View source for Honourable Artillery Company

{{Short description|Oldest regiment of the British Army}}
{{use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Honourable Artillery Company
| image                         = Honourable Artillery Company short arms crest.png
| caption                       = Crest and motto of the Honourable Artillery Company
| dates                         = 1087; <br /> chartered 25 August 1537
| country                       = 
| allegiance                    = {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch                        = {{Army|United Kingdom}}
| role                          = {{ubl|[[surveillance and target acquisition]] (STA)|parachute artillery}}
| size                          = {{ubl|One regiment|470 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>}}
| command_structure             = [[77th Brigade (United Kingdom)|77th Brigade]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/media/14919/adr010310-futuresoldierguide_25nov.pdf|title=Future Soldier Guide|date=25 November 2021|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref>
| current_commander             = 
| garrison                      = London
| ceremonial_chief              = [[Charles III]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Captain General
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = [[Prince Michael of Kent]]
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Royal Honorary Colonel
| commander4                    = General Sir [[Roland Walker]]
| commander4_label              = Colonel Commandant
| nickname                      = 
| motto                         = ''Arma pacis fulcra''<br /> (Latin: "Armed Strength for Peace"){{NoteTag|A loose translation, more literally "Arms (hold the) balance of peace"}}
| colors                        = 
| march                         = {{ubl|Quick – ''[[The British Grenadiers]]''|Slow – ''The Duke of York''|Canter – ''[[Bonnie Dundee]] ''|Trot – ''[[The Keel Row]]''|Walk – ''The Duchess of Kent''}}
| identification_symbol         = [[File:GuardsTRF.svg|65px]]<br />Only worn by Corps of Drums
| identification_symbol_label   = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_2       = None<br/>([[Bearskin]] cap)
| identification_symbol_2_label = Plume
| identification_symbol_4       = HAC
| identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = 
| notable_commanders            = Lieutenant Colonel Sir [[Edward Heath]]<br/>General Sir [[Richard O'Connor]]
| anniversaries                 = 
}}

The '''Honourable Artillery Company''' ('''HAC''') is a reserve [[regiment]] in the [[British Army]]. Incorporated by [[royal charter]] in 1537 by King [[Henry VIII]], it is the oldest regiment in the British Army and is considered the second-oldest military unit in the world.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Peter |url = https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/henry-viiis-militia-still-marching-7qgr6rcg3b2 |title=Henry VIII's militia still marching |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=2006-05-01 |access-date=2018-12-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/09/09/centuries-old-military-organization-votes-include-women-for-first-time/YdYpvGuUGlyIOWOB2L1WSN/story.html |title=Mass. corps votes in first female members |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |quote=The Ancient and Honorables is the third-oldest military organization in the world, just a few decades behind the Honourable Artillery Company of London and the Vatican's Pontifical Swiss Guard. }}</ref> Today, it is also a charity whose purpose is to attend to the "better defence of the realm", primarily through supporting the HAC regiment. The word "artillery" in "Honourable Artillery Company" does not have the current meaning that is generally associated with it, but dates from a time when in the English language that word meant any projectile, for example arrows shot from a bow. The equivalent form of words in modern English would be either "Honourable Infantry Company"{{NoteTag|"Infantry" today is closer to the meaning of "artillery" then than is "military" because "military" includes in its scope today's usage of "artillery" and also mounted troops, whereas "infantry", like the HAC when founded, did not include these.<ref>
*{{cite OED|infantry}}
*{{cite OED|artillery}} 
*{{cite OED|military}}</ref>}} or "Honourable Military Company".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hac.org.uk/where-we-come-from/history/1537-1799|title=History 1537–1799|website=HAC.org.uk}}</ref>

In the 17th century, its members played a significant part in the formation of both the [[Royal Marines]] and the [[Grenadier Guards]]. More recently, regiments, battalions and batteries of the Company fought with distinction in both World Wars and its current regiment, which forms part of the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]], is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Honourable Artillery Company|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/6th-united-kingdom-division/1st-intelligence-surveillance-and-reconnaissance-brigade/honourable-artillery-company/|access-date=2020-08-26|publisher=British Army|language=en-GB}}</ref> and the second most senior<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.monmouthcastlemuseum.org.uk/more/articles/seniority2/page24.html |title=Letters Confirming The Date of Formation And Precedence of the Regiment |publisher=Monmouth Castle Museum |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130523153805/http://www.monmouthcastlemuseum.org.uk/more/articles/seniority2/page24.html |archive-date=23 May 2013 }}</ref> in the Army Reserve.{{NoteTag|After the [[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers|Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)]].  Reserve units take precedence after regular units.}} Members of the regiment are drawn, for the most part, from young men and women working in and around the City and [[Greater London]]. Those leaving the active units may become Veteran Members and remain within the fraternity of the company.

==History==
===Early history===
{{listen
|filename=British Grenadiers.ogg
|title="The British Grenadiers"
|description="The British Grenadiers", the official Regimental Quick March of the Honourable Artillery Company, performed by the [[United States Army Band]] Strings ensemble
}}

The HAC can trace its history back as far as 1087,<ref name="Nevill-xxxiv">{{cite book |last=Nevill |first=Ralph |title=British military prints |year=1909 |page = xxxiv |url = https://archive.org/stream/britishmilitaryp00neviuoft#page/n65/mode/1up/search/honourable }}</ref> but it received a [[royal charter]] from [[Henry VIII]] on 25 August 1537, when [[Letters Patent]] were received by the ''Overseers of the Fraternity or Guild of St George'' authorising them to establish a perpetual corporation for the defence of the realm to be known as the '''Fraternity or Guild of Artillery of [[Longbows]], [[Crossbows]] and [[Hand cannon|Handgonnes]]'''.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;1.</ref> This body was known by a variety of names until 1658, when it was first referred to as the '''Artillery Company'''.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;68.</ref> It was initially referred to as the '''Honourable Artillery Company''' in 1685 and officially received the name from [[Queen Victoria]] in 1860.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 244</ref> However, the Archers' Company of the Honourable Artillery Company was retained into the late 19th century, though as a private club. Founded in 1781 by Sir [[Ashton Lever]], it met at Archers' Hall, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London. The Archers' Company remained a part of the regiment operated from 1784 to the late 1790s, along with [[Matross]], [[Grenadier]] (established on 11 August 1686)<ref>{{cite book |first = Anthony |last = Higmore |title=The History of the Honourable Artillery Company of the City of London |year=1804 |page=123 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_9xqMj_R3a4C&pg=PA123 }}</ref> and Light Infantry companies/divisions, with a Rifle or Yager Company introduced around 1803.<ref>Justine Taylor, Archivist, Honourable Artillery Company, Armoury House, London, 2009.</ref>

[[File:Shield of the Honourable Artillery Company, in sand, C19th.jpg|thumbnail|Shield of the Honourable Artillery Company, in sand, 19th century]]
[[File:An heraldic supporter. A Pikeman of the Honourable Artillery Company, in sand.jpg|thumbnail|HAC coat of arms supporter: a pikeman of the Honourable Artillery Company, in sand]]
The regiment has the rare distinction of having fought on the side of both [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] and the [[Cavalier|Royalists]] during the [[English Civil War]] 1642 to 1649.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;56.</ref>

From its formation, the Company trained at a site it had occupied at the [[Old Artillery Ground]] in [[Spitalfields]] and at the [[Merchant Taylors' Company]] Hall.<ref name="books.google">{{cite book |first=Anthony |last = Higmore |title=The History of the Honourable Artillery Company of the City of London|year=1804|page=64 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_9xqMj_R3a4C&pg=PA64}}</ref> In 1622, the Company built its first Armoury House at the site of the Old Artillery Gardens.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;32.</ref>

In 1638, Sir [[Maurice Abbot]] granted the Company use of lands at its current site south of [[Bunhill Fields]] Burial Ground on [[City Road]], which in 1649 consisted of twelve acres enclosed by a brick wall and pale.<ref name="books.google" /> In 1657, it sold its old Armoury House in Spitalfield to Master Gunner Richard Woolaston for £300.<ref>{{cite book|author=Anthony Higmore|title=The History of the Honourable Artillery Company of the City of London|year=1804|page=80|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9xqMj_R3a4C&pg=PA80}}</ref>

In 1656, the [[Grenadier Guards]] were formed from gentlemen of the Honourable Artillery Company who had taken the then heir to the throne, Prince Charles (later [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]), to Europe for his safety during the English Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britain-and-belgium-mark-360th-anniversary-of-the-grenadier-guards |title=Britain and Belgium mark 360th anniversary of the Grenadier Guards – News stories |website=GOV.UK |date=2016-09-02 |access-date=2016-12-23 }}</ref>

On 28 October 1664, in the New Artillery Gardens, the body of men that would become the [[Royal Marines]] was first formed with an initial strength of 1,200 infantrymen recruited from the [[London Trained Bands]] as part of the mobilisation for the [[Second Anglo-Dutch War]]. James (later King [[James II of England|James VII & II]]), the Duke of York and Albany, [[Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom|Lord High Admiral]] and brother of King Charles II, was Captain-General of the Honourable Artillery Company, the unit that trained the Trained Bands.<ref name="Origins of Royal Marines">{{cite web|url=http://www.acoy.co.uk/royalmarineshistorytraditionalfactsprecispack1.pdf|title=Royal Marines History and Traditional Facts|publisher=Marine Society & Sea Cadet|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=5 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705080815/http://www.acoy.co.uk/RoyalMarinesHistoryTraditionalFactsPrecisPack1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://40commando.net/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022085420/http://40commando.net/|url-status=dead|title=สล็อต pg เว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ฝาก ถอน ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ|archivedate=22 October 2016|website=สล็อต pg เว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์}}</ref>

The Company served in Broadgate during the [[Gordon Riots]] of 1780<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 172</ref> and in gratitude for its role in restoring order to the city, the [[City of London Corporation|Corporation of London]] presented "two brass field-pieces", which led to the creation of an HAC Artillery Division. (These guns are on display in the entrance hall of Armoury House.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/early-history/|title=Early history|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

In 1860, control of the company moved from the [[Home Office]] to the [[War Office]] and in 1889, a [[Warrant (law)|Royal Warrant]] gave the [[Secretary of State for War]] control of the company's military affairs. In 1883, Queen Victoria decreed that the HAC took precedence next after the Regular Forces and therefore before the [[Militia (United Kingdom)|Militia]] and [[Yeomanry]] in consideration of its antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1888/mar/27/army-the-queens-regulations-the|title=Army – The Queen's Regulations – The Honorable Artillery Company |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=27 March 1888}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1887/jul/07/question-observations-1|title=The Honorable Artillery Company and The Royal Naval Volunteers – Precedence at Reviews |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=7 July 1887}}</ref>

