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Remembered Today:

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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

Sad Disaster D/312 Battery 26-May-1917

Came accross an account from the War services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional Artillery whilst researching one of those remembered on Remembered Today. In one incident D/312 battery lost two officers, all thier number ones and experienced soldiers. A tragic loss of life that removed many of the key elements for the running of an efficient battery. Thanks to ororkep aka Paul the war diary entry has been recorded on another post: http://1914-1918.inv...23 26/5/17, at St. Mein. Time 1.30pm.

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Gunner 48865 RFA John BOYD who died 26 May 1917

Remembered Today: Gunner 48865 John BOYD, D Battery 312 Bgde Royal Field Artillery, HAC Cemetery Ecoust-St Main CWGC Information BOYD, JOHN Rank: Gunner Service No: 48865 Date of Death: 26/05/1917 Age: 29 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery "D" Bty. 312th Bde. Grave Reference III. B. 26. Cemetery H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST. MEIN Additional Information: Son of Patrick and Ellen Boyd, of Knockmo

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

From: The 500 series Howitzer batteries raised in 1916

As ever stirling work by David Porter on the Territorial numbering system (yes there was definitely one). In this case the TF Training schools were tasked to produce a number of Howitzer Batteries. These were numbered in the 500 series (which Frederick's Lineage records as New Army units), however as david has found out the men from these Batteries were brought under the administration of the Territorial County Associations. Source: The 500 series Howitzer batteries raised in 1916

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Lieutenant John Horsley MITCHELL, RGA who died on 19th May 1917

Remembered Today: Lieutenant John Horsley MITCHELL, 305th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery who died on 19th May 1917, Maple Leaf Cemetery CWGC INFORMATION MITCHELL, JOHN HORSLEY Rank: Lieutenant Date of Death: 19/05/1917 Age: 35 Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery 305th Siege Bty. Grave Reference H. 4. Cemetery MAPLE LEAF CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Alfred and Catherine Mitchell; Husband of

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

From: Royal Horse Artillery in Training: Pathe Film 1910-1919

A fascinating find by Martin G. It starts with drill on the square at the Royal Artillery Barracks Woolwich, something I was familiar with, then onto gun drill which looks like the drill sheds near Repository Road. The Battery comming into action is fascinating. It certainly brings home the importance of horses as they dominate the scene. The battery Commander riding in the lead, director deployed, then the battery comes into action. It looks to be a full battery including the ammuni

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Gunner William George VIZER who died on 12th May 1918

Remembered Today: Gunner William George VIZER, 157th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery who died on 12th May 1918, Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil CWGC Information VIZER, WILLIAM GEORGE Rank: Gunner Service No: 78473 Date of Death: 12/05/1918 Age: 26 Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery 157th Siege Bty. Grave Reference I. H. 2. Cemetery SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY, FOUQUEREUIL Additional Information:

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

4th Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA

A number of postings have been made reagrding the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade RGA and it's constituent sub units. An excellent photo from Mike (aka CSMMo) shows the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade with TOS and RA badge. Having spent a considerable time wearing a TOS / Balmoral as a Gunner I thought this was unique to 204 (Tyneside Scottish) Battery Royal Artillery. On the formation of the Territorial Force, the 4th (Highland) Mountain Brigade RGA was the only Royal Garrison Artillery Brigade

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Artillery - First principles of tactics and organisation

As ever an interesting find by Mike aka Skipman. First principles of tactics and organisation, with reference to the Field service regulations; for officers and N.C.O.'s of the New Army Special Reserve and Territorial Forces (1915) http://archive.org/d...pleso00sleeuoft An interesting and informative background to the Operation of the British Army, though more in keeping with 1914 - open manoeuvre warefare. However I am not sure how much use some of the information would be in 1915 for those

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today : Gunner Frederick William HITCHMOUGH Royal Garrison Artillery who died on 8th April 1917

Remembered Today: Gunner Frederick William HITCHMOUGH, 255th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery who died on 8th April 1917, Soissons Communal Cemetery CWGC Information HITCHMOUGH, FREDERICK WILLIAM Rank:GunnerService No: 114467 Date of Death: 08/04/1917 Age: 38 Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery 255th Siege Bty. Grave Reference Mil. 3. 6. Cemetery SOISSONS COMMUNAL CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of William and Susan H

