The 1st Warwickshire Volunteer Artillery, or 'Balsall Heath Artillery', was a part-time unit of Britain's

Royal Artillery The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery (RA) and colloquially known as "The Gunners", is one of two regiments that make up the artillery arm of the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery comprises t ...

recruited from

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...

. It served on the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, including the Battles of the

Somme __NOTOC__ Somme or The Somme may refer to: Places *Somme (department), a department of France *Somme, Queensland, Australia *Canal de la Somme, a canal in France *Somme (river), a river in France Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Somme'' (book), a ...

Vimy Ridge The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of ...

, Messines,

Ypres Ypres ( , ; nl, Ieper ; vls, Yper; german: Ypern ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders. Though the Dutch name is the official one, the city's French name is most commonly used in English. The municipality co ...

, the German Spring Offensive and the final victorious

Hundred Days Offensive The Hundred Days Offensive (8 August to 11 November 1918) was a series of massive Allies of World War I, Allied offensives that ended the First World War. Beginning with the Battle of Amiens (1918), Battle of Amiens (8–12 August) on the Wester ...

. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

it fought in the

Battle of France The Battle of France (french: bataille de France) (10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign ('), the French Campaign (german: Frankreichfeldzug, ) and the Fall of France, was the Nazi Germany, German invasion of French Third Rep ...

and was evacuated from Dunkirk. Later in served in the Italian Campaign. It continued in the postwar Territorial Army, through a series of mergers, until 1971.

Volunteer Force

The 1st Warwickshire Volunteer Artillery was formed at Balsall Heath in

on 30 May 1900 when Nos 3 and 4 Warwickshire Batteries of the

1st Worcestershire and Warwickshire Artillery Volunteers The 1st Worcestershire Artillery Volunteers was a part-time unit of Britain's Royal Artillery dating back to 1865. As part of the Territorial Force it served on the Western Front and in Italy during World War I. In World War II it served in the ...

became an independent unit, increased to four batteries. The batteries were equipped and trained as 'position artillery', to cooperate with the Volunteer Infantry Brigades. The Volunteer Artillery were part of the

Royal Garrison Artillery The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) was formed in 1899 as a distinct arm of the British Army's Royal Regiment of Artillery serving alongside the other two arms of the Regiment, the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) and the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) ...

(RGA), and the 1st Warwickshire were in the Southern Division, Royal Artillery. However, the divisional structure was abolished on 1 January 1902, when the unit was redesignated 1st Warwickshire RGA (Volunteers). Position artillery was redesignated as 'heavy artillery' in 1903.Frederick, pp. 670–1.Litchfield & Westlake, p. 170. The new unit built itself a drill hall at Stoney Lane, between Balsall Heath and Sparkhill in Birmingham, in 1903.Stoney Lane, Birmingham, at Drill Hall Project.
/ref>

Territorial Force

When the

Volunteer Force The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle, artillery and engineer corps, created as a popular movement throughout the British Empire in 1859. Originally highly autonomous, the units of volunteers became increasingly integrated ...

was subsumed into the new

Territorial Force The Territorial Force was a part-time volunteer component of the British Army, created in 1908 to augment British land forces without resorting to conscription. The new organisation consolidated the 19th-century Volunteer Force and yeomanry i ...

(TF) under the

Haldane Reforms The Haldane Reforms were a series of far-ranging reforms of the British Army made from 1906 to 1912, and named after the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane. They were the first major reforms since the " Childers Reforms" of the ...

of 1908, the 1st Warwickshire RGA (V) was transferred to the

Royal Field Artillery The Royal Field Artillery (RFA) of the British Army provided close artillery support for the infantry. It came into being when created as a distinct arm of the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 1 July 1899, serving alongside the other two arms of t ...

(RFA) as the III (or 3rd) South Midland Brigade at Birmingham and a separate IV (4th) South Midland (Howitzer) Brigadeat

Coventry Coventry ( or ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. It is on the River Sherbourne. Coventry has been a large settlement for centuries, although it was not founded and given its ...

. The Birmingham unit had the following organisation:''Monthly Army List'', various dates.Litchfield, pp. 236–42.''London Gazette'' 20 March 1908.
/ref> BLC15pdrGunIWM

III South Midland Brigade * Brigade HQ: Stoney Lane * 1st Warwickshire Battery (from 4th Bty) * 2nd Warwickshire Battery (from 2nd Bty) * 3rd Warwickshire Battery (from 3rd Bty) * 3rd South Midland Ammunition Column (from 1st Bty) Both brigades were part of the TF's

South Midland Division The 48th (South Midland) Division was an infantry division of the British Army. Part of the Territorial Force (TF) and raised in 1908, the division was originally called the South Midland Division, and was redesignated as the 48th (South Midlan ...

. Each battery of III SM Brigade was issued with four 15-pounder guns.Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 77–83.48th Divisional Artillery at Long, Long Trail.
/ref>

World War I

Mobilisation

The units of the South Midland Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to their drill halls. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the

Chelmsford Chelmsford () is a city in the City of Chelmsford district in the county of Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Southend-on-Sea and Colchester. It is located north-east of London a ...

area as part of Central Force by mid-August 1914.48th (SM) Division at Long, Long Trail.
/ref> On 10 August, TF units were invited to volunteer for Overseas Service. On 15 August 1914, the

War Office The War Office was a department of the British Government responsible for the administration of the British Army between 1857 and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the new Ministry of Defence (MoD). This article contains text from ...

(WO) issued instructions to separate those men who had opted for Home Service only, and form these into reserve units. On 31 August, the formation of a reserve or 2nd Line unit was authorised for each 1st Line unit where 60 per cent or more of the men had volunteered for Overseas Service. The titles of these 2nd Line units would be the same as the original, but distinguished by a '2/' prefix and would absorb the flood of volunteers coming forwards. In this way duplicate batteries, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas.

1/III South Midland Brigade, RFA

48th (South Midland) Division insignia (WW1)

The training of 1st South Midland Division proceeded satisfactorily, and it was selected for service on the

. Orders arrived on 13 March 1915 and III South Midland Bde entrained on 30 and 31 March for

Southampton Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...

aboard eight trains departing at two hour intervals. At

it embarked on two transports, landing at

Le Havre Le Havre (, ; nrf, Lé Hâvre ) is a port city in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the river Seine on the Channel southwest of the Pays de Caux, very cl ...

under the command of

Lieutenant-Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...

Arthur Cossart (a Regular officer) on 1 April. By 3 April the division had concentrated near

Cassel Cassel may refer to: People * Cassel (surname) Places ;France * Cassel, Nord, a town and commune in northern France ** Battle of Cassel (1071) ** Battle of Cassel (1328) ** Battle of Cassel (1677) ;Germany * Cassel, Germany, a city in Hesse renam ...

, and on 10 April III South Midland Bde's batteries were attached to the Regular RFA brigades of 6th Division in the

Armentières Armentières (; vls, Armentiers) is a commune in the Nord department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It is part of the Métropole Européenne de Lille. The motto of the town is ''Pauvre mais fière'' (Poor but proud). Geogra ...

sector for introduction to frontline procedures. The batteries were allocated a small number of

shrapnel shell Shrapnel shells were anti-personnel artillery munitions which carried many individual bullets close to a target area and then ejected them to allow them to continue along the shell's trajectory and strike targets individually. They relied almo ...

s for registering the guns, but found that the old fuzes issued in December 1914 were useless. On 18/19 April the brigade took over its own section of front near Ploegsteert ('Plugstreet') with observation posts (OPs) near St Yves, and the batteries began registering targets in their respective zones. They came under fire for the first time, from German guns in the direction of Messines. The batteries and brigade ammunition column (BAC) then settled to improving their OPs, gun positions and the supply tracks leading to them. The weeks passed with the guns firing their small allowance of ammunition on routine targets or in retaliation for enemy fire.242 South Midland Bde War Diary April 1915–October 1917, TNA file WO 95/2750/1.
/ref> British_18-pounder_mark_II_field_gun_-_Imperial_War_Museum_1

British_18-pounder_mark_II_field_gun_-_Imperial_War_Museum_1

On 12 May the division was designated the

48th (South Midland) Division The 48th (South Midland) Division was an infantry division of the British Army. Part of the Territorial Force (TF) and raised in 1908, the division was originally called the South Midland Division, and was redesignated as the 48th (South Midland ...

. On 6 June the brigade was relieved and went into billets in La Creche. After another short spell at Plugstreet (22–24 June) the brigade left on a four-day march to Auchel. Here a planned tour of duty in the line was cancelled, and on 21 July 1/III South Midland Bde was re-equipped with modern 18-pounder guns. It then took over French gun positions at

Sailly-au-Bois Sailly-au-Bois (; pcd, Sailly-au-Bos) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography Sailly-au-Bois lies about south of Arras, at the junction of the D3 and D23 roads. Population Places of ...

near

Hébuterne Hébuterne () is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography A farming village situated southwest of Arras, at the junction of the D27 and the D28 roads. History Formerly within the ancient c ...

in the

sector, where 48th (SM) Division joined the newly formed Third Army. Apart from occasional exchanges of fire with German batteries, the sector was quiet for the rest of the year as the brigade learned the routines of

trench warfare Trench warfare is a type of land warfare using occupied lines largely comprising military trenches, in which troops are well-protected from the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery. Trench warfare became a ...

