New Britain herald., 1915-09-14
OLDEST REGIMENT
 IN BRITISH ARMY
Honorable Artillery Co. Allied
 With Boston Company
fcorrespondence of the Associated Press,

(correspondence of the Associated PressN
 London, Sept. 2.-The oldest regi- ment in the British army is not a part of the regular establishment, but militia regiment, the Honorable Ar tillery company, which is allied to the Honorable Artillery company of Bos- ton.
 Both the English and American honorable artillery companies trace their documentary history back to Henry VIII and their legendary origin to William the Red, son of the Con- queror. The London company has just celebrated its 378th anniversary for it was on August 25. 1897, that the Kings charter granted to "cer- teyne welbiloved S'rvants & Sub giettes" the right to establish the "Guylds or Fratennities of Saint George" The guild established an Artillery of Longbowes Crossbowes and Handgonnes," which had as its obpects the better increase of this or Realms and Maynetenance of the Science and Feate or Shooting" In return for their patriotism the mem bers were granted the privilege of wearing 'any man'r of Embroidery or
 
 manr of Sylks as Velvet Satten or Damaske," and also were freed from serving on juries. Moreover they could not be charged with murder if they happened to kill accidentally any trespasser during target practice in the "Fynnysbury Felds, provided they shouted 8 warning.
 Offspring in Boston.
 a rnfn nf ground which became known as Artillery Garden. Other towns be- came envious and began to apply for charters, Colchester. Bristol and Yar- mouth among them, put the parent company had but one genuine off, spring, and that is the Honorable Ar tillery company of Massachusetts which was founded by some members of the London company who emi- grated to Boston.
 In 1641 the H. A. c. obtained the land they now occupy in Bunhill Fields. In dispute as to the choos- ing of officers that arose. compro- mise was affected by Privy council Since then, their captain general has been either the Prince or Wales or the king himself.
 During the civil war in the middle of the seventeen century, the H. A. c. took no part, although it's members aided individually with King Charles. Yet they attended Cromwells funeral as a body. At the restoration they threw off their republicanism and ac- cepted James, Duke of York, as their captain general. The H. A. C., on James departure to France. well comed with equal enthusiasm it's suc- liam, George of Denmark and George of Hanover. Their hearty reception so pleased King George that he sent them donation of 800 pounds with which a new armory house was built.
 In their Bunhill quarters there are kept as relics the Royal warrant book. the drum majors staff of 1879 and some of the magnificent uniforms worn during the reigns of Queen Anne and George I. The Great Vellum Book, containing the names of m em- bers from 1910 to 1882, stands un- paralleled as a muster roll, as John Milton, Christopher Wren and Samuel Peppys as we'll as the leading names among the royalty and nobility appear on it.
 The H. A. c. Is not a parade organ ization. Not only have it's present memb bers gone to the front, but also great numbers of recruits. A large number have been commissioned in other commands.