War Diary Extracts IXth Brigade R.F.A
At the outbreak of the Great War the Battery was stationed at MEERUT.
1914
August
30th Entrained for BOMBAY - three short halts each day, Battery watered and fed.
September
1st One long halt each day to get horses out, Battery watered and fed.
2nd Arrived at ALEXANDRA DOCK, 9 hours late, delay due to vacuum brake. Began embarkation on HT "MONGARA" at once - horses, wagons and baggage on board by 17.30. Embarkation of guns not completed until midnight owing to slow working cranes and slow stowing (Troops on board - 9th Brigade R.F.A, 19th Field Veterinary Section, Details Supply and Transport Corps, Detachment Military Accounts Department.
3rd 8.00am BOMBAY - cleared dock and proceeded at once with convoy. Sea slight, increasing to moderate swell
11th Calm, arrived off ADEN. Convoy proceeded without calling into ADEN.
13th Horse Battery No 4 destroyed - suffering with tetanus.
17th Arrived at SUEZ - delayed all night, no searchlight available. (passage unexpectedly cool owing to North Wind the whole length of the RED SEA.
18th Proceeded into Canal, horse Battery No 44 destroyed suffering from Gangeroue Pneumonia. Lt Durie and 2 men rejoined from leave at home. One man (Gnr Miles put on shore for hospital)
19th Left Port Said with transport "ELYSIA" under escort of destroyer "BASILISK". Remainder of convoy left some hours before.
20th Caught up remainder of convoy, also transport conveying Lahore Division off ALEXANDRIA 23 vessels in convoy.
22nd Met convoy of 13 large vessels outward bound under escort of "MINERVA" - believed to be Territorials proceeding to EGYPT. "MINERVA" took over our convoy.
23rd Passed MALTA
24th In sight of SARDINA, one of 10 transports steaming ahead of remainder at 12 knots.
26th Arrived off MARSEILLES at daylight - anchored outside until about 10.00am. When we were brought alongside, difficulty and delay caused by portside of ship being next to quay, the gangways leading up to starboard side. Horse came off without trouble, but unloading of stores and vehicles very slow by cranes and derricks. Consequently, did not get away from docks until about 7.00pm. Marched through the town to rest camp at the suburb of St MARCEL, arriving there about 9.30pm
27th In camp getting the horses fit, awaiting arrival of the rest of the Division. One horse died of pneumonia. A very bad artillery country, wooded and mountains. However, a few open spaces were found, when some view could be obtained and where the Battery could be brought into action, and by the kindness of the landowner these were utilized for Battery gun drill. Other units in camp were 107 Pioneers and the Divisional Field Ambulance.
October
1st In camp St MARCEL training.
2nd Received order to entrain for up country on 5th
4th Preparing for march
5th Marched to GARE A'RENC arrived 3.30pm, left train at 7.25pm. 3 men left behind in hospital.
6th Rail journey, four hour halt at BEZIERS, 4.45am to 8.40am. Watered and fed at CARCASSONNE & 1 hour halt at TOULOUSENABOT 4.00pm to 5.00pm, fed again at MONTAUBAN.
7th Halt at CAHORS from 10.00pm to 1.00am, halt at BRIVE 5.00am to 6.00am, no other halt in time table but watered and fed between BRIVE and LIMOGES again at St Sulpice, lauriere chateau roux and VIERZON by the kindness of the French R.T.O. Reached ORLEANS at 11.45pm (The timetable was extremely bad from the point of view of men and horses). Long halt in the middle of the night was quite useless, no possibility of getting horses out at long halts.
8th Detrained at once and marched to DES GROUVES Camp, weather fortunately very fine and clear through very cold with good moonlight, settled into camp during the day. Camp inspected later by H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and later by General Brunker.
9th In camp training.
20th Remainder of Brigade arrived in camp.
27th Entrained at PORT - 1 train - 50 vehicles left at 11.25pm.
28th In train via JUVISY, ROUEN and ABBEVILLE.
29th In train via CALAIS and HAZEBROUCK and arrived at MERVILLE 11.00am. Detrained and marched 1 and half miles to billets north of town.
30th Brigade Commander and Battery Staff left at 8.00am to take over position from 28th Brigade R.F.A in support of our trenches at RICHBOURG, LA QUINQUE RUE and FESTUBERT, which are facing the Germans at short range to the east of them. Brigade brought up in the afternoon from MERVILLE, The Battery billetted in a farm and orchard just north of 2nd. S Rue Des Chavattess. Meerut Division Infantry relieved portions of 5th Division in the trenches. Heavy firing this evening along the front.