, switching positions, improving gun pits, strengthening observation posts (OPs), registering targets around Gommecourt and harassing enemy working parties. On the night of 25/26 November the brigade supported a carefully-planned

trench raid A trench is a type of excavation or in the ground that is generally deeper than it is wide (as opposed to a wider gully, or ditch), and narrow compared with its length (as opposed to a simple hole or pit). In geology, trenches result from eros ...

by 1/

6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment The 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regimen, was a Territorial Force unit of the British Army. Originally recruited in Gloucestershire as a Volunteer battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment ('The Glosters') during the Second Boer War, it fought o ...

, on Gommecourt Park. The 18-pdrs fired in the afternoon to cut the

barbed wire A close-up view of a barbed wire Roll of modern agricultural barbed wire Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. Its primary use is t ...

, then the waiting infantry attacked when clouds obscured the bright moonlight. The forward observation officer (FOO) with the infantry support party in

No man's land No man's land is waste or unowned land or an uninhabited or desolate area that may be under dispute between parties who leave it unoccupied out of fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dump ...

called down a previously registered

Box barrage In military usage, a barrage is massed sustained artillery fire (shelling) aimed at a series of points along a line. In addition to attacking any enemy in the kill zone, a barrage intends to suppress enemy movements and deny access across tha ...

onto the edge of the woods to isolate the sector to be attacked. The raid was a success. On 29/30 January the brigade supported another large raid on Gommecourt Park by 1/6th Gloucesters and 1/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment. In the new year the brigade was regularly involved in prearranged bombardments of enemy trenches in conjunction with the Corps heavy artillery, and German artillery fire also increased. On 12 February a German observation aircraft ranged heavy guns onto 1/3rd Warwick Bty, causing a number of casualties and leading to the temporary abandonment of the gun positions. QF4

1/III South Midland Bde formed an additional battery, D Battery, and sent it to collect its 18-pdrs on 3 May 1916. Then on 18 May the brigade was redesignated CCXLII (or 242nd) Brigade and the old batteries became A, B and C. At the same time D Bty transferred to CCXLIII (IV South Midland) Bde in exchange for D (H) Bty (originally from CXXVI Bde in 37th Division, a

Kitchener's Army The New Army, often referred to as Kitchener's Army or, disparagingly, as Kitchener's Mob, was an (initially) all-volunteer portion of the British Army formed in the United Kingdom from 1914 onwards following the outbreak of hostilities in the Fi ...

formation), equipped with four 4.5-inch howitzers, which became D (H) Bty of CCXLII Bde. The BAC was also abolished and merged into the Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC) as its 3rd Section.Becke, Pt 3b, pp. 74–5.Frederick, p. 692.

Somme

After a long period of low-level

Trench warfare Trench warfare is a type of land warfare using occupied lines largely comprising military trenches, in which troops are well-protected from the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery. Trench warfare became a ...

, 48th (SM) Division's first offensive operation was in the

Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme ( French: Bataille de la Somme), also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place bet ...

. In May 48th (SM) Division was relieved in its trenches in front of Gommecourt by

56th (1st London) Division The 56th (London) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army infantry division of the British Army, which served under several different titles and designations. The division served in the trenches of the Western Front during the First World War. ...

, which was to make a diversionary attack there, while 48th transferred to Fourth Army where it was to be in reserve to VIII Cops for the main attack. After it was relieved CCXLII (SM) Bde moved to Saint-Léger for rest and training. On 13 June Brigade BQ returned to Sailly, and the batteries moved into positions; 6th Bty of the French 37th Field Artillery Regiment was attached to the brigade with 75mm field guns for firing gas shells on

counter-battery Counter-battery fire (sometimes called counter-fire) is a battlefield tactic employed to defeat the enemy's indirect fire elements (multiple rocket launchers, artillery and mortars), including their target acquisition, as well as their command a ...

(CB) tasks and over enemy communications. The bombardment began on 24 June and was planned to extend over five days designated, U, V, W, X and Y, with the assault coming on Z day. The 18-pdrs were employed in wire-cutting and 'searching' trenches and hollows with shrapnel shell, while the 4.5s attempted to destroy communication trenches and machine gun positions. CCXLII (SM) Brigade was assigned trenches between 'The Hook' and 'The Point' and back to La Louviere Farm. Each afternoon the guns ceased fire to allow observation aircraft to photograph the results. Bad weather hampered observation, and two extra days (Y1 and Y2) were added to the programme, for which ammunition had to be rationed. On the night of 28/29 June the 1/7th Bn

Worcestershire Regiment The Worcestershire Regiment was a line infantry regiment in the British Army, formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot and the 36th (Herefordshire) Regiment of Foot. The regimen ...

carried out a raid covered by a shrapnel barrage from A, B and D Btys of CCXLII (SM) Bde, which lifted forward to form a box barrage with

high explosive shell A shell, in a military context, is a projectile whose payload contains an explosive, incendiary device, incendiary, or other chemical filling. Originally it was called a bombshell, but "shell" has come to be unambiguous in a military context ...

behind the German front line and shrapnel on the flanks. 18pdrStLeger3August1916

The battle was launched on 1 July 1916. Most of 48th (SM) Division held the sector between Gommecourt and Serre, which was not being attacked. CCXLII (SM) Brigade had little to do on the day, but suffered a number of casualties from German retaliatory fire. The attacks on either flank had been disasters, and orders for 48th (SM) Division to resume the attacks next day were cancelled. The brigade continued firing to cut the German wire, on enemy communications, and to support raids, but no serious attack was made on this sector. The infantry of the division had already been moved southwards and had taken part in the

Capture of Ovillers The Capture of Ovillers (1–16 July 1916) was a British local operation during the Battle of Albert, the name given by the British to the first two weeks of the Battle of the Somme. The village of Ovillers-la-Boisselle (commonly shortened to ...

. On 21 June CCXLII (SM) Bde moved to

Aveluy Aveluy () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. See also *Communes of the Somme department The following is a list of the 772 communes of the Somme department of France. The communes cooperate in the f ...

and brigade HQ took command of Right Group of 48th (SM) Divisional Artillery (DA), including A and half B Btys of CCXL (I SM) and B Bty of CCXLI (II SM) Brigades, being shelled with gas as it moved into position. The Group supported 48th (SM) Division's attacks up 'Mash Valley' as part of the Battle of Pozières Ridge (21–23 June). Afterwards the batteries moved up to positions in Mash Valley, east of

La Boisselle Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune of Ovillers-la-Boisselle is situated northeast of Amiens and extends to the north and south of the D 929 Albert–Bapaume r ...

. The brigade suffered a number of casualties before it was relieved on 28 June and went to Saint-Ouen for rest. The brigade returned to the line at

Bouzincourt Bouzincourt () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. The name ''Bouzincourt'' is derived from the words for forest (bosquet) and the typical Picardy village suffix '-court' . It was therefore a wooded vil ...

on 12 August and next morning the batteries took over the guns of the batteries they were relieving, in action east of La Boiselle, with brigade HQ in the Usna Redoubt, looking up Mash Valley. The division was now under

II Corps 2nd Corps, Second Corps, or II Corps may refer to: France * 2nd Army Corps (France) * II Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée), a cavalry unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars * II Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French ...

. Barrage firing was almost continuous on 14–16 August as 48th (SM) Division's infantry worked their way from 'Ration Trench' up towards 'Skyline Trench' but were unable to hold it. The guns fired defensive and 'SOS' barrages against German counter-attacks. 48th (SM) Division renewed its attacks on 18 and 21 August, finally capturing most of Leipzig Redoubt by moving closely behind an 'excellent barrage'. The division attacked again on the evening of 27 August; this time some of the infantry ran into their own creeping barrage, but the attack was a partial success. Next day the division was relieved amidst heavy rain and mud. Brigade HQ withdrew to Bouzincourt, but the batteries remained in action, supporting

49th (West Riding) Division The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army. The division fought in the First World War in the trenches of the Western Front, in the fields of France and Flanders. During the Second World War, the divis ...

's attacks on

Mouquet Farm The Battle of Mouquet Farm, also known as the Fighting for Mouquet Farm was part of the Battle of the Somme and began during the Battle of Pozières (23 July – 3 September). The fighting began on 23 July with attacks by the British Reserve A ...

('Mucky Farm') and

Thiepval Thiepval (; pcd, Tièbvo) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Thiepval is located north of Albert at the crossroads of the D73 and D151 and approximately northeast of Amiens. Population First World ...

