99th Siege Battery, RGA, and Lieutenant Manuel Madruga, 9 April 1918

[Fazakerley]

On 9 April 1918, the first day of the Battle of the Lys, the Portuguese were overrun.

 

The focus of my interest here is a Portuguese artillery Lieutenant called Manuel de Ávila Madruga, who was awarded the British Military Cross for his actions on 9 April.

 

Unfortunately I have been unable to find any mention of Madruga in the London Gazette, or to establish who recommended him for the award. I think it may have been a Major F. Roupell, but so far I have no proof.

 

I am looking for information on, and the precise location of, the 99th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, on 9 April, as I believe they were working alongside the Portuguese Independent Heavy Artillery Corps.

 

I am also interested in the whereabouts of Major F. Roupell on and around the same date.

 

Edited 18 June , 2020 by Fazakerley
Shortened title

[ororkep]

You require the WD of 49 Brigade RGA and especially the WD of X1 Corps CHA. The Corps WD has a very good appendix of the battle specific to 99 Sge. Both WD's  will give you firm battery locations. 99 Sge at the time had 6 guns, 2 of which were manned by the Portuguese. Major Roupell is certainly mentioned.

Rgds Paul

[Fazakerley]

Thanks Paul. I will track down a copy of the appropriate WD.

[Fazakerley]

On 18/06/2020 at 11:52, ororkep said:

You require the WD of 49 Brigade RGA and especially the WD of X1 Corps CHA. The Corps WD has a very good appendix of the battle specific to 99 Sge. Both WD's  will give you firm battery locations. 99 Sge at the time had 6 guns, 2 of which were manned by the Portuguese. Major Roupell is certainly mentioned.

Rgds Paul

 

I downloaded the diaries you recommended and they have been very useful. Thank you. One question I keep coming back to – and it may be a stupid one – is why was one unit of the Portuguese Heavy Artillery integrated into the 99th Siege Battery? Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

 

Gary