Honourable Artillery Company Opening Evening Pikemen and Musketeers, 14 May 2019

Описание: Honourable Artillery Company Open Evening, 14 May 2019

The Honourable Artillery Company was established and incorporated with a grant of a Royal Charter by Henry VIII on 25 August 1537 ‘for the better defence of this realm’. From the 17th century the Company has been described as a regiment and remains so to this day. It is the oldest regiment in the British Army and, alongside the five Foot Guards regiments, one of few never to have been amalgamated with another.

The Regiment has over the years included infantry, artillery and light cavalry. Since 1974 its role has been focussed on intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and gunnery. Today it consists of a major army reserve unit of an RHQ and five sub units, which is based in Finsbury Barracks, adjacent to Armoury House.

The HAC is the oldest regiment in the British Army and today is the Army’s only Reserve Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Regiment. It is part of the Army’s 6th (UK) Division and 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade which generates the Army’s Information Maneouvre and Unconventional Warfare forces. Based at Finsbury Barracks, Islington, the HAC recruits Officers and Soldiers who are generally from the Greater London area. Soldiers from the HAC frequently deploy on operations (both overseas and at home) in support of the Regular Army.

The Regiment has a unique ceremonial role providing Guards of Honour at Guildhall and Gun Salutes at the Tower of London.


Open Evening

The Artillery Garden and Armoury House bustled with an excited crowd of over 2,000 at this year’s Open Evening on Tuesday 14 May 2019 in the glorious spring sunshine. Members of the public were able to visit a range of stands and witness some outstanding displays that were held throughout the evening.

Following an introduction from the Honourable Artillery Company Regiment, the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers opened the evening’s displays. They paraded into the arena to pipe and drum and re-enacted the formations that would have been employed by the unit during the 17th century, including firing a volley of musket blanks. Following on, soldiers from today’s HAC Regiment demonstrated a Gun Salute, as often carried out at the Tower of London to mark royal and national occasions.

The London Regiment and Royal Yeomanry then joined the HAC to simulate a contemporary operation. A number of phases were illustrated, from intelligence and reconnaissance work, through to battle scenarios and the use of artillery. This high-intensity demonstration gave a clear insight into the skills and expertise needed of our Armed Forces to combat an enemy threat.

Following this was the highly contested Light Gun Race, once again vied for by the HAC and the 7 (Parachute) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. After a tight race, the HAC team were able to successfully edge ahead and fire their gun first, winning the competition to the great delight and applause of the crowd.

As the evening drew to a close, the Band of the HAC entered the arena to provide a spectacular Beating Retreat and Sunset Ceremony, during which the Union Jack was lowered and thanks giving to guests and visitors. The final flourish of the evening saw the Wildcat helicopter lift off as the crowd waved to the crew.


Photos of this event can be seen at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/veryama...