Sergeant Henry George Price RFA

[richardprice]

I am trying to trace my Grandfather Henry George Price's record of service in the Army. He enlisted in 1910 in London with the Royal Field Artillery and was garrisoned in County Cork until 1914 when he was posted to France. His regimental number was 62444. He survived the War and left the Army on 14th August 1922 after 3year 8 months in the Army Reserve. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the War Medal. His character reference states that he was accustomed to the care of horses. The description of Specialist Military Qualification appears to show 4.5" Sgt (??).

The only information I have regarding what units he may have served with is a document called a "Protection Certificate Aid Certificate of Identity" issued in 31/1/1919 in Paisley showing his unit as D/44 Bde. Can anybody please tell me what this refers to? Does it refer to the 44th Brigade? If so what does the D refer to? Any help will be most appreciated as I am mightly confused over the many formations within the RFA at this time.

[Stebie9173]

D/44 will be "D" Battery of 44th Brigade.

RFA batteries and brigades were usually attached to Divisions.

From the Long, Long Trail:

http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm

XLIV (H)

Regular army 2nd Division to May 1916, when broken up. Reformed in England as a standard Brigade, and moved to Egypt May 1917, joining 74th Division 3 July 1917.

Howitzer Brigade . Originally 47,56 and 60, all (H) Batts. 60 left May 1915.

Basically France with 2nd Division, then Egypt with 74th Division.

Follow the Divisions on the Long, Long Trail and you will have a rough guide to his war.

http://www.1914-1918.net/2div.htm

http://www.1914-1918.net/74div.htm

I think the 4.5" Sgt. reference will be a rate of pay 4.5" = 4-and-a-half shillings, though ' is the correct shorthand for shillings and " for pence.

Hope this helps,

Steve.

[richardprice]

D/44 will be "D" Battery of 44th Brigade.

RFA batteries and brigades were usually attached to Divisions.

From the Long, Long Trail:

http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm

XLIV (H)

Regular army 2nd Division to May 1916, when broken up. Reformed in England as a standard Brigade, and moved to Egypt May 1917, joining 74th Division 3 July 1917.

Howitzer Brigade . Originally 47,56 and 60, all (H) Batts. 60 left May 1915. 

Basically France with 2nd Division, then Egypt with 74th Division.

Follow the Divisions on the Long, Long Trail and you will have a rough guide to his war.

http://www.1914-1918.net/2div.htm

http://www.1914-1918.net/74div.htm

I think the 4.5" Sgt. reference will be a rate of pay 4.5" = 4-and-a-half shillings, though ' is the correct shorthand for shillings and " for pence.

Hope this helps,

Steve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Steve,

Thanks for the information, it gives me a good base to start from, and I'll check out the links you suggest -

Richard

[Simon R]

4.5" is also the type of howitzer used by the majority of D batteries from 1916 onwards. Specialist military qualification for being a Sgt. in a 4.5" howitzer bde. bty?

[richardprice]

4.5" is also the type of howitzer used by the majority of D batteries from 1916 onwards. Specialist military qualification for being a Sgt. in a 4.5" howitzer bde. bty?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds likely - thanks