'A' Battery, 356th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

[gerrymurray2010@live.com]

I am attempting to find 'A' Battery, 356th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery; I am mindful that the Brigade was deployed to Selonika in 1916, returning home in 1919, but this does not appear to have involved the above Battery. My research shows that some of their members are remembered at Marfaux British Cemetry after seeing action within the area during 1918, (I believe that this was the Summer of that Year.

Members help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Gerry

[David Porter]

Gerry,

The cemetery you mention has men from "A" Battery, 255th Brigade. There is no 356th Brigade, even if there was it would have been Home Service only. Have not had time to check but there could also be 256th Brigade men buried at Marfaux British Cemetery. Also the Salonika link has me confused. Perhaps you could give more information to help track down the unit you are refering to as so far it is contradictory.

It would be worth contacting a moderator to get your forum name changed from your email address.

[gerrymurray2010@live.com]

David;

Many thanks for your response, I will forward the information I have gathered as it would appear that a significant amount of this is defective.

Many thanks once again

Gerry

[David Porter]

Had another look - I guess this is the person you have an interest in:

WALMSLEY, GEORGE ELLIS

Rank:Gunner

Service No:223260

Date of Death:29/07/1918

Age:20

Regiment/Service:Royal Field Artillery

"A" Bty. 356th Bde.

Grave Reference VI. H. 2.

CemeteryMARFAUX BRITISH CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of George Ellis Walmsley and Sarah Walmsley, of 19, Norton Lees Rd., Sheffield.

Name: George Ellis Walmsley

Birth Place: Sheffield

Death Date: 29 Jul 1918

Death Location: France & Flanders

Enlistment Location: Sheffield, Yorks

Rank: Gunner

Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery

Number: 223260

Type of Casualty: Killed in action

Now we have a date - searching for other RFA casualties a day either side we get some from 312 Bde and some from 255 Bde.

More significant is the chap who occupies the grave next to George:

WHITTLE, T

Rank:Gunner

Service No:680594

Date of Death:28/07/1918

Regiment/Service:Royal Field Artillery

"C" Bty. 256th Bde.

Grave Reference VI. H. 1.

Cemetery MARFAUX BRITISH CEMETERY

and next but one is:

WYLLIE, N

Rank:Gunner

Service No: 645897

Date of Death:29/07/1918

Regiment/Service:Royal Field Artillery

"B" Bty. 256th Bde.

Grave Reference VI. H. 4.

Cemetery MARFAUX BRITISH CEMETERY

Both of 256th Bde, so George is more likely to have been in "A" Bty, 256th Bde and the reference above has an error.

256th Brigade RFA was originally 1/2nd Highland Brigade RFA and had been in France & Flanders since May 1915.

George's number, 223260, was handed out on him joining the RFA in early 1917

[gerrymurray2010@live.com]

David;

During the course of this research I came across the following 'Gunner;

Gunner 223260 George Ellis Walmsley, 'A' Battery, 356th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who died on 29th July 1918 aged 20 years and is recorded as being remembered in Marfaux British Cemetry. The above information is contained on Commonwealth War Graves Commission documentation and became of particular interest to me because the person is from my Home City of Sheffield.

However, whilst looking for the above 'Battery' I wrote to the Royal Artillery Museum and recieved the following response;

'I have been unable to find a record of a 356th Brigade RFA during World War 1. There is record of a New Army Battery, 356th Field Battery RFA formed in late 1914 as part of 115th Field Brigade RFA; this was subsequently renamed 'B' Battery, 115th Brigade RFA in the following Year and deployed to Salonika.

A Battery of the same Brigade had previously been designated 355th Field Battery RFA'

As you can see David I have been following the above route but hopefully, where anomolies have occurred, you can re-direct me.

Kind regards

Gerry

[David Porter]

Sorry, I pre-empted your post - all is explained above. He was nothing to do with 356th Battery of 115th Brigade.

[gerrymurray2010@live.com]

David;

The above is really interesting, do your records show the particular action that the 'Batteries' were involved in?

Kind Regards

Gerry

[David Porter]

Gerry,

To follow the history of the 51st (Highland) Division click here - http://www.1914-1918.net/51div.htm

The 256th (2nd Highland) Brigade is depicted in Roman Numerals in the Divisional Artillery.

Of particular interest to you would be the section on The Battle of the Tardenois.

Regards, David

[gerrymurray2010@live.com]

David;

You have been a considerable help;

Many thanks

Gerry