266 (GVA) O.P. Bty R.A. (V)
Officers

In 1971, 266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) Observation Post Battery was formed as an independent Observation Post unit as a reinforcement unit for the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) supplying observation post teams. The battery had a four gun troop of 25pdr field guns. In time of war the battery would provide 18 Observation Post Parties to regular army units

266 (GVA) Observation Post Bty R.A. (V) was formed on the 1st April 1971. Commanded by Major Colin S. Harvey T.D., Battery Captain (B.K.) Captain Norman Webber T.D., with four regular soldiers, Captain Keith Dann R.A. as training officer, WOII R. Bryant acted as Administration officer, BQMS B. Durance and Sergeant Roy Tanner was the signals instructor, and a civilian establishment of five, Chief Clerk Mr. Fred Hawkins, typist, mechanic Mr. Ray Ducamp, Limber gunner and a driver were also on the establishment, the Battery office and stores were situated in the main drill hall, it was some time later, that the battery moved into it's own accommodation in the original 1860's gunner building.

Around 1973, the MOD gave us a half Battery of 3 Q.F. 25pdr Field guns and increased the establishment of Observation Parties to 22.

Neil Francis Dowdney Esq TD DL

In the 1980s and 90s, Neil Dowdney was a FOO (forward observation post) Captain in the battery.

Neil Dowdney was born in 1953, and grew up at Queen Charlton and was educated at Kingswood School, Bath.

He trained as an auctioneer and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor before joining a local firm of stockbrokers and becoming a member of the London Stock Exchange within Godfray Derby & Co. He spent most of his career in Bath retiring in 2015. He was for many years a Chartered Member of The Chartered Securities Institute.

He joined 6th Battalion The Light Infantry when they reformed in Bath in 1971 and subsequently served in The Wiltshire Yeomanry prior to commissioning into The Royal Artillery serving with The Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery (266 Bty) and Central Volunteer Artillery HQ until retirement at the end of 42 years' service in the rank of Major.

In 2012, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset by Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass.

For 9 years was an Independent Custody Visitor for Avon and Somerset Police and is now acting as a Lay Observer for The Ministry of Justice. He has served for some years on the Disciplinary Panel of The Chartered Securities Institute and more recently their Appeals Panel. He served as Chair of Marksbury Parish Council.

His other interests include being a Friend of Iford Opera, member of The Royal Bath and West Society, Friend of The Royal Hospital Chelsea and of The Royal Academy. Sports include skiing, shooting and cycling. He lives at Marksbury with his wife Rosy and keeps donkeys as a pastime.

Sources and Resources

Deputy Lieutenant Commissions - The Gazette
Deputy Lieutenants of Somerset - Somerset Lieutenancy