. On 3 September the infantry of 49th (WR) Division advanced behind an 'excellent field gun barrage', but the attack on Thiepval failed. Meanwhile, D (H) Bty had remained at Ovillers, shelling Thiepval with HE and gas shells, both SK (tear gas) and PS ( Chloropicrin). The bombardment was intense during the attack on 3 September, and the Germans retaliated with tear gas on the battery positionsBecke, Pt 4, pp. 137–43.Becke, Pt 2a, p. 91. On 6 September the personnel of all the batteries were withdrawn to the wagon lines, leaving the guns in position. After a week's rest the 18-pdr batteries of 48th (SM) DA under CCXLII Bde HQ moved to fresh positions to support an attack by

11th (Northern) Division The 11th (Northern) Division, was an infantry division of the British Army during the First World War, raised from men who had volunteered for Lord Kitchener's New Armies. The division fought in the Gallipoli Campaign and on the Western Fron ...

against the 'Wonder Work'. This was successfully carried out on the evening of 14 September behind another 'excellent barrage'. Afterwards the attached batteries went back to support the

Canadian Corps The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December ...

, but A, B and C/CCXLII remained in position with II Corps on call for CB fire.Becke, Pt 3a, p. 25. On 19 September the batteries moved into new positions at

Pozières Pozières (; ) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune is situated on the D929 road, northeast of Amiens between Albert and Bapaume, on the Pozières ridge. Southwest of the village on ...

to prepare for the next attack on Thiepval Ridge. Thick mud made moving and preparing gun positions difficult, and enemy shellfire continually cut the telephone lines; the attack was delayed because of the conditions. D (H) Battery now returned to the brigade, and B/CCXlII and D (H)/CCXLI were also attached. A wireless station was established at brigade HQ and worked with aircraft from No 4 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps to register the guns on targets that were invisible to the ground OPs. The brigade was also able to respond to 'area calls' from the aircraft. The

Battle of Thiepval Ridge The Battle of Thiepval Ridge was the first large offensive of the Reserve Army (Lieutenant General Hubert Gough), during the Battle of the Somme on the Western Front during the First World War. The attack was intended to benefit from the Four ...

began on 26 September: the infantry succeeded in clearing most of Mucky Farm and Thiepval village but were late starting towards the further objectives on the ridge and lost the barrage. Nevertheless, most of the third objective was captured. 'Regina Trench' and 'Stuff Redoubt' remained in German hands and the brigade continued to shell these over the following days. On the night of 28/29 September it supported an attack by 11th (N) and

18th (Eastern) Division The 18th (Eastern) Division was an infantry division of the British Army formed in September 1914 during the First World War as part of the K2 Army Group, part of Lord Kitchener's New Armies. From its creation the division trained in England u ...

s to capture the ' Schwaben Redoubt'.Becke, Pt 3a, p. 84. On 1 October the brigade withdrew, leaving their guns in position to be taken over by their relieving batteries, and collected others from the gun lines of the 18th (E) Division; these guns proved to be very worn. The brigade then moved through heavy rain to new positions at Sailly, arriving on 5 October, joining with CCXLIII Bde to form Left Group of 48th (SM) DA. The positions were ready by evening on 8 October. The brigade spent a quiet few weeks at

Foncquevillers Foncquevillers () is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography A farming village situated south of Arras, at the junction of the D3, D6 and the D28 roads. Population World War I Foncquevil ...

, wire-cutting and firing on the approaches to Gommecourt. On 19 October 48th (SM) DA was reorganised to bring the 18-pdr batteries up to six guns each. In CCXLII (SM) Bde this was done by splitting C Bty. On 28 October 531 (H) Bty joined the brigade. This battery had been formed on 30 June in theTF's 3rd Reserve Brigade at Cowshott Camp, near Aldershot, and was assigned to the Hampshire TF Association for administration. It sailed to Le Havre aboard the SS ''N.W. Miller'' on 22/23 October. The arrival of this battery gave CCXLII (SM) Bde the following organisation: * A Bty + Right Section C Bty – 6 x 18-pdrs * B Bty + Left Section C Bty – 6 x 18-pdr * C (H) Bty (ex 531 (H) Bty) – 4 x 4.5-inch * D (H) Bty (ex D (H)/CXXVI Bty) – 4 x 4.5-inch

Winter 1916–17

The divisional sector continued quiet, apart from a heavy German bombardment early on the morning of 22 October, when they attempted to raid the British lines at

. Brigade HQ in Bienvillers was frequently shelled. On 13 November B Bty participated in a false barrage to support Fifth Army's attack on Beaumont-Hamel (the

Battle of the Ancre The Battle of the Ancre was fought by the British Fifth Army (Lieutenant-General Hubert Gough), against the German 1st Army (General Fritz von Below). The Reserve Army had been renamed the Fifth Army on 30 October. The battle was the last ...

), while D (H) Bty carried out CB tasks. Thereafter normal trench routine continued, with occasional exchanges of fire with German artillery. The brigade was relieved at the end of November and moved back to billets in Saint-Amand, with the gun positions at

Martinpuich Martinpuich is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography Martinpuich is situated south of Arras, near the junction of the D929 and the D6 roads. Population Places of interest * The church of ...

. CCXLII Brigade HQ commanded a subgroup of artillery including LXX Bde of

15th (Scottish) Division The 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that served in the First World War. The 15th (Scottish) Division was formed from men volunteering for Kitchener's Army, and served from 1915 to 1918 on the West ...

, keeping up fire on the enemy trenches and communications. The weather and ground conditions were bad – at one point the brigade had to lay a light rail track over the mud to get an unserviceable howitzer out and replace it with another.

CCXLII Army Field Brigade

In the New Year, CCXLII (SM) Bde was reorganised again: on 16 January 1917, C (H) Bty (formerly 531 (H) Bty) was split up to bring the howitzer batteries of the other two brigades in the division up to six guns each. At the same time D (H) Bty was joined by a section from C (H) Bty of CLXXXVIII Brigade ( 40th Division). On 20 January the vacant C Bty was filled by an 18-pdr battery from

50th (Northumbrian) Division The Northumbrian Division was an infantry division of the British Army, formed in 1908 as part of the Territorial Force with units drawn from the north-east of England, notably Northumberland, Durham and the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire ...

: A Bty (originally 1/1st Durham Bty) from CCLII (III Northumbrian) Bde, which was being broken up. This brought CCXLII (SM) Bde up to the new standard establishment of three 18-pdr batteries and one of 4.5-inch howitzers:Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 96–8.Becke, Pt 3b, pp. 102–3.Farndale, ''Western Front'', Annex D. * A Bty (1/1st Warwickshire + half 1/3rd Warwickshire) – 6 x 18-pdrs * B Bty (1/2nd Warwickshire + half 1/3rd Warwickshire) – 6 x 18-pdrs * C Bty (1/1st Durham + half 1/2nd Durham) – 6 x 18-pdrs * D (H) Bty (D (H)/CXXVI Bty + half C (H)/CLXXXVIII Bty) – 6 x 4.5-inch On the same day (20 January 1917) the brigade left 48th (SM) Division and became an Army Field Artillery (AFA) brigade. AFA brigades were a new concept developed to provide an artillery reserve, allowing commanders to move field guns to reinforce a sector without breaking up the divisional structure. In practice, CCXLII AFA Bde remained under 48th (SM) DA until 18 March, when it went for rest. It then joined Canadian Corps on 30 March and was assigned to

4th Canadian Division The 4th Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army. The division was first created as a formation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. During the Second World War the division was reactivated as the 4th Canadian Infantr ...

, preparing for the

Battle of Vimy Ridge The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions o ...

.'Allocations of Army Brigades, RH & RFA', TNA file WO 95/5494/2.
/ref>

Vimy Ridge

First Army had assembled a greater concentration of artillery than ever before, with one field gun for every of front, many brought forward to within of the front trenches. The additional field guns were cautiously registered under cover of the preparatory bombardment, which had begun on 20 March, and they remained undetected. Ample ammunition was dumped at the battery positions. Together with the heavy guns, the surprise bombardment of Vimy Ridge opened at 05.30 on 9 April was the most concentrated and powerful of the war. The field guns fired a creeping barrage advancing at in three minutes at a rate of three rounds per gun per minute, from one gun every of front, and also laid a standing barrage only beyond onto the first 'Black Line' objective, while the howitzers fired concentrations at specific targets. The infantry advanced behind the barrage in the dark, with snow and sleet at their backs blowing into the eyes of the defenders. 4th Canadian Division's objective was Hill 145, the highest point of the ridge; this was the only part of Canadian Corps attack that was held up, but the hill was secured on the afternoon of 10 April. The division's follow-up attack on 12 April also captured 'the Pimple' with the aid of another devastating barrage (including CCXLII AFA Bde). This was slowed to in four minutes, but even then the infantry were held up by the mud. Nevertheless, the scattered defenders were overcome in close fighting amid another snowstorm. CCXLII AFA Brigade was then attached to

3rd Canadian Division The 3rd Canadian Division is a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for the command and mobilization of all army units in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as all units extending westwards from th ...

from 15 April to 18 May as the Canadians participated in the continuing Arras offensive.

Messines

After a short rest the brigade moved north to join II ANZAC Corps with Second Army on 24 May. It was attached to the

New Zealand Division The New Zealand Division was an infantry division of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force raised for service in the First World War. It was formed in Egypt in early 1916 when the New Zealand and Australian Division was renamed after the detachmen ...

for the

Battle of Messines Battle of Messines may refer to: *Battle of Messines (1914) *Battle of Messines (1917) The Battle of Messines (7–14 June 1917) was an attack by the British Second Army (General Sir Herbert Plumer), on the Western Front, near the village of ...

