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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

Choques Military Cemetery - Nothumbrian Gunners

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
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

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15 Pounder QF Ehrhardt Gun

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
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Royal Artillery

UBIQUE - Thank God for the Guns

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
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl in Royal Artillery

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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

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Portuguese Artillery

Portuguese Independent Artillery Corps - CAPI

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
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ianjonesncl in Portuguese Artillery

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Gunner Edwin Henry WOODWARD

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
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2/Lt ER Hayward RFA

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
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US Navy 14 Inch Rail Guns firing in France 1918

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    
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2nd Lieut. WC Hickman RFA - KIA 1st July 1916

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 Cemetery
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Bi-Centary Royal Artillery 1916

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
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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
ianjonesncl

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Mountain Battery - How were the Guns carried ?

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
ianjonesncl

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Tynemouth RGA - Siege Batteries

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
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

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Durham RGA - Siege Batteries

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
ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

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IWM - Nery Gun

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
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IWM - Le Cateau VC's

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
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