No.14
We’ve been recording a series of podcasts about the Territorial Army in the 1950s-2000s, focusing on the South Notts Hussars, which went through many changes in function, striving to survive against a background of a shrinking army and never-ending cuts.
Following the regiment’s (very) active service in the war, it started off on reformation in 1947 as 307 Regiment, Royal Artillery, with two full batteries of Sexton 25-pounder self-propelled guns. However, in the 1960s the unit was cut to ribbons, given a ludicrous civil defence role, before attaining a new function as 307 (OP) Battery, responsible for providing extra observation post parties for the British Army on the Rhine.
Finally, it had returned to being a gun battery, first with the mighty 155mm FH70 howitzer and then the L118 105mm Light Gun. After being disbanded it is now clawing its way back into existence as a gun troop! Never say die!
Over the years there has been a fair amount of humour and abuse directed at the TA – ‘Saturday Night Soldiers’ and a ‘Drinking Club’ gives you the flavour. But it had a real task – the Territorials were in essence ‘Cold War Warriors’.
Major Mike Parker commanded the battery from 1979. He knew what i…
