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.