===South Africa 1900–1902===
Members of the Company first served as a formed unit overseas in the [[South African War]] (1899–1902). Almost two hundred members served;<ref name="HACinSA-1">{{cite book|title=The H.A.C. in South Africa: a record of the services rendered in the South African War by members of the Honourable Artillery Company|editor1-last=Williams |editor1-first=Basil |editor2-last=Childers |editor2-first=Erskine |publisher=Smith, Elder & Co.|location=London|year=1903|page=[https://archive.org/details/hacinsouthafrica00willrich/page/n16 1]|url=https://archive.org/details/hacinsouthafrica00willrich}}</ref> the majority in the [[City of London Imperial Volunteers]] (CIV) as infantry, mounted infantry and in a Field Battery that was officered, and for the most part manned, by members of the company.<ref name="HACinSA-2">{{cite book|title=The H.A.C. in South Africa: a record of the services rendered in the South African War by members of the Honourable Artillery Company|editor1-last=Williams |editor1-first=Basil |editor2-last=Childers |editor2-first=Erskine |publisher=Smith, Elder & Co.|location=London|year=1903|page=[https://archive.org/details/hacinsouthafrica00willrich/page/2 2]|url=https://archive.org/details/hacinsouthafrica00willrich}}</ref>

===Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907===
In 1907, the Company became part of the newly formed [[Territorial Force]] with the passing of the [[Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|Territorial and Reserve Forces Act]]. The HAC Infantry was due to become part of the newly formed [[London Regiment (1908–1938)|London Regiment]] as the "26th (County of London) Battalion",<ref>[[List of units of the British Army Territorial Force 1908]]</ref> but instead managed to retain its own identity as the Honourable Artillery Company Infantry Battalion. The HAC also had its property and privileges protected by the Honourable Artillery Company Act 1908.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/1908-the-hac-act/MN|title=Honourable Artillery Company Act 1908 |publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

===First World War===

[[File:HAC guns at Sheik Othman.jpg|thumb|A [[Ordnance QF 15 pounder|QF 15 pounder]] of B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company, at Sheik Othman, Aden.]]
[[File:HACBelah.jpg|thumb|Gunners of A Battery, the Honourable Artillery Company, attached to the [[4th Light Horse Brigade|4th Australian Light Horse Brigade]], crouch between their [[Ordnance QF 13 pounder|13 pounder quick fire field guns]] and a cactus hedge near Belah, [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], in March 1918.]]

The HAC expanded to three [[infantry]] [[battalion]]s and seven [[artillery]] [[artillery battery|batteries]]<ref>{{cite book |title=London Gunners |last=Kingham |first=W. R. |year=1919 |isbn=1-84342-658-7|publisher=Naval & Military Press }}</ref> during the [[First World War]]. [[Second Lieutenant]]s [[Reginald Leonard Haine]] and [[Alfred Oliver Pollard]], of the 1st Battalion HAC, were awarded [[Victoria Cross]]es for their actions at [[Gavrelle]] in 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30122|supp=y|page=5703|date=8 April 1917}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30122|supp=y|pages=5703–5704|date=8 April 1917}}</ref> In total 1,650 men from the HAC were killed during the war.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/world-war-1/ |title = The First World War 1914–1918 |access-date=26 August 2017 }}</ref>

In September 1914, the 1st Battalion followed the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War I)|British Expeditionary Force]] to France and fought in the [[1st Battle of Ypres]]. After the fighting at the [[Battle of the Ancre]] in 1916 and the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]] in 1917, it became an officer training battalion and provided demonstration platoons.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 273</ref> Elements of the battalion were used to help quell the [[Étaples Mutiny]]. The 2nd Battalion HAC was raised in August 1914; it was in France by October 1916 and in action on 25 February 1917 at [[Bucquoy]]. They fought at the Battle of Arras in May and the [[3rd Battle of Ypres]] in October.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 283</ref> In November 1917, the battalion moved to the [[Italian Campaign (World War I)|Italian Front]] under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir [[Richard O'Connor]]. In the [[Battle of Vittorio Veneto]], in October 1918, they led a force of Italians, Americans and British that compelled the garrison of the strategic island of Papadopoli (in the main channel of the [[Piave (river)|River Piave]]) to surrender. For this remarkable feat of arms, the HAC was awarded two [[Distinguished Service Order]]s, five [[Military Cross]]es, three [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]]s and 29 [[Military Medal]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/honourable-artillery-company-hails-a-great-italian-victory-90-years-on-j66jg60mjc6|title=Britain's oldest regiment hails a great Italian victory 90 years on|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=4 November 2008|quote=When the pikemen and musketeers of the London-based Honourable Artillery Company parade before the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, in the town square of Vittorio Veneto in northeastern Italy today they will do so as a grateful acknowledgement by the Italian authorities of a remarkable British contribution to Italy's final victory over the forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the First World War. | location=London | first=Peter | last=Davies | access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>

Both [[1/A Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|A Battery]] and [[1/B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|B Battery]] went to [[Suez]] in April 1915. In July, B Battery fought in the recapture of [[Sheikh Othman]] (key to the water supply to [[Aden]]) from the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]] as part of the [[South Arabia during World War I|Aden campaign]].<ref>{{cite book|author=General Martin Farndale|title=History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base, 1914–1918|publisher=Royal Artillery Institution|year=1988|isbn=1-870114-05-1|page=357}}</ref> In February 1917, both batteries took part in the [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign#Southern Palestine Campaign begins|Palestine Campaign]], were in action at the [[First Battle of Gaza|First]] and [[Second Battle of Gaza]] and [[Battle of Jerusalem (1917)|entered Jerusalem]] in December 1917. In the German counter-attack during the [[Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt (1918)|Second action of Es Salt]] on 1 May 1918, A Battery was forced to make a rapid withdrawal under heavy fire, which resulted in the loss of all its guns. Both A and B Batteries took part in the [[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Battle of Megiddo]] in September.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 279</ref>

The 2nd Line batteries&nbsp;– [[2/A Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|2/A Battery]] and [[2/B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|2/B Battery]]&nbsp;– were formed in 1914 and served on the Western Front in 1917 and 1918 as part of an Army Field Artillery Brigade; the 3rd Line batteries&nbsp;– [[A (Reserve) Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|A (Reserve) Battery]] and [[B (Reserve) Battery, Honourable Artillery Company|B (Reserve) Battery]]&nbsp;– were formed in 1915 to provide trained replacements for the 1st and 2nd Line batteries.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, pp. 288–291</ref>

A seventh battery, the 309th (HAC) Siege Battery [[Royal Garrison Artillery|RGA]], went to France in April 1917 and saw action at the [[Battle of Messines (1917)|Battle of Messines]] and the [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Battle of Amiens]].<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;284.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.1914-1918.net/rha.htm | title=The Royal Horse Artillery | publisher=The Long, Long Trail | last=Baker | first=Chris | access-date=16 December 2014 |quote=The HAC batteries had a strong officer-producing role for the [[Royal Horse Artillery|RHA]] and [[Royal Field Artillery|RFA]], and due to the high quality and number of officers provided it was sought to extend this service to the [[Royal Garrison Artillery|RGA]]. Thus in 1916 the 309th (Honourable Artillery Company) Siege Battery RGA was formed. This served in France from 1917 until the end of the war.}}</ref>

In 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel [[Edward Lisle Strutt]], arranged for a detachment of the 2nd Battalion to form a Guard of Honour at Imst Station to give a final Royal Salute on the departure of the Imperial State Train for [[Charles I of Austria|Charles I]], the last [[Austro-Hungarian]] Emperor-King, to safety in [[Switzerland]], after having served as the family's protector at [[Eckartsau]] on the personal initiative of King [[George V]].<ref>Gordon Brook-Shepherd (2003). ''Uncrowned Emperor: The Life and Times of Otto von Habsburg''. London: Hambledon Continuum. {{ISBN|1-85285-549-5}}.</ref><ref>Gordon Brook-Shepherd (1968). ''The Last Habsburg''. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. {{ISBN|0-297-17650-1}}.</ref>

===Interwar===
When the Territorial Force was reconstituted as the Territorial Army (TA) in 1920, the HAC infantry battalion was reformed, while A and B Batteries formed a composite RHA unit with the [[City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders)]] (one battery) as '''11th (HAC and City of London Yeomanry) Brigade, RHA'''. The TA began to expand rapidly at the time of the [[Munich Crisis]] in 1938, and the Yeomanry left to form a separate light anti-aircraft regiment leaving '''11th Regiment RHA (HAC)'''. Subsequently, the HAC formed the '''12th''' (1939) and '''13th Regiments RHA (HAC)''' (1940) and the '''86th (HAC) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment''' (1939).<ref name=regiments>{{cite web |url = http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/art-eng-sig/HAC.htm |title=Honourable Artillery Company |website=Regiments |access-date=26 August 2017|url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051231075734/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/art-eng-sig/HAC.htm |archive-date=31 December 2005 }}</ref><ref name = Litch>Litchfield, pp.&nbsp;147–149.</ref><ref>Money Barnes, p.&nbsp;356.</ref>

===Second World War===
[[File:The British Army in Tunisia 1943 NA2313.jpg|thumb|right|An [[M7 Priest]] of the 11th (HAC) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Tunisia, 1943.]]

====Infantry Battalion====
In 1939, the Infantry Battalion became 162 (HAC) Officer Cadet Training Unit, this was the Officer Training Unit of the [[Reconnaissance Corps]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xnIarNrEH_8C&q=162+(HAC)+Officer+Cadet+Training+Unit&pg=PA53|title=The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II|isbn=978-1846031229|access-date=17 May 2014|last1=Doherty|first1=Richard|date=27 March 2007|publisher=Bloomsbury USA}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1942, 101 RAC OCTU amalgamated with 162 Reconnaissance Corps OCTU to form 100 RAC OCTU based at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/history_of_rmas.pdf|title=History of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705060055/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/history_of_rmas.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====11th (HAC) Regiment, RHA====
The 11th (HAC) Regiment RHA served in North Africa at the [[Battle of Gazala#Battle|Battle of Knightsbridge]] with [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder|25-pounder guns]] and, after re-equipping with the [[M7 Priest]] [[self-propelled gun]], in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]] where it was commanded by [[Bill Leggatt]]. The regiment's guns were the first guns ashore in the [[invasion of Sicily]]; then they took part in the [[Allied invasion of Italy]] and the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]].<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p.&nbsp;315.</ref>

[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B10244.jpg|thumb|right|11th Armoured Division vehicles during the advance in Holland, 22 September 1944. On the right is a Sexton self-propelled gun of 13th (HAC) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.]]

