1st Wessex Artillery
| 1st Wessex Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1860–1971 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Territorial Army
|
| Type | Artillery Regiment |
| Role | Garrison Artillery (1860–1908) Field Artillery (1908–1932) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery (1932–1967) Infantry (1967–1971) |
| Garrison/HQ | Southsea, Portsmouth |
| Engagements | |
The 1st Wessex Artillery was a volunteer unit of the British Army that existed under various titles from 1860 to 1971, including active service in World War I and World War II
An invasion scare in 1859 led to a surge of new Rifle and Artillery Volunteer corps coming into existence across Great Britain, forming a large Volunteer Force. The 2nd Hampshire (2nd Hants) Artillery Volunteers (AV) were formed at Southsea in May 1860 and the following year became part of the 1st (Portsmouth) Administrative Brigade of the Hampshire Artillery, along with the 1st Hants AV at Bitterne, Southampton, and the 3rd Hants (Dockyard) AV raised from civilian staff of Portsmouth Dockyard. In 1871 the 2nd Hants absorbed the Dockyard AV. The 2nd Hants AV drilled on the guns at Southsea Castle and was attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery.
In 1880 the Administrative Brigade was consolidated as the 1st Hampshire (Hants and Dorset) Artillery Volunteer Corps, with the 2nd Hants AV providing Batteries Nos 5 to 12 at Portsmouth. The unit was redesignated the 1st Volunteer (Hampshire) Brigade, Souther Division, Royal Artillery, in 1886. However, it was broken up again in 1889, and the 2nd Hants AV regained its independence.
By 1900 the 2nd Hants had 10 garrison batteries (companies) and a total enrolment of 777 out of an authorised strength of 805 officers and men. The companies were distributed as follows:
(an 11th company was raised later).
In 1904 the 2nd Hampshire won the King's Prize for Garrison Artillery at the annual National Artillery Association competition held at Shoeburyness.
On the creation of the Territorial Force in 1908, Nos 1-9 companies of the 2nd Hants Volunteer Artillery formed 1st (Wessex) Brigade Royal Field Artillery (RFA), organised as follows:
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