Did your ancestor serve with the oldest regiment in the British Army? Explore this collection of records for the Honourable Artillery Company, Findmypast’s browse search allows you to search each title from beginning to end.
Did your ancestor serve with the oldest regiment in the British Army? Explore this collection of records for the Honourable Artillery Company, Findmypast’s browse search allows you to search each title from beginning to end.
Digital images of the titles listed below are available to browse. The amount of information available will vary depending on the title that is being browsed. Some details you may be able to discover include an individual’s name, rank, and place of service and/or abode. Some of these titles are also available to search via the HAC search page for indexed HAC records.
The publications currently included are as follows:
1618-1910 Admissions
1628-1643 Quarterage Book
1719-1779 Trained Bands
1778-1779 London Military Foot Association
1780-1939 Membership Lists
1848-1914 Admission Registers
1908-1922 Membership Books, Honourable Artillery Company
1910-1915 Officers
1914-1919 1st Battalion Register
1914-1919 Record Cards
1914-1919 Regimental Number Registers
1914-1919 Papers & Photos
1915-1919 Membership Lists
1916-1919 2nd Battalion Rolls and Papers
1917-1918 Depot Register
1939-1945 Record Cards
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the oldest regiment in the British Army. It traditionally traces its origins to 1537 when King Henry VIII granted a charter to the Fraternity of Artillery of Longbows, Crossbows and Handguns. The military side of the HAC has been a regiment of the Territorial Army (now called the Army Reserve) since 1908.
The Company initially comprised only infantry sub-units but in 1781 an artillery division was created for the first time. Members of the HAC fought in the South African War and seven HAC units distinguished themselves in World War One on the Western Front (winning two VCs in 1917) and in the Middle East. Around 4,000 members were commissioned into other units of the armed forces during this war. The partnership page contains further information about the HAC.
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