A number of years ago (January 2010 to be precise) I posted a request regarding a row of graves in Choques Military Cemetery where 12 men from D Battery 251 Brigade were buried.
From
The origins of the Battery lie with the 5th Durham Battery, 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade. Prior to the War the Brigade was headquartered in South Shields, on the south side of the mouth of the River Tyne. The Hebburn Battery lay 5 miles upstream on the south bank of the Tyn
As the end of the 19th century approached, the Royal Artillery was untested in general 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 that century. The expanding empire saw the Royal Artillery engaged in many colonial actions. Frequent small wars in Africa, Far East, India and other colonies occurred throughout the Victorian Era. The Army was engaged in a
Ubique
Rudyard Kipling
There is a word you often see, pronounce it as you may –
“You bike,” “you bykwee,” “ubbikwee” – alludin’ to R. A.
It serves ‘Orse, Field, an’ Garrison as motto for a crest;
An’ when you’ve found out all it means I’ll tell you ‘alf the rest.
Ubique means the long-range Krupp be’ind the long-range ‘ill –
Ubique means you’ll pick it up an’, while you do, stand still.
Ubique means you’ve caught the flash an’ timed it by the sound.
Ubiqu
An interesting extract from a letter sent by 2nd Lieut. Humphrey Arden (RGA) to his old school which was published in the school magazine.
Humphrey Arden attended the Dragon school, then Radley and went on to Queens College Cambridge. He was about prepare for holy orders when war broke out. He was commissioned into the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1915. He died of wounds near Messines 6th June 1917 whilst serving with 156th Heavy Battery RGA. He is buried Bailleu Communal Cemetery
When World War One broke out in 1914, Portugal was a neutral country. However colonial clashes in Africa, in Angola, and the effect of the German U-boats on Portuguese trade routes to the UK, her main partner, caused tensions with Germany. In February 1916, Portugal at Britain's request seized German and Austro-Hungarian shipping in Portuguese ports, and a month later Germany declared war on Portugal.
Portugal during World War One
In response to the declaration Portugal raised
Remembered Today: Gunner Edwin Henry WOODWARD
1st South Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who died on 25th December 1916, Gloucester Old Cemetery
The Territorial 1st South Midland Brigade RFA formed part of the 48th Divisional Artillery. The Brigade consisted of the 1st Gloucestershire Battery and 2nd Gloucestershire Battery (both based in Bristol) and the 3rd Gloucestershire Battery based Gloucester.
In 1914 the Brigade had departed for annual summer c
Remembered Today: Second Lieutenant Edward Ronald HAYWARD, 99th Battery Royal Field Artillery who died on 20th December 1916, Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria
Edward Ronald Hayward was born at Salt Lake City, USA around 1897.
Source: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Sussex/CopthorneSchool.html
Second son of Robert Francis Hayward of Vancouver, British Columbia and Alfreda Hayward, daughter of the Reverend Frederick Toulmin. He had three brothers, two of whom also
When America entered the Great War in 1917, the UD Navy deployed five 14inch / 50 calibre rail guns into France, each gun being a separate battery.
The video of the rail guns in action shows the guns firing, use of aircraft for controlling fire, command post operations, and the administration of the battery
On the 24th May 1915 the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA were at Potijze, two miles NE of Ypres. The Brigade deployed one month earlier as part of the Northumbrian Division and was immediately engaged in the 2nd Battle of Ypres.
The Germans had released gas and tried to breakthrough the British lines, but were held by gallant actions.
The 50th Northumbrian Division were used to reinforce formations fighting in the Salient.
The 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA deployed in s
Ovillers Military Cemetery
Cross of Sacrifice
Ovillers Military Cemetery is situated 1 km north of La Boisselle. It originated as a battle cemetery behind a dressing station. After Armistice, it was expanded as the fallen from the battlefields of Pozieres, Ovillers, La Boisselle and Contalmaison were buried in the cemetery.
CWGC OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
Ovillers Military Cemet
On the 26th May 2016 the Tri Centenary of the Royal Artillery was commemorated by a Queen's Review at Larkhill.
RA300 - Royal Artillery Tercentenary - Royal Review
To commemorate the Bi-Centenary on 26th May 1916 a parade was held at Woolwich adjacent to St George's Garrison Church.
What of the Royal Regiment of May 1916……
The strength was over 408,000 officers and OR's, representing nearly 14% of the Army. Of the strength, 321,000
Interesting post by RobL regarding rail mounted Anti-Aircraft guns in the NE. First time I have come across the use of rail for AA Guns
Source: Railway mounted 6 inch naval guns
Always fascinated by different types of Artillery and the Mountain Artillery and the use of mules is of particular interest.
A previous post looked at the Indian Mountain Artillery 1914 - 1918 after reading the book Indian Mountain Artillery by Brigadier CAL Graham.
RobL also pointed out that the 10 pounder also carried by highland pony by the three batteries of the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA both in the UK and in Gallipoli.
michaeldr asks an good question - A Mountain Battery's anim
The Royal Naval dominance of the North Sea reduced the German threat on the coast and the requirement for coastal artillery. This coincided with increased demand for heavy artillery for the Western Front, and skilled RGA gunners to man those guns. Consequently RGA gunners from the coastal batteries were formed into siege batteries for deployment overseas.
The coastal units would also provide the basis for training and the raising of future RGA Batteries.
The following Siege Batteries were for
The Royal Naval dominance of the North Sea reduced the German threat on the coast and the requirement for coastal artillery. This coincided with increased demand for heavy artillery for the Western Front, and skilled RGA gunners to man those guns. Consequently RGA gunners from the coastal batteries were formed into siege batteries for deployment overseas.
The coastal units would also provide the basis for training and the raising of future RGA Batteries.
The following Siege Batteries were for
Visited the Imperial War Museum London contains the Nery Gun which was engaged in the Action at Nery 1st September 1914 resulting in the awarding of 3 Victoria Crosses.
Nery Gun Imperial War Museum
Nery Gun Imperial War Museum
During the Retreat from Mons the 1st Cavalry Brigade were on the western flank of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). In support of the Brigade were III Brigade RHA (D & E Bty) and VII RHA (I & L Bty). On the night of the night of the 31st Aug
On a recent visit to Imperial War Museum London took the opportunity to visit the Lord Ashcroft Gallery to view two of the three VC's awarded at Le Cateau.
Visited the battlefield in 2014 and saw the area from where the guns were saved: Le Cateau - Saving the Guns
During the battle, the 37th Howitzer Battery RFA had withdrawn 4 guns. Captain Douglas Reynolds found two horse teams when he retired to Remount, and decided to rescue the remaining two howitzers. He called for volunteers to assist
