Royal Field Artillery

[iainbrown5]

Hi All

 

I hope someone can assist.  I have a copy of my great grandfather Daniel Brown's service record (attached) but cannot make head nor tail of what his postings actually mean so that I can track his movements during the war.  He served in the Royal Field Artillery (reg number 801 and subsequently 696585).  It seems initially that he began in a Territorial Force battery in Ayrshire but as he has the Victory medal and BWM he must have been abroad somewhere.

 

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

 

Kind regards

 

Iain

 

Document sourced from National Archives

Edited 26 May , 2020 by iainbrown5

[Michelle Young]

Please acknowledge the source of document as per forum rules

 

Michelle, on behalf of the moderating team

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Iain

 

It looks as if he served with either the 1st or 2nd West Lancs Divisional Ammunition Column (1st was in 55th Division, 2nd was in 57th Division) before joining 52nd (1/Lowland) DAC. These were att TF formations, and Lowland Div would fit with Ayrshire.

 

Ron

[David Porter]

His six figure number, in this instance, denotes a transfer from 2nd Lowland Brigade RFA to 42nd Divisional Ammunition Column on September 23, 1916. However, as the record shows, he was attached to them from May 2, 1916. Although 42nd Division was really East Lancashire, the DAC was administered by West Lancashire as it was raised by them. If you look at men with similar six figure numbers you should get an idea of what happened. The transfer happened in Egypt and it looks like other postings were there or in Palestine. I can see A/264 battery (264th Brigade RFA) and 52nd Divisional Ammunition Column.

[iainbrown5]

Thank you both. That is helpful. I will do some more digging! I think I need to get my head around batteries, brigades, divisions etc.