====12th (HAC) Regiment, RHA====
The 12th (HAC) Regiment RHA took part in the [[Operation Torch]] landings and were in action at [[Thala, Tunisia|Thala]] in February 1943, where they halted a German advance following the [[Battle of the Kasserine Pass]]. After re-equipping with [[M7 Priest|Priests]], they too moved on to Italy in March 1944 and fought at [[Monte Cassino]].<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 324</ref>

====13th (HAC) Regiment, RHA====
The 13th (HAC) Regiment RHA equipped with [[Sexton (artillery)|Sexton]] self-propelled guns fought in [[Normandy]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Operation Plunder|across the Rhine]] into Germany as part of [[11th Armoured Division]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Black Bull | last=Delaforce |first=Patrick | year=1993 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |isbn=0-7509-3183-3 }} Patrick Delaforce served with the regiment through this campaign.</ref>

====86th (HAC) HAA Regiment, RA====
{{main|86th (Honourable Artillery Company) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery}}
The regiment formed part of [[26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade]] defending the London Inner Artillery Zone.<ref>Routledge, Table LX, p.&nbsp;378.</ref> [[Anti-Aircraft Command]] mobilised on 24 August 1939, and so 86th (HAC) HAA Rgt was already manning static gunsites at places like [[Primrose Hill]] and [[Finsbury Park]] when war was declared on 3 September. The regiment served in the defence of the capital throughout [[The Blitz]]. It became a mobile unit in 1942 and was one of the first units to land on [[D-Day]], with Regimental Headquarters commanding a composite AA Assault Group on [[Juno Beach]].<ref>Routledge, pp. 307–311.</ref> During the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy Campaign]] and subsequent advance into Belgium the regiment's [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun|3.7-inch HAA guns]] were sometimes used to engage ground targets.<ref>Routledge, p. 314.</ref> During the winter of 1944–45 its guns and radar defended [[Brussels]] and [[Antwerp]] against [[V-1 flying bomb]]s (known as 'Divers').<ref>Routledge, pp. 333–341.</ref><ref>Goold Walker 1986, pp. 336–337</ref>

Over seven hundred members of the Company lost their lives during the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/world-war-2/|title=The Second World War 1939–1945|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

===Post-war===
In 1947, the Company was reorganised into:<ref name = Litch/>
*an Infantry Battalion
*1st Regiment HAC, RHA, of self-propelled artillery (from 11th (HAC) RHA Regiment)
*[[86th (Honourable Artillery Company) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|2nd Regiment HAC (HAA)]] of heavy anti-aircraft artillery (from 86th (HAC) HAA Regiment; disbanded 1955)
*G Locating Battery (from 12th (HAC) RHA Regiment; disbanded 1961)

In 1973, the Regiment was again reorganised; it was given the role of providing [[Stay-behind|'stay behind' observation posts (OPs)]] for the [[British Army of the Rhine]] as one of the three Territorial Army units making up the Corps Patrol Unit (with [[Artists' Rifles|21]] and [[23 Special Air Service Regiment (Reserve)|23]] SAS).<ref>[[Honourable Artillery Company Museum|HAC Museum]] display</ref> The three sabre squadrons, each with a number of four to six man patrols provided [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|surveillance and target acquisition]] capabilities to the HQs of 1st Artillery Brigade (HQ Sqn HAC), 1 Armoured Division (I Sqn HAC), 4 Armoured Division (II Sqn HAC), and 1 BR Corps (III Sqn HAC) with one 'sabre' squadron each.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Eyes on target: 'Stay-behind' forces during the Cold War|first=Tamir|last=Sinai|date=8 December 2020|journal=War in History|volume=28|issue=3|pages=681–700 [12–13]|doi=10.1177/0968344520914345|doi-access=free}}</ref> The new structure was:
*Three patrol squadrons (1, 2 and 3 or I, II and III) – a fourth patrol squadron was formed for a short period in the 1980s
*Headquarter Squadron, including Training Wing and Medical Wing
*The Gun Troop (a battery of six [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder|25 pounder]] guns and not part of the OP role)
*Band
*[[Corps of Drums]]

[[File:QF-25-pounder saluting gun tower of London 02.jpg|thumb|right|A former HAC 25-pounder gun, preserved at the Tower of London]]
In 1992, the signals troops that had been integrated into the patrol squadrons were brought together to form the Signal Squadron;<ref>''Honourable Artillery Company Journal'', Vol 442, Vol 69, Spring 1992</ref> they were subsequently re-integrated with the patrol squadrons in 2010.<ref>''Honourable Artillery Company Journal'', Vol 442, Vol 87, Spring 2010</ref><ref name=since1946>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/post-war/|title=The Regiment since 1946|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

In 1992, in the [[Salisbury Plain Training Area]], the HAC was the last British Army unit to fire the [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder|25-pounder]] in the field, as the Gun Troop retrained onto the [[105mm Light Gun]]. The 25 pounder continued to be fired ceremonially until it was replaced by the Light Gun.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://collection.nam.ac.uk//inventory/objects/results.php?shortDescription=&event=&campaign=&associatedName=&unit=&placeNotes=&productionNotes=&keyword=&page=71 |title=Online Collection |publisher=National Army Museum, London |access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crusader80.co.uk/towed.html |title=Towed Equipment |website=Crusader80.co.uk |access-date=2017-12-09 }}</ref>

In 1996, the first formed unit of the Regiment to be mobilised for active service since the Second World War was called up for [[Operation Resolute]] with the NATO [[IFOR]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]].<ref name="QueenSpeechColours">{{cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page5976.asp |title=Text of The Queen's speech at the presentation of colours to the Honourable Artillery Company |date=18 May 2007 |access-date=28 December 2007 |quote=Since I last presented new colours to the Company in 1980, the Regiment has served with distinction on exercises and operations around the world, and most recently in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. Facilities sited in the Company's grounds played a key role in the aftermath of the London bombings of 2005. |archive-date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125201835/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5976.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The regiment participated in the celebration of the Queen's [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]] on 4 June 2002 by firing a 62 gun salute at the [[Tower of London]], and by providing a Guard of Honour (including the Regimental Band and the Massed Corps of Drums of the 1st Bn Grenadier Guards and the HAC) at St Paul's Cathedral.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=9994 |title=Court Circular |publisher=Buckingham Palace |date=4 June 2002 |access-date=28 December 2007 |quote=A Guard of Honour of the Honourable Artillery Company, with the Band of the Company, and the Massed Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and the Honourable Artillery Company, under the command of Major Simon Garrett, with the Mounted Bands and a Dismounted Detachment of the Household Cavalry were formed up outside the Great West Door. |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930223924/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=9994 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December of that year, the Captain-General visited and dined with the company to commemorate her Golden Jubilee as Captain-General.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=6578|title=Court Circular|publisher=Buckingham Palace|date=11 December 2002|access-date=28 December 2007|quote=The Queen was entertained to Lunch at Armoury House, City Road, London EC1, this afternoon by the Honourable Artillery Company to celebrate Her Majesty's Fifty Years as Captain General.|archive-date=30 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224027/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=6578|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2005, the guns were withdrawn from Gun Troop, which was renamed Liaison Troop.<ref name=since1946/>

In 2006, the HAC was the first major unit of the Territorial Army to convert to the [[Bowman (communications system)|Bowman]] communications system. When Bowman was temporarily withdrawn from the Territorial Army in 2008/09, it was one of the few units to retain the equipment.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=TAQ|title=Ministry of Defence|date=December 2008}}</ref>

In 2016, Queen [[Elizabeth II]] became the longest-serving Captain-General of the HAC, with 64 years of service.<ref>{{cite web|author=Laura Proto |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/queen-celebrates-becoming-longest-serving-captaingeneral-of-honourable-artillery-company-a3261686.html |title=Queen celebrates becoming longest serving Captain-General of Honourable Artillery Company |newspaper=Evening Standard|location=London |date=June 2016 |access-date=2016-06-10}}</ref><ref name="QueenSpeechColours"/>

In 2017 A Battery (1st City of London) Honourable Artillery Company, was re-formed to provide gunners in support of [[7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery]].<ref>Regimental Fire, HAC Newsletter, December 2017</ref>

==Current role and organisation==
===Current role===
[[File:Members of the Honourable Artillery Company firing their guns at the Tower of London.jpg|thumb|The HAC on duty at the Tower of London: firing minute guns to mark the centenary of the start of World War I.]]

