269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery

269 (West Riding) Battery RA
Badge of 269 (WR) Bty
Active	1 April 1975-
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Army Reserve
Role	Field support
Size	1 Battery (Company strength)
Part of	101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery
Garrison/HQ	Carlton Barracks, Leeds
Nickname	The West Riding Gunners
Motto	Semper vigilantes (Always vigilant) (Latin)
Colors	Yellow, white, and blue
March	British Grenadiers
Anniversaries	Yorkshire Day (1 August) St Barbara's Day (4 December)
Equipment	Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
Engagements	Operation TELIC, Operation HERRICK
Commanders
Battery Commander	Maj Robert Friel RA
Honorary Colonel	Col A C Roberts OBE CStJ TD JP DL
Notable commanders	Maj Tim Pennett RA TD Maj Robin Irvine RA TD Maj Keith Gregory RA
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash

269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery is part of 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery, an artillery regiment of the British Army.

History

The battery was formed as 269 (West Riding) Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers) in April 1975 at Leeds from a cadre of the West Riding Regiment RA (Territorials).^[1] Its role was to provide observation teams to support 1st Armoured Division and 2nd Armoured Division in Germany. In 1989 the battery re-roled to the 105 mm light gun and in 1993 it joined 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, a regular regiment in 24 Airmobile Brigade. In July 1999 it re-roled as an air defence battery equipped with the Rapier surface-to-air missile system within 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery.^[1] In 2006 it transferred to 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery^[2] where it was given a Surveillance and Target Acquisition role.^[3] Under Army 2020, it is re-rolling to the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.^[4]