24th August 1914 VC Action

[wet255]

I have just picked up a 1914 star to Gunner James Tastard RA. I know he served with 27 Brigade and was taken POW on the 24th August 1914. what I am not sure about is which battery he was serving with. He seems to have been with 119 battery however 121 and 120 batteries RHA were also in action that day. Can anybody help. ALso any further information on this man would be welcome. Thanks in advance for any help. Nigel

[high wood]

I have photographs in my collection of 75317 Bombardier Percy R Green, 119th Battery, 27th Brigade, RFA who was taken prisoner on the same day as your man. This was the famous action in which Captain Grenfell of the 9th Lancers and his men helped to haul the guns back by hand. The war diary, WO 95 1529 states that the battery lost 2 Officers and 48 men killed and wounded with four men missing. 43 horses were killed and several were wounded.

[GrahamC]

The war Diary of the 1st Cheshires for 24 August 1914 states (in part):

11.45 a.m. The G.O.C. 5^th Division gave Col Ballard, Norfolk Regt, orders to take the Cheshire Regt, Norfolk Regt and 119^th Battery and take up a position N. West along the Elouges – Audregnies road and act as a flank guard to the Manchesters and the troops entrenched round Wasmes in their retirement.