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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

RGA Heavy Battery Orbat (60 pounder)

Excellent information from Ron Clifton on the Orbat of a 60 pounder RGA (Heavy) Battery. In 1914 each Regular Division had a 60 ponder Battery, the re-organisation in 1916 saw them used as part of Heavy Artillery Groups (HAG), then ultimately RGA Brigades Source: RGA Battery
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From: Creeping Barrage

Interesting information from John Reed. The Evolution of Artillery is really what developed my interest in the RA of the First World War. The transition from battery sized shoots over open sights, to indirect fire and scientific gunnery. The development of the concept of the barrage, essentially the first fire planning that took place introduced the tactical use of Artillery in pre planned all arms operations. The development for the creeping barrage undoubtedly assisted the infantry in achie
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Anti-Tank Range Salisbury Plain

Interesting question from Moonraker - When did the British Army start to train artillery men in attacking tanks? and just as intriguing the location of the Anti Tank Range: A mile north of the Bustard Inn on Salisbury Plain and to the north-west of Lark Hill Camp, a 'tank practice railway' ran close to Shrewton Folly (a copse) and into Blackball Firs. A mile north of the Bustard Inn - an Ubiquitous location - no matter where you go every Gunner has a tail to tell about the Bustard ! Lark Hil
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Gallipoli - Boiling Shrapnel Shells

From an account written in 1916 by Col. A. C. Fergusson who commanded the 21 (Kohat) Mountain Battery at Gallipoli Our shrapnel shell broke up so badly that we had to boil them before using. Certainly an interesting twist on ammunition preparation Boiling Shrapnel Shells Well one would presume that without direct fuse action the shell would not explode. Once got near to an unexploded 155mm when putting out a fire on the range....theory was it would not explode......though all effort to en
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Remembered Today; Gunner BIR SINGH, 26th Jacobs Mountain Battery, Indian Mounted Artillery, who died on 12th August 1915, Helles Memorial

Remembered Today; Gunner BIR SINGH, 26th Jacobs Mountain Battery, Indian Mounted Artillery, who died on 12th August 1915, Helles Memorial Another reminder that the call to arms extended across the Empire. In Memory of Gunner BIR SINGH 1376 26th Jacob's Mountain Battery, Indian Mountain Artillery who died on 12 August 1915 Son of Mathra Singh, of Kassoana, Zira, Ferozepore, Punjab. Remembered with honour HELLES MEMORIAL CWGC Gunner Bir Singh Topic: 26 Jacobs Indian Mountain Battery
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No 4 Brigade RMA

Added a post in February 2011 on the Royal Marine Artillery - RMA Blogpost Just come across some excellent detail provided by Mike Guest - RMA No 4 Gun Brigade So starting with Chris and The Long Long Trail - The Batteries of the Royal Marine Artillery In October 1914 the RMA was reorganised to provide two artillery brigades for the Western Front. One of these became an anti-aircraft unit, but the second was equipped with twelve heavy 15 inch howitzers to form the RM Howitzer Brigade. The hug
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Handbook of the 18-PR Q.F. Gun

On line manual for 18 pounder Quick Firing Gun 1913 (Reprinted with ammendments 1914) http://www.archive.org/stream/HandbookOfThe18-pr.Q.f.Gun-LandService/Handbook18pr_final#page/n3/mode/2up Ordnance, Gun & Ammunition Limbers, Ammunition, and Stores.
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Royal Horse Artillery conversion to Royal Field Artillery

On a topic the conversion of Royal Horse Artillery to Field Artillery was mentioned. In the book Gunner on the Western Front Aubrey Wade a pre war Territorial in the RHA records: The brigade, as a whole, was an amalgamation of many small sections of the Territorial Horse Artillery batteries which had been recruited in the early days of the war. Being horse artillery we had always felt rather superior to common or garden field artillery, and were therefore painfully surprised to hear our prou
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From: Artillery Supply Photo

There appears to be full tins on the wagons with the shells and lots of empties alongside. What was in them? Cartridges for firing breach loading artillery. Excellent photograph showing another methodology for moving artillery ammunition - narrow gauge railway. Also interesting to see both the shells and the cartridges being moved to the guns. Source: Artillery Supply Photo
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From: Royal Regiment of Artillery Rank

Been trying to understand the NCO rank structure WW1 and post WW1 for years !! Many thanks to FROGSMILE for a detailed explanation. Source: Royal Regiment of Artillery Rank The infantry and cavalry had no 'substantive' rank (that is giving seniority and pension rights) for the level of junior non-commissioned officer with one stripe, whereas the technical Corps, RA, RE and AOC, did. This remained the case until 1961 when the Lance Corporal was at last made a rank, rather than an appointment.
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Battlefield Tour - Hartlepool

Did not have to go far for this tour - Hartlepool. On December 16th 1914, three German warships attacked towns on the East Coat of England, including Hartlepool. The attack lasted from 8:10am to 8:50 am killing more than 100 people and injuring many more. Hartlepool was defended by guns at the Heugh and Lighthouse Batteries located on the Headland at Hartlepool Northumbrian Gunner Blog http://northumbriangunner.blogspot.com/2011/06/bombardment-of-hartlepool.html GWF - Northumbrian Gunner
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Artificers - AOC attached RGA

Interesting photograph from battiscomme. This Sgt appears in an artillery Battery photo - a Sgt of some kind - shoulder titles (it looks a bit like ASC but not convinced it is). Some kind of specialist badge over the Sgt chevrons and below crown - any suggestions welcome what this might be.. thanks. AOC Artificer - might that be possible.? Might this suggest RGA or did everyone have Artificer Sgts? Source: Artificer? Badging in artillery unit? ideas? I had come across the Artificers joini
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151st (Darlington) Heavy Battery RGA

Another New Army Battery from the County of Durham - 151st (Darlington) Heavy Battery RGA Source: Artillery - help! Picture: Darlington Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, 151 RGA
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From: Number 80 Mark VII fuze.

