RGA no 4 Depot

[Hilary1559]

Lost again in the terminology; help please

Levi Allen James Gunner 34812 dod  30/06/1917 Glasgow Royal Infirmary, pneumonia

Career soldier in No 4 Depot in 1911 census in Yarmouth - training perhaps?

Marriage 24/06/1916 Woolwich but living in Motherwell, Scotland. Still Gunner with RGA 

Medal index 07/08/1914 48th Heavy Battery, Were they really in France at that point cos he clearly returned to UK soil

Soldiers who died roll - 48 Heavy Battery but how could he be? Was this taken from the medal index do you think

I do so wish for those burnt records sometimes

many thanks

 

[MaxD]

WO 95/5494 - 48 Heavy Battery RGA 18 August 1914 to the Western Front.  Soldier's Effects confirms has death Glasgow Royal Infirmary 30 Jun 1917

 

Max

Edited 14 September , 2019 by MaxD

[Hilary1559]

Agreed, but Soldiers Effects does not show heavy battery, just No 4 Depot; so which is it?

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Hilary

 

The four RGA Depots (of which No.4 was based at Great Yarmouth) handled the training of recruits and the re-training and administration of wounded soldiers. It is likely that he was posted to 48 Heavy Battery on mobilisation (they were then part of 3rd Division), wounded or taken ill whilst in France, and returned to the UK where he would have been attached to No.4 Depot until he died. 

 

RGA soldiers were often posted between batteries, and might be returned to the UK when sick or wounded. He was clearly there when he married in June 1916 but he may have returned to France thereafter, probably to a different battery, before finally coming back to the UK with pneumonia a year later.

 

Ron

[Hilary1559]

thank you Ron; that is most helpful

[Joe Toy]

Interestingly, my Grandfather, 99566 Gunner (later Bombadier) Joseph Arthur TOY was at No: 4 Depot RGA Great Yarmouth .

 

Following his registration under the Derby Scheme he attested at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield 12 December 1915 and was mobilised a posted to No.4 Depot on 14 June 1916.

Joseph spent just over one month in Great Yarmouth presumably for initial 'square bashing' and basic training. On19 July 1916 he was posted to 2/2 Company. RGA Portkil Battery near Kilcregnan on the northern shore of the Clyde Esturary overlooking Greenock.  It was here his eventual battery, the 286th, was formed on 9th November 1916.

 

On 23 November the 286th moved from Portkil to the Royal Artillery base at Ewshott, near Aldershot for for continued training followed by moving on to Tournai Barracks, Aldershot for advance training and practice throughout the winter of 1916/17.

 

On 31 March 1917 the 286th embarked at Folkestone crossing to Boulogne with four 8" BL Mk VI Howitzers and a compliment of 6 Officers, 1 Warrent Officer. 7 Sarjeants and 145 Other Ranks of which my Grandfather was one. (BL = Breech Loading)

 

The 286th saw action 4th Oct 1917 in the Battle of Broodseinde (part of Passchendaele), the German Spring Offensive March 1918 and the 3rd Battle of the Aisne, 27 May 1918 surviving them all apart from an attack to gout (!) which hospitalised him for one week.

[Joe Toy]

This image shows the 286th retreating from the enemy on 27 May 1918 having survived the massive German artillery barrage and ground offensive earlier that morning - the commencement of the 3rd Battle of the Aisne.

 

My Grandfather (shaded khaki)  on his 8" howitzer being towed along a lane by a Holt caterpillar tractor in the direction of Fismes just past the village of Romain.  Following research, I have actually visited the exact site of this photograph the original of which hangs proudly on our lounge wall.

 

 

[MaxD]

Splendid photo that you are very lucky to have!

 

Presumably you have read the battery war diary Mar 1917 to end Jan 18 and then 77 Heavy Artillery Group (Brigade RGA) from then?

 

Max

[charlie962]

Great photo.

 

Has @ororkep seen this ?

[ororkep]

Some six 286 Sge Toy 99566 I was there 8in How (1).pdfyears ago on forum my copy 

[charlie962]

!