) and 377 (Durham) Observation Regiment R.A. (T.A.).
1967
101 (Northumbrian) Regiment RA (V) In 1967 the TA became the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve (TAVR). As part of this re-structuring 101 (Northumbrian) Medium Regiment RA (V) was formed. 205 Medium Battery was constituted from 274 Field and 463 LAA Regiments.
In 1974 the honour title 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery was awarded Initially equipped with the BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun, they converted to 105mm Light Gun in 1980 and to FH-70 in 1991. The Battery was the last to fire 101 Regiment's guns during the prestigious Queens Cup which they won for the second year running. The Battery therefore concluded 137 years service on the guns of the Royal Artillery as the premier Gun Battery in the Territorial Army. |
1980
205 Bty converted to 105mm Light Gun.Throughout the Cold War the Territorial Gunners exercised continuously in the UK and Germany. Support for the British Army of the Rhine |
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1992
205 (3DVA) Bty converted to the FH-70.The Battery was the last to fire 101 Regiment's guns during the prestigious Queens Cup which they won for the second year running. The Battery therefore concluded 137 years service on the guns of the Royal Artillery as the premier Gun Battery in the Territorial Army. Support for the British Army of the Rhine |
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1996
1997
2002-2003
2003 OP Telic
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