Seany Posted 26 March , 2011 Share Posted 26 March , 2011 I am trying to understand how a siege battery of the RGA was originally put together, the processes - administrative, legal, organisational etc - that would need to be worked through and allied to this if there are 'paper trails' of evidence that remain or are accessible. I know that groups of men, often from coastal defences, would have been detached to form a new battery but I find this too vague and imprecise. my particular interest is how 293 SB came into existence - again I know it was 'raised' in late 1916 predominantly from men serving in 21 coy based at Leith - although clearly there are lists to show that 21 coy were there (see picture), I don't know how it is known that 293 sprang from its loins or specifically when. I'm assuming that Leith came under a larger command structure and that there may be archived records that could help me understand more. As always I throw myself on the expertise of this forum and welcome your advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 26 March , 2011 Share Posted 26 March , 2011 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 coastal defence units manning the Tyne guns, and an inspection / selection process commenced. The next expansion was the arrival of 10 NCO.s from the RGA depot at Bexhill, as well as some signalers. This would give the framework for further expansion, as well as provide experience as some of the NCOs had already served in France. Now the gunners started to arrive, 66 from 12th Company RGA and 44 from 47th Company RGA. So within a week the 135th Siege Battery could commerce training, which was conducted in the Tynemouth area. The Battery spent the greater part of the time doing foot drill, physical training, and classes were held for the observers, BC's assistants, and signalers. By the 4th June the Garrison Band was playing farewell to the 135th, the Officers and men traveling overnight to Horsham in Sussex. The Battery spent a month at Horsham learning technical skills, gun drill, laying, director drills. and signaling. Additional Officers joined the Battery to bring it up to it's establishment for Officers. On the 4th July they moved to Lydd to conduct live firing training. Thiat period lasted two weeks after which they were deemed ready to be deployed to a Theater On the 29th July, half the Battery were sent on mobilisation leave, the remainder being sent to Woolwich to pick up gun stores and other equipment. The Battery then started to assemble near Bristol. It was here that the Battery's four 8-inch Howitzers arrived. Preparations were made to deploy to France. Men were promoted to fill the NCO's establishment, and the artificers (Staff sergeant, a wheeler, and a fitter) joined. The advance party left for France 11th August 1916. The Battery deployed 13th August 1916, a little over 3 months since the letter from the War Office. I would think the formation of many of the Batteries would have been similar as the Coastal Defence units provided a nucleus of experience men, and a framework. Where the men were drawn from would depend. The Territoirials of the Tynemouth and Durham RGA were drawn upon to provide the cadre for the 94th Siege Battery, the majority of the men were drawn from the New Army recruits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seany Posted 26 March , 2011 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2011 Ian - many thanks for this helpful and comprehensive example. I guess its pretty similiar for 293 SB but I need to dig around for similiar official papers. mant thanks. Sean 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 26 March , 2011 Share Posted 26 March , 2011 Seany There might be a bit of preliminary detail in the unit War Diary WO95/479 which began in May 1917. Other Diaries I have seen tend to start prior to leaving the UK and there might be some facts worthy of gleaning therein. I will see what I can do next week in that respect. Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seany Posted 26 March , 2011 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2011 That would be kind - my 293 war diaries start at 20 may 1917 a month after arriving in France with some earlier entries under II ANZAC diaries, but I've found nothing earlier. Seany There might be a bit of preliminary detail in the unit War Diary WO95/479 which began in May 1917. Other Diaries I have seen tend to start prior to leaving the UK and there might be some facts worthy of gleaning therein. I will see what I can do next week in that respect. Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 27 March , 2011 Share Posted 27 March , 2011 Some additional information: 41st Siege Battery RGA - Half from Hong Kong RGA and Singapore RGA / Half from Durham RGA. Regular and Territiorial 94th Siege Battery - 40% Tynemouth RGA / 60% Durham RGA. Both Territorial units 135th Siege Battery - 12th Company RGA / 47th Company RGA. Both Regular units Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 27 March , 2011 Share Posted 27 March , 2011 Pals, Very informative description of a battery formation. I have a photo of my g/father taken at Lydd, for many years wondered why there, didn't realize it was a training area. It probably would have been taken not long after he received his SR callup as his sleeve rank still indicated that he was a WO2 ? (single crown). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seany Posted 28 March , 2011 Author Share Posted 28 March , 2011 Ian, I came across this at the Tyne and Wear archives, probably you are aware of it already but it seems to be an extensive collection of diary and other documents that covers your area of interest - Ref no. DX1156/5 Collection - Rowland Lishman Tynemouth RGA Volunteer Corps www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk regards, Sean Some additional information: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 28 March , 2011 Share Posted 28 March , 2011 Sean Many thanks - missed that one Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 30 March , 2011 Share Posted 30 March , 2011 Seany Looked at Diary WO95/479 yesterday. It doesn't cover the earlier period from posting to war zone so sorry can't contribute to your mission ! Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seany Posted 18 July , 2011 Author Share Posted 18 July , 2011 Ian - on post 2 you mention a letter being received by the officer commanding 12 coy RGA - have you a copy of that letter which I could see? I'm pretty well advanced now with putting together the events around 293 SB being formed at Leith but no such letter appears to exist in relation to this - I'm assuming yours would be a good representative example. many thanks - Sean 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 18 July , 2011 Share Posted 18 July , 2011 Seany The information is from the 135 Siege Battery book not from original documentation. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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