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About this blog

Royal Artillery topics

Information and topics relating to the Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Field Artillery, and the Royal Garrison Artillery during the First World War. 

As I meander through research, battlefield tours and contributions to the GWF Forum, certain topics arise an interest which I record here. 

 

Entries in this blog

RA Personnel

Notable Persons who served as a Gunner in WW1

I came across a series of postings by Pete Hill posted way back in June 2009 outlining Notable Persons who served in WW1. A fascinating piece of research and I became interested in those who served as Gunners.    Having enjoyed the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, read Dennis Wheatley's books, and admired the illustrations of Winnie the Pooh drawn by Ernest Sheppard, it was pleasing to find they all served as Gunners. I have admired the exploits of George Mallory and his attempts on Ev
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in RA Personnel

28
Artillery Operations

Chapperton Down Artillery School

An intersting film I came across on the Imperial War Musuem collection features the Chapperton Down Artillery School.  "Taken at the school on 9 March 1916, this film shows in detail the firing procedures for the 6-inch 26cwt howitzer, the 8-inch Mk VI howitzer and the 9.2-inch Mk I howitzer with the new Type 106 graze fuse (not shown). It shows the effects of the fall of shot, giving the distance and line of camera to the point of impact with the direction of wind for each firing. In each
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Operations

20
RA Units

TE Lawrence - 10 (Motor Section) RFA

TE Lawrence of Arabia and his exploits, as portrayed in the iconic film with Peter O' Toole, have always intrigued me. I was aware of the irregular Arab Army being reinforced with armoured cars and aircraft, however I did not realise Lawrence's forces were supported by artillery. In November 1917, 10 (Motor Section) Royal Field Artillery joined the Arab Northern Army, equipped with 10 pounder mountain guns.   As ever, a search of the GWF revealed more about 10 (Motor Section) RFA, and
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ianjonesncl in RA Units

7
Home Defence

UK Coastal Defences 1914

Whilst researching the defence of the River Tyne [Tyne Coastal Artillery ] it highlighted how important it was to maintain a creditable deterrent for home defence.  I wondered what preparations were in place to defend the coast around the rest of the Britain when the country went to war in 1914.   In his book History of Coast Artillery in the British Army, Colonel KW Maurice-Jones DSO (late RA) outlines "Coast Artillery in the British Army had never been more ready for war than it was
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ianjonesncl in Home Defence

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RA Personnel

Arras Faubourg Cemetery - 40 Brigade RFA Officers

Whilst wandering around the Arras Faubourg Cemetery, I observed Gunner graves where all had been killed on the same date buried together. Often the sign of a gun detachment who lost their lives because of a single incident. In Plot V Row F, there were four Gunner graves together. A closer examination revealed it was four Gunner Officers, all killed on the 19th May 1917. Who were these Officers? What had happened on 19th May 1917 ? The CWGC records revealed the Offer
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ianjonesncl in RA Personnel

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RGA - Singapore Mutiny 1915

Whilst researching Royal Garrison Artillery units I came across a commemoration to Gunners who had been killed during a Mutiny in Singapore in February 1915.    The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) operated the coastal guns that protected Singapore. They were manned by the 78th and 80th Companies RGA and Indian Army Gunners from the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Garrison Artillery (HKS-RGA).  A British  infantry battalion, and the Singapore  Volunteers Batt
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Artillery Operations

Lesson on accuracy of artillery

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
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Operations

5
RA Units

Bermuda Contingent Royal Garrison Artillery

An interesting unit I came across was the Bermuda Contingent RGA who were employed on the vital task of ammunition handing. As ever, a quick search on the GWF helped point me in the right direction. Many thanks to those who contributed to Bermuda Contingent RGA in paticular @aodhdubh The information has been drawn from many sources, and there are discrepancies in ranks between accounts, possibly due to acting and local rank.  Bermuda Contingent Royal Garrison Artillery The Be
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ianjonesncl in RA Units