. There was a long preliminary bombardment, and this time the surprise at zero hour on 7 June was the explosion of 19 huge mines. As at Vimy Ridge, the field guns fired creeping and standing barrages ahead of the advancing infantry. As each successive objective the creeping barrage became a protective barrage while the infantry reorganised for the next phase of the attack. Because of a bulge in the line, the New Zealanders initially had an open flank, which was protected by an enfilade barrage and smokescreen. The division crossed the Steenbeck stream, took the front trench system and moved steadily up the rising ground towards Messines village. For the final assault on the village the barrage was slowed, with 11 minutes between each lift. At 13.45 a German counter-attack was launched from their Oosttaverne Line, but their barrage missed the New Zealanders, who had excellent targets to fire at, and the British protective barrage was increased to intense fire; the attack was stopped before it reached the New Zealanders' advanced posts. Two fresh Australian brigades were passed through and at 15.10 they advanced down to the Oosttaverne Line behind the barrage, now moving at every three minutes. They were held up by undamaged concrete pillboxes and field gun positions, but the defenders panicked when the Australians penetrated between these strongpoints and the barrage passed beyond them, cutting the Germans' retreat. Unfortunately, when the leading ANZAC troops were relieved on 8 June the reserve divisions thought they were German attackers, and brought down their own defensive barrage on them, causing many casualties. CCXLII AFA Brigade transferred to 25th Division under II Anzac Corps 9–16 June, then went for a month's rest before returning to the line with 3rd Division on 16 July.

Ypres

Fifth Army launched the Third Ypres Offensive on 31 July. Second Army transferred several of its divisions to Fifth Army, and received others in their place, including 37th Division, to which CCXLII AFA Bde was attached from 8 August. On 14 August the brigade was itself sent to Fifth Army to reinforce II Corps for the Battle of Langemarck, being assigned to 18th (E) Division. II Corps' attack, on 16 August, went in behind an 18-pdr creeping barrage moving at every five minutes, with standing barrages of 18-pdrs and 4.5-inch howitzers on targets in and beyond the area to be captured. However, a planned bombardment of the enemy pillboxes by heavy artillery had not taken place, and that by the 4.5s was ineffective. Struggling through exceptional mud and held up by undestroyed machine gun positions, the British attackers lost their barrage and the advance was stopped with few gains. When the enemy counter-attacked the SOS flares put up by the FOOs with the infantry were obscured by the German smokescreen, while the Germans' own standing barrage isolated the most advanced troops, who were forced to pull back by the end of the day.Becke, Pt 3a, p. 85. 18PounderInMudLangemarckThirdYpres16Oct1917

As the Langemarck fighting died down, CCXLII AFA Bde came under the command of

14th (Light) Division The 14th (Light) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, one of the Kitchener's Army divisions raised from volunteers by Lord Kitchener during the First World War. All of its infantry regiments were originally of the fast marchin ...

when it arrived from Second Army on 18 August. The division led II Corps' renewed attempt on 22 August to advance up the Menin Road and take Inverness Copse on the

Gheluvelt Zonnebeke (; vls, Zunnebeke) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of , , Passendale, Zandvoorde and Zonnebeke proper. On January 1, 2006, Zonnebeke had a total population of ...

Plateau. Although the copse was captured, it was lost again on 24 August when Germans attacked at 04.00. The defenders were hindered by their own supporting artillery shelling the wood: all telephone lines were cut and orders to lengthen the range and allow the infantry to hold a line halfway through the wood did not get through until 14.00, by which time it was too late.Becke, Pt 3a, p. 51. After the failures thus far, Second Army took over the main direction of the Ypres offensive, with a pause for better preparation: the emphasis would be on the artillery. On 28 August CCXLII AFA Bde moved back to Second Army command under

X Corps 10th Corps, Tenth Corps, or X Corps may refer to: France * 10th Army Corps (France) * X Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars Germany * X Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German Army * X ...

. It was attached to 23rd Division until 4 September, 24th Division 4–13 September, then back to 23rd Division on 13 September. This formation took part in the renewal of the offensive (the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge) on 20 September. This time there were five belts of fire in the covering barrages, a total depth of , of which the field guns formed two, the one closest to the attackers moving rapidly in lifts of every two minutes. This barrage was described by eye-witnesses as 'magnificent both in accuracy and volume', and the infantry followed so closely behind it that many enemy outposts and counter-attack groups were overrun before they had time to climb out of their

dugouts Dugout may refer to: * Dugout (shelter), an underground shelter * Dugout (boat), a logboat * Dugout (smoking), a marijuana container Sports * In bat-and-ball sports, a dugout is one of two areas where players of the home or opposing teams sit whe ...

. The barrage then slowed down and the rate of fire decreased, as the infantry worked their way deep into the defence system. A two-hour halt was made in order to prepare for the second phase, but the standing barrage deterred the expected counter-attacks. At 0953 the barrage began moving again as the troops advanced to take the final objective: 23rd Division found these last few hundred yards the most difficult, with a number of concrete pillboxes to be subdued.Becke, Pt 3a, p 125.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 193–7. 33rd Division relieved 23rd Division and took over CCXLII AFA Brigade on 25 September for the next forward bound (the Battle of Polygon Wood) starting next day. The artillery had moved up and applied much the same formula as for the Menin Road attack. However, 33rd Division was struck by a German spoiling attack during the relief, and its hastily reorganised attack came under heavy shellfire and failed. The barrages, however, completely disrupted German counter-attacks. CCXLII AFA Bde returned to 23rd Division, but moved to

5th Division In military terms, 5th Division may refer to: Infantry divisions *5th Division (Australia) * 5th Division (People's Republic of China) *5th Division (Colombia) *Finnish 5th Division (Continuation War) *5th Light Cavalry Division (France) *5th Moto ...

on 2 October in time for the next attack (the Battle of Broodseinde). The artillery had been advanced another along specially-constructed plank roads, and ammunition had been dumped. The artillery plan was designed to mystify the Germans as to the time of the attack: full-scale practice barrages were fired several times from 27 September, but the final barrage only began at zero hour (06.00 on 4 October). 5th Division's attack was a partial success. The

Battle of Poelcappelle The Battle of Poelcappelle was fought in Flanders, Belgium, on 9 October 1917 by the British Second Army and Fifth Army against the German 4th Army, during the First World War. The battle marked the end of the string of highly successful Briti ...

was fought on 9 October: by now the rain and mud were so bad that many of the guns could not be hauled forward, and ammunition supply even with pack-horses was severely hampered. With inadequate artillery support the attack was disappointing.Becke, Pt 1, p. 71.Becke, Pt 3b, p. 38. Many artillery units by now were exhausted, and CCXLII AFA Bde was sent for rest on 24 October. On 3 November it joined XIX Corps, which had assume command of a sector of Fifth Army's line. CCXLII was one of four AFA brigades that took over a frontage from two exhausted divisional artilleries while the Second Battle of Passchendaele continued. On 7 November 35th Divisional Artillery assumed command of the artillery in this sector, including CCXLII AFA Bde. On 2 December the brigade was transferred to 1st Division until it was sent for rest on 15 December.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 243–6.

Early 1918

On 27 December CCXLII AFA Bde joined IX Corps, first with 30th Division, then with

20th (Light) Division The 20th (Light) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, part of Kitchener's Army, raised in the First World War. The division was formed in September 1914 as part of the K2 Army Group. The division landed in France July 1915 and s ...

from 5 January 1918.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 185–91. XXII Corps (formerly II Anzac Corps) took over command of 20th (L) Division on 30 January.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 257–60. The brigade was with 37th Division under XXII Corps from 23 February to 20 March, when it left for rest. The German spring offensive was launched next day, but the brigade was continually posted to quiet sectors and was not involved in the major fighting. On 27 March it joined

46th (North Midland) Division The 46th (North Midland) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, part of the Territorial Force, that saw service in the First World War. At the outbreak of the war, the 46th Division was commanded by Major-General Hon. E.J. Monta ...

with I Corps.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 131–6. The division held the quiet Vimy sector until 13 April when the Canadian Corps took over and the brigade came under 3rd Canadian Division. On 3 May the brigade was transferred to 4th Canadian Division under XVIII Corps, which was taking over the Vimy front. but the 4th joined the rest of the Canadian Corps three days alater nd was replaced by

52nd (Lowland) Division The 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that was originally formed as the Lowland Division, in 1908 as part of the Territorial Force. It later became the 52nd (Lowland) Division in 1915. The 52nd (Lowland ...

, recently returned from Palestine.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 239–42.Becke, Pt 2a, p. 115. On 2 July XVIII Corps HQ merged with VIII Corps, which took command of 52nd (L) Division. CCXLII Brigade was rested from 17 July to 14 August, when it returned to VIII Corps, now coming under 20th (L) Division.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 179–83.