31st Took over from 123rd Battery R.F.A. at dawn. Registered on two different lines in my zone but could see no targets from my observation, a haystack on south of road south of the Rue du Bois. Had however good information of general situation in my zone (which extends from LAVOUE to LA QUINQUE RUE) from O.C. 123rd Battery R.F.A. 2o Infantry Brigade in trenches of my zone, but in the afternoon was ordered to be prepared to support an attack to be made then and after dark, to retake trenches near L of La Quinque Rue, lost the previous night. To be done by sweeping area about the wood Quinque with fire to prevent the approach of mobile reinforcements. Fired a few rounds of Battery fire in the afternoon and twice again in the evening on this area, when heavy infantry broke out. Asked to stop firing about 11.15pm. Ordered to husband ammunition, so only fired 62 rounds.
November
1st Same position as yesterday, all day one section dug pits, in an alternative position about 600 yards further back. Order to retire after dark to a position at LE HAMEL. Arrived there between 9.00pm and 10.00pm, and dug in finishing about 1.00am. Fired 56 rounds.
2nd (28 Battery left in action). Marched back to former position about 6.30pm. Fired 10 rounds about 9.40pm at trenches in front of 41st . Dogras and 107th Pioneers where some musketry had broken out. Fired 15 rounds, it then ceased, no further fighting.
3rd Some shelling as usual near observing station. Off again after dark to Le Hamel and dug in a new position further west than the one prepared on the night 1st/2nd. Which proved to be unsatisfactory. Got there soon after, much time spent today in endeavouring to find stations where any targets could be seen (with out success).
4th In to action - usual day position at 6.15am. 19th and 20th Batteries complained of fire from German guns and machine guns to east of RICHBOURG. Eventually engaged the Battery and some new entrenchments about 3.30pm, by the new square map just received at former a burst of three rounds Battery fire, one section searching for latter - two similar rounds. Nothing could be seen but German shrapnel fire on village about observing station - very spiteful a short time afterwards had verified lines and fuze and fired ten shots by Battery fire 20 secs on a new trench reported constructed in front of 107th Pioneers for Leicester Regiment to observe for us. At 12.10pm marched back to Le Hamel after dark. (41 rounds fired).
1919
January
1st
Battery moved to Casteau, Belgium 10 miles north of Mons. Nine coalminers despatched for demobilization to Mons reception camp. Lieut General Sir Hunter Weston KCB. MC. passed through this area and greeted men of the Royal Artillery who had served with him in Gallipoli.
2nd
Ten more coalminers for demobilization.
3rd
Three more miners for demobilization, strength of Brigade 410 horses and 226 mules.
4th
Instruction in riding, drill and lectures. Two lorries to take parties to Brussels place at disposal of Brigade and allotted to 19th and 20th Batteries and six men fro HQ. Four more miners for demobilization.
5th
Demobilization Circular No 7 received. This concerns release of men over 41. Four miners demobilization.
6th
Six miners for demobilization. Muskey range allotted to Brigade by Infantry from 6th to 22nd January, 28th Battery have use of it for tomorrow.
7th
Four miners for demobilization . D.A. parade for instructions parade. Turn out good, 28th Battery particularly praised. Captain H.H.A Walshe (Adjt) and Lt R.A. Englefield 19th Battery proceeded in charge of party of miners for England rejoins on extension of leave.
8th
Following awards in connection with New Years Honours. Gazette announced.
Awarded MC - Lt. (Capt) HHA Walshe
Awarded DCM - Gnr Maguire (28th Battery)
9th January
Seven miners for demobilization, men for instruction. Division parade held 10am in heavy rain for presentation of ribbons of MM and MSM to NCO's and men of the RA and 137th Brigade. Troops present were 9th and 56th Brigades RFA, Division HQ, 157th I.B (1/5-1/6-1/7 HLI ). Troops marched passed and then dispersed, RA turnout good particulary 28th Battery.
10th
Eight men various groups for demobilization. Lecture by Rev Greenland to 9th and 56 Brigade re conflict life on Dartmoor. Two guns (one each 19th and 20th Batteries) sent for calibration by motor lorry.
11th
Thirteen men (10 coalminers, 1 on 28 days leave, 1 guarantee letter man and 1 over 41, all part of group 56) for demobilization . Owing to trouble about demobilization, orders have been received that all men proceeding home on leave are to be given to understand they have to return at the expiration of their leave.
12th
Eight men for demobilization. Brigade now over 100 men under strength and 40 men on leave. Brigade hard to put to keep horses and harness etc., in good order.
