Tony Hellard sent us an explaining the term Party Regiment.

Tony says "The recently announced cap badge changes around Essex A.C.F. have reminded me that the lucky souls who are going to wear the Gunner's badge are joining the "Party Regiment". Having served 14 years in the Gunners and been a member of all sorts of parties, I thought I should explain this pleasant regimental custom.

For some reason the Royal Artillery has always referred to small details and sub formations as parties. The famous "Party! Party shun!" as the corporal with the odd group of men would scream at the arrival of an Officer, probably stems from this. The Gunners for some reason have myriad forms of this title as follows; -

B.Q.M.S. Party generally a stores outing normally up to some form of equipment retrieval that doesn't belong to them!

Wagon Lines Party in the rear as back up to the gun line, in horsed days where the gun teams waited.

F.O.O.' s Party the poor so and so's who went forward to observe for the guns, usually with the infantry. High percentage of gunner honours won by this party.

Stables Party very much an old horse artillery term but still in use today in modern gun regiments, the group of gunners detailed to look after the "Hairys" as the noble steeds were known, now used to described the lads with the brooms sweeping the gun park.

Officer's Mess Party not what I thought it was, a group of batmen and waiters who erected a marquee behind the gun line laid out the silver and served the Pim's, maybe I was right.

Leg-over Party again a horsy term, the pairs of gunners that are seen around the arena during the Musical Drives at The Royal Tournament, their task was to sort out horses who put their legs over the traces during the drive. The Padre's face was a picture though when he read the following on orders; "The named personnel are to attend leg-over training under the R.Q.M.S at 1600 Hrs on the main square"  So to all future Gunner Cap Badge Detachments, when's it start!"