37 MGC 37 Brigade 12 div 1916-18

[docchippy]

37coy 37 Brigade MGC 12 div 1916-18.

Lieutenant later Capt and temp Major Bertram Robert Delbos. i(named inG. Coppard Page 122 re 19 Nov 1917)

I have recently bought a watercolour painted in Oct 1916 of Marengo Farm (just to the rear of the Yser canal and south of Boisnge) painted by Betram Robert Delbos. Delbos was a school teacher, born 1870 in London. Served initially with 3rd Public School battalion of Royal Fusilers before a Commission into MGC. Served by 1917 with 37 Coy MGC, 37 brigade, 12 div. and gets a mention in George Coppard’s “With a Machine Gun to Cambrai" (page 122). His service papers indicated that he was gassed in May 1917 ( 6 weeks covalescence). The painting of the farm is on the back of is on the back of a MGC range board.

Aurel has seen a photo of the painting and has pinpointed position today (somewhat changed with the widening of the road and canal)

So a few queries.

What units were around Marengo farm ypres on 6th Oct 1916?

(I am not sure of 37 MGC would be there – always thought 12 div were on the Somme at this time). Yet his service papers do not indicate any other unit – maybe he served in MGC unit of 3rd Public schools (33 Division?) – before transfer to 37 MGC and where they at ypres at this time?

What were 37 MGC doing around May 1917 when Delbos was gassed?

What function did a range board serve?

Any info on Delbos?

Unusual name cannot find any mention in BMD of Delbos after 1919.

He was the brother of Julius Delbos, who appears to have emigrated to USA and was a distinguished watercolour artist and teacher who died in 1970 in New York.

Any further unit info on 3rd publci schools or 37 MGC would be great

Doc

[Stebie9173]

London Gazette extracts:

LG 26-10-1914

The undermentioned appointments are made to the Public Schools Battalions, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).

Dated 27th October, 1914.

3rd Battalion,

To be temporary Second Lieutenants—

Bertram Robert Delbos.

LG 15-6-1916

MACHINE GUN CORPS.

The undermentioned temp. Lts. to be temp. Lts.: —

B. R. Delbos, from R. Fus. 31 Jan. 1916, but with seniority from 1 Sept. 1915.

LG 5-11-1917

MACHINE GUN CORPS.

The undermentioned relinquish the actg. rank of Capt. on ceasing to comd. a Co.: —

Temp. Lt. B. R. Delbos. 31 July 1917.

LG 19-4-1918

MACHINE GUN CORPS (!NFANTRY):

Temp. Lt. B. R. Delbos to be actg. Capt. while comdg. a Co. . 2 Nov. 1917.

LG 2-12-1918

MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY).

Temp. Lt. B. R. Delbos relinquishes the actg. rank of Maj. on ceasing to comd. a Co. 29 Sept. 1918

LG 11-8-1919

MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY).

The undermentioned relinquish the actg. rank of Maj. on ceasing to comd. Cos. : —

Temp. Capt. B. R. Delbos. 5 July 1919.

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

12th Division were involved in an attack intended to "straighten the line" near Rouex during the Battles of Arras on 3rd May 1917.

However, on the 2nd:

"In order to bring forward the left a preliminary attack was made by the 36th Brigade at 1am on 2nd May. It was preceded by a discharge of gas from a Lievens projector, but unfortunately the wind being unfavourable, some gas blew back and disorganised the troops, only a small portion of Rifle Trench being gained. A German prisoner , however, stated that in his battalion over 200 casualties had been incurred, and also a machine gun company been almost wiped out from the effects of the gas."

No specific mention of gas is made on the 3rd, where 36th and 37th Brigade were the assaulting battalions in the attack. The assaulting troops made it forward past the first trench line but were shot at from behind by Germans passed over in the rush forward. Small groups made it as far as the objective but were forced to retire after dark after finding themselves isolated.

Steve.

[delta]

What function did a range board serve?

If it is the same as today. the range board would give the details of a known location or target, the direction (angle) in relation to known spot (at night often a light source which could not be seen by the enemy); and the angle of the gun barrel from hoizontal.

With such info, it is quite easy to fire onto a known location in poor visibility and at night

Stephen

[docchippy]

Thanks everyone for this info. Any ideas if 37 brigade or possibly a brigade in the 33 div were around ypres in oct 1916 - when he painted the pic of marengo farm. I'll have a look at the back of the painting and post a scan of both tomorrow - if I can master this PC!

Doc

[Stebie9173]

12th Division, and therefore 37th Brigade, moved down to the Somme from Arras at the start of October 1916, took part in battles around Guedecourt for three weeks and then went straight back to Arras for the last week in October.

Therefore very unilkely to have been there at that time whilst with 12th Division .

33rd Division were withdrawn from the line at the Somme after fighting at High Wood in late July, returning on 25th October, but I don't know where they were. A possibility at least.

Around the 6.10.16 (sale web-page says 8.10.16) the 12th Division were knee deep in the battle of Guedecourt itself. Unless he was wounded an convalescing he could not have painted the picture at that time whilst with the 37th MGC.

Steve.