116 Bty XXVI Bde RFA

[bcerha]

Does anyone have any details or better still access to the war diary or records of 116 Bty RFA? a regular bty in an an Army Artillery Group, it was commanded in May 1918 by Maj The Hon G E Boscawen. On the 26th May 1918 they were attacked and overrun by German Cavalry with Boscawen being run through with a lance. He died of wounds a week latter and is buried in the CWGC cemetary at Pontavert nearby. Any additional details regarding the bty or this officer would be gratefully recieved.

many thanks

David

[rflory]

David: Actually Major Hon. George Edward Boscawen, DSO was commanding 116th Siege Battery, RGA at the time of his death. The History of the 77th Brigade, R.G.A. gives the following account of the battery's actions that night:

"During the night of May 26-27 the battery at Craonne [Aisne] fired at a slow rate until the ammunition had been expended about 4 A.M., 27th.

The enemy attacked between 4 A.M. and 5 A.M. on the 27th, and when the barrage (which had been very heavy on the battery all night) lifted about 7.30 A.M. the enemy was seen on the right rear of the battery position.

The guns were then blown up with the rounds reserved for this purpose, and the battery retired to a bank in the rear, where they made a stand with rifles.

Major Hon. G. Boscawen, D.S.O., was badly wounded and died later as a prisoner at Laon; 2nd Lieut. Hearn and 2nd Lieut. Gibson were killed with about eight men. (Information from those repatriated.) 2nd Lieut. Wilson and seventy men were taken prisoner."

Major Hon. G E Boscawen died of his wounds as a POW at Liesse on 7 Jun 1918.

I have attached his photo below:

Regards. Dick

[Steven Broomfield]

Boscawen is the family name of the Viscount Falmouth: Georg was the 2nd son of the 7th Viscount. Entered the army in Dec 07, captain 30.10.14, DSO gazetted 9.11.14: "For gallantly fighting his section of guns in fron to la Bassee on 13th October, when all his detachment except himself were wounded and all infantry had fallen back from where his guns were." In this, he is listed as Field Artillery. His brother, 7th son of the Viscount, also won a DSO (at Guillemont with the RB) - all from DSO by Creagh and Humphris.

There is also a good WW2 book by a Boscawen (Christian name I forget), who won an MC and was badly injured with the Coldstream as part of Guards Armoured Division.