13th
Five men for demobilization. Major Smythe MC 19th Battery rejoined from leave. Lieut R.J.Morfey proceeded to Cologne to join 29th Division and struck off strength. 20th Battery moved billets from Serieux to Basse Gage, recently vacated by no3 (SAA) section 52nd DACZ. Veterinary Board classified animals of HQ, 28th and 19th Batteries for retention or disposal.
14th
Seven men for demobilization. Veterinary Board resume classification. Cross Country run in connection with sports 22nd Corps, Won by 19th Battery.
15th
Three men for demobilization.
16th
Lieut Attwell A/59 Battery proceeded for demobilization, CRA held practice parade in connection with ceremonial parade for Corps Commander on 18th.
17th
Eight men for demobilization (from 19th Battery) and four of D/69 Battery.
18th
Ceremonial Parade for 22nd Corps Commander for presentation of DCM ribbons.
No 44270 Farr Sgt Lemon D/69th Battery
No 9157 Sgt Ripley 19th Battery
The above received their ribbons, the latter was awarded the DCM for gallantry near Stanberg in October 1918 together with No 60756 Sgt Smith of same Battery. Whole Division paraded and Corps Commander was pleased to remark that the turn out of RA was very good, particularly 28th Battery.
19th
Major I. Hickey officiates as BC and Capt Harriotts goes on leave.
20th
15 men for demobilization
21st
16 men for demobilization
22nd
No men for demobilization - or tomorrow. Following are awarded MSM on New Year's Honours list.
No 2459 BSM A.E. Jacobs D/69th Battery
No 56993 Cpl F. Hateley HQ.
23rd
40 Horses classified as for repatriation to United Kingdom. Six Gunners for Valenciennes and coast to-day .
1 Sgt, 1Cpl, 1Bdr and 13 men
24th
16 men for demobilization.
25th
14 men for demobilization. Two horses stolen from 28th Battery billet. Theft of missing saddlery and bicycles is very high, probably by civilians. Civil police render no assistance.
26th
No men left for demobilization.
27th
13 men for demobilization
28th
Capt L.S. Lloyd 28th Battery and 12 O.R.'s left for demobilization.
29th
12 men and three horses for repatriation to England and for demobilization left today.
30th
No men left today, 25 class "Z" horses ordered to be transferred to Belgian Government at ATH but order subsequently cancelled. Lt T. Bicker 28th Battery left for UK. will probably be demobilized and proceed to South Africa.
31st
No men for demobilization.
February
1st
21 men for demobilization.
2nd
13 men for demobilization, Sgt Trueman 55th T.M.B is posted from 55T.M.B to 19th Battery. this is in consequence of break up of T.M.Bs.
3rd
12 men demobilization 3 or's 19th Battery and 5 or's 28 Battery, 28th Battery re-enlisted for periods of 2,3, and 4 years. One Sgt 28th Battery re-engaged. This makes a total of 25 re-enlistments as follows.
19th Battery - 11
20th Battery - Nil
28th Battery - 8
D/69th Battery - 6
and six reenlistments to 21 years as follows
20th Battery - 5
28th Battery - 1
4th
12 men for demobilization.
5th
RA Band played in MONS at the Theatre today. Lt E.H. Gage MC joined to assume duties of adjutant.
6th
No men for demobilization, although some were detained, this is because Brigade is now down to Carde B strength. New administration instructions under issue may be expected shortly. Lt A. Ross 28th Battery, ordered to report at ROUEN for duty in connection with strapping horses, leaves tomorrow.
7th
Army Order 14 of 1919 received new demobilization instructions. Four men 28th Battery Re- enlisted.
8th
Lt W.B. Woolacott rejoined from leave.
9th
Mange reported in D/69th Battery
10th
One man 20th Battery re-enlisted for two years, 1 Saddler, 1 Dvr, 1 Sgt, 1 Cpl 28th Battery re-enlisted for 3,2,4 and 3 years respectively.
13th
30 class "Z" horses sent from Brigade to MONS for sale.
14th
Lt Col H. Sowler horse master 9th Brigade proceeded for demobilization. No 88146 S/Sgt R .Kater awarded M.M by Corps Commander 22nd Corps. Order to re classify certain horses for retention with Army of Occupation received. All mares marked AX, BX, AY or BY are to be classified YM i.e. fit for breeding and repatriated to the UK. 30 "X" class horses sent to MONS, 21 from 20th Battery and 3 from each of the other Batteries.
To be continued