Ian C Posted 17 February , 2011 Share Posted 17 February , 2011 Hi The local paper for 24/8/1915 states that Gunner Ruffle R.M.A. has been in France with the big guns, can anyone tell me what R.M.A. stands for? Thanks IanC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 17 February , 2011 Share Posted 17 February , 2011 Royal Marine Artillery. Some 15in howitzers were built privately at Coventry and Churchill was persuaded to send these not very good guns to France and, initially, they were manned by men from the Royal Marines (Churchill being at the Admiralty). They were unloved and discarded as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 17 February , 2011 Share Posted 17 February , 2011 Two possibilities (brothers); Name Ruffle, William Hughes Register Number: 421 Division: Royal Marine Artillery: Short Service When Enlisted/Date of Enlistment: 22 January 1915 Date16 August 1889 Name Ruffle, Frederick Joseph Register Number: 422 Division: Royal Marine Artillery: Short Service When Enlisted/Date of Enlistment: 22 January 1915 Date02 October 1892 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted 17 February , 2011 Share Posted 17 February , 2011 According to RM Medal Roll (TNA reference ADM 171/170 page 630) Sgt William H Ruffle received the 1914-15 Star, War & Victory medals as did 2nd Lt Frederick J Ruffle (promoted from Corporal RMA). Both men survived the war. Bootneck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 17 February , 2011 Share Posted 17 February , 2011 You will find much useful information on the RMA's Howitzer Brigade in General Blumberg's history 'Britain's Sea Soldiers' – see chapter 24 The guns were designed at the Coventry Ordnance Works (under Rear-Admiral Bacon) to match the effects which the large Austrian guns had had on the forts at Liege, Namur etc. Any shortcomings which they had, derived principally from their not being employed against targets such as these (concrete permanent fortifications) The first gun was in action at Locre on 6 March 1915 and the brigade was in FF until June 1919. The 15-inch guns were only replaced by the Army's 12-inch weapon in the autumn of 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted 18 February , 2011 Share Posted 18 February , 2011 Having checked Blumberg's Sea Soldiers last night I see that Sgt W H Ruffle was Mentioned in Despatches while serving with the heavy guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted 18 February , 2011 Author Share Posted 18 February , 2011 Thanks for the info chaps, W. H. looks like my man, at the moment I can't tie F.J. to the family. Bootleg, anymore info on the MID? Regards IanC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelfe Posted 19 February , 2011 Share Posted 19 February , 2011 RMA could, of course be Royal Malta Artillery, a unit that I think existed for rather longer that the Royal Marine Artillery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted 19 February , 2011 Share Posted 19 February , 2011 There were no other details or date in Blumberg. You can download William Hughes Ruffle’s register of service from here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8110609&queryType=1&resultcount=4. It will cost you £3.50 and might give the date when he was mentioned in despatches. You will also find the following National Archives online guides on gallantry awards http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/medals-british-armed-services-gallantry.htm and http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/medals-british-armed-services-gallantry-further.htm useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusilier11 Posted 20 February , 2011 Share Posted 20 February , 2011 For general info you might also want to take a look at "Naval Guns in Flanders 1914-1915" by LFR reprinted by Naval & Military and also Chapter 7 Landing Guns on the Belgian Coast in "The Dover Patrol 1915-17" by Sir Reginald Bacon.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 21 February , 2011 Share Posted 21 February , 2011 Fusilier 'Naval Guns in Flanders' is a good & interesting book, but it relates to the armoured trains manned by bluejackets and having either 4.7-inch or 6-inch guns. As far as I recall there were no RMA involved with these. regards Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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