No 6 Artillery Training School location?

[Simon Jones]

I have a printed leaflet 'Extracts from 18-Pr. Q.F. Gun Drill' which is headed No. 6 Artillery Training School, from the papers of an officer in 290th Bde RFA. Can anyone tell me the location of No. 6 Artillery Training School?

Many thanks

Simon

[David Porter]

It was at Biscot Camp, Luton and was home to the 3rd Line units of the London Brigades RFA (TF). 290th Bde being part of the 2nd Line. The Artillery Training Schools later became known as Reserve Brigades (TF) so this became No. 6 Reserve Brigade (TF). I think the schools got 18 pdr equipment before the 2nd Line as they were also used for drafts for the 1st Line. Consequently officers (particularly newly commissioned ones) were sent to the schools for instruction.

[Simon Jones]

David

Marvellous. Many thanks.

Simon

[dagraves79]

Have begun to research Biscot Camp in earnest now. This entry is very basic at the moment, but contains previously unseen maps and plans that precisely locate the camp and the buildings within. The site that hosts this content, is crowd sourced, so if you have anything to add to the entry, you can register on the site...and add comments. I will include relevant information into the final entry.

The site structure will also allow me to compile all the Biscot Knowledge into an online booklet format.

[Mumbles1]

David, 290 Brigade was a 2nd Line unit, does that mean that they were at Biscot or were only 3rd Line units? If 290 was there can I assume that 291 was there too?

Rob

[David Porter]

Rob,

2/2nd London Bde RFA (291 Bde) joined 58th Division at Saxmundham on September 27, 1915. I have a note that they were at Woodbridge at the end of February 1916 and then moved to Heytesbury by the end of September 1916. 2/1st London Bde RFA (290 Bde) were at Ipswich before the move to Heytesbury. However, the TF Artillery Training Schools were obliged to take 50% of the establishment of 2nd Line Divisional Ammunition Columns from July 1915. 58th Divisional Ammunition Column was based at Hadleigh, Suffolk. So, there must have been some movement between the East Coast and Biscot as well as inevitable postings between 2nd and 3rd Lines.

dagraves79,

I spent a good while checking out your research. Excellent maps of the camp and great information from newspapers. Don't think I have anything to add really.

[dagraves79]

Have uploaded the guestbook that was present in the YMCA hut during the final closing days of Biscot Camp in 1919.

A nice little good bye to the building the soldiers clearly loved.

[Mumbles1]

David,

Thanks for your note a few months back. Do you know the names (i.e. numbers) of the Artillery Training Schools at Saxmundham, Woodbridge and Heytesbury where 291 did their practicing

Rob

[David Porter]

Rob,

They were not training schools as such, Saxmundham and Woodbridge were places they were billeted at for a period whilst guarding the East Coast. They were known as War Stations. Heytesbury, now Knook Camp, was a transit training camp with the next stop being sent overseas.