137 (JAVA) Battery Royal Artillery Jumbo's History Page

If you have, or had any connection with 137 Bty and have any photographs, please email them to me and I will post them on this site. I will try and post new material as soon as I receive it.

The Battery was raised as No6 Company, Bengal Artillery in 1778, where it first saw active service during the siege of Mysore. Like many other batteries, 137 (Java) Battery has undergone numerous role and title changes and has fought in a great many campaigns during its long history. The Honour title is taken as a result of the action in 1811, during the capture of Java. At the time the British were suffering trade losses as a result of French and Dutch hostilities being mounted from occupied islands in the Indian Ocean. In 1810 a number of islands were taken by the Royal Navy and forces of the East India Company, and in 1811 an assault on Java was planned. During the advance through swamps and jungle towards the heavily fortified camp at Cornelis, the Dutch launched an attack but were skillfully outflanked. The Gunners with the expedition force hauled 18 pounder guns and 8 inch howitzers up to gun positions within 800 yards of the fortress. Here they were subjected to constant bombardment from 24 and 36 pounders of greater power and range whilst they built their defences. Although the Dutch benefited from superior firepower and protection, the constant accuracy of the British 18 pounders was such that the Dutch artillerymen eventually refused to take post. As a consequence hardly any Dutch gun detachments were in action during the assault and capture of the fortress. In particular the "I" Coy. 2nd Bengal Artillery (later 137 (Java) Battery RA), commanded by Lt Cameron, was commended for its effective and accurate fire upon the enemy stronghold.   1778 Siege of Mysore                                                                                            1965 - 66 Borneo 1779 Siege of Seringapatam                                                                               1973 Northern Ireland 1803-05 2`d Mahratta War Agra, Gwalior                                                          1975 Northern Ireland 1811 Capture of Java                                                                                            1977 Northern Ireland 1825 Siege of Bhurtpore                                                                                      1982 Falkland Islands         1845-46 l' Sikh War Ferozahsah Sobroan                                                       1984  Belize                                                                                                                                    1987 Northern Ireland                                                                                                                                    1991 Saudi Arabia, Iraq                                                                                                                                              & Kuwait                                                                                                                                       1995 Northern Ireland                                                                                                                                    1997 - 98 Bosnia                                                                                                                                    1999 - 2000 Bosnia

1848 Capture of Fort Ranghawagal,  Fort Kalawnda             1857.-- 58 Indian Mutiny Badi-Ke-Serai                                                                                                         Delhi, Sirsa, Shahjehawpore                  1914 - 1914-18 World War 1Bty History - Coastal Artillery in UK 1939-45 World War 2 - Dunkirk, Caen, .Falaise, Le Havre, Bologne, Calais, Walcheren, Rhineland, Emden

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This is the Print that hangs in The British Embassy in Jakarta

A special thanks to Roger Williams in the British Embassy in Jakarta and also Ed Edwards McKinnon, who presented the Print to the Embassy in 1998

JUMBO'S NEVER FORGET

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