STAND WITH UKRAINE

 

Hexham Abbey Support for Ukraine
Ukrainian flag flying on Hexham Abbey

Hexham Abbey Support for Ukraine
Remembrance Chapel

Hexham Abbey Support for Ukraine

3 RHA Freedom of Northumberland

 3rd Regiment Royal Artillery (3 RHA) based at Albermarle Barracks, Northumberland exercised their Freedom of Northumberland, by a parade in Hexham. The honour alows the Regiment to march through the County with drums beating, bayonets fixed, and colours flying.

Hexham Park and Fusilier Memorial

Lance Bearers

105 mm Light Gun

Colours lead the Parade

Colours Hexham Abbey

Regiment Marches on lead by CO

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Regiment formed up on Parade

General Salute Present Arms

Regiment at ease listening to the address

Honorary Colonel 3 RHA address

Freedom Scroll

Colours lead the March Off

Regiment March Off lead by CO

Lancashire Volunteer Artillery March Off

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3 RHA Freedom of Hexham

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The occassion would be the last time 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery would parade with thier current equipment, 105 mm Light Gun. In 2023 the Regiment re-roles as a Deep Fires Regiment and will convert to the Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

The Regiments new order of battle will include a Reserve Battery from 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery.

Multi Launch Rocket System Hexham Abbey

Multi Launch Rocket System

101 Regiment MLRS Hexham Abbey

Hexham Remembers

Hexham War Memorial
November 2018

Hexham author Alan Grint published a book telling the story of the 149th (Northumberland) Brigade, the Territorial Battalions who fought in the First World War.

4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Hexham
5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Walker
6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Newcastle
7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers - Alnwick 

The Brigade was part of the 50th Northumbrian Division which mobilised in August 1914. The Brigade would initially move to locations in the NE to defend the UK. In April 1915, they deployed to France moving into Belgium. Shortly after arriving the Territorials were thrown into the Second Battle of Ypres. The Northumbrian Brigade was the first Territorial Brigade to go onto battle as a formed unit and were awarded the Battle Honour St Julien.

The Brigade would go to be involved on the Somme in September 1916, Arras April 1917, and the Third Battle of Ypres in October 1917. In 1918, they faced the full force of the German Spring Offensives. The first German offensive, Operation Michael, was launched on the Somme. After intense fighting on the Somme,  the Brigade was moved to the Armentieres Sector. It was here  the Germans launched their second attack, Operation Georgette. Once again the Northumbrians were involved in heavy fighting. Having fought in two major offensives, the Brigade was moved to the Chemin des Dammes, a quiet sector. Unfortunately it turned out that this would be the location of the third German attack, Operation Blucher, after which the 149th Brigade ceased to exist due to the heavy losses sustained.

The 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Memorial Arch stands at entrance to Hexham Park adjacent to Hexham Abbey.

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
November 2018

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
November 2018

Hexham - 4 NF Memorial Arch
Company Locations
November 2018

Hexham Abbey

Hexham Abbey was the location of an exhibition , Hexham Remembers, to remember and commemorate the First World War.

HEXHAM REMEMBERS

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Hexham Courant 4NF Recruiting Advert

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Hexham Courant 4NF Recruiting Advert

Hexham Remembers Exhibition
Parish Magazine from WW1

In Hexham Abbey on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday the County of Northumberland held a service of Remembrance and Reflection to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. The event was hosted by the Duchess of Northumberland.

Hexham Abbey
Tabernacle

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Northumberland Pipers

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Cassino Band Northumbria ACF

Hexham Abbey Remembrance Service
Duchess of Northumberland