The main role of the regiment is surveillance and target acquisition, in which it operates three patrol squadrons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eliteukforces.info/elite-artillery/honourable-artillery-company/|title=Honourable Artillery Company|publisher=Elite UK Forces|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref> In 2018, the regiment took on an additional role when a new battery was formed to serve as part of [[16 Air Assault Brigade]] in support of [[7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery|7 (Parachute) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery]].<ref name="Honourable Artillery Company">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/force-troops-command/1st-intelligence-surveillance-and-reconnaissance-brigade/honourable-artillery-company/|title=Honourable Artillery Company|publisher=British Army|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteukforces.info/elite-artillery/honourable-artillery-company/|title=Honourable Artillery Company|website=eliteukforces.info|access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paradata.org.uk/media/11320 |title=Reservists pair with Airborne gunners on Exercise Cypher Strike, 7 PARA RHA, Sept 2016. |publisher=ParaData |access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref>

The HAC has a ceremonial role in providing guards of honour at the [[Guildhall, London|Guildhall]] in the City of London during [[state visits]] and, since 1924 (when the Royal Artillery ceased to be stationed at the Tower), has provided the saluting battery at the Tower of London for state occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/gun-salutes|title=Gun salutes|date=6 October 2015 |publisher=Royal.uk|access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref>

===Training===
[[File:Spec Obs Badge.jpg|thumb|right|Special Observer Badge, worn by Soldiers who have passed the SR Patrol Course]]
The HAC is one of two Army Reserve units (the other being the Parachute Regiment) to deliver their own Phase 1 training, and to a more demanding standard that the rest of the reserve 'in house'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/vital-springboard-future-university-officer-training-corps|title=A Vital Springboard: The Future of University Officer Training Corps|website=rusi.orghttps}}</ref>  Unlike most Army Reserve units, who are only required to train at up to sub-unit (company or squadron) level, the HAC is required to train as a regiment.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.army.mod.uk/linkedfiles/ra/tdt/pam_101__pdf_complete_2004.pdf |title=Royal Artillery Individual Training Regulations |date=June 2004 |access-date=28 December 2007 |page=30|quote=The one exception to this is the HAC who are mandated to train at the regimental level |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080227062703/http://www.army.mod.uk/linkedfiles/ra/tdt/pam_101__pdf_complete_2004.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 27 February 2008 }}</ref>

Those who wish to serve in 1 Squadron are required<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/news/hac-first-british-troops-to-deploy-in-japan/|title=HAC first British troops to deploy in Japan|date=12 October 2018|website=The Military Times|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425173644/https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/news/hac-first-british-troops-to-deploy-in-japan/|url-status=dead}}</ref> to undertake the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Patrols Course (SRPC), an arduous course<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/what-we-do/soldiering|title=Soldiering|website=HAC}}</ref> with only a 10% pass rate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-artillery/gunner-sta-patrols-special-observer|title=Gunner – STA Patrols Special Observer – British Army Jobs|website=apply.army.mod.uk}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=MnmWOodTdk|title=Reserves Day 2019: Honorable Artillery Company}}</ref> Service as a Special Observer qualifies for additional pay and specialist courses and is open to all arms and services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=1a92be17-44b0-4dd4-b740-89057cd9a275|title=Soldier|website=edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk}}</ref>

===Organisation===
The HAC is not part of the [[Royal Artillery|Royal Regiment of Artillery]], being an older and separate regiment with its own uniform, insignia and colours. The regiment forms part of [[77th Brigade (United Kingdom)|77 Brigade]] (having previously been part of [[1st Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade]]) with sub units supporting the [[Army Special Operations Brigade]] and [[16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team]]. The sub units of the HAC are:<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web |url = http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/units/10738.aspx |title=Squadrons – British Army Website |access-date=24 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604214324/http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/units/10738.aspx |archive-date=4 June 2011 }}</ref>
*Headquarters Squadron.
**The [[Corps of Drums]]. The last remaining sub-unit from the infantry battalions and still wearing the grenade beret badge, [[Foot Guards]] [[stable belt|belt]], beret badge backing and [[tactical recognition flash]]. As with an infantry battalion corps of drums, the drummers are 'soldiers first' and regularly deploy soldiers on operations as well as fulfilling their ceremonial role. The Corps of Drums forms part of HQ Squadron and is a separate entity from the Band, who are primarily musicians. They provide personnel for A Battery whilst still maintaining their ceremonial drumming role.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/regiments/24680.aspx |title=Honourable Artillery Company – British Army Website |publisher=British Army |access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref><ref name="British Army">{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/news/28773.aspx |title=Reservists pair with Airborne gunners – British Army Website |publisher=British Army |date=2016-09-27 |access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref>
**The Medical Wing, commanded by the Surgeon Major, who is a [[Royal Army Medical Service]] officer, provides medical support to the Regiment for peacetime training and on deployment. Combat medical technicians within the Medical Wing undergo additional specialist medical training with the [[Defence Medical Services]].
** CIS Troop, a troop to provide communications information systems capability to the HAC and other units.
** Sicily Troop. The enablers of the Regiment, providing logistics and motorised capability to the HAC and other units.
* A (1st City of London) Battery, Honourable Artillery Company, a battery of [[L118 light gun|105mm light guns]]. The battery is paired with [[7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="British Army"/>
* 1 Squadron (Special Operations),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/honourable-artillery-company/|quote="On successful completion of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Patrol Course (Reserve), you will achieve the Special Observer Qualification and can begin your career as an STA patrol soldier within 1 (Special Operations) Squadron." |title=Honourable Artillery Company &#124; the British Army }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hac.org.uk/what-we-do/soldiering|title=Soldiering|website=HAC}}</ref> comprising two troops of surveillance and reconnaissance patrols.<ref name="Honourable Artillery Company"/> 1 Squadron provides long-range surveillance, reconnaissance and a joint-fires capability as formed surveillance and target acquisition patrols to support the Army Special Operations Brigade, following the Integrated Review, 2021.
* 2 Squadron, composed of a squadron headquarters, and three troops (Knightsbridge, El Hamma and El Alamein) of light [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance#ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance)|ISR]] Detachments.
* III Squadron, composed of a squadron headquarters, and three troops (Aden, Gaza and Rhine) of light ISR Detachments.

Future Soldier programme: under this programme the HAC was moved to [[77th Brigade (United Kingdom)|77th Brigade]].  A Battery will provide two guns to each battery of 7 (Para) RHA and 1 Squadron will provide Special Patrols to the [[Army Special Operations Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/media/14919/adr010310-futuresoldierguide_25nov.pdf|title=Future Soldier Guide|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref><ref>The Integrated Review, Lt Gen Andrew Gregory CBE, Master Gunner St James's Park, 25 Nov 21</ref>

==Operations==
The Regiment has had individuals or sub-units on active service at all times since 1996; with the personnel serving in a wide variety of roles in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and various countries in Africa.<ref name="QueenSpeechColours"/> Commitments included the deployment of individuals to [[HUMINT|human intelligence]] roles in the Balkans (including as part of Joint Commission Observer teams) and then formed patrols to Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq; independent sub-units to [[Operation Telic]] 4 and 5 in Iraq and L Troop to Operation Telic 9; as well as individual and group reinforcements to other infantry and artillery units.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/24/narmy224.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223160755/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F12%2F24%2Fnarmy224.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2008|title=UK troops prepare for Christmas in Afghanistan|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=27 December 2007|date=26 December 2007|quote=A highly paid investment banker for Credit Suisse in civilian life, Trooper Kelly is one of several soldiers from the City of London-based unit to give up a year of handsomely remunerated work in the Square Mile for training and deployment in Helmand.|first1=Tom|last1=Coughlan}}</ref> In Afghanistan deployed personnel were divided between operating and maintaining counter indirect fire systems and other high technology equipment and forming part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF).<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Margarette
  | first = Driscoll
  | title = Pinstripe Army at two o'clock
  | newspaper = Sunday Times
  | pages = New Review 8
  | date = 12 December 2010
  }}</ref>

On Tuesday 4 December 2007, Trooper Jack Sadler, who was serving with the BRF, was killed when his vehicle was hit by a blast north of [[Sangin]], in [[Helmand Province]]. Two other soldiers were injured in the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TrooperJackSadlerKilledInAfghanistan.htm|title=Trooper Jack Sadler killed in Afghanistan|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=5 December 2007 |access-date=5 December 2007}}</ref><!--<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3POfCCTIVg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/A3POfCCTIVg| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Trooper Jack Sadler Repatriation Ceremony|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>--> In 2008, the Runner-up for the Cobra Trophy for Volunteer Reservist of the year was Trooper Adam Cocks of 2 Squadron, who was severely injured in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck a mine. While recuperating at [[Headley Court]] rehabilitation centre, he and a friend came up with the idea of a rugby match at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] to help raise money for the charity [[Help for Heroes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article5945634.ece|title=Military news in brief|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=21 March 2009|quote=The Cobra Trophy Runner-up for 2008 is Trooper Adam Cocks, 2nd Squadron Honourable Artillery Company, who was severely injured in Afghanistan when his vehicle struck a mine. While recuperating at Headley Court rehabilitation centre, in Surrey, he and a friend came up with the idea of a rugby match at Twickenham to help to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes. |location=London |access-date=4 May 2010 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Regimental museum==
The [[Honourable Artillery Company Museum]] is located at Armoury House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/museums/0000000044-honourable-artillery-company.htm|title=Honourable Artillery Company Museum|publisher=Ogilby Trust|access-date=3 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612195216/http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/museums/0000000044-Honourable-Artillery-Company.htm|archive-date=12 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Dress==
In 1830, King [[William IV]] ordered that the uniform of the HAC should be based on that of the [[Grenadier Guards]], except that where the Grenadiers wear gold, the HAC were to wear silver. This tradition is continued today by the wearing of the silver coloured grenade in the forage cap similar to the brass one of the Grenadiers, and the buttons and lace on HAC dress uniforms being silver coloured instead of gold.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 218</ref>

===Berets===
The HAC wear a [[khaki]] [[beret]] with the HAC's [[cap badge|beret badge]] ("short arms") in white metal on a black backing. Officers and warrant officers wear an embroidered cloth version of the same badge. The Corps of Drums and Regimental Band wear the HAC infantry grenade on a blue red blue backing, which is superficially identical to that of the [[Grenadier Guards]]. From July 2008, members of 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery, part of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, the HACs paired regular regiment, adopted the khaki beret to mark their close working relationship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/YorkshireGunnersHonouredForServiceInIraqAndAfghanistan.htm|title=Yorkshire Gunners honoured for Service in Iraq and Afghanistan|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=3 July 2008|quote=Earlier in the day, in what marks a historic change in the history of one of the Batteries from the Regiment – 4/73 (Sphinx) Battery, the traditional dark blue beret of the Royal Artillery was replaced with a khaki-coloured beret. The change came about as a result of the Battery working closely, in times of war, with the Honourable Artillery Company, who have a close association with the Household Division. The khaki beret is the colour beret that the Household Division wear and so to mark this close working relationship the beret has been changed.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929073832/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/YorkshireGunnersHonouredForServiceInIraqAndAfghanistan.htm|archive-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

<gallery caption="Headdress badges of the HAC" perrow="3">
Image:HAC_Gunner_Badge.jpg|HAC Gunner Badge worn by Officers in No 1 Dress (Gunner) on artillery ceremonial duties
Image:HAC Officers Beret Badge.jpg |Officer's and warrant officer's beret badge
Image:Badge HAC OR ShortArms.gif|Other ranks beret badge
Image:HAC_Officers_Forage_Cap_Badge.jpg |Officer's forage cap badge (Infantry)
Image:HACSNCOGrenade.JPG|Grenade worn by SNCOs of all sub units in forage cap, and Band and Drums in the beret
Image:HAC_grenade.jpg|Grenade worn by ranks below sergeant in the forage cap, and by the Band and Corps of Drums in the beret
</gallery>

