Help with service record in 36th brigade/15th Battery

[lynwhelan]

My Grandfather Robert Allison (104252) of St Cyrus Scotland enlisted on 22 Sep 1915 just short of his 19th birthday. He appears to have gone into 6B Reserve and then 4A reserve after which he went off to france with the REF on 5 Dec 1915. I am trying to work out where exactly he went from there. We understood he was in the horse artillery as the only time he ever spoke of the war was when he spoke about how his first horse was a good one but got shot and he never had one that came close. He was a Gunner with 15 battery on 29 Dec 1915.

By 15 dec 1916 he was a bombadier in what appears to read 36 Brigade 15th Battery. then it looks like he was promoted to corporal and 3 weeks later sergeant. He remained with this outfit until May 1919 where he went to 245 Brigade, then 113 Brigade in Nov 1919 and then 286? 4 depot in Dec 1919.

I have no idea what all this means but we understand that he was at the Battle of the Somme. He received the Milatary Medal but we do not have his orignal citation as my aunt threw this out when the house was cleared after his death. His war record specifies the medal was for Bravery in the Field. I would be interested to know if this is recorded in a war diary. I have found reference to this in the London Gazette - but there is no detail. I don't know if he was injured during his time in France. One of the pages in his record indicates hon 29 Aug 1918 he may have gone on furlough but I am not sure. Familylore suggests he was the under enemy fire and was the last man at his machine gun - but this is not verified. he spent a total of 268 days in France. I have no access to war diaries as I am in NZ - any help appreciated. Lyn

[battiscombe]

He was in 15th Battery of 36th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, a regular prewar unit which served the whole war in 2nd Division... they were all horse powered so he would have worked with horses daily. They had a busy war .. the Divisional hisotry runs to 2 volumes. I have not seen his name in the Brigade diary but will check.. as a serjeant in 15th Battery he served in some tight corners in 1917 and 1918 when they took quite a lot of casualties. Do you have a date for his MM as it may be possible to link this with a specific action from other known awards. I will try and find his papers. His rapid promotion suggest he was a good gunner! I have encountered a number of Forum members who had relatives who served in 36th Brigade. .. my grandfather was in 71st battery of 36th Brigade in 1914...

General overview of 2nd Divisions war can easily be found online http://www.1914-1918.net/2div.htm

david

My Grandfather Robert Allison (104252) of St Cyrus Scotland enlisted on 22 Sep 1915 just short of his 19th birthday. He appears to have gone into 6B Reserve and then 4A reserve after which he went off to france with the REF on 5 Dec 1915. I am trying to work out where exactly he went from there. We understood he was in the horse artillery as the only time he ever spoke of the war was when he spoke about how his first horse was a good one but got shot and he never had one that came close. He was a Gunner with 15 battery on 29 Dec 1915.

By 15 dec 1916 he was a bombadier in what appears to read 36 Brigade 15th Battery. then it looks like he was promoted to corporal and 3 weeks later sergeant. He remained with this outfit until May 1919 where he went to 245 Brigade, then 113 Brigade in Nov 1919 and then 286? 4 depot in Dec 1919.

I have no idea what all this means but we understand that he was at the Battle of the Somme. He received the Milatary Medal but we do not have his orignal citation as my aunt threw this out when the house was cleared after his death. His war record specifies the medal was for Bravery in the Field. I would be interested to know if this is recorded in a war diary. I have found reference to this in the London Gazette - but there is no detail. I don't know if he was injured during his time in France. One of the pages in his record indicates hon 29 Aug 1918 he may have gone on furlough but I am not sure. Familylore suggests he was the under enemy fire and was the last man at his machine gun - but this is not verified. he spent a total of 268 days in France. I have no access to war diaries as I am in NZ - any help appreciated. Lyn

[battiscombe]

Further to my previous post, I see he was awarded the MM in July 1918 .. and the date suggest this was for work in the spring, probably in March when he was promoted acting Sgt, probbaly to replace Sgt Williams who was killed then .. various officers decorated for that action had medals posted at the same time....he served with Major Claudet and Lt McKinty (see below) covering the withdrawal during a major German attack...

some notes I have on that period include:

13th March: 15th Bty and D/36th forward sections suffering from gas

14th March: 15th Bty and D/36th forward sections evacuated to let gas clear

20th March: Sgt George Williams (38177) dow 20/3/1918 15th Bty

21st March: Gunner Thomas Leveson (220557) 48th Bty - kia 21/3/1918

23 March 1918:

Brigade withdrawing – small casualties as withdraws under machine gun fire .... joins 5th Inf Brigade at Barastres

Driver George Davies (36884) 48th Battery kia 23/3/1918

24th March; Brigade HQ moves back to Villers au Flos

Bombardier Alfred Brownlow (62210) 71st Battery kia 24/3/1918

71st Bty and D/36 pull back to Beaulencourt and then 48 Bty sends back 2 sections to B. ammunitions running short with 48th and 15th Bty, few rounds fired by section of 15th Bty, directed by Major Claudet from a tree near battery position – when ammunition was exhausted around 3pm section 15th Bty withdraws to B. .. withdrawal continues covered by sections..

36th brigade retires to position in front of Auchenvillers

2Lt Henry Barnard McKinty MC (SR) 15th Battery w.2/7/1917; MC 23/7/1918 LG30813 – for this action? “2nd Lt.Henry Bernard McKinty,R.F.A.,Spec.Res - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of the guns of a battery who were covering the withdrawal of a division.The battery was under heavy machine- gun fire at a range of about 900 yards.He continued to shoot his guns till the last possible moment,and then withdrew them successfully. On this occasion he behaved with the greatest coolness,and all through -the operations showed great courage and energy. “

26th March: ........sniper and light MG troubling section of 15th and 48th and 71st now in action near cemetery in P6, then tank MG Coy and more tanks arrive and dislodge enemy advance guard

27th March: quiet night ...........Australian Division comes up on left

28th March: orders for Brigade to pull out to Corps reserve and out of action

29th: In Corps reserve at Verennes

T./Capt.(A./Maj.)Norman Vosper, R.F.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to

duty while commanding a battery (48th?). For eight hours his battery was heavily shelled, and during all the time he directed its fire, moving about among the guns and supervising the evacuation of the wounded.During the withdrawal which followed he displayed great skill and determination in supporting the infantry,only withdrawing his guns when they came under heavy machine-gun fire. (LG30813 – 23/7/18)

Lt.(A./Maj.)-Geoffrey Francis Claudet,.D.S.O.,R.F.A .For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout recent operations he consistently fought his guns to the last moment, and on one occasion took forward a gun to prevent enemy machine gunners from penetrating a gap in the line.He also helped to evacuate wounded under heavy shell fire. By his fine example of courage he inspired all ranks. (LG30813 – 23/7/18)

david

[lynwhelan]

Further to my previous post, I see he was awarded the MM in July 1918 .. and the date suggest this was for work in the spring, probably in March when he was promoted acting Sgt, probbaly to replace Sgt Williams who was killed then .. various officers decorated for that action had medals posted at the same time....he served with Major Claudet and Lt McKinty (see below) covering the withdrawal during a major German attack...

some notes I have on that period include:

Thank you very much for all of this information - it has been wonderful to read the reply posts which for me happen overnight. I am pleased to have a better idea of what Grandpa endured, yet don't think for a moment anyone can comprehend what such an experience was really like. Your kindness in looking up the details regarding his service is much appreciated. Lyn