Northumbrian Gunner: April 2017

Monday, 3 April 2017

Newcastle - Castle

Newcastle
Castle Keep

The Castle in Newcastle stands on a steep sided promontory overlooking the River Tyne. There is archaeological evidence that the site has been occupied for nearly 200 years.

The Roman name for Newcastle was Pons Aelius. The name is derived from Pons, Latin for bridge, and the family name of Emperor Hadrian, Aelius. There was a Roman fort on the site from the 2nd to 5th Century.

Pons Aelius
Roman Fort

The Norman New Castle was built in 1080 by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror. It was possibly a motte and bailey castle, a mound with a ditch surrounding it.

New Castle
Norman Castle 1080

The stone castle was constructed between 1168 and 1178 during the reign of Henry II, along with castles at Bamburgh, Norham and Prudhoe.

Medieval Castle

The castle consisted of the main tower, the keep, a curtain wall, two gates (Bailey Gate and North Gate), and at least one postern (concealed entrance).

Castle early 13th century

The final development of the Castles fortifications took place between 1247 and 1250 with the completion of the Barbican. This was a tower with a narrow approach which included a turning-bridge, gates and a portcullis. The gate would become known as the Black Gate.

Newcastle Barbican

Newcastle Barbican - Black Gate
Turning Bridge and Entrance Gate

Newcastle
Through the Black Gate into the Castle

The Castle Keep was the principal strongpoint of the castle. It also served as the residence of the Constable and the centre for administration and justice.

Newcastle Castle Keep

Newcastle Castle Keep
Cross Section

Newcastle Castle Keep
Queens Chamber

Newcastle Castle Keep
Chapel

Newcastle Castle Keep
Great Hall

Encircling the Castle Keep , within the walls, is a narrow gallery with arrow slots and narrow windows which allowed archers to engage the enemy whilst protecting them

Newcastle Castle Keep
Gallery

Newcastle Castle Keep
Gallery Window

Newcastle Castle Keep
View onto Est Coast Mainline

Castle Keep
Blue Plaque

Newcastle Castle Plan

In 1847 the Newcastle and Berwick Railway was formed. The tracks north would bisect the castle between the Barbican and the Black Gate.

Newcastle East Coast Main Line
Old Castle and Black Gate

Newcastle Central Station would open in 1850.

Newcastle Central Station

Newcasltle - Aerial Views

Aerial views from the top of the Castle Keep in Newcastle.

Newcastle
Top of the World

Newcastle
Castle Keep and St Nicholas

Newcastle
Grey's Monument

Newcastle

Millennium Bridge Tyne Bridge Swing Bridge

Newcastle
Tyne Bridge

Newcastle
Swing Bridge

Newcastle
Newcastle Central Station

Newcastle

Birthday in Newcastle.

on the Quayside looking at the old Tyne Bridge

Malmaison Hotel
Quayside Newcastle

Malmaison Hotel - Welcome
Quayside Newcastle

Millennium Bridge - by night
Quayside Newcastle

Newcastle
St Nicholas Cathedral

Newcastle
Barbican and Newcastle Cathedral

Newcastle
Castle Keep

Newcastle
Top of the World !

Newcastle
Blackfriars

Newcastle
Tyne Bridge - Bridge Hotel - High Level Bridge

Newcastle
Bridge Hotel

Newcastle Station Hotel
1989 2017

Newcastle
Crown Posada

Newcastle
Crown Posada Jukebox

Saturday, 1 April 2017

101 Regiment RA - 50th Anniversary Dinner

50th Anniversary 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery
50th Anniversary Regimental / NVAA Dinner
1st April 2017

At the end of the Second Word War the Territorial Army was stood down. It was reformed in 1947 with roles in both home defence and reinforcing the British Army of the Rhine to combat the Soviet threat.

274 Regiment Royal Artillery TA
South Shields

The British Army was still very much involved in maintaining the status quo in the Middle and the Far East. By 1966 Britain had began to draw down forces east of Suez. The Defence White paper of that year would outline a reduction in the size of the Territorial Army and its transformation to the Territorial and Volunteer Reserve (TAVR).

On the 1st April 1967 the new order of battle for the British Army came into operation and 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment was born, among with 4 other Regiments, and the HAC.

Officers Mess 101 Regiment 1967

When 101 Regiment was formed in 1967 it was as a Medium Regiment equipped with the BL 5.5 in gun, a gun that had been introduced in 1941.

101 (Northumbrian) Medium Regiment RA (V)
5.5in BL Gun

Conversion to the 105mm Light Gun in 1980 brought a highly flexible gun capable of movement by helicopter, ideal for the Regiment’s role protecting the rear of the BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) as part of 2nd (Infantry) Division.

101 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (V)
105mm Light Gun

In 1992, the Regiment once again converted. As one of the few Territorial Army units within the 1st (UK) Armoured Division, 101 provided a General Support capability with the FH70 Howitzer.

101 (Northumbrian) Regiment RA (V)
FH70

In 1997 it was farewell to the Guns. A Territorial Army unit was required to convert to MLRS, and 101 Regiment was selected for the task.

In MLRS the Regiment acquired a weapon system that was a battle changer and joined 1st Artillery Brigade.

101 (Northumbrian) Regiment RA
Multi Rocket Launch System

Further developments saw introduction of GMLRS, capable of delivering precision fires out to a range of 70km. The role changed to provide individual Reservists in support of 39 Regiment on operations in Afghanistan.

MLRS Afghanistan

Northumbrian Gunners of 203 and 205 Batteries once again fired on active service, the first time since WW2. The period with MLRS included 204 and 269 Batteries in a Surveillance and Target Acquisition role, also serving in Afghanistan.

101 Regiment Weapon Systems

Fifty years after the formation of the Regiment, 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment is an integral part of the 1st Artillery Brigade as a General Support Divisional Fires Regiment.