94th Siege Battery

[Guest FredTGrant]

I discovered your site when searching for information about the military career of my paternal grand-father, and namesake, Frederick Grant.

I understand he was in the 94th Siege Battery in France; held the rank of Captain; won the MC; lost his leg and was invalided home.

I have searched the site for any references to the 94th without success. Any clues on how to procedd would be much appreciated.

Fred Grant

[Paul Reed]

I am pretty sure there is a published history of this unit; or is the 93rd? Dick Flory, one of our US members, is an artillery specialist and has many of these and will no doubt look in and answer your query.

[rflory]

Paul, as usual, is correct; there is a history of the 94th Siege Battery entitled "Siege Battery 94 during the World War 1914-1918" and most of the following information on Captain Frederick Grant, MC, RGA is derived from the publication:

The nominal roll shows that Capt. F. Grant, MC, served with the battery from 8 Jan 17 to 13 Aug 17, his address was: St Michaels Mount, Shire Oak Road, Headingly, Leeds; and that he was invalided to the UK (shell wound).

He actually joined the battery on 9 Feb 17, formerly having been posted as the Adjutant of 45th Heavy Artillery Group, which was the parent organization for the 94th Siege Battery at that time.

Previously to being mobilized he had served with the North Scottish, RGA.

During the Messines operations he was detached for duty with II Anzac Corps Heavy Artillery as Liaison Officer with the infantry and did not return to the battery until mid-June 1917.

On 13th August 1917 the battery, which was then located some 1000 yards from East Dunkirk on the Belgian coast, was subjected to a short concentration of German harrassing fire and "Captain Grant in his anxiety to see that all were under cover, was badly wounded above the knee by a shell splinter, with the result that he was sent to England, subsequently losing his leg and being invalided out of the service. The award of a Military Cross to him in the next New Year's honours' list gave great satisfaction to all ranks."

His Military Cross was gazetted in the London Gazette of 1 January 1918.

The 94th Siege Battery was armed with four 9.2" Howitizers (Mark I) at the time he served with it. Its War Diary for the period from May 1916 to January 1918 can be found at the National Archives (PRO) under WO95/470.

Regards. Dick Flory