Final advance

The Allies' counter-offensive (the

) began with the Battle of Amiens on 8 August, and a series of coordinated attacks started on 26 September. 20th (L) Division made a successful diversionary attack against the Fresnoy sector on 27 September, but because it was holding a very wide frontage and the German Drocourt-Quéant Line lay ahead, it went no further. Then on 2 October patrols discovered that the enemy had retired during the night, and VIII Corps began following up. 20th (L) Division was withdrawn from the line on 6 October and sent for training, so on 12 October, CCXLII Bde moved to

58th (2/1st London) Division The 58th (2/1st London) Division was an infantry division created in 1915 as part of the massive expansion of the British Army during the First World War. It was a 2nd Line Territorial Force formation raised as a duplicate of the 56th (1/1st Lo ...

, which had been leading VIII Corps' advance.Becke, Pt 3a, p. 101.Martin pp. 179–84. Fifth Army and I Corps took over command of 58th (2/1st L) Division and CCXLII Bde on 14 October and the advance continued. For the next five weeks I Corps pressed steadily eastward in contact with the retiring enemy. 58th (2/1st L) Division forced a crossing of the Haute Deûle Canal on 16 October and advanced to the Douai–

Lille Lille ( , ; nl, Rijsel ; pcd, Lile; vls, Rysel) is a city in the northern part of France, in French Flanders. On the river Deûle, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Pref ...

railway behind a barrage. After a pause at the River Scarpe, which was held by German rearguards, the division crossed on 23 October and the steady pursuit continued. On 9 November CCXLII AFA Brigade became part of the Mobile Reserve. Hostilities on the Western Front ended two days later when the Armistice with Germany came into force.

2/III South Midland Brigade, RFA

Matériel_de_l%27artillerie-p32-canon_de_90

The 2nd Line brigade was formed in the autumn of 1914, and in January 1915 it joined the 2nd South Midland Division (later 61st (2nd South Midland) Division) at

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England; ...

. While stationed at Northampton, the division formed part of First Army of Central Force, but once the 48th Division had gone to France, the 61st replaced it around Chelmsford as part of Third Army, Central Force, responsible for coastal defence. 2/III South Midland Bde was stationed at

Ingatestone Ingatestone is a village and former civil parish in Essex, England, with a population of 5,365 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. Just north lies the village of Fryerning, the two forming now the parish of Ingatestone and Fryerning. Ing ...

, moving to

Epping Epping may refer to: Places Australia * Epping, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney ** Epping railway station, Sydney * Electoral district of Epping, the corresponding seat in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly * Epping Forest, Kearns, a he ...

in September, Thorpe-le-Soken and

Southminster Southminster is a town and electoral ward on the Dengie Peninsula in the Maldon district of Essex in the East of England. It lies about north of Burnham-on-Crouch and south-east of Maldon; it is approximately east-north-east of London. To the ...

in October and

Great Baddow Great Baddow is an urban village and civil parish in the Chelmsford borough of Essex, England. It is close to the city of Chelmsford, and, with a population of over 13,000,Essex Royal Horse Artillery) on 30 October. Training continued, 2/III SM Bde usually carrying out tactical exercises with

183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Brigade The 183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Brigade was an infantry brigade formation of the British Army. First World War The brigade was formed during the First World War in 1914, as a duplicate of the 144th (1/1st Gloucester and Worcester) Briga ...

. Equipment was scarce, and until the end of 1915 the only guns available for training were obsolete French De Bange 90 mm guns. Twelve modern 18-pdrs arrived in December for training, but in January 1916 the brigade was equipped with obsolescent 15-pounders handed over by 1st Line TF units. In February the division moved to

Salisbury Plain Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau in the south western part of central southern England covering . It is part of a system of chalk downlands throughout eastern and southern England formed by the rocks of the Chalk Group and largely lies wi ...

for final battle training. Only when the division prepared to go overseas were 18-pounders issued. In May it concentrated in the

Tidworth Tidworth is a garrison town and civil parish in south-east Wiltshire, England, on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. Lying on both sides of the A338 about north of the A303 primary route, the town is approximately west of Andover, south o ...

– Bulford area. Here on 16/17 May 1916 2/III (SM) brigade was redesignated CCCVII Brigade RFA (307 Bde) and the batteries became A, B and C. It was joined by 2/5th Warwickshire (Howitzer) Bty from 2/IV South Midland Brigade (now CCCCVIII Bde), which became D (H) Bty, equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers.Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 33–39.61 (SM) Division at Long, Long Trail.
/ref>307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 September 1915–31 December 1916, TNA file WO 95/3043/1.
/ref>

Fromelles

The brigade entrained at

Amesbury Amesbury () is a town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It is known for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is within the parish. The town is claimed to be the oldest occupied settlement in Great Britain, having been first settle ...

on 24 May for Southampton, where it embarked and arrived at Le Havre on 26 May, going into camp at Merville. Two days later 61st (2nd SM) Division completed its concentration. The artillery continued training, and sent parties up to

38th (Welsh) Division The 38th (Welsh) Division (initially the 43rd Division, later the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division and then the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division) of the British Army was active during both the First and Second World Wars. In 1914, the division w ...

in the line for introduction to front line duties. From 11 June the batteries of CCCVII Bde moved into the line at Laventie, relieving Left Group of 38th (W) Divisional Artillery. The bombardment for that summer's 'Big Push' (the Battle of the Somme) began on 24 June, and 61st (2nd SM) DA joined in, with CCCVII Bde engaged in wire-cutting and bombarding machine gun positions, as well as supporting trench raids at night. The division's first action was the

Attack at Fromelles The Attack at Fromelles (, Battle of Fromelles, Battle of Fleurbaix or ) 19–20 July 1916, was a military operation on the Western Front during the First World War. The attack was carried out by British and Australian troops and was subsidiary ...

on 19 July 1916, a diversionary operation in support of the Somme Offensive. 61st (2nd SM) DA began relieving 39th DA on 6/7 July with CCCVII Bde in the Left Group at La Couture, supporting 183rd (2nd Gloucester and Worcester) Infantry Bde. Artillery preparation began on 18 July but six hours' fire on 19 July failed to suppress the enemy artillery by Zero hour (15.00). The infantry attack was a disaster, the assaulting battalions taking very heavy casualties. 61st (2nd SM) Division was so badly mauled that it was not used offensively again in 1916. It returned to the Laventie sector where the divisional artillery continued harassing and retaliatory fire and supporting trench raids. On 16/17 September CCCV (2/I SM) Brigade was broken up among the other brigades of 61st (2nd SM) DA to bring their field batteries up to six guns each, giving CCCVII Bde the following organisation: * A Bty (2/1st Warwickshire Bty + half 2/2nd Gloucestershire Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs * B Bty (2/2nd Warwickshire Bty + half 2/3rd Gloucestershire Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs * C Bty (2/3rd Warwickshire Bty + half 2/3rd Gloucestershire Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs * D (H) Bty (2/5th Warwickshire Bty) – 4 x 4.5-inch After the reorganisation, Lt-Col H.A. Koebel (a Regular officer) came with several officers and men from the HQ of the disbanded CCCV Bde to take over command of CCCVII Bde. The brigade withdrew to the wagon lines, and then took over from Right Group of 31st DA in the

Neuve-Chapelle Neuve-Chapelle ( vls, Nieuwkappel) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. It was the site of a First World War battle in 1915. Geography Neuve-Chapelle is situated some northeast of Béthune and ...

sector.

1916–17

61st (2nd SM) Division stayed in the line until it was relieved by 56th (1/1st London) Division on 28 October, but its artillery remained in position, carrying out a considerable amount of firing. On 18/19 November CCCVII Bde was relieved and marched to the Somme area, arriving at Pozières on 28 November. The brigade carried out intermittent shelling on enemy communication trenches, and received some enemy fire in exchange: Maj

Attwood Torrens Major Attwood Alfred Torrens (13 February 1874 – 8 December 1916) was an English cricketer and army officer. Attwood Torrens was educated at Harrow School before going to work at the stock exchange.Nigel McCrery, ''Final Wicket: Test and First ...

of D Bty was killed on 8 December while moving bis battery to a safer position. He was buried at Pozières British Cemetery at

Ovillers-la-Boisselle Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune of Ovillers-la-Boisselle is situated northeast of Amiens and extends to the north and south of the D 929 Albert–Bapaume r ...

. Following a two-day bombardment, 61st (2nd SM) DA supported Fifth Army's operations on the Ancre from 11 to 17 January 1917. Afterwards the brigade withdrew to a rest and training area at

Fontaine-sur-Maye Fontaine-sur-Maye is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune is situated on the D56 road, some northeast of Abbeville. Population See also *Communes of the Somme department The follow ...

. On 27 January D (H) Bty was made up to six howitzers when it was joined by Left Section of D (H)/CCCVIII Bty. Two days later Lt-Col Koebel was transferred to the corps heavy artillery, and was replaced in command of the brigade by Lt-Col A. Morton.307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 January–31 May 1917, TNA file WO 95/3043/2.
/ref> On 16–17 February the brigade returned to the line in the Somme sector, relieving French batteries near Framerville. The incoming British troops were greeted with increased German shellfire and raids, to which the brigade responded with large numbers of shells on SOS tasks and retaliatory fire, assisted by a section of 109th Siege Battery, RGA. Exchanges of fire continued until 17 March when the Germans pulled out of their trenches, beginning their withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line (

Operation Alberich Operation Alberich (german: Unternehmen Alberich) was the code name of a German military operation in France during the First World War. Two salients had been formed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 between Arras and Saint-Quentin and f ...

