Lt Colonel Edward Henry Eley CMG CBE DSO TD ADC

Entry posted by ianjonesncl in RA Personnel 2 February , 2023

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A post on Lt Colonel Edward Henry Eley CMG CBE DSO TD ADC piqued my interest.

Some research on his service during World War One.

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Edward Henry Eley was born in 1874, the son of Henry Eley of Colnbrook, Buckinghamshire. He married Beatrice Eleanor, youngest daughter of Colonel W. Narborough of Woolwich. They would have one son and one daughter. [1] By profession he was a chartered architect and surveyor. [2]

Edward Henry Eley, Gentlemen, was commissioned into the 2nd Kent Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) 10th January 1900. [3] He was promoted to Lieutenant 25th July 1900 [4] and Captain 11th April 1902. [5]

In April 1908, the Territorial Force was formed and part of the 2nd Kent Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) became the 22nd County of London (Howitzer) which was in the 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade. Edward Eley, promoted to Major, would command the Battery. [6] The 8th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery was one of the units in the Divisional Artillery of the 2nd London Division. [7] In July 1913, the 22nd County of London (Howitzer) Battery was based at the Drill Hall, Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, S.E. [8]

When war was declared in August 1914, 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA had only just arrived at Perham Down on Salisbury Plain for its annual training camp, and it was immediately recalled to London to mobilise. After completing their mobilisation the 2nd London Division's artillery brigades moved to the country round Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Kings Langley in Hertfordshire to begin war training. [9]

Major Edward H. Eley would assume command of the 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade effective from 3rd December 1914. [10]

At the end of October 1914 the 2nd London Division was chosen to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) fighting on the Western Front and training was stepped up, despite bad weather and equipment shortages. Brigade and divisional training began in February 1915 and it received its orders for the move to France on 2 March. By 22 March all the batteries had reached the divisional concentration area around Béthune. [11]. On the 11 May 1915 the 2nd London Division re-named again as the 47th (London) Division. [12]

During 1915, the 47th (London) Division would engage in the Battle of Aubers Ridge (9 May), the Battle of Festubert (15-25 May), the Battle of Loos (25 September – 1 October), and the subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13-19 October). The Division would be engaged during the German attack at Vimy Ridge (21 May). [12]

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Eley would be made a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) on 3rd June 1916.[13]

In the autumn of 1916 the 47th (London) Division were on the Somme, fighting in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15 to 22 September 1916) and the Battle of Le Transloy Ridges (1–18 October 1916). In 1917 the Division would engage in the Battle of Messines (7 – 13 June) and the Battle of Cambrai (20 November – 30 December 1917). [14]

In February 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Eley would be awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) [15] His citation for the award stated; [16]

Lt.-Col. Edward Henry Eley, C.M.G., R.F.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of the brigade, he displayed marked courage and ability, and materially assisted in checking the enemy at a most critical moment. He handled the batteries with the greatest skill, and succeeded in keeping himself in touch with the situation on both flanks.

During the German Offensive in 1918, the 47th (London) Division were involved in the Battle of St Quentin (21-23 March), the First Battle of Bapaume (24-25 March), and the Battle of the Ancre (28- March) . They then took part in the Advanced to Victory, fighting again on the Somme during the Battle of Albert (21-23 August) and the Second Battle of Bapaume (31 August - 3 September). [17]

The forward units of the 47th (London) Division reached Franses-lez-Buissenal / Moustier, north of Leuze, on 10 November 1918. Next day the Division marched back to Tournai and on 26 November moved on to the Bethune area. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the demobilisation of the Division began and the first parties moved to England 1-10 January 1919. [18]

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[1] Who Was Who, Volume IV, 1941-1950, pages 352-353.

[2] From <https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/253895-lt-colonel-edward-henry-eley-cmg-cbe-dso-td-adc-royal-field-artillery/#comment-3185642>

[3] The London Gazette Publication date: 9 January 1900 Issue:27152 Page:151

[4] The London Gazette Publication date:24 July 1900 Issue:27213 Page:4591

[5] The London Gazette Publication date:11 April 1902

Issue:27424 Page:2424

[6] The London Gazette Publication date:11 December 1908 Issue:28204 Page:9468

[7] From <http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/47th-2nd-london-division/>

[8] Station of Units of the Regular Forces, Special Reserve, Militia, and Territorial Force. 1st Jult 1913

[9] From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_County_of_London_Brigade,_Royal_Field_Artillery>

[10] The London Gazette Publication date:1 October 1915 Supplement:29315 Page:9748