RNVR

[adrianjohn]

I'm trying to put together a picture of Robert Sisterston RNVR. All I have so far is from the CWGC site - Able Seaman RNVR, Anson Battery (Battalion?) RN Division

KIA 31.12.1917. I wonder if anyone has information on Anson Division and what they were involved in on this date.

TIA. adrian

[DirtyDick]

The RNVR was composed primarily of men who had no direct contact with the sea, yet signed themselves as willing to serve in the Navy in the event of War. Some of these men served at sea in the Navy proper, most usually on coastal motor boats etc.

In 1914 the Navy had more men than available ships, so upon mobilisation the Royal Naval Division was formed from this surplus - mainly RNVR - to augment the Army numbers. In keeping with their naval roots, their battalions were named after famous Admirals.

Michaeldr is one of the RND specialists, so he will be able to furnish you with a far more detailed response.

Richard

[michaeldr]

Thanks Richard, I will do my best to live up to your promotion sir

Adrian,

Your man’s CWGC entry is as follows

Name: SISTERSON

Initials: R

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Able Seaman

Regiment: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: Anson Bn. R.N. Div.

Date of Death: 31/12/1917

Service No: R/1575

The R prefix to AB Sisterson’s number indicates that he was an ‘Army entrant to the RND’ and I am open to correction here, but I understand this to mean that he joined the 63rd (RN) Division under the conscription scheme

On Welsh Ridge at the end of December the 63rd (RN) Division occupied a front of 6,800 yards with the 188th Infantry Brigade on the right of this line and its Anson Battalion in Brigade Reserve. From Christmas Day onwards the enemy’s shelling increased and he launched his attack at dawn on the 30th December. Ground was lost including the crest of the ridge so that a daylight counter-attack was impossible and dusk became the preferred time. The counter-attack by the Ansons (led by their A Company) was a brilliant success and they reoccupied the vital position on Welsh Ridge. Jerrold in his history of the RND says that to Commander Buckle and the Ansons must go Haig’s compliment when his dispatch described an ‘admirably executed counter attack…[which]…regained all the essential parts of our former positions’

Jerrold says that the Anson's A Company lost only three men in this counter attack but as a whole the Ansons and the RND paid a heavy price during this battle with 63 officers and 1355 men, killed, wounded or missing.

I trust that this is of help

Regards

Michael D.R.

[adrianjohn]

Thanks Richard, I will do my best to live up to your promotion sir

Adrian,

Your man’s CWGC entry is as follows

Name: SISTERSON

Initials: R

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Able Seaman

Regiment: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: Anson Bn. R.N. Div.

Date of Death: 31/12/1917

Service No: R/1575

The R prefix to AB Sisterson’s number indicates that he was an ‘Army entrant to the RND’ and I am open to correction here, but I understand this to mean that he joined the 63rd (RN) Division under the conscription scheme

On Welsh Ridge at the end of December the 63rd (RN) Division occupied a front of 6,800 yards with the 188th Infantry Brigade on the right of this line and its Anson Battalion in Brigade Reserve. From Christmas day onwards the enemy’s shelling increased and he launched his attack at dawn on the 30th December. Ground was lost including the crest of the ridge so that a daylight counter-attack was impossible and dusk became the preferred time. The counter-attack by the Ansons (led by their A Company) was a brilliant success and they reoccupied the vital position on Welsh Ridge. Jerrold in his history of the RND says that to Commander Buckle and the Ansons must go Haig’s compliment when his dispatch described an ‘admirably executed counter attack…[which]…regained all the essential parts of our former positions’

Jerrold says that the Anson's A Company lost only three men in this counter attack but as a whole the Ansons and the RND paid a heavy price during this battle with 63 officers and 1355 men, killed, wounded or missing.

I trust that this is of help

Regards

Michael D.R.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you both very much indeed! Regards adrian

[per ardua per mare per terram]

His records of service should be on microfiche, in ADM 339/2 (navy RND fatalities) at Kew.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Here is his card.

[adrianjohn]

Here is his card.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks very much for getting this. Another piece in the puzzle now in place!

adrian