). The brigade followed up, covering the advance of 184th (2nd South Midland) Bde. On 5 April B Bty joined CLVI (2/II SM) Bde in supporting an operation by 183rd Bde against Hindenburg Line outposts at Fresnoy-le-Petit, while on 9 April the rest of the brigade supported 182nd (2nd Warwickshire) Bde against Fresnoy. As Fourth Army closed up to the new German line, CCCVIII Bde HQ moved up to

Soyécourt Soyécourt is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune is situated east of Amiens, on the D79 road, less than a mile from the A29 autoroute. Population Places of interest * St.Martial's ...

on 12 April, when 61st DA came under 35th DA. On 15 and 25 April the brigade supported attacks against enemy trenches near

Pontruet Pontruet is a Communes of France, commune in the Aisne Departments of France, department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Population See also *Communes of the Aisne department References

Communes of Aisne Aisne communes art ...

, while D (H) Bty shelled Bellenglise on the

St. Quentin Canal The Canal de Saint-Quentin () is a canal in northern France connecting the canalised river Escaut in Cambrai to the Canal latéral à l'Oise and Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne in Chauny. History The canal was built in two phases, the second much lo ...

Ypres

The brigade remained under the tactical control of 35th DA, supporting minor operations and raids, until 8 May, when the batteries were relieved in turn by 11 May and the brigade marched to

Outrebois Outrebois () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography Outrebois is situated on the D59 road, some northeast of Abbeville on the banks of the river Authie, the border with the Pas-de-Calais. Popula ...

for rest. It returned to the line at

Wancourt Wancourt is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography Wancourt is situated some southeast of Arras, at the junction of the D33 and the D34E roads. The A1 autoroute passes by just yards from the c ...

in the

Arras Arras ( , ; pcd, Aro; historical nl, Atrecht ) is the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais Departments of France, department, which forms part of the regions of France, region of Hauts-de-France; before the regions of France#Reform and mergers of ...

sector on 9 June and resumed the usual programme of harassing fire and supporting trench raids until it was relieved at the end of the month. 61st (2nd SM) Division was then withdrawn and went into reserve for the Third Ypres Offensive. Like 48th (SM) Division it was not committed until the second phase of the offensive, the Battle of Langemarck, and then only late in the battle (22 August), when 184th Bde gained a few hundred yards of ground against camouflaged concrete pillboxes that were invisible to the artillery observers. On 27 August and 10 September the division was again halted by the strongpoints hidden in the farm buildings.307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 June–31 October 1917, TNA file WO 95/3043/3.
/ref> The division was then withdrawn to the Arras sector, where the brigade spent a quiet period at Athies, supporting regular raids on enemy lines. On 27 November Lt-Col A.F. Bayley arrived to take over command of the brigade, Maj Chance having been in acting command since the summer. At the beginning of December 61st (2nd SM) Division was sent as reinforcements to the Battle of Cambrai, but the divisional artillery was left in position at Athies and did not participate. It was relieved on 23 December and marched by stages to the area of Roye, where it was billeted in surrounding villages.307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 November–31 December 1917, TNA file WO 95/3043/4.
/ref>

Spring Offensive

In early January 1918 CCCVII Bde moved back into the line, covering the spur by the River Omignon that 61st (SM) Division had taken over from the French. Here the policy was to remain quiet, not firing more than absolutely necessary, while working on the defences. Due to its manpower shortages the BEF had adopted a new policy of defence in depth, with an Outpost or Forward Zone, Battle Zone and Rear Zone. These were not continuous trench lines but consisted of a series of wired-in redoubts that could cover the intervening ground with machine gun fire. CCCVIII Bde's batteries in the Forward Zone had pre-prepared alternative and reinforcing positions, and an equivalent number of positions in the Battle Zone. Each 18-pdr battery had one gun deployed in the front line for anti-tank (A/T) duties.307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 January–31 March 1918, TNA file WO 95/3043/5.
/ref> The German spring offensive opened with a massive bombardment at 04.40 on 21 March, and all telephone lines to CCCVII Bde's batteries and OPs were cut by the shellfire. The German infantry advance 6 hours later was covered by fog, and the outposts, OPs and A/T guns were soon overrun. Where possible the batteries fired their pre-arranged counter-barrages blindly into the mist. CCCVII Bde's liaison officer with 1/5th Bn Gordon Highlanders in Fresnoy Redoubt continued reporting until noon, when the redoubt was surrounded; it finally surrendered at about 13.30. An infantry counter-attack from the Battle Zone failed. During the afternoon 65th Brigade, RGA, came under command of CCCVII Bde HQ, which used it to respond to an SOS call from the infantry in front. By the end of the day 61st (2nd SM) Division still held its Battle Zone on the reverse slope of the spur, but it was clear that most of CCCVII Bde's guns in the Forward Zone had been lost. Three guns of A Bty were successfully withdrawn during the afternoon, and two of B Bty fell back to cover the battle line west of Marteville before they too had to be withdrawn under heavy machine gun fire. The surviving gunners of B and C Btys retired having disabled their guns; the commander of C Bty, Maj T.J. Moss, was killed by a sniper as he withdrew his men. D Battery, in the most forward positions, had been overrun early in the day, firing to the last, and few of its men got away, Maj A.C.M. Riecke being posted missing.) During the night three remaining guns of B Bty and five of C Bty were retrieved. While waiting to try to pull out their guns, the gun teams of B Bty were also able to withdraw two advanced 6-inch howitzers for 65th Bde, RGA. The brigade lost no casualties during this recovery operation, and also took two Germans prisoners. The German Spring Offensive, March-july 1918 Q8655

By 08.00 next morning, A & B Btys had a combined battery back in action covering the Battle Zone, while the remaining C Bty guns were sent back to the wagon lines to refit. That morning the Germans put in another heavy attack on the Holnon Plateau north of the Omignon. At 11.30 CCCVII Bde HQ came under heavy shellfire and became untenable, the staff hastily evacuating it and joining HQ of 65th Bde, RGA, at Villeveque before moving to Quivières. Meanwhile, the guns and wagons withdrew to Beauvois, losing one gun knocked out by shellfire. Although 61st (SM) Division was holding its own, flanking formations were in retreat, and the division had to retire, the guns supporting rearguards. Towards evening Beauvois became untenable and at 23.00 the remnants of CCCVII Bde was ordered to withdraw through

Béthencourt Béthencourt () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Population Heraldry See also *Communes of the Nord department The following is a list of the 648 communes of the Nord department of the French Republic. The commu ...

to the west bank of the Somme. By 05.00 on 23 March the brigade was established at Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise. The division went into reserve early on 23 March, but CCCVII Bde remained in continuous action under 20th (Light) Division as a composite brigade ('Bayley's Group') with its own guns (A & B Bty) and those of CCCVI Bde to defend the bridgehead at Béthencourt. During the morning of 24 March FOOs observed Germans deploying from buses to attack Béthencourt. These were out of range but the group had an attached section of 60-pounder guns from 111th Heavy Bty, RGA, and these engaged the buses, while the 18-pdrs supported a counter-attack by 183rd Bde at noon. However, the Germans crossed the Somme and a further retirement was ordered behind the

Canal du Nord The Canal du Nord (, literally ''Canal of the North'') is a long canal in northern France. The canal connects the Canal latéral à l'Oise at Pont-l'Évêque to the Sensée Canal at Arleux. The French government, in partnership with coal-min ...

. CCVI Brigade moved out at 13.30 and CCCVII at 14.00 under machine gun fire, while the brigade medical officers used heavy artillery lorries to evacuate wounded from Mesnil. The guns crossed the canal near Dingon and retired to Herly, moving further back to Billancourt at 21.00. By now the British troops in this sector had come under French command. During 25 March Bayley's Group fired to cover the French withdrawal, and was almost cut off and captured at Gruny at the end of the day, before arriving at Villers-lès-Roye during the night. It continued to fall back during 26 and 27 March, between halting to cover the French, and was in position in front of Le Plessier by nightfall. The Germans made a heavy attack on the morning of 28 March (the Third Battle of Arras). With the enemy still coming on, Bayley's Group was withdrawn across the River Avre at Moreuil, the last batteries withdrawing under machine gun fire, by 16.30. Coming under 30th DA, the group shelled the enemy advancing through Le Plessier. By the end of the day the group was deployed west of Montdidier. Allied counter-attacks began on 29 March, and at 07.00 Bayley's Group was moved to cover the front from Plessier to Fresnoy-en-Chaussée, coming into action by 12.30 and causing considerable loss to the enemy massing at Plessier. The French counter-attack failed, and the guns then covered their rapid retirement that evening. The batteries continued in action between Rouvrel and Morisel throughout 30 March–3 April. On 31 March CCCVI Bde HQ relieved Lt-Col Bayley and his exhausted CCCVII staff in charge of the 61st DA Group. Since the start of the German offensive CCCVII Bde had lost 1 officer and 6 other ranks (ORs) killed, 49 ORs wounded, and 7 officers and 56 ORs missing (mainly prisoners). In addition it had permanently lost 6 howitzers and 6 18-pdrs. The brigade now had A and B Btys in action, while the men and limbers of C Bty were acting as a BAC, and the survivors of D (H) Bty were attached to the DAC. The brigade also had D (H)/CCCVI Bty attached.307 South Midland Bde War Diary 1 April 1918–30 June 1919, TNA file WO 95/3044/1.
/ref> On 4 April the Germans put in a fresh attack (the

Battle of the Avre The Battle of the Avre (4–5 April 1918), part of the First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, constituted the final German attack towards Amiens in World War I. It was the point at which the Germans got the closest to Amiens. It was fought between ...

