Cheeses Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 (edited) I am attempting to research the circumstances behind the awarding of the Military Medal to my grandfather 29583 Cpl George Taylor, he was serving with 21 Heavy Battery RGA in France. I have found the Gazette notification but that it it. Is there a unit diary? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated, Edited 28 June , 2020 by Cheeses typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALANJONES Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 Cheeses, I could jot see a War Diary in the National Archives for 21 Heavy Battery, however if you visit 'Discovery' at the NA at Kew you will find a good start in this: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4558646 Some kind soul may have this file and able to locate 21 Heavy Battery for you (I don't have it just now) this should locate WO 95/5494 You can download this for Free if you Register and sign in. A search for 21 Heavy Battery will give you the list of Heavy Brigades/ Heavy Artillery Groups in which it was grouped (the terms of Brigade, HAG was used at differing periods but was the same in terms of grouping for your purposes). Then you should research the different War Diaries of each of the Groups for the dates which you are interested in. These vary in detail and might give a clue but also describe what the 21 Battery was up to!. Enter say the Brigade Number e.g. 9' (followed by) Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery (don't use 9th) and this should lead you to the correct one. Also you can go to https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5496503 for his Medal Index Card Good luck Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeses Posted 28 June , 2020 Author Share Posted 28 June , 2020 Alan, are Siege Batteries The same as Heavy Batteries? WO 95/5494 refers to Siege Battery allocations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALANJONES Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 I guess also that you know he was a Sgt when the MM was in the London Gazette dated 12 Jun 1918 The event may have been some time beforehand (citations for the MM are rare in any form) that might help you to zero in on the best Diary to look at first. Alan No siege batteries are different ones - look further for the Heavy Batteries It's a common problem in the RGA - there were also Anti aircraft and Heavy trench mortar batteries with the same numerals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeses Posted 28 June , 2020 Author Share Posted 28 June , 2020 Thanks for your help, and patience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALANJONES Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 you are very welcome - I've had much help in getting my own research progressed! Let me know how you get on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ororkep Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 There is no surviving official WD for 21 HB. For all of 1918 you require the higher formation diary that 21 HB came under which is that of 1 Brigade RGA. Although there is no specific mention of Taylor that I can see the movements and exploits of the battery are very well recorded in said diary. His records are held by the MoD under his post war service number 1403786: Account Item code Object Service No Service Name Date of Birth 11005 ADT000590089 File 1403786 NULL TAYLOR G NULL NULL 1889-10-25 Rgds Paul 1889-10-25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 28 June , 2020 Share Posted 28 June , 2020 (edited) Hi As far as I can see the battery was in 1st Heavy Artillery Group in 1918. The War Diaries are, to the best of my knowledge, here. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/d55231ec10c54134ac7340d28b45e4a8 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/0810b57f19a941cb94fc9b14df01d332 (I hope this is correct, I am still a pupil of MaxD !!!!!) Regards, Graeme PS. there are 2 images below, one set of detail is partially covered up by 20th HB details !! Images from free N.A. download. Edited 28 June , 2020 by GraemeClarke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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