200th Battalion MGC

[nfh249]

I came across a reference in the East Riding Yeomanry (102nd Battalion, MGC) war diary for April 1919 regarding the transfer of men with service time remaining and some volunteers to the "200 MG Bn", after which the regimental cadre party returned to the UK and the yeomanry was dis-established.

Can anyone shed any light on the 200th Battalion, MGC? I've had a look on the LLT and there is no 200th Battalion mentioned. There seems to be a war diary for the 200th Bn for Aug - Oct 1918 in the NA (WO 95/3017) but I couldn't find any others.

I assume that it had something to do with the occupation forces as I have heard several relatives' stories suggesting their ancestors served in the Rhineland and the ERY most certainly didn't.

Cheers,

Neil.

[GraemeClarke]

Neil

Firstly I know absolutely nothing about the MGC and all the below is from the web.

The War Diary you refer to seems to include previous service as the reference nos are the same ie

From the LLT it says

200th MG Company Formed at Grantham. Joined 59th Division, but did not move with it to France. Eventually did so, joining on 18 April 1917. Moved into No 59 Bn, MGC 7 March 1918.

Im confused anyway,

Regards,

Graeme

[Chris_Baker]

Even the good old paper catalogue to WO95 shows that same detail. If I get chance when I am there this week I will look at WO95/3017 and see what is actually in there.

[Staffsyeoman]

200 Battalion - I think technically labelled as a 'Special' Battalion - got to France just in time for the push to victory. Partner's grandfather, who had spent two and a half years as OC of a Training Company at Grantham, was in it. Elements of the Battalion returned to Grantham and were merged into units which deployed to Russia in spring 1919.

[nfh249]

Thanks all,

Chris: it would be great if you get time whilst you are at Kew to check out the war diary and see what's in there.

Phil: That sounds like a priceless titbit. Besides the stories of men serving in Germany I know of a least one yeoman who seems to have subsequently served in Persia (GSM with Persia clasp) so it is also possible that some of them went there too, either from the returning 200th Bn or generally via the depot at Grantham (assuming that this yeoman was still serving with the MGC). Interesting!

Cheers,

Neil.

[Chris_Baker]

Headlines from the diary, which is in WO95/3017 at the National Archives:

200 Bn MGC formed at Belton Park on 1 August 1918. It comprised A to D Companies and transport. A Company was shortly renamed as 280 Company and equipped for service in North Russia. It left on 18 September 1918, shortly before which a new A Company had joined 200 Bn.

The battalion left for Southampton on 26 September 1918 and sailed next day for Le Havre. After a brief stop at 1A Rest Camp at St Addresse it proceeded by train to Berguette and marched out to billets at Le Perriere. Bn HQ was established in Guarbecque.

On 2 October 1918 it moved to La Gorgue; there it relieved 61 Bn MGC and "was attached to 59th Division". [Although it does not appear in any divisional ORBATS I am going to add it to the divisional page on the LLT).

The battalion was commended by Lt-Col A. P. Evans. The diary is not at all bad and describes the actions of October - November 1918 including the capture of Lille.

It is coincidence that 200 Company MGC also served with the division.

[nfh249]

Hi Chris, thanks for that, I appreciate you taking time out from your own research to look that up.

Cheers,

Neil.