===Other headdress===
[[File:HAC Corps of Drums at Wellington Barracks.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Corps of Drums]] of the Honourable Artillery Company at [[Wellington Barracks]], wearing [[bearskin]] caps.]]
On the [[forage cap]], the HAC infantry grenade (white metal) is worn by junior ranks of all subunits of the regiment. Sergeants and Warrant Officers wear a different version of the grenade, which has the letters HAC in brass on the ball of the grenade. Officers wear an embroidered silver grenade on their forage caps in No 1 Dress (Infantry) and on the Service Dress forage cap but when in No 1 Dress (Gunner) they wear the HAC Artillery cap badge. The latter is similar to that of the Royal Artillery but with "HAC" and "Arma Pacis Fulcra" replacing "Ubique" and "Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt". In Full Dress (normally only worn by the Band and Corps of Drums), the [[Bearskin]] is worn without a plume.<ref>A Dictionary of Military Uniform: W. Y. Carman {{ISBN|0-684-15130-8}}</ref>

===Badges of rank===
[[File:HAC Officers Stars.jpg|thumb|right|HAC officer's rank stars. Combat, Service and Mess Dress]]<!-- you could have cleaned them-->

In No 2 dress, Soldiers wear the larger Foot Guards badges of rank and qualification. Lance Corporals wear two chevrons and Lance Sergeants three. In Full Dress and Number 1 dress, WO2's wear a large colour badge of the same pattern as the Grenadier Guards, but in silver rather than gold. Officers' crowns and stars are of the same pattern as those of the Grenadiers (Order of the Garter), woven for combat uniforms but in silver for Service and Barrack Dress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30065001|title=Badge, rank, star, British, Honourable Artillery Company, Infantry Division, officers|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

===Stable belts===

Each Squadron wears a different [[stable belt]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/honourable-artillery-company-hac-518188569|title=Honourable Artillery Company HAC 3 Squadron Stable Belt &#124; #518188569|website=Worthpoint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stablebelts.co.uk/territorial.html|title=Territorial Regiments of the British Army |website=stablebelts.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124346761211|title=Genuine British Army HAC Honourable Artillery Company Stable Belt Material|website=eBay}}</ref>

*A (City of London) Battery – Light blue with narrow yellow stripe through the middle. ( Identical to the [[Royal Horse Artillery]]) 
*Headquarter Squadron and Band – red and blue edged with narrow yellow stripes
*I Squadron – red
*II Squadron – green (Identical to that worn by [[The Rifles]])
*III Squadron – blue
*Training Wing – black
*Corps of Drums – blue red blue (Identical to that worn by the Foot Guards)

{| style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width:90%; font-size: 0.86em; text-align:center;"
|-
| &nbsp;
|-
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(RHQ, HQ squadron, and Band)
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(1 Squadron)
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(II Squadron)
|-
|colspan=2 |
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
| style="background:#fc0;"|&nbsp;
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|}
|colspan=2 |
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
| style="background:#fe0002;"|&nbsp;
|}
|colspan=2 |
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
| style="background:#030;"|&nbsp;
|}
|-
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(III Squadron)
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(Training Wing)
| colspan="2" style="width:25%;"|'''Honourable Artillery Company'''<br />
(Corps of Drums)
|-
|colspan=2 |
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
| style="background:#2554c7;"|&nbsp;
|}
|colspan=2 |
{| style="width:100%;"
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|}
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|}
|}

===Other distinctions===
[[File:Ribbon - Volunteer Long Service Medal HAC.png|thumb|x37px|HAC ribbon]]
<!--[[File:10th Royal Hussars Badge.jpg|thumb|right|Hussars Badge]]-->
In 1906, King Edward VII gave the HAC the distinction of a special ribbon for the [[Volunteer Officers' Decoration]] and [[Volunteer Long Service Medal]]. The ribbon, based on The King's personal colours (in turn taken from the Royal Standard), is red and blue edged with narrow yellow stripes. This ribbon has been carried forward to subsequent Territorial long service medals awarded to HAC members.<ref name="HAC">{{cite web|title=Honourable Artillery Company – Medal Ribbon|url=http://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/hac-traditions/regimental/medal-ribbon/|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=7 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="Waterlow">{{cite web |url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/coins/collection/watson/page388.html |work=The Fitzwilliam Museum: Watson Medals Catalogue Home |title=Honourable Artillery Company of London's Long Service Medal, awarded to Sgt. Tptr W.J. Waterlow, 1906 |publisher=Fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk |date=17 October 2006 |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220953/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/coins/collection/watson/page388.html |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

B Battery HAC supported the [[10th Hussars]] during the Second World War and, in 1972, the Captain General approved the Battery wearing a 10th Hussar button as the top button on Numbers 1, 2 and 10 dress. This privilege is carried on by Number II Squadron following the 1973 re-organisation.<ref>{{cite book|title=El Alamein: The Battle that Turned the Tide of the Second World War|first=Bryn |last=Hammond|publisher=Osprey|year=2012|isbn=978-1849086400}}</ref>

Each year the Captain General awards a prize to the member of the regiment who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the Regiment. Holders of this prize, known as the King's or Queen's Prize wear a badge incorporating the Captain General's cypher and the year of award on Numbers 1, 2, 10 and 13 Dress.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/hac-traditions/regimental/queen-s-prize/|title=Queen's Prize|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
[[File:Wenceslas Hollar - The Artillery Company.jpg|thumb|right|Coat of arms of Artillery Company in the 17th century by [[Wenceslaus Hollar]]]]

The coat of arms of the company is a Shield of Arms, helm, mantling and crest with as supporters a Pikeman and a Musketeer and the motto 'Arma Pacis Fulcra', Unlike other regiments of the British Army, the HAC is incorporated and is therefore eligible to bear and use a Coat of arms. It is believed to date from circa 1615 and the coat of arms appears on a military manual published in 1629.<ref name="The Honourable Artillery Company">{{cite book|title=Regimental Customs Traditions and History, An Aide Memoire|publisher=The Honourable Artillery Company|year=2010}}</ref>

==Battle honours==
The regiment's battle honours are as follows:<ref name=regiments/>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:DrumEmblazoning HAC.jpg|thumb|right|Emblazoning on a sidedrum of the HAC showing the regiment's [[battle honours]] and coat of arms {{Pufc|1=DrumEmblazoning HAC.jpg|date=25 June 2015}}]] -->
* '''[[South Africa 1900–02]]''' (Second Boer War).
* The Great War (3 Bns and 7 Btys): '''[[Ypres 1915]] '[[Ypres 1917|17]]''', '''[[Somme 1916]] '[[Somme 1918 (Battle honour)|18]]''', [[Ancre Heights]], '''[[Ancre 1916]]''', '''[[Arras 1917]] '[[Arras 1918|18]]''', [[Scarpe 1917]] [[Battle of the Scarpe (1918)|'18]], [[Arleux]], '''[[Bullecourt]]''', [[Battle of Pilckem|Pilckem]], [[Polygon Wood]], [[Battle of Broodseinde|Broodseinde]], [[Battle of Poelcappelle|Poelcappelle]], '''[[Battle of Passchendaele|Passchendaele]]''', [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Amiens]], [[Battle of Albert (1918)|Albert 1918]], [[Bapaume 1918]], [[Drocourt-Quéant]], [[Hindenburg Line]], [[Épehy|Épèhy]], [[Battle of St. Quentin Canal|St. Quentin Canal]], [[Cambrai 1918]], [[Selle (Somme tributary)|Selle]], [[Battle of the Sambre (1918)|Sambre]], '''[[France and Flanders 1914–18]]''', [[Battle of the Piave River|Piave]], '''[[Battle of Vittorio Veneto|Vittorio Veneto]]''', [[Italy 1917–18]], [[Battle of Rafa|Rafah]], [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Egypt 1915–17]], '''[[Third Battle of Gaza|Gaza]]''', [[Battle of Mughar Ridge|El Mughar]], '''[[Battle of Jerusalem (1917)|Jerusalem]]''', [[Arab Revolt|Jordan]], [[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Megiddo]], [[Battle of Sharon|Sharon]], [[Damascus]], [[Palestine 1917–18]], [[South Arabia during World War I|Aden]].
*The Second World War: [[Operation Goodwood|Bourguébus Ridge]], [[Battle of the Scheldt|Antwerp]], [[Operation Astonia|Le Havre]], '''[[Operation Plunder|Rhine]], [[North-West Europe 1944-45|North-West Europe 1944–45]]''', '''[[Battle of Gazala|Knightsbridge]], [[Second Battle of El Alamein|El Alamein]], [[Battle of the Mareth Line#Operation Supercharge II|El Hamma]]''', [[Battle of Kasserine Pass|Sbiba]], '''[[Battle of Kasserine Pass|Thala]], [[Operations Vulcan and Strike (disambiguation)|Tunis]]''', [[North Africa 1941–43]], '''[[Sicily 1943]], [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Cassino II]], [[Gothic Line#Coriano|Coriano]]''', [[Spring 1945 offensive in Italy|Senio]], [[Italy 1944–45]].

The battle honours listed were awarded for services of both infantry and artillery units of the HAC. Those in bold are borne on the Colours.

