Whereabouts of RGA 1914-July 1916

[Trevor Sproston]

Where were the RGA from August 1914 to July 1916, when my grandfather went across to France?

[jay dubaya]

Trevor, that's a big question with a multitude of answers, is there any particular unit you're interested in?

Jon

[Chris_Baker]

The RGA comprised dozens of batteries, behind every inch of the British front. To answer the question, we need to know his unit.

[Trevor Sproston]

Here's a reply I had earlier, when I posted a photo of him in the army of occupation of the Rhine. He was apparently a signaller within the unit. It's the period prior to his going out in 1916 that I'd like to know about, although any extra information would be gratefully received.

All ties in with him going out to the Western Front in July 1916 with 148 Heavy Battery, who he is listed with as 295259 John Marriott (two ‘t’s) SPROSTON. He was a A/Cpl and Bdr. 148 HB was split up on arrival, one section joining 120 HB, the other 129 HB. So I suspect the photograph is a detachment of one of these HB’s. Very little survives for these two 60 pounder batteries in the way of original war diaries. I know that 120 HB were at Maroilles from 10 Jan 1919 to the 24 Feb and then Elincourt-Serain; so the higher formation diary that 129 was part of from Jan 1918, 92 Brigade, survives at NA ref WO95/397 and goes through to Mar 1919.

Rgds Paul

[ororkep]

Trevor,

You know for definite that he is listed as serving with 148 HB, and that they went out to the Western Front in July 1916. What you do not know is with which battery he ended up due to the fact the battery was split up on arrival in France between 120 and 129 HB’s.. Did you research the war diaries of these and 92 Bde to see if any coincided with the photograph location you hold? Kevrow has also put forward a third alternative with 206 SB, based on some ancestry records that show a band of 148 gunners also went on to them and he may expand on this.

148 HB was know as the Smethwick Heavy Battery, as it was raised locally by the then Mayor of Smethwick, and I believe Smethwick library archives hold several photographs of 148 HB from a late1915 review that took place in Victoria Park. This should be your next area of research, as they must hold more details in their local papers archives. In March 1916, the monthly returns show 148 HB were at Tadcaster, Yorks.

Rgds Paul

[Trevor Sproston]

Many thanks for this information - I really appreciate your time and trouble.

I'll see what comes up when I contact Smethwick Library.