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| Honourable Artillery Company | |
|---|---|
 Crest and motto of the Honourable Artillery Company | |
| Active | 1087; chartered 25 August 1537 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role |
|
| Size |
|
| Part of | 77th Brigade[2] |
| Garrison/HQ | London |
| Motto(s) | Arma pacis fulcra (Latin: "Armed Strength for Peace")[note 1] |
| March |
|
| Commanders | |
| Captain General | The King |
| Colonel Commandant | Lieutenant General Sir Roland Walker |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward Heath General Sir Richard O'Connor |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  Only worn by Corps of Drums |
| Plume | None (Bearskin cap) |
| Abbreviation | HAC |
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.[3][4] 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"[note 2] or "Honourable Military Company".[6]
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, is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army,[7] and the second most senior[8] in the Army Reserve after the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia).[note 3] 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.
- ^ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Future Soldier Guide" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ Davies, Peter (1 May 2006). "Henry VIII's militia still marching". The Times. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "Mass. corps votes in first female members". The Boston Globe.
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.
- ^
- "infantry". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- "artillery". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- "military". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ "History 1537–1799". HAC.org.uk.
- ^ "Honourable Artillery Company". British Army. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Letters Confirming The Date of Formation And Precedence of the Regiment". Monmouth Castle Museum. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013.
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