Northern Ireland 1941-1943

Soon after the regiment’s move, equipment began to arrive in quantity and gunnery training intensified. In September 1940 French 75mm guns arrived and these were a useful addition to the regiment’s 18-pounders and 4.5-in howitzers. However, as a result, each of the three troops in a battery was equipped with a different gun requiring its own particular drills. Later, in May 1941, came the renowned 25-pounder. 

Batteries used to go for practice camps in the Sperrin Mountains and to the anti-tank range at Ballykinler. At that time theArmy’s two-pounder anti-tank guns had proved of little use against German tanks and therefore a great deal of effort was given to the training of field-gunners in the anti-tank role.

Universal carrier on practice camp 1941 “Somewhere in Northern Ireland"

The “going” in Northern Ireland was often treacherous and the gateways always narrow with uncompromising stone posts on both sides. The drivers became quite expert at negotiating narrow gateways with a gun in tow. The motorcyclist Despatch Riders, many of whom were enthusiastic riders in civilian life, became absolutely first-class as a result of the terrible going in the Sperrins and elsewhere.

In late 1940 the regiment was reorganised from two batteries, each with three troops of  four guns, into three batteries, each with two troops of four guns. Thus 509 Battery was born. Throughout the period in Northern Ireland the regiment remained in support of 183 Infantry Brigade. Each battery was associated with an infantry battalion: 395 Battery with the 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment; 396 Battery with 5th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment and 509 Battery with the 5th Northamptonshire Regiment.