Royal Field Artillery - Special Reserve

[geofffox]

Dear Forum

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 27th 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 it up to full strength. The rationale being that this would allow the maximum amount of regular artillerymen to man the guns. Was this still the case in August 1914, or had the Special Reservists received sufficient training to be incorporated into the gun teams?

Cheers

Geoff

[battiscombe]

In one 2nd Division RFA Brigade I have studied (where I have a sample of about 40% of its men identified to subunit), I have found only a couple? of SRs posted on mobilisation to the Brigade Ammunition Column (1 or 2 of c.875 Brigade strength). To date, it looks like about 10-15% of the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column was/were Special Reservists, most of the rest being reservists .. some later found their way into the BAC, and then gun batteries. No example found to date of an SR man in gun batteries on mobilisation. As the least experienced of mobilised men (as other reservists will have had at least 3 years full service minimum) they would also be poorly qualified I would imagine - as some were in action within a couple of weeks of mobilisation. Some Brigades (some had been stripped of drafts posted to the first divisions - and had to be largely rebuilt), which only went to France later in 1914 (e.g. 45th Bde - 8th Division) could have had more SR components, but also enjoyed a couple of months home training to get their gun crews working.

In fact I have found I have this note on 2nd Division: [my text] "The 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column was also forming, its sections commanded by Special Reserve subalterns. Over 1000 regular reservists and some 70 Special Reservists (of whom 50 were present for their annual training) were transported down to Aldershot during the night of the 5th August by train, while smaller groups followed over the next few days..... some additional regulars were supplied by some other batteries, including a group from 67th Battery (1st Brigade - Edinburgh), a unit which was stripped of men to bring the first BEF Divisions up to strength. There they were allocated to the various units..."

[ianjonesncl]

Information from The History of the Royal Artillery 1899 - 1914

In 1909 the planned level of manpower for the Royal Field Artillery was 14,600 Regulars and 6,000 Special Reservists.

The special Army order of 16th March 1909 specified the "Scheme for the addition of two Howitzer Brigades to the Field Army,for the formation of Divisional Ammunition Columns, and the changes in organisation of the Royal Field Reserve Artillery consequently thereto".

It would seem that the plan was for most Special Reservists to form Divisional Ammunition Columns.

[geofffox]

Many thanks for your replies to the above post.

I have recently started research the RFA’s Special Reservists but haven’t been able to find much on the internet. Any hints or tips regarding where I can find out more about them would be greatly appreciated. I now live about 10 minutes from the Royal Artillery’s Museum, which has a well stocked library, so if anyone could recommend any books about the Royal Field Reserve I’d be very grateful. The History of the Royal Artillery 1899 – 1914 is first on my list. I am particularly interested in its development from 1908 to 1915.

Thanks

Geoff

[ianjonesncl]

Geoff

I have picked this up from the internet from Hansard;

Mr. COURTHOPE asked what is the present strength of the brigades of Special Reserve Royal Field Artillery; whether the quality of recruits for drivers is satisfactory; and what is the strength of each brigade in artificers?

Mr. HALDANE

The strength of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Special Reserve attached to the Training Brigades on 1st July was as follows:—

Eastern Command…1,128

Irish Command…1,823

Northern Command…1,120

Scottish Command…1,105

Southern Command…575

Western Command…1,075

Total…6,826

The quality of recruits for drivers is satisfactory. As regards artificers no details as, required are available at the War Office

[battiscombe]

Parliamentary Papers - maybe all in Hansard? - will have more information. I would imagine you will have to go to primary sources to find much documentation on the topic though. Royal Artillery Institution Journal may well have some articles on the topic...

I find I have an HMSO Army Statement of strength comparing 1 Oct 1905 and 1 Oct 1908.. which lists 18,783 RHA/RFA; 14,122 RGA on 1 Oct 1908; at that time 9355 Special Reservists, compared with 13,254 Artillery Militia 1 Oct 1905... this also shows recruits and transfers to Regular Army (from Militia or SR).. Volunteers (38,862 incl HAC) and Territorials (27,896) on those dates. It also has figures for the 'Army Reserve' on those dates. I think this may be identified as 'War Office report Cd 4058, presented to Parliament' (price 1/2d)

[geofffox]

Thanks again for the information, it's much appreciated.

Many Thanks.

Geoff