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Driver Ernest Edward CROPLEY, 121st Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Remembered Today: Driver Ernest Edward CROPLEY, 121st Brigade Royal Field Artillery who died on 20th March 1917, Ferme-Olivier Cemetery CWGC Information CROPLEY, ERNEST EDWARD Rank: Driver Service No: 3827 Date of Death: 20/03/1917 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery "B" Bty. 121st Bde. Grave ReferencePlot 3. Row B. Grave 13. Cemetery FERME-OLIVIER CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Cropley,

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Bombardier Ellis WOODLEY who died on 7th March 1916, Bethune Town Cemetery

Remembered Today: Bombardier Ellis WOODLEY, 163rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who died on 7th March 1916, Bethune Town Cemetery CWGC Information WOODLEY, ELLIS Rank: Bombardier Service No: 14450 Date of Death: 07/03/1916 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery "C" Bty. 163rd Bde. Grave Reference: V. A. 86. Cemetery: BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Barnard and Kate Woodley, of Castle C

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

From: The Infantry cannot Do With a Gun Less

As ever Mike aka skipman has highlighted an excellent on line source: Source: The Infantry cannot Do With a Gun Less A favourite of mine !!! An interesting thesis on the development and use of Artillery in WW1 The appendices contain training notes, directives and letters which provide a contemporary documentation of evolving tactics, technical developments and lessons learned. Some nice maps show the planning of the barrages for some of the major

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Seige Battery Establishments

Looking around for information and came accross an excellent post from Rob Clifton detailing the establishments of Heavy and Siege Batteries, as well as the HQ elements. Source: HOW MANY MEN IN A SEIGE BATTERY August 1916 Heavy Artillery Battery and Ammunition Column (6 x 60-pounder guns) Battery: Major, Captain, 4 Subalterns, BSM, BQMS, 8 Serjeants, Farrier-Serjeant, 3 Shoeing-smiths (incl one cpl), 2 Saddlers, 1 Wheeler, 1 Staff-Sjt Fitter, 1 Smith, 7 Corporals, 8 Bombardiers, 110 Gunne

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Acting Bombardier Harry BALDWIN, 125th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Remembered Today: Acting Bombardier Harry BALDWIN, 125th Brigade Royal Field Artillery who died on 2nd February 1916, Humbercamps Communal Cemetery CWGC Information BALDWIN, HARRY Rank: Acting Bombardier Service No: 70551 Date of Death: 02/02/1916 Age: 21 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery "C" Bty. 125th Bde. Grave Reference I. D. 5. Cemetery HUMBERCAMPS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Additional Information: Son of Jame

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Richard Sydney Yates, R.H.A. & R.F.A.

Came accross this fascinating chap. Joins as a junior soldier and serves in India. Deploys with the BEF in 1914, rises to the rank of sergeant, wins a Military Medal, commissioned, wins an MC, and finishes the war as a captain. He alter enlists into the RAF and finishes WW" as a Wing Commander. An impresive record and a very interesting medal rack. http://www.medalsofe...=64&medalid=311 MILITARY CROSS & MILITARY MEDAL (Double Gallantry) 1914 STAR & BAR TRIO, DEFENCE

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

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

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Major Bevil Quiller-Couch DSO MC

I recently read The Tears of War by May W. Cannan. It tells the story of the war through her poems and letters with the man she loved. Bevil Quiller-Couch, a special reservist in the Royal Field Artillery mobilised to France in 1914. He served with 2nd Divisional artillery units and took part in every major battle on the Western Front from Mons in 1914 to the Armistice. He was a well-respected and efficient officer winning the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order. May Cannan

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Royal Artillery War Establishments

From: Great resource for OOBs Great Find by Tom W. from the US Army Combined Arms Center web site, over 500 Orders of battle (Orbat), ranging from war establishments, formations and specific battles or phases, and covers both the allies and the axis. http://www.cgsc.edu/...ziger/index.asp Extracted the war establishments relating to the Royal Artillery (RHA, RFA, RGA) and also included RMA,. I have also added a side block so it is easy to find the post in the future. 1st January 1914 914BQA

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

Remembered Today: Bombardier Henry John JENNINGS, 306th Brigade RFA

Remembered Today: Bombardier Henry John JENNINGS, 306th Brigade RFA who died on 16th December 1916, Varennes Military Cemetery CWGC Information JENNINGS, HENRY JOHN Rank: Bombardier Service No: 2579 Date of Death: 16/12/1916 Age: 28 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery "B" Bty. 306th Bde. Grave Reference I. G. 77. Cemetery VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY Additional Information: Husband of Nellie Gertrude Jennings, of 3,

ianjonesncl

ianjonesncl

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