), but their advance on Rouvrel was frustrated by the British barrage; CCCVII Bde around

Guyencourt-sur-Noye Guyencourt-sur-Noye is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The commune is situated on the D116 road, by the banks of the river Noye, some south of Amiens. History In 1692, the village name was ...

contributed harassing fire by day and night. This marked the end of the German offensive on this front. The brigade was relieved next day and went to

Croixrault Croixrault (; Picard: ''Cloreu'') is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography Croixrault is situated on the D341 and D141 crossroads, some southwest of Amiens. The commune is served by exit 13 of the ...

where it was refitted with new guns and limbers. On 12 April A and B Btys went back into the line under 58th (2/1st L) Division covering

Villers-Bretonneux Villers-Bretonneux () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography Villers-Bretonneux is situated some 19 km due east of Amiens, on the D1029 road and the A29 motorway. Villers-Bretonneux border ...

. 61st (2nd SM) Division's exhausted infantry had been relieved and sent north (where they were engaged in the Battle of the Lys from 11 to 18 April), but the divisional artillery remained in position at Villers-Bretonneux, supporting British, Australian and French units. CCCVII Brigade was relieved on 22–23 April and sent north to First Army. By the end of the month the batteries were reorganising and overhauling their guns at

Liettres Liettres (; vls, Liste) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography Liettres is situated some northwest of Béthune and west of Lille, on the D186e2 and D186, bordered by the A26 autorout ...

, some miles from Béthune. From 4 May the brigade began moving by sections into the line at Lillers, coming under 4th Divisional Artillery and settling into routine trench warfare. On 20/21 May CCCVII Bde exchanged with 255th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery of 51st (Highland) Divisional Artillery to cover 184th Bde of 61st (2nd SM) Division, which had returned to the line. The brigade supported the usual trench raids. To assist

's surprise attack on La Becque (Operation Borderland on 28 June) it carried out diversionary wirecutting on its own front and fired a smokescreen.

Hundred Days Offensive

The_German_Spring_Offensive,_March-july_1918_Q8631

61st (2nd SM) Division was relieved in the first half of July and CCCVII Bde was pulled out of the line for training at

Estrée-Blanche Estrée-Blanche (; vls, Strate) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. History Indian cavalry were stationed at Estrée-Blanche during the First World War. Geography Estrée-Blanche is a farmin ...

from 14 to 22 July. The division then moved north, where CCCVII Bde came under 9th (Scottish) DA to renovate and construct new gun positions west of

Meteren Meteren is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of West Betuwe, and lies about 10 km west of Tiel. History It was first mentioned in 1133 as Methre. The etymology is unclear. The village develope ...

. It rejoined 61st (2nd SM) Division on 31 July and returned to training at Estrée-Blanche before going into the line west of Merville on 9 August with Fifth Army. The Allied Hundred Days Offensive was now under way, and by 18 August Fifth Army's infantry was edging forward as the enemy gave up ground, with CCCVII Bde following up in support. On 31 August the enemy began withdrawing again; CCCVII Bde covered the British line and sent spare ammunition forward to CCCVI Bde as 'Advanced Guard Artillery' supporting 184th Bde. As the cautious advance continued CCCVII Bde took over the advanced guard role from 4 to 16 September, with B and D (H) Btys moving with the infantry to support local attacks. From 23 September the guns fired for 184th Bde's operation against the strongpoints of 'Bartlett Farm' and 'Junction Post', which was carried out from 30 September to 2 October.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 111–120. 61st (2nd SM) Division was transferred to Third Army and CCCVII Bde entrained for

Doullens Doullens (; pcd, Dourlin; former nl, Dorland) is a commune in the Somme department, Hauts-de-France, France. Its inhabitants are called ''Doullennais'' and ''Doullennaises''. Geography Doullens is situated on the N25 road, in the northern ...

on 6/7 October. It reached

Anneux Anneux () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Its church is dedicated to Saint Léger. History Anneux was among the villages fought over at the western end of the Battle of Cambrai (1917). Population Heraldry See also * ...

on 11 October and became 'Support Brigade Group', affiliated to 182nd Bde. During Third Army's pursuit to the

River Selle The Selle (; also spelt Celle in the Oise) is a river of Hauts-de-France, France. It is long. Rising at Catheux, just north of Crèvecœur-le-Grand, Oise, it flows past Conty, Saleux, Salouël and Pont-de-Metz before joining the Somme at Amiens ...

it supported an operation against

Haussy Haussy () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is south of Valenciennes. History During World War I the Germans occupied Haussy. Their brutal treatment of the native French inhabitants is recorded by Private A S Bullock i ...

by 24th Division on 16 October. Third Army now prepared a fullscale assault against the German positions (the

Battle of the Selle The Battle of the Selle (17–25 October 1918) was a battle between Allied forces and the German Army, fought during the Hundred Days Offensive of World War I. Prelude After the Second Battle of Cambrai, the Allies advanced almost and liberated ...

) and on 19 October CCCVII Bde was ordered to hold a battery at immediate readiness to support the infantry advance. The creeping barrage for the battle commenced at 02.00 on 20 October under a full moon and one section of each of the brigade's 18-pdr batteries moved into the river valley in close support at 02.45. The rest of the brigade ceased fire at 03.30 and the infantry were on all their objectives by 08.30. The advanced sections continued moving forward over the following days while the brigade supported

19th (Western) Division The 19th (Western) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, part of Kitchener's Army, formed in the Great War. Formation history The 19th (Western) Division was created under Western Command in September 1914, shortly after the ...

's continued attack on Haussy on 22/23 October. 61st (2nd SM) Division now prepared to make its first setpiece attack in over a year. It was supported by nine RFA brigades, including its own and 19th (W) Division's. On 24 October the 18-pdrs laid down a creeping barrage, and on the right 183rd Bde reached its final objective in good time. 182nd Brigade alongside got held up by uncut wire, but 184th Bde passed through 183rd later in the day with a special barrage and completed the division's objectives for the day. CCCVII Brigade was ordered to move forward at 16.00. Next day the enemy retired and two battalions of 184th Bde advanced with close artillery support, CCCVII Bde being attached to 2/4th

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was a light infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1881 until 1958, serving in the Second Boer War, World War I and World War II. The regiment was formed as a consequence of th ...

(OBLI). The division's attempts to establish bridgeheads across the River Rhonelle on 27 October were unsuccessful, but enemy counter-attacks suffered heavy casualties from the single guns that had been pushed well forward. The Rhonelle was crossed on 1–2 November (the Battle of Valenciennes), with 182nd Bde behind a creeping barrage making for the high ground and the village of

Maresches Maresches () is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. History During World War I the Germans occupied Maresches. Private A S Bullock, in a posthumously published memoir, recalls going over the top to drive them back, describing 't ...

. The attack was disrupted by an enemy counter-attack, and a repeat attack that evening with a fresh barrage was also held up; 184th Bde succeeded in gaining the bridgeheads next morning. The advance was now turning into a pursuit, and CCCVII Bde moved forward daily supporting 19th (W) and 24th Divisions and pulling off the road into fields for the night. There was little firing, but on 4 November a German bomber dropped two bombs into B Bty's wagon lines, killing two men and wounding 17. Hostilities were ended by the Armistice on 11 November. After the Armistice CCCVII Bde marched back into France via Valenciennes, and in early December it went into winter quarters around

Beauvoir-Wavans Beauvoir-Wavans is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It was formed in 1974 by the merger of the former communes Wavans-sur-l'Authie and Beauvoir-Rivière. Geography A village located 33 ...

. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and on 11 June the brigade moved to Candas for final dispersal, which was completed on 23 June.

Interwar

When the TF was reconstituted on 7 February 1920, 3rd South Midland Bde reformed at Birmingham with four batteries: the 1st and 2nd Warwicks at Birmingham, a new 3rd Warwicks formed from the former

Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery The Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery was a Territorial Force Royal Horse Artillery battery that was formed in Warwickshire in 1908. It was the first Territorial Force artillery unit to go overseas on active service, spending the whole of the ...

Leamington Spa Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or simply Leamington (), is a spa town and civil parish in Warwickshire, England. Originally a small village called Leamington Priors, it grew into a spa town in the 18th century following ...

