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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Patrick Conville, Royal Garrison Artillery


John Conville

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My Grandfather Patrick Conville (18348) enlisted in Dublin in 1914. he was killed in action on the 17th Aug. 1917 age 37.

He served as a gunner with the 4th Siege Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery. He is buried in Dunhallow A.D.S Cemetery.

I would like to know if he fought with other regiments and in what battles. John Conville

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Hello and welcome to the Forum.

 

Interestingly his medal card has him 1st Siege Battery not 4th. They also have him entering a theatre of war on the 17th September 1914 and so therefore entitled to the '14 Star. I therefore wonder if he was a pre war regular?

 

Yours respectfully,

 

P

 

EDIT - I also think you might want to edit your title to something like his rank, name, number and then Royal Garrison Artillery to get more interest from the Artillery experts

Edited by Polar Bear
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  • Michelle Young changed the title to Patrick Conville, Royal Garrison Artillery

Thank you PB for your reply. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission listed Patrick Conville as 4th Siege Bty. He was not a pre war regular.

Thank you Michelle for improving the title.

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The service number seems to date to 1904

 

18345 - 1904
18347 - 1904

 

Being overseas so quickly would equate with a man who was recalled from the reserves in 1914.


Craig

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17 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

Interestingly his medal card has him 1st Siege Battery not 4th. They also have him entering a theatre of war on the 17th September 1914

 

Both units are recorded as deploying to the Western Front  17th September 1914

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The 4th Siege Battery RGA was formed 27th August 1914 from half of 107 Company RGA. The system in operation prior to WW1 was siege batteries would be formed from trained gunners on mobilisation. Station of units 1914 records 107 Company RGA based at Fort Efford Plymouth. The Battery was equipped with 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer.

 

Siege Batteries were General Support artillery and allocated to formations, Corps / Divisions where they were needed. The battles and engagements they were involved in should be detailed in their war diary, which is currently free (if you register) to download from the National Archive.

 

Reference:        WO 95/543/4

Description:        Army Troops. 4 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

Date:        1914 Sept - 1918 Jan

Army Troops. 4 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery | The National Archives

 

Batteries of the Royal Garrison Artillery were grouped together as Heavy Artillery Groups / Brigades and allocated to Corps / Divisions. The allocations are recorded in WO95-5494.

image.png.db37882ecec75d72ae13b1c7b8a9cd5d.png

 

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10 minutes ago, ianjonesncl said:

 

Both units are recorded as deploying to the Western Front  17th September 1914

Haven't got WO95/5494 on my phone.

Did 1SB & 4SB  stay in proximity during the war? Did they move in and out of the same brigades at similar times?

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On 04/05/2021 at 21:20, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said:

Did 1SB & 4SB  stay in proximity during the war? Did they move in and out of the same brigades at similar times?

 

They look to be allocated to different HAGs / Brigades. 

image.png.6a017069f214efcda08a02275001b6e9.png

image.png.19614be5e8ea8025caba3f3337d4f772.png

 

 

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Thanks Ian

I was just trying to make a physical connection between the two where a transfer might only have meant moving a few yards, but other than for a couple of weeks in Spring 1915, their paths don't seem to cross again.

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He most certainly was a pre war regular. And not forgetting he served in 39 Sge Bty in between 1 Sge and 4 Sge!

 

Paul

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Thank you all very much for your comments. On his medal card (nationalarchives.gov.uk) he is indeed listed as 1st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery and 39 Siege Battery. RGA.

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  • 6 months later...
On 04/05/2021 at 13:11, ororkep said:

He most certainly was a pre war regular. And not forgetting he served in 39 Sge Bty in between 1 Sge and 4 Sge!

 

Paul

Thank you Paul, Any idea when and where he signed up. John

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