==Colours==
The HAC is unique within the British Army in having two types of [[Colours and guidons|Colours]]. The HAC has its ceremonial Guns (which are considered Colours in Artillery regiments), but also carries a stand of traditional Colours of the Infantry. These Colours follow the pattern of line infantry regiments: the King's Colour being a version of the Union Flag, the Regimental Colour being blue with the HAC Coat of Arms in the centre. The last four occasions that new Colours have been presented to the Regiment were in 1928 by Edward, Prince of Wales (later [[Edward VIII]]), and in 1955, 1980 and on 18 May 2007 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, the regiment's Captain General.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=12447 |title=Court Circular|publisher=Buckingham Palace|date=18 May 2007|access-date=28 December 2007|quote=The Queen, Captain General, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, this morning presented new Colours to The Honourable Artillery Company at Armoury House, City Road, London EC1.
}}</ref>

==City of London Police Special Constabulary==
In 1919, following a decision to increase the strength of the [[Metropolitan Police]] Reserve Force, the [[Home Secretary]] approached the HAC to form a Division of Special Constabulary. Some 150 members, mostly Great War veterans, rallied to the call and joined the Division, forming the HAC Detachment. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Detachment was integrated into G Division of the [[Metropolitan Police]] and then later with [[Islington]] Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hac.org.uk/downloads/Collateral_2809__HAC_QA.pdf?PHPSESSID=9ed42c54191317cd20|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|title=Some questions you might ask about the HAC and Special Constables|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720092914/http://www.hac.org.uk/downloads/Collateral_2809__HAC_QA.pdf?PHPSESSID=9ed42c54191317cd20|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> Following reorganisation, the Detachment is now part of the [[City of London Police]] Special Constabulary,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Recruitment/Specials/duties.htm|title=Special Constables' duties|publisher=City of London Police|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815062119/http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Recruitment/Specials/duties.htm|archive-date=15 August 2010}}</ref> its administrative base is Armoury House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hacspecials.org.uk/ |title=City of London Police Special Constabulary |publisher=Honourable Artillery Company }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
In 2010, the Ferrers Trophy was awarded to Special Constable Patrick Rarden of the detachment for using his banking skills and experience to help train colleagues and provide invaluable assistance to solve fraud cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npia.police.uk/en/16125.htm |title=Crime-fighting volunteers recognised |publisher=National Policing Improvement Agency |date=17 June 2010 |quote=Ferrers Trophy overall winner – Special Constable Patrick Rarden of City of London Police. Patrick has used his banking skills and experience to help train colleagues and provide invaluable assistance to solve fraud cases. He has also established a new charity called "Waste Not, Want Not" to help feed rough sleepers. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325204814/http://www.npia.police.uk/en/16125.htm |archive-date=25 March 2012 }}</ref>

=="The Company"==
[[File:Musketeers and Pikemen EC2 - geograph.org.uk - 1037515.jpg|thumb|right|Musketeers and Pikemen Lord Mayor's Parade]]
As well as the Army Reserve Regiment and Specials (the "Active Units"), the HAC exists as a separate charitable organisation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?chyno=208443|title=Extract from the Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales|access-date=28 December 2007}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>—often colloquially referred to as "The Company" or "The House". The Company owns Armoury House and the regiment's current grounds and, in addition to supporting the Active Unit, provides the basis for a social calendar. There are two distinct classes of member of the company. The first, Regimental Members, are those who are currently serving or who have previously served in the HAC Regiment or [[City of London Special Constabulary]]. The second, Members, must have served at least two years in Regular or three years in Volunteer units of the Crown or in the Police.<ref name="hac.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.hac.org.uk/html/hac-members/|title=HAC Members|publisher=HAC Website|quote=There are two broad classes of memberships available in the HAC, Regimental and Non-Regimental. Regimental Members are either reserve soldiers in the Active Unit of the HAC or Veteran members who have ended their active soldiering, but still enjoy the many benefits of belonging to this unique organisation. Non-Regimental members will have served for at least 2 years in Regular or 3 years in Volunteer units of any of the Armed Services of the Crown or in the Police. They must be proposed and seconded by Regimental members.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011120816/http://www.hac.org.uk./html/hac-members/|archive-date=11 October 2008}}</ref> Some members are people who have reached senior rank (for example [[Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster|Major General The Duke of Westminster]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lchac.org.uk/News/NewsArticle8.htm|title=HAC Journal Article, Spring 2006|publisher=Light Cavalry Website|quote=And, of course, a new member of the Company and recruit to the Light Cavalry, Major-General the Duke of Westminster.}}</ref> and they provide some 17% of the overall membership of the company.<ref>HAC Financial Statements and Report of the Court of Assistants for the year ended 31 October 2007</ref>

Since 1633, the company has been governed by a [[Court of Assistants]], like many of the [[Great Twelve City Livery Companies|City Livery Companies]]. The first Court for which a record can be found was held in January 1657.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 66</ref>

===Pikemen and Musketeers===
[[File:Lord Mayor of London - John Stuttard - Nov 2006.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pikemen]] escorting [[John Stuttard]], [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]] during the 2006 Lord Mayor's Show]]
The [[Company of Pikemen and Musketeers|Pikemen and Musketeers]] (formed 1925, given a Royal Warrant 1955) are made up of veteran members of the Active Units. They are the personal bodyguard of the [[Lord Mayor of the City of London]] and form his Guard on ceremonial occasions.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 294</ref>

===Light Cavalry===
{{Main|Light Cavalry HAC}}

[[File:Lord Mayor's Show, London 2006 (295521747).jpg|thumbnail|Light Cavalry HAC at the Lord Mayor's Show]]

The [[Light Cavalry]] Troop (formed 1979, granted Royal Warrant 2004)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=8196 |title= Court Circular |publisher= Windsor Castle |date= 20 April 2004 |access-date= 28 December 2007 |quote= The Queen this morning visited the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company in Windsor Great Park and was received by General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman (Colonel Commandant). Her Majesty subsequently took the Royal Salute and granted a Royal Warrant to the Light Cavalry. |archive-date= 8 April 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080408101509/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4113.asp?ID=8196 |url-status= dead }}</ref> is open to both Regimental and Non-Regimental members of the company.<ref name="hac.org.uk" /> They escort the Lady Mayoress, and in particular provide her 'Travelling Escort' at the [[Lord Mayor's Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/who-we-are/light-cavalry/light-cavalry/|title=About the Light Cavalry|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826193316/https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/who-we-are/light-cavalry/light-cavalry/|archive-date=26 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Grounds===
====Site====
From 1538 to 1658, the HAC occupied and trained at the [[Old Artillery Ground]] in [[Spitalfields]] on the site of the outer precinct of the dissolved Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital. In 1658, following disputes over use of the Ground with the Gunners of the Tower, it moved to its current site south of the [[Bunhill Fields]] Burial Ground continuing to the south as far as Chiswell Street.<ref name="Goold Walker 1986, p. 65">Goold Walker 1986, p. 65</ref> This area is described in a map of the area of 1677 as the 'New Artillery Garden' and has variously been referred to as the [[Artillery Ground]] and ''the Artillery Garden''. This current site now falls in the [[London Borough of Islington]], and is just north of the [[City of London]], the main entrance being in [[City Road]]. During the aftermath of the [[7 July 2005 London bombings]] on the London transport system, the Artillery Garden was used as a temporary mortuary.<ref name="QueenSpeechColours"/>

====Armoury House====
[[File:Armoury House Finsbury Geograph 2199375.jpg|thumb|Armoury House]]

Armoury House stands at the north of these grounds, and is the home of the HAC. It was built to replace a smaller 17th-century armoury; the central portion being completed in 1735 to designs by Thomas Stibbs financed in part by a gift of £500 from King George I. Subscriptions were received from members of the company and from the Court of Lieutenancy for the City of London. The building cost £1,332.<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 138</ref>

In 1802, a distinctive flag tower was added to the roof. The East and West Wings were built in 1828, replacing much smaller buildings on either side of Armoury House. A cottage, originally for the Sergeant Major, was built against the West Wing in 1850. 1862 saw the completion of a Victorian drill hall attached to the rear. The Albert Room, as it was called, featured an iron trussed roof and was named in honour of the then recently deceased Prince Albert.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/estate-treasures/armoury-house/|title=Armoury House|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

On 9 June 1990, the hall was bombed by the [[Provisional IRA]] whilst a 21st birthday party was in progress, injuring 17 civilians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/11/world/bombs-injure-17-in-london-and-off-duty-ulster-soldier.html|title=Bombs injure 17 in London and off-duty Ulster soldier|newspaper=The New York Times|date=11 June 1990|access-date=28 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2011/01/07/peter_king_ira_bombing_survivor/|title=IRA terror victim speaks out against Peter King|quote=The 1990 bombing occurred when Parker was at the 21st birthday of a friend at the hall of the Honourable Artillery Company in London, a space frequently rented out for social events.|date=7 January 2011}}</ref>

In recent years parts of the building have been available on a private hire basis for events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hire The HAC (Honourable Artillery Company)|url=https://hac.org.uk/events|access-date=2020-09-30|publisher=The HAC}}</ref>

====Finsbury Barracks====
[[File:Finsbury Barracks 20.09.2020 (2).jpg|thumb|Finsbury Barracks]]

Finsbury Barracks is the regiment's headquarters and is leased by [[Reserve Forces and Cadets Association|London RFCA]] from the HAC itself. Completed for the [[Royal London Militia]] in 1857, it was designed by the architect Joseph Jennings and built in [[Kentish ragstone]]. An extension, faced in striped stone and granite, linking Finsbury Barracks to Armoury House was designed by Arnold & Boston and added in 1994. Finsbury Barracks was refurbished in the same year and was re-opened by the Captain General in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/estate-treasures/finsbury-barracks/|title=Finsbury Barracks|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

====The HAC Shooting Lodge / "Bisley Hut"====
[[File:Honourable Artillery Company Clubhouse, National Shooting Centre.jpg|thumb|Former HAC Lodge, National Shooting Centre]]
The lodge was built in 1928 on land leased from the [[National Rifle Association (United Kingdom)|National Rifle Association]] at [[National Shooting Centre|Bisley]] and replaced the original hut on the site. The building was funded by donations, including some in memory of the fallen of the First World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukniwm.org.uk/server/show/conMemorial.59992|title=Honourable Artillery Company Pavilion|quote=A half-timbered Tudor style shooting lodge, with tiled roof and leaded windows. Familiarly known as the Bisley Hut, the shooting lodge was funded by donations, including some in memory of the fallen. These include a donation from the architect B de C Jackson in memory of his brother Martin killed in action in 1916 and donations from widows and female relatives. The Journal of the Honourable Artillery Company records that 'two members have endowed cubicles in memory of a friend or relation who gave his life'. Inside, the fireplace was donated in memory of Dermot O'Brien who was killed in 1917 and the panelling was donated in memory of Captain Tatham who was killed in 1914.}}</ref> HAC vacated the lodge in 2012 following the expiry of their lease and now affiliates to the London & Middlesex Rifle Association.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports and Societies |url=https://hac.org.uk/what-we-do/sports-and-societies |website=Honourable Artillery Company |access-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523174247/https://hac.org.uk/what-we-do/sports-and-societies |archive-date=23 May 2022 |language=English |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Need to add note on Gun Park incl who paid for it? A vet assoc from within the Regt I believe-->
<!-- Need to add Vicarage (anyone know history of it?) and lead in to redevelopment of it and the Gun Pk and leasing to Holmes place/Virgin Active-->

