RFA Embarkation Dates 11th Northern Division

[AngelaC]

I am trying to trace which Division my grandfather was attached to. He was Gunner 93188 William Jones of the RFA. I have obtained his MIC which does not give details of his Division, but does show that his 'Theatre of War first served in' was Egypt, date of entry 19th July 1915. He joined up in August 1914 whilst living in Stirling and someone suggested that he would probably have been with the 52nd Lowland Division.

I managed to obtain a copy of the history of the 52nd Division, but all the embarkation dates were during May and June 1915 from Liverpool and Devenport. It shows the final sailings from Alexandria and Port Said to Gallipoli to have been 28th June 1915. My grandfather only arrived on 19th July therefore this would seem to indicate that he was not with the 52nd Lowland Division.

I know he served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front, therefore by a series of elimination, the most likely Division seems to be the 11th Northern Division. Does anyone have dates of embarkation for the 11th Northern Division to Egypt/Gallipoli.

Many thanks - Angela

[trin1054]

Angela,

I am currently researching an RFA relative who has the same date of entry in Egypt and his number is also similar (98233). I have a document that was kindly sent to me by another forum member that has RFA embarkation dates and it shows that the 55th and 56th RFA brigades (10th Division) arrived in egypt on the correct date. Both of these went on to Gallipoli but not France. However, I've been told that there was a lot of movement in the RFA and so there are many ways in which a soldier could have ended up in France from the East.

See this thread for more info: RFA 98233

I'm waiting to hear if my relative's service record exists and so may have more info of interest to you shortly (he writes with hope).

Cheers,

Marc

[ororkep]

Angela,

I don’t think 11 Div is the one, its component 58, 59, 60 and 61 Bde’s arrived Alexandria on the 17, 14, and 19 July 1915 respectively (none were in Gallipoli, they went on to the Dardenelles); the 61st was in France only.

As Marc pointed out the 56th left Devonport on the 8/7/15 and arrived Alexandria on the 19th, was in Gallipoli on the 23/8/15 to the 4/1/16; back to Egypt, BUT was back in France on the12/4/18. Many sailed from here to France, a short distance and easily protected by royal Navy escort. I was trying to see a link with Stirling as they were also part of the 7th Indian Div, and I note that several Brigades of the 52 Lowland Div also joined the 7th Indian div.

Regards Paul

[AngelaC]

Angela,

I don’t think 11 Div is the one, its component 58, 59, 60 and 61 Bde’s arrived Alexandria on the 17, 14, and 19 July 1915 respectively (none were in Gallipoli, they went on to the Dardenelles); the 61st was in France only.

As Marc pointed out the 56th left Devonport on the 8/7/15 and arrived Alexandria on the 19th, was in Gallipoli on the 23/8/15 to the 4/1/16; back to Egypt, BUT was back in France on the12/4/18. Many sailed from here to France, a short distance and easily protected by royal Navy escort. I was trying to see a link with Stirling as they were also part of the 7th Indian Div, and I note that several Brigades of the 52 Lowland Div also joined the 7th Indian div.

Regards Paul

Hi Marc and Paul

Thank you for replying to my enquiry regarding my grandfather. I don't think I realised how much detective work is involved in trying to trace someone in the RFA.

I am lucky enough to have my grandfather's medals, but both his medals and his MIC card only show RFA no indication of which Brigade he was with.

My father says that my grandfather did serve in Gallipoli and the Western Front (family tales of his being in France at the same time as his brother, but their paths never crossed, unfortunately his brother was killed in 1918)

One of these days I will manage a visit to the National Archives to see if his service records are there, but with the name Jones it will be a lengthy process!!! In the meantime I will keep searching.

Regards - Angela

[jemcareessex]

Hi Angela

I have only just read your post as I have begun my search again. My Gt grandfather was also in the RFA but was attached to the 1st Canadian until July 1916. I have relaiable information from a Canadian researcher that the 11th Northern Division arrived in France in July 1916 but badly needed reinforcements due to the horrendous losses in Gallipoli. My Gt grandfathers howitzer battery was then amalgamated in to this artillery brigade, I am trying to find out what happened after this date.

Regards Elaine

[AngelaC]

Hi Angela

I have only just read your post as I have begun my search again. My Gt grandfather was also in the RFA but was attached to the 1st Canadian until July 1916. I have relaiable information from a Canadian researcher that the 11th Northern Division arrived in France in July 1916 but badly needed reinforcements due to the horrendous losses in Gallipoli. My Gt grandfathers howitzer battery was then amalgamated in to this artillery brigade, I am trying to find out what happened after this date.

Regards Elaine

Hi Elaine

Following my initial query regarding the 11th Northern Division, I was pointed towards the 10th Division as being the more probable Division that my grandfather may have served in. I know that without being able to find his service records at the National Archives the information I have is 'guess work' .

If you look at the Long Trail site it shows the history of the different Divisions, and their embarkation dates, perhaps you will be able to find out the information you require from there. Do you have your grandfather's Medal Index Card - you may be lucky and the information regarding his Brigade may be shown on there - unfortunately my grandfather's card and medals only showed 'RFA'.

Did you know that the Canadian Archives have the War Diaries for their forces on-line - free of charge!!! I have had a look at some of them and there is mention of British battalions etc.

Good luck with your research

Regards - Angela

[stevem49]

Hi Angela

I have only just read your post as I have begun my search again. My Gt grandfather was also in the RFA but was attached to the 1st Canadian until July 1916. I have relaiable information from a Canadian researcher that the 11th Northern Division arrived in France in July 1916 but badly needed reinforcements due to the horrendous losses in Gallipoli. My Gt grandfathers howitzer battery was then amalgamated in to this artillery brigade, I am trying to find out what happened after this date.

Regards Elaine

The 11th Division did indeed arrive in France in July 1916 after spending 6 months in Egypt. They had though been reinforced whilst in Egypt and were up to strength when they landed from 1 July 1916 onwards.

They moved to the Arras front prior to fighting on the Somme in September 1916.

stevem