7:29am Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Hi, I am stuck!! Several weeks ago i put out an SOS to try and gather some info on my great grandfather. He died in the opening of the 3rd Ypres battle. and is buried at Canada farm. This was his unit "C" Bty. 34th Army Bde. No matter where i look i cannot find anything to say what the 34th Army Bde was. If i go the long trail i get that the xxxiv brigade (if it is the same brigade) was attached to the second division but in jan 1917 became and army brigade. Could anyone tells me exactly what this means. He died in Sept 1917 so following the history of the 2nd division will not help either or will it? And if i was looking for a diary what search criteria would i need to search PRO. i came up with some 2000 results. Once i get my foot in the door i can do my own searching but i don't understand the basics so any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Sure it`s not Artillery Brigade, Jim? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7:29am Posted 25 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2005 these are his details Name: CHURCHES Initials: R Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Bombardier Regiment: Royal Field Artillery Unit Text: "C" Bty. 34th Army Bde. Date of Death: 22/09/1917 Service No: 87101 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 27. Cemetery: CANADA FARM CEMETERY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Hello, I have been researching Corps and Army artillery units and believe have come across your unit, but at a different date. In 1918, the year after 3rd Ypres, there was a 34th Brigade of the RFA (Royal Field Artillery), the brigade had 4 batteries (6 guns/howitzers). They were 50,70 and C equiped with 18 pounders ( a mobile field gun which fired an 18 lb HE, smoke or shrapnel shell) and 56 a 4.5" howitzer battery again with 6 howitzers. The 18 pdr and the 4.5" howitzer were the most numerous artillery weapons. The basic artillery unit was the battery of 6 guns commanded by a major, and the brigade was a number of batteries commanded by a lieutenant colonel. Each division had a brigade for each of its infantry brigades ( 4 battalions of infantry). Other artillery units of the field artillery were not allocated to individual divisions but were parts of corps ( a group of 2 or 3 divisions) or armies (a group of 2 or 3 corps) The BEF had 5 armies and while there were about 100 brigades of artillery with their divisions, there were also 120 or so brigades of artillery with the corps and armies. Many of the corps and army brigade were heavy guns(6", 8", 9.2", 12" and 14" i.e. units of the RGA, Royal Garrison Artillery) they also had about 40 brigades of field artillery. Hope this helps, Old Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big jar of wasps Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 That is a pickle!!!! Have your tried Soldiers Died? I`m inclined to agree with M13pgb, that its mispelling of Art Brig. Have you tried the RA Museum? 020 8855 7755 RA Regt Museum, Firepower, Lod Lab Office, Royal Arsenal West, Woolwich, London, SE18 6ST. Hope this is of some use, BJW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Jim, Don't know how much it helps but there is mention of the 34th (Army) Brigade RFA on this website: http://www.ypressalient.co.uk/Battle%20of%20Broodseinde.htm Date of action is 4.10.1917 but it does place the Brigade at Ypres. Just got to figure out what they were now! Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 34 Army Brigade is a Royal Field Artillery unit. RFA Brigades were made army brigades late in the war. War diaries are not listed for this unit as an army brigade but are for 34 Brigade RFA which is the same unit. WO 95/1324 34 Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1914 Aug. - 1917 Apr. Later War Diaries are not apparent at the NA but may be at RA museum library. From Chris's LLT = XXXIV Regular army 2nd Division to January 1917. Left Division and became an Army Brigade. Originally 22,50 and 70 Batts. 22 left May 1915. 56 (H) Batt less a section joined May 16. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaymen Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Jim In case you haven't seen it heres his SDGW Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 25 April , 2005 Share Posted 25 April , 2005 Jim, Just to add to everyone's explanations. Division-wise I think we're looking at 11th Division after January 1917. The War Diary appears to continue on from Roop's post as: 34 Army Field Artillery Brigade, May 1917 to April 1919, WO95/385 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7:29am Posted 26 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 26 April , 2005 Amazing.. thanks very much for all of your help.. Hopefully one day i will be able to answer a query for someone! Cheers Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryewalker Posted 26 April , 2005 Share Posted 26 April , 2005 Hi Jim, Your great grandfather might have been part of 34th Div. Here is the orbat for that div. http://www.warpath.orbat.com/divs/34_div.htm Hope this helps. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7:29am Posted 26 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 26 April , 2005 Hi all, i have found this reference for 11/11/1918. Does it fit in with what we are saying above? British Third Army, 11th November 1918 THIRD ARMY ARTILLERY [Major General Wardrop] 34 Army Brigade RFA 50 70 C D Batteries Cheers Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 26 April , 2005 Share Posted 26 April , 2005 Yes Jim, That is a correct reference. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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