====Pencelli Estate====
In 1999, the company acquired the Welsh Pencelli Estate near [[Brecon]] as an area that could be used by the regiment for military and adventure training. The historic estate lies in the heart of the [[Brecon Beacons]] National Park and comprises approximately 14,000 acres (57&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of hill land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/estate-treasures/pencelli-estate/|title=Pencelli Estate|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

==Notable members of the HAC==
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Captains General of the HAC'''
|-
! Appointed
! Incumbent
! Reference
|-
| 1657
| Major General [[Philip Skippon]]
|<ref name="Goold Walker 1986, p. 65"/>
|-
| 1660
| [[James II of England|James II]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 80</ref>
|-
| 1690
| [[William III of England|William III]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 103</ref>
|-
| 1702
| [[Prince George of Denmark]] and Norway, Duke of Cumberland
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 109</ref>
|-
| 1715
| [[George II of Great Britain|George II]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 120</ref>
|-
| 1766
| [[George IV]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 151</ref>
|-
| 1830
| [[William IV]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 214</ref>
|-
| 1837
| [[Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 222</ref>
|-
| 1843
| [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]], the Prince Consort
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 229</ref>
|-
| 24 July 1863
| [[Edward VII]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 245</ref>
|-
| 7 May 1910
| [[George V]]
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 263</ref>
|-
| 1 February 1936
| [[Edward VIII]]
|<ref name=gw300>Goold Walker 1986, p. 300</ref>
|-
| 10 December 1936
| [[George VI]]
|<ref name=gw300/>
|-
| 6 February 1952
| [[Elizabeth II]]<ref name="QueenSpeechColours"/>
|<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 352</ref>
|-
| 10 August 2023
| [[Charles III]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-08-11/further-military-appointments-for-members-of-the-royal-family|title=Further Military Appointments for Members of the Royal Family|work=The Royal Family|date=11 August 2023|accessdate=11 August 2023}}</ref>
|}
[[File:Ashbourne portrait ShakespeareHamersley.jpg|thumb|right|Lord Mayor of London Hugh Hamersley, Commander of the HAC 1619, 1633]]
[[File:Earl of Denbigh Vanity Fair 23 August 1894.JPG|thumb|right|{{center|The Earl of Denbigh in HAC Uniform as caricatured by Spy ([[Leslie Ward]]) in [[Vanity Fair (British magazine)|Vanity Fair]], August 1894}}]]
[[File:Driver Childers HAC.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Erskine Childers|Driver Childers, Honourable Artillery Company]]]]
[[File:Lambert Ward.jpg|thumb|Lt Col Sir Albert Lambert Ward CVO DSO DL TD HAC]]
;Colonels Commandant
*Colonel [[Rudolph Feilding, 9th Earl of Denbigh]] (1903–1933)<ref>Goold Walker 1986, p. 262</ref>
*Colonel [[George Monckton-Arundell, 8th Viscount Galway]] (1933–1935)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33917|page=1430|date=3 March 1933}}</ref>
*Colonel [[Hugh Fortescue, 5th Earl Fortescue]] (1935–1943)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34129|page=774|date=1 February 1935|nolink=y}}</ref>
*[[Field Marshal (UK)|Field Marshal]] [[John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort]] (1943–1946)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36125 |supp=y|page=3582|date=6 August 1943|nolink=y}}</ref>
*Field Marshal [[Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke]] (1946–1954)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37725 |supp=y|page=4628|date=13 September 1946|nolink=y}}</ref>
*[[Major-General (United Kingdom)|Major General]] Sir [[Julian Gascoigne]] (1954–1959)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40265 |supp=y|page=5006|date=27 August 1954|nolink=y}}</ref>
* [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] Sir [[Richard Goodbody]] (1959–1966)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41791 |supp=y|page=5156|date=14 July 1959|nolink=y}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Rodney Moore (British Army officer)|Rodney Moore]] (1966–1976)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44130 |supp=y|page=10708|date=30 September 1966|nolink=y}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour]] (1976–1984)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46978 |supp=y|page=10602|date=3 August 1976|nolink=y}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Richard Trant]] (1984–1992)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/19/db1901.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408003730/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F10%2F19%2Fdb1901.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2008|title=Obituaries – General Sir Richard Trant|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 October 2007|access-date=22 October 2007|location=London}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Michael Wilkes]] (1992–1998)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=52945 |supp=y|page=9727|date=9 June 1992|nolink=y}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Alexander Harley]] (1998–2003)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=55181 |supp=y|page=7125|date=29 June 1998|nolink=y}}</ref>
* General Sir [[Timothy Granville-Chapman]] (2003–2010)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56986 |supp=y|page=8129|date=1 July 2003|nolink=y}}</ref>
* [[Lieutenant General (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] Sir [[Barney White-Spunner]] (2010–2013)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59415 |supp=y|page=8520|date=11 May 2010|nolink=y}}</ref>
*General Sir [[Richard Barrons]] (2013–2019)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60543 |supp=y|page=11989|date=18 June 2013|nolink=y}}</ref>
*General Sir [[Patrick Sanders (British Army officer)|Patrick Sanders]] (2019–2024)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/february-28-083zm2z9f|title=Buckingham Palace|newspaper=[[The Times]]|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107023153/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/february-28-083zm2z9f|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Lieutenant General Sir [[Roland Walker]] (2024–present)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=64418|date=11 June 2024|page=11222|supp=y}}</ref>