Some excellent information form MuseumTom..... Designed by the Germans !!! , so they would have been a bit upset when near on a hundred million of those fuzes detonated on them. The Territorial Regiments of the British Expeditionary force deployed to France in 1940 with 18 pounders (though mechanised and different carriage), and most of those guns were lost. Therfore not supprising the fuze was not obselete till 1943. Source: Number 80 Mark VII fuze.
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From: 175 Brigade RFA

Excellent information on the 175th (Staffordshire) Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Not only detailed information and maps on their deployments and actions, but good background information on the RFA, their Guns (I suspect a trip to Firepower), and a personal account of the service of Benjamin Fellows L/33330 Cpl A/175. Source: 175 Brigade RFA Each of the new army divisions had their own integral support, including the artillery of 4 brigades RFA. Whilst the concept of the Pals Battalions is w
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From: Royal Field Artillery - Special Reserve

Interesting question from Geoff: Source: Royal Field Artillery - Special Reserve Could anyone tell me how the Royal Field Artillery incorporated its Special Reservists into regular units in August 1914? In the Special Army Order issued on Th of December 1907, which outlined the planned scheme for the training and organization of the Special Reservists, it states that on mobilization the RFA required a considerable amount of Special Reservists for Divisional Ammunition Columns in order to bring
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From: Bombardment of Hartlepools

For your information: http://www.guardian....ent-photographs Source: Bombardment of Hartlepools Source: Hartlepools Casualties Chris Baker's post is a reminder that the targeting of civilians and the concept of total war occurred early in the war with the bombardment of Hartlepool 14th December 1914. The Gunners of the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery engaged the German Seydlitz and Moltke and the Blucher from the Heugh and Lighthouse Batteries. The engagement lasted for 40 minutes. Gunners fr
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Just back from the Somme

Just back from the Somme having looked at the Battle from an Artillery perspective. A few thoughts. From 6 am 6pm on 1st July 1916, the Royal Artillery expended 224,221 roundsof ammunition. Despite this expenditure,Artillery had failed to achieve the aims of the bombardment in many areas. Counter Battery fire was not given its prominence, consequently British troops in the open suffered heavy casualties as the German gunners responded to the attack.The strong German defences were not destr
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From: Lt- Col Alan Gordon Haig DSO RA/RGA

Interesting Army record (as ever, meticulously researched by Dick Flory) for Lt Col AG Haig. Certainly a case of joining the Army and seeing the world and epitomises the Gunner motto 'Ubique' Ireland, Malta, South Africa (1st Boer War), Gibraltar, Sierra Leone, India, France and Flanders (Great War), and the UK. Source: Lt- Col Alan Gordon Haig DSO RA/RGA
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From: Gun Registration - Accuracy v Surprise

One of the main strengths of Artillery fire is the ability to bring down concentrated fire to destroy, suppress or neutralise the enemy. Every soldier knows this, which is why defences and trenches are dug to mitigate the effects. Consequently if surprise can be achieved the enemy is caught in the open before taking cover, maximum casulties are inflicted. In defense, the enemy are not aware of where guns are laid, consequently attacks can be broken up as the surprise of suddenly being hit by eff
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From: Forming a siege battery

The formation of a Siege Battery is described in The History of the 135th Siege Battery RGA in May 1916. The starting point was a letter issued by the War Office(3rd May 1916), in this case to the Commander Royal Artillery Tynemouth Garrison. This was in fact a Coastal Defence unit. The initial cadre consisted of a Battery Sergeant Major, a Battery Quartermaster Sergeant and two Officers. The gunners in this instance were to be drawn from the 47th and 12th Company's RGA, both regular army coa
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From: The Royal Artillery on the Western Front

Just got the latest book list from N & P and Sir Martin Farndale's history is back on sale at £30 (RRP £75) Well worth getting hold of, though he does love his exclamation marks! Source: The Royal Artillery on the Western Front It is good to see General Farndales book back on sale. It is neccessary reading for anyone with a deep interest in the Royal Artillery. I remember him going around the Regiments trying to sell the original. I must admit !!! his use !!! of exclamation marks !!!!!
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Jamaican Brothers KIA Royal Field Artillery

An interesting topic researched by High Wood which shows the call to arms to defend the British Empire was not only confined to the Dominions of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa. Two brothers of Jamaican heritage who joined the Royal Field Artillery made the ultimate sacrifice. Both were killed whilst serving with the Trench Mortar Batteries of the Royal Field Artillery. Source: Black officer, Royal Field Artillery, KiA 1916. Sons of George and Mary E. Bemand, of St.
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Somme - Counter Battery Fire

Just been looking at the Counter Battery fire tasks for the preliminary bombardment for the Somme, and reading General Sir Martin Farndales's History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery Western Front 1914-18. Farndale - History of the Royal Artillery Western Front 1914-18 states " Artillery commanders were obsessed with the need to keep fire immediately in front of the infantry. In doing so, they again allowed counter battery tasks , and ability to switch guns of the barrage to deal with the une
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