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RA Personnel

WW1 Paintings of Wyndham Lewis

One of the Notable Persons who served as a Gunner in WW1 was artist Wyndam Lewis.   In 1914, Lewis formed the Vorticism movement, a modernist art style inspired by cubism with bold lines and harsh colours.   LEWIS WYNDHAM - SELF PORTRAIT     Wyndham was also a writer and the ideas of Vorticism as rebel artists challenging the norm were published in BLAST, the first issue BLAST: The Review of the Great English Vortex, was published in July 1914, just before
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in RA Personnel

5

Territorial Force Renumbering 1917

Picked this up from a post by David Porter on the renumbering of the Territorrial Force in 1917. David says " I've looked at this aspect for several years and I'm still getting to grips with it" , so even complex for an expert !! Source: Birmingham and the Royal Field Artillery? . Some key points: All Territorial Force RH & RFA were renumbered as per ACI 2198 (Appendix 183) of November 1916 implemented on January 1, 1917. The renumbering didn't happen during the reorganisation of May 19
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ianjonesncl

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Artillery Operations

9.2 inch Howitzer Deployment

Whilst researching the  first ever 9.2 inch howitzer 'Mother'  9.2 inch Howitzer "Mother" - Northumbrian Gunner meanderings - The Great War (1914-1918) Forum (greatwarforum.org) I realised that whilst one had seen many pictures of the 9.2 inch howitzer, read accounts of their deployment and it being the weapon system that is on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park, I must admit I was not sure how this multi-part howitzer actually fitted together. 9.2 inch howitzer Royal
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Operations

4
Artillery Action

Cologne Bridgehead

The terms of the Armistice signed 11th November 1918 contained clauses as to what German Forces were to do on cessation of hostilities. Article 1 detailing the Military Clauses on the Western Front required in clause two  "Immediate evacuation of invaded countries". To provide further security, particularly at the insistence pf the French, clause five required "Evacuation by the German armies of the countries on the left bank of the Rhine."   Clause five further
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ianjonesncl in Artillery Action

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RA Personnel

Royal Artillery Baghdad North Gate Cemetery

Many thanks for a  post from Ahmed1984 Baghdad North Gate Cemetery, Iraq - Cemeteries and memorials - Great War Forum.  The legacy of WW1 with the defining Iraq's  borders resonates to this day with recent conflicts making Baghdad a relatively inaccessible for most people.      A reminder that many lost their lives serving in the Middle East during WW1 and after. A download of casualties commemorated in Iraq from CWGC records 51,113 casualties from the First World War. The h
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ianjonesncl in RA Personnel

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RA Personnel

Lt Col Edward Parker England DCM

I have just come across a post from Dick Flory who wrote an article for the Journal of the Royal Artillery ("An Officer who made good") [1] about the the amazing war service of Edward Parker England DCM. [2] Source: Find My Past courtesy of Swinesheadvillage   Edward Parker started the war in 1914 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Field Artillery, ended the  war in 1918 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Field Artillery, and in the intervening period won the Distinguishe
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ianjonesncl in RA Personnel

3
War Art

WW1 Illustrations of Fortunino Matania

A number of iconic paintings and illustrations I have viewed over the years have  included the Last Absolution of the Munsters, Good by Old Man, and L Battery RHA at Nery. It was when I was looking at war artists depicting the Gunners during WW1 that I realised that they were all the work of Fortunino Matania. Delving into Fortunino Matania revealed that his work included other areas where I have come across his work including illustrating the sinking of the Titanic pre war, and travel post
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in War Art

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Artillery Operations

Heavy Artillery Serviceability

Whilst  researching activities in the Nieuport sector in 1917, I came across a graph in the XV Corps Heavy Artillery War Diary for November 1917 (WO-95-927-3 - page 10) recording the serviceability of the guns attached to Corps. Reports and returns are an essential to the logistic system to ensure the availability  of resources to conduct operations.    The graph covers the period from 22nd June through to 30th November 1917, the period XV Corps occupied the Nieuport sector in preparat
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Operations

