I have just being reading The History of the Royal Artillery from the Indian Mutnity to the Great War by Sir John Headlam.

Tracing the Royal Artillery over the period it chronicles vital developments in organisation, doctrine and the work of the equipment committees. It seems there were some farsighted Gunners who were able to shape the Royal Artillery so by 1914 it was able to fulfil it's role in a European War. One wonders what would have happened in the early days of the BEF of 1914 if this development had not taken place.

Notes from Headlam - History of the Royal Artillery 1899 - 1914

Recognises three periods in the RA history 1860 - 1899

Source: Notes from Headlam - History of the Royal Artillery 1899 - 1914 Headlam page vii

1. 1860s - 1870's - a period of lethargy despite the move from small bore to rifled artillery.
   
2. 1880's - technical renaissance and the ability to shoot
   
3. 1890's - tactical revival and development of doctrine on the use of artillery in war.
   

On 1 July 1899, the Royal Artillery was divided into two three groups: the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, the Royal Garrison Artillery, and Royal Artillery.

As the end of the 19th century approached the RA was untested in war. The focus of Army was colonial in nature, mainly waged against an enemy with practically no artillery. As a consequence the Royal Artillery was slow to realise changes in warfare over the last quarter of the century.

The Boer War 1899 - 1902 initiated a significant influence on the development of Artillery over the next 12 years, with additional influence from the Russo-Japanese War (Manchurian Influence), with the closer ties to France following the signing of the Entente Cordialle in 1904 also providing an influence.

South African Influence 1902 04

All arms experience being under artillery fire for the first time [1]

• Changed attitude to artillery
  
• Increased tactical consideration s in use of artillery
  
• Co-operation gained importance
  

Armaments identified as being inadequate

Artillery doctrine out of date [1]

• Heavy Batteries should be part of the field army
  
• Siege Artillery should be available to supplement field army
  

Manchurian Influence 1904 - 1910

Siege of Port Arthur identified important considerations in attack and defence of naval bases [1]

• Vulnerability of naval bases from landward attack
  
• Naval developments in range, accuracy and volume of fire from warships
  

French Influence 1910 1912

Since the signing of Entente Cordialle in 1904 British officers able to review French artillery [1]

• QF 75 mm guns
  

• Comparison French / British QF capabilities
  

• Battery organisation
  

• Principles of employment
  
• Methods of fire
  
• Systems of practice