;Others<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/february-28-083zm2z9f|title=February 28|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=2019-03-01|access-date=2019-07-17|language=en|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107023153/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/february-28-083zm2z9f|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Major [[Tom Addington]], an outstanding all-rounder: sportsman, Commando, paratrooper and horse gunner, he was awarded an MC in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/8929223/Major-Tom-Addington.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/8929223/Major-Tom-Addington.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Major Tom Addington |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=1 December 2011|quote=Major Tom Addington, who has died aged 92, was an outstanding all-rounder: sportsman, Commando, paratrooper and horse gunner, he was awarded an MC in the Netherlands. In the winter of 1944–45, Addington was a battery captain with 13th Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) Royal Horse Artillery (RHA)}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*[[Jock Airlie]] (Seton), Association Football Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/display.var.2274237.0..php|title=Tributes paid to 'wonderful' Jock|quote=He played for Celtic between 1942 and 1947, including a goal from 25 yards on his debut at Parkhead, and featured in four Old Firm' games. However, his appearances were few and faw between after he was conscripted to the Honourable Artillery Company...}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*Kevin Alderton, holder of the blind speed ski world record<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=3773|title=Where's Kev?|publisher=Ski Club of Great Britain|quote=Blind daredevil Kevin Alderton, sponsored by the Ski Club of Great Britain, has set the first ever Blind Speed Ski World Record at the 'Flying Kilometre' in Les Arcs, France, with a remarkable speed of 100.94 mph, in 2.21 seconds, over a distance of 1 kilometre!|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614105122/http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=3773|archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>
*Edward John Amoore, Olympic gold and bronze medalist for shooting at 1908 Olympics<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29040/supplements/475/page.pdf |title=Supplement to the London Gazette |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref>
*Major General Dennis Beckett, appointed a Companion of the [[Distinguished Service Order]] at the Battle of Monte Cassino<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/08/28/major-general-denis-beckett--obituary/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/08/28/major-general-denis-beckett--obituary/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Major General Denis Beckett – obituary |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=2016-08-28 |access-date=2016-12-23}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=J.N. Houterman |url=http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_B02.html |title=British Army Officers 1939–1945 – B |publisher=Unithistories.com |access-date=2016-12-23}}</ref>
*[[Prince Rupert of the Rhine]]<ref name="ReferenceA">Page 62, 5 March 1915 Edition, [[The War Illustrated]] A WW1 Pictorial Record of the Conflict of the Nations, Edited By J A Hammerton</ref>
*[[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*[[Gregory Barker]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2009/11/at-the-trough/|title=At the Trough|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517191756/http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2009/11/at-the-trough/|archive-date=17 May 2011}}</ref>
* [[Nigel Bruce]], actor. Served with the Regiment 1914–1915<ref>{{cite book |title=Famous 1914–1918|first1=Richard |last1=Van Emden |first2= Vic |last2=Piuk |publisher= Pen & Sword |year=2009|isbn=978-1848841970}}</ref>
* [[Bertram Bowyer, 2nd Baron Denham]], a British Conservative politician, hereditary peer, writer and former member of the House of Lords. He was one of the few people to serve in the governments of five different Prime Ministers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/lives-remembered-lord-denham-anne-rice-3fbcpk7sd|title=Lives remembered: Lord Denham, Anne Rice|work=[[The Times]]|date=15 December 2021}}</ref>
* [[Robert Henry Cain|Major Robert Cain]], recipient of the Victoria Cross at the battle of Arnhem<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unithistories.com/officers/1AirbDiv_officersC.htm|title=Unit Histories: 1st British Airborne Division Arnhem, September 1944|access-date=2009-07-26}}</ref>
* Sir [[James Carreras]], British film producer, who, with William Hinds, founded the legendary British film company Hammer Film Productions<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0140245/trivia|title=James Carreras|publisher=IMDb|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>
* [[Leo Cooper (publisher)|Leo Cooper]], publisher<ref>{{cite news |date = 2 December 2013 |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10489175/Leo-Cooper-obituary.html |title=Leo Cooper – obituary |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=2019-03-19 }}</ref>
* [[John Laurie]], actor<ref>Lives of the First World War, [https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044221/https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/2313261 Private John Paton Laurie]</ref><ref>HAC.org, [https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/world-war-1/some-notable-members-who-served-in-the-first-world/ Some notable members in WWI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111748/https://www.hac.org.uk/home/about-the-hac/history/world-war-1/some-notable-members-who-served-in-the-first-world/ |date=22 February 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Edward Leigh]], member of parliament<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2013-10-17/debates/13101777000001/DefenceReforms|title=Defence Reforms – Thursday 17 October 2013 – Hansard – UK Parliament|website=hansard.parliament.uk|date=3 June 2025 }}</ref>
* Charles Greenwood, earned a [[Military Cross]] at Monte Cassino<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2684313/Colonel-Charles-Greenwood.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2684313/Colonel-Charles-Greenwood.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Obituary|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|quote=Young Charles was educated at Haileybury before working for a firm of stock jobbers in the City. He then had a spell with Unilever. He joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1936 and the Supplementary Reserve in 1939 as a gunner officer. |location=London |date=4 September 2008 |access-date = 4 May 2010 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*Sir [[Edward Heath]], former Prime Minister<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1494246/Sir-Edward-Heath.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1494246/Sir-Edward-Heath.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sir Edward Heath |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=18 July 2005|access-date=25 August 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Colonel [[Robert Dow Hunter]] – Army officer who knocked out two Tiger tanks in Germany<ref>{{cite news |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|title=Colonel Robert Hunter obituary |date=24 March 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12202380/Colonel-Robert-Hunter-obituary.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12202380/Colonel-Robert-Hunter-obituary.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*LGen [[Andrew Leslie (general)|Andrew Leslie]], former Chief of Land Staff, Canadian Forces<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcamuseum.com/English/Great%20Gunners/lesliea.htm |title=LGen AB Leslie OMM, MSC, MSM, CD |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120125034316/http://www.rcamuseum.com/English/Great%20Gunners/lesliea.htm |archive-date=25 January 2012 }}</ref>
* Major [[David Liddell]]<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1929634/Major-David-Liddell.html |title=Obituaries – Major David Liddell |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 May 2008 |access-date = 6 May 2008|quote=In 1937 he joined Chandler Hargreaves Whittall & Co, Lloyds brokers, and enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company. On the outbreak of war Liddell transferred to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). |location=London }}</ref>
* [[Guy Liddell]], one of Britain's principal wartime spymasters<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/nov2002.pdf |title=National Archives New Document Release }}</ref>
* [[Gilbert McMicking (British politician)|Gilbert McMicking]], [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] politician<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27157 |page=516 |date=26 January 1900}}</ref>
*[[Vincenzo Lunardi]], honorary member<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviation/lunardi.html |title = Vincenzo Lunardi – First man to navigate the skies over England}}</ref>
*General Sir [[Richard O'Connor]]<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=7230&inst_id=84&nv1=search&nv2=|title = Private Papers Collection at the Honourable Artillery Company|access-date = 14 August 2011|archive-date = 2 September 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110902234955/http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=7230&inst_id=84&nv1=search&nv2=|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30299 |date=21 September 1917 |page=9841 |supp=y |nolink=y}}</ref>
*[[Richard Owen]], English biologist, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist.<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Did882VhXFwC&q=%22honourable+artillery+company%22+richard+owen&pg=PT466 |title=Darwin By Adrian Desmond |isbn=978-0140131925 |access-date=17 May 2014|last1=Desmond |first1=Adrian |last2=Moore |first2=James R. |date=29 October 1992 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited }}</ref>
*[[Kenneth Powell (tennis)|Kenneth Powell]], Olympic hurdler<ref>{{cite web |date=9 August 2008 |title=Olympians at War |url=http://ukniwm.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/olympians-at-war/}}</ref>
* Hugh Pritchard, Olympic [[biathlete]] at the 2002 games<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.biathlete.co.uk/ |title=Hugh Pritchard Biathlete.co.uk |access-date=2 January 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester]]<ref>Page 4, Regimental Fire, A History of the HAC in World war II, Author: Brigadier RF Johnson</ref>
* Sir [[Marmaduke Roydon]] (1583–1646) an English merchant-adventurer and colonial planter, known also as a Royalist army officer<ref name=roydon>{{cite web|url=http://bcw-project.org/biography/sir-marmaduke-rawdon|title=Sir Marmaduke Roydon|publisher=British Civil War Project|access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref>
* [[Patrick Shovelton]], one of Whitehall's most formidable international negotiators<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9174638/Patrick-Shovelton.html |title=Patrick Shovelton |date=29 March 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |quote=A scholar at both Charterhouse and Keble College, Oxford, Shovelton joined up on graduating in 1940. He served in the Royal Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company, then in 1945 was appointed deputy assistant adjutant-general at the War Office.}}</ref>
* John Talbot, awarded the MC in Normandy in 1944<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/5819640/John-Talbot.html |title=John Talbot – Obituary |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 July 2009 |quote=In this action Corporal Sidney "Basher" Bates won a posthumous Victoria Cross. Talbot's own comrades remember his imperturbability – "unshakeable even in the most alarming situations" – a valuable quality in war. The citation for the award of an MC paid tribute to the skill and courage with which he pushed forward with his signallers and broke up a series of determined counter-attacks. | location=London | access-date = 4 May 2010 }}</ref>
*[[John Venn (politician)|John Venn]] an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1641 to 1650. He was one of the regicides of King Charles I.<ref name=roydon/>
*Sir [[Lambert Ward]], 1st Baronet, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] politician<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27425|page=2508|date=15 April 1902}}</ref>
*[[Basil Williams (historian)|Basil Williams]], historian<ref>{{cite book | last = Piper | first = Leonard | title = The Tragedy of Erskine Childers | publisher = Hambledon Continuum| year = 2006 | location = London | pages = 39–42 | isbn = 1-84725-020-3 }}</ref>
* [[Evelyn Wellings]] (1909–1992) Egyptian-born English cricketer and journalist, who played for the University of Oxford and Surrey<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketweb.net/he-dipped-his-pen-in-vitriol/ |title=He Dipped His Pen in Vitriol |publisher=Cricket Web |access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>
* Sir [[John Wraight]], diplomat<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/May%2021%201997%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2365895%2C%20UK%20%28en%29_djvu.txt|title=Sir John Wraight KBE CMG |work=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=21 May 1997|quote=Sir John Wraight KBE CMG, former British Ambassador to Switzerland, died on April 23, aged 80."... "Joining the Honourable Artillery Company in 1939, he was drafted to the 11th Royal Horse Artillery Regiment and fought with the 1st Armoured Division as a gun troop sergeant in the Western Desert.}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Affiliations==
*{{RSA}} – [[Sandfontein Artillery Regiment]]<ref name="Affiliations">{{cite web|url=https://hac.org.uk/who-we-are/affiliations|title=Affiliations|accessdate=31 March 2021}}</ref>
*{{USA}} – [[Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts]]<ref name="Affiliations"/>

===Schools affiliation===
In 1995, six [[Independent school (United Kingdom)|public school]]s ([[Eton College|Eton]], [[Harrow School|Harrow]], [[Marlborough College|Marlborough]], [[Radley College|Radley]], [[Rugby School|Rugby]] and [[Wellington College, Berkshire|Wellington]]) became affiliated to the company. The rationale behind these affiliations is to facilitate communication with the schools and to inform students of the opportunities available to them within the HAC.<ref name="The Honourable Artillery Company" />

===Cadet force===
The HAC established a Cadet Battalion in 1942 during the Second World War which continued until 1958. During the War and until 1948 members of the Cadet Battalion fired salutes and provided guards of honour whilst members of the HAC were away on active service.<ref>Pg 144, Honourable Artillery Company Journal, Vol 89, No 483, Autumn 2012</ref> In 2012, the HAC sponsored and helped establish a cadet unit at the City of London Academy Islington<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/TrainingAndAdventure/CadetSchemeHelpsInnerCitySchool.htm |title=Cadet scheme helps inner city school}}</ref> and, in 2018, another at Mossbourne Community Academy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hac.org.uk/who-we-are/cadets|title=Cadets|website=HAC|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[Honourable Artillery Company Museum]]
* [[Transvaal Horse Artillery]]
* [[Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts]]

== Order of precedence ==
{{S-start}}
{{order of precedence
| before = [[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers]]
| title = [[British Army Order of Precedence|Order of Precedence]]
| after = [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]]}}
{{S-end}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em|group=note}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book|last=Goold Walker|first=G. |title=The Honourable Artillery Company, 1537–1987|location=London|publisher=Honourable Artillery Company|year=1986}}
* {{cite book|last=Litchfield|first=Norman E.H.|title=The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988: Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges|location=Nottingham|publisher=Sherwood Press|year= 1992|isbn=0-9508205-2-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Money Barnes|first=Major R.|title=The Soldiers of London|location=London|publisher=Seeley Service|year=1963}}
* {{cite book|last=Routledge|first=Brigadier N.W.|title=History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55|location=London|publisher=Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's|year=1994|isbn=1-85753-099-3}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Bluett|first=Antony |title=A Gunner's Crusade: The Campaign in the Desert, Palestine & Syria as Experienced by the Honourable Artillery Company During the Great War |publisher=Leonaur |year=2008 |isbn=978-1846773822 }}
* {{cite book |last=Goold Walker|first=G. |title=The Honourable Artillery Company, 1537–1947 |location=Aldershot |publisher=[[Gale and Polden]]|year=1954}}
* {{cite book|last=Nash|first= N.S.|title=Valour in the Trenches!: 'Bombo' Pollard VC MC* DCM HAC in The Great War |publisher=Pen & Sword Military |year=2011|isbn= 978-1848844476}}
* {{cite book |last=Pollard|first=A.O.|title=Fire-eater. The Memoirs of a VC |publisher=Naval & Military Press |year=2006|isbn=978-1847345219}}
* {{cite book |last=Trebich|first=Willy|title=Broken Swastika |publisher=Futura Publications|year=1975|isbn=978-0860070849}}
* {{cite book|last=Wood|first=Jake|title=Among You: The Extraordinary True Story of a Soldier Broken by War |publisher=Mainstream Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-1780576633}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Honourable Artillery Company}}
* [https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/honourable-artillery-company/ Honourable Artillery Company] on the British Army website.
* [http://www.hac.org.uk/ The "Company" website]
* [http://lchac.org.uk/ The Light Cavalry HAC website]
* [http://www.pikemen.org.uk/ The HAC Pikemen & Musketeers]
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/arma-pacis-fulcre Newsreel showing the Earl of Athlone inspecting the HAC Horse Artillery in 1932.]
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-colours-for-oldest-unit Newsreel of the Queen presenting new HAC Colours in 1955.] The final part of the clip demonstrates the unique regimental custom of toasting or cheering a member of the company with "Regimental Fire".
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/h-a-c-pikemen Newsreel of HAC infantry on exercise and of the Pikemen in 1958]

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{{Honourable Artillery Company}}
{{LondonRegiment}}
{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}
{{British Airborne Forces}}
{{Royal Horse Artillery}}
{{The British Army}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Honourable Artillery Company| ]]
[[Category:1537 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1537]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Bodyguards]]
[[Category:Territorial Force]]
[[Category:Army Reserve (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:TAVR regiments of the Royal Artillery]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in London]]
[[Category:Artillery units and formations of the British Army]]
[[Category:History of the Royal Marines]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Army reconnaissance units and formations]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Henry VIII]]