Y/18 TMB Query

[AM87]

Evening all, have just added a MM to my collection and the unit impressed on the MM is Y/18 TMB. I’m assuming the TMB is trench mortar battery however what is Y/18? Is this the unit? If so do war diaries exist for these units? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[battiscombe]

This is indeed Y Trench Mortar Battery of 18th Division..= Y/18 TMB....  there were a number of these.. X/18, Y/18, Z/18 and at times a V/18 ; manned by artillerymen... so should be RGA or RFA.... not to be confused with infantry trench mortars. As I recall there is a photo of one of the 18th Div TMBs on the Forum posted by someone with a relative in that unit. There may well be a war diary in 18th Division diaries amongst diaries of Divisonal Troops. As I recall originally formed in October 1915, I think  as 99th Trench Mortar Battery and renamed as an 18th Div Battery in spring 1916

Edited 6 October , 2020 by battiscombe

[PRC]

18 minutes ago, AM87 said:

I’m assuming the TMB is trench mortar battery however what is Y/18? Is this the unit? If so do war diaries exist for these units?

 

Y/18 was one of the Medium Trench Mortar Batterys of the 18th Division.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/18th-eastern-division/

 

As far as the National Archives are concerned the War Diaries for all of the Divisional Trench Morter Batterys have been gathered together here:-

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7352965

 

Hope that helps,

Peter

[AM87]

Thanks both that’s really helpful