3
Artillery Action

Easter Rising 1916 Artillery

Reading an article on Forces News Ireland On Stage – The 1916 Easter Rising it outlined that "a four-gun battery of field artillery pieces" formed part of the British response to the uprising. I wondered which unit the guns came from and what actions they took during the six days of the Easter Rising.   One interesting snippet outlined  ‘Field’ artillery is the key here though, since gunners soon found that, without the traction found on grass or mud, firing their guns on the smoothly-
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Action

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Home Defence

Tyne Coastal Artillery

A recent request for research into defence of the River Tyne highlighted how important it was to maintain a creditable deterrent for home defence.  The Tyne gained prominence as the industrial revolution developed. The river shipped coal from the Northumberland and Durham coalfields. Shipbuilding and heavy industry grew up along the banks of the Tyne, notably Armstrong’s Ordnance works in Elswick.   Lord Morley's report on the defence of the United Kingdom published in 1883 said of the
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Home Defence

3
Artillery Action

Amiens Gun - 374 SB Paris

Whilst reviewing the Fourth Army A & Q War Diary WO95- 445-2 I came across a Movement Order for a German 11inch gun and a detachment of 374 Siege Battery from Picquigny, 13km north west of Amiens to Paris. The entry sounded as if from Blackadder goes forth;   And might I suggest sir that having left the trenches, it might be a good idea to post our man to Paris Source: Black Adder IV - Episode 1 - Captain Cook.   So why were a detachment of 374 Siege Battery taking a
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Action

3
Artillery Action

Albert Leaning Virgin Shoot

An interesting post by  BIFFO   shows an extract from the 13th Battalion Welsh Regiment war diary which recounts the toppling of the Leaning Virgin of Albert by British Artillery.   ALL artillery fans go stand in the corner   The Leaning Virgin was a familiar sight to soldiers on the Somme when passing through Albert. The statue remained in its precarious position from January 1915 until it was toppled by British Artillery in April 1918.   British Toops p
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Action

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Artillery Operations

Chinese Labour Corps Ammunition Logistics

Whilst on my last trip to Ypres I visited the Chinese Memorial  at Busseboom which commemorates the part played by 140,000 Chinese Labourers employed by the British and French  during the Great War.   Their contribution and role is outlined by the National Archives;  National Archives - Chinese Labour Corps on the Western Front     CHINESE LABOUR CORPS MEMORIAL BUSSEBOOM   Adjacent is another memorial to 13 Chinese labourers killed in a German air raid on
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Artillery Operations

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Gunners shoot down Zeppelin L15 - Well Hit

A query from a friend about anti-aircraft artillery in WW1 lead to a realisation that the first Zeppelin successfully shot down was actually the result of anti-aircraft fire from the Gunners. Zeppelin L15 was brought down on the night of 31st March / 1st April 1916, ahead of the action of William Leefe Robinson on the 2nd September 1916, for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.   At the start of the First World War there was no Anti-Aircraft organisation beyond a few guns and an a
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ianjonesncl

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2nd Northumbrians Re-interment - Ypres

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
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3

From: was it safer being an artillery man than a simple soldier

An interesting question raised by mags "was it safer being an artillery man than a simple soldier ". From Tom's analysis of Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War 1914 – 1920 it would appear that surviving unscathed was more likely as a gunner than an infantry man. If one considers that the main threat to the artillery man was counter battery fire, the infantry were subject to the same risk as bombardment of trenches and lines of communication were also pre
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Artillery Survey in World War One

The adoption of indirect fire as the main methodology necessitated the need for accurate mapping and survey in order to establish the exact location of our own guns, and to provide a mechanism to know the enemy target. At the battle of Mons, british artillery was ofter located near the infantry positions, shrapnel direct fire augmenting their rifle and machine gun fire. By November 1917, Cambrai became the first bnattle which relied on wholly predicted fire. In addition to the survey role, the
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