, and the 4th Warwicks (H) at

Rugby Rugby may refer to: Sport * Rugby football in many forms: ** Rugby league: 13 players per side *** Masters Rugby League *** Mod league *** Rugby league nines *** Rugby league sevens *** Touch (sport) *** Wheelchair rugby league ** Rugby union: 1 ...

from the former 4th South Midland Bde. In 1921 the TF was reorganised as the Territorial Army (TA) and the unit was redesignated as 68th (South Midland) Brigade, RFA, with the following organisation:Frederick, pp. 490, 493, 519, 529.War Office, ''Titles & Designations'', 1927. * Brigade HQ at Stoney Lane, Birmingham * 269th (Warwick) Bty at Stoney Lane * 270th (Warwick) Bty at Stoney Lane * 271st (Warwick) Bty at Clarendon Place, Leamington Spa * 272nd (Warwick) Bty (Howitzers) at 72 Victoria Avenue, Rugby The brigade was once again part of 48th (SM) Division, which had also reformed in 1920. In 1924 the RFA was subsumed into the Royal Artillery (RA), and the word 'Field' was inserted into the titles of its brigades and batteries. The establishment of a TA divisional artillery brigade was four 6-gun batteries, three equipped with 18-pounders and one with 4.5-inch howitzers, all of World War I patterns. However, the batteries only held four guns in peacetime. The guns and their first-line ammunition wagons were still horsedrawn and the battery staffs were mounted. Partial mechanisation was carried out from 1927, but the guns retained iron-tyred wheels until pneumatic tyres began to be introduced just before

. In 1938 the RA modernised its nomenclature and a lieutenant-colonel's command was designated a 'regiment' rather than a 'brigade'; this applied to TA field brigades from 1 November 1938.

World War II

Mobilisation

The TA was doubled in size after the

Munich Crisis The Munich Agreement ( cs, Mnichovská dohoda; sk, Mníchovská dohoda; german: Münchner Abkommen) was an agreement concluded at Munich on 30 September 1938, by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. It provided "cession to Germany ...

, and most regiments formed duplicates: 68th (SM) Field Rgt formed 120th Field Rgt at

Solihull Solihull (, or ) is a market town and the administrative centre of the wider Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in West Midlands County, England. The town had a population of 126,577 at the 2021 Census. Solihull is situated on the River Blythe i ...

on 12 July 1939. Part of the reorganisation was that field regiments changed from four six-gun batteries to an establishment of two batteries, each of three four-gun

troop A troop is a military sub-subunit, originally a small formation of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron. In many armies a troop is the equivalent element to the infantry section or platoon. Exceptions are the US Cavalry and the King's Troop Ro ...

s. For the Warwickshire artillery this resulted in the following organisation:Ellis, ''France & Flanders'', Appendix A.
/ref>Farndale, ''Years of Defeat'', Annex A.Farndale, ''Years of Defeat'', Annex M.Sainsbury, pp. 17–20; Appendix 2. 68th (South Midland) Field Regiment * Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) at Birmingham * 269 (Warwick) Field Bty at Birmingham * 271 (Warwick) Field Bty at Clarendon Place, Leamington Spa 120th Field Regiment * RHQ at Solihull * 270 (Warwick) Field Bty at Birmingham * 272 (Warwick) Field Bty at Rugby The TA mobilised on 1 September 1939, just before the outbreak of war, with 68th (SM) Fd Rgt in 48th (SM) Division and 120th Fd Rgt in the newly formed 61st Infantry Division.Southern Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files.
/ref>Farndale, ''Years of Defeat'', p. 21.Joslen, pp. 77–8.Joslen, pp. 95–6.

68th (South Midland) Field Regiment

Battle of France

The regiment went to

Swindon Swindon () is a town and unitary authority with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in Wiltshire, England. As of the 2021 Census, the population of Swindon was 201,669, making it the largest town in the county. The Swindon un ...

Wiltshire Wiltshire (; abbreviated Wilts) is a historic and ceremonial county in South West England with an area of . It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset to the southwest, Somerset to the west, Hampshire to the southeast, Gloucestershire ...

for intensive training before moving to France with 48th (SM) Division in January 1940 to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The regiment still had 18-pdrs and 4.5-inch howitzers. When the German offensive began with the invasion of the Low Countries on 10 May, the BEF advanced into Belgium under

Plan D A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal. F ...

, and soon its leading divisions were in place on the

River Dyle The Dyle (french: Dyle ; nl, Dijle ) is a river in central Belgium, left tributary of the Rupel. It is long. It flows through the Belgian provinces of Walloon Brabant, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp. Its source is in Houtain-le-Val, near Nivelles ...

. 68th (SM) Field Rgt crossed into Belgium on 15 May and moved up to the southern outskirts of

Brussels Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...

, establishing gun positions near

Waterloo Waterloo most commonly refers to: * Battle of Waterloo, a battle on 18 June 1815 in which Napoleon met his final defeat * Waterloo, Belgium, where the battle took place. Waterloo may also refer to: Other places Antarctica *King George Island (S ...

on 16 May. However, the Germans had broken through in the

Ardennes The Ardennes (french: Ardenne ; nl, Ardennen ; german: Ardennen; wa, Årdene ; lb, Ardennen ), also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of Ardennes, is a region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges primarily in Be ...

and the BEF was forced to retreat: the regiment was ordered to retire to

Hal HAL may refer to: Aviation * Halali Airport (IATA airport code: HAL) Halali, Oshikoto, Namibia * Hawaiian Airlines (ICAO airline code: HAL) * HAL Airport, Bangalore, India * Hindustan Aeronautics Limited an Indian aerospace manufacturer of fight ...

without having fired a shot. It accomplished this during the night along congested roads. The BEF was falling back to the line of the Escaut and on 18 May the regiment was ordered across the river to the Bois d'Houtaing a few miles to the west of

Ath Ath (; nl, Aat, ; pcd, Ât; wa, Ate) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. The municipality consists of the following districts: Arbre, Ath, Bouvignies, Ghislenghien, Gibecq, Houtaing, Irc ...

, where its guns were readied for action at

Wez-Velvain Wez-Velvain ( pcd, Wés'-Vélvin) is a village of Wallonia and a district of the municipality of Brunehaut, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. It was a municipality of its own before the 1977 fusion of the Belgian municipalities. We ...

. On 21 May 48th (SM) Division was heavily engaged in driving back attempts to cross the river. 68th (SM) Field Rgt fired almost all day. Although it had difficulty finding suitable OP positions, and one FOO was killed, the regiment did much predicted shooting on targets indicated by its liaison officers at the infantry brigade and battalion HQs. The shrapnel from its 18-pdrs and 4.5-inch howitzers had considerable effect on the enemy infantry trying to cross. At 15.00 brigade HQ requested the regiment to lay down a 15-minute preliminary barrage for a counter-attack by a company of the 1st OBLI. This barrage was terminated early, because the attackers had already reached their objective. However, the German breakthrough had now reached the sea and the BEF was cut off. The division was among the forces pulled out of the east-facing Escaut line to form a west-facing line along a series of canals in the Bergues–

–

Hazebrouck Hazebrouck (, nl, Hazebroek, , vls, Oazebroeke) is a commune in the Nord department, Hauts-de-France. It was a small market town in Flanders until it became an important railway junction in the 1860s. West Flemish was the usual language until 1 ...

area covering the approaches to

Dunkirk Dunkirk (french: Dunkerque ; vls, label=French Flemish, Duunkerke; nl, Duinkerke(n) ; , ;) is a commune in the department of Nord in northern France.Dunkirk Dunkirk (french: Dunkerque ; vls, label=French Flemish, Duunkerke; nl, Duinkerke(n) ; , ;) is a commune in the department of Nord in northern France.Operation Dynamo Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...

), and forces in the 'pocket' in which the BEF was now confined were progressively pulled into the Dunkirk perimeter. 48th (SM) Division held a series of delaying positions and the divisional artillery had a hard fight to get back. 68th (SM) Field Rgt was in action at

Elverdinge Elverdinge is a village in the Flemish province of West Flanders in Belgium. The village is part of the municipality of Ypres. In World War I, the village was part of the Ypres Salient The Ypres Salient around Ypres in Belgium was the scene of ...

covering the Rver Yser, where it fired all its ammunition, destroyed its guns, and moved into the bridgehead, embarking on 30 May.

Home defence

On return to the UK, 68th (SM) Field Rgt concentrated at Presteigne in

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

and then went to Tavistock in

Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...

to rejoin 48th (SM) Division, which was reforming in

South West England South West England, or the South West of England, is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of the counties of Bristol, Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Cities and ...

. Slowly the field artillery were re-equipped, first with extemporised guns, later with the modern Mk II 25-pounder towed by

Quad Quad as a word or prefix usually means 'four'. It may refer to: Government * Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States * Quadrilateral group, an informal group which inc ...

tractors.Collier, Map 17. One of the lessons learned from the

was that the two-battery organisation did not work: field regiments were intended to support an infantry brigade of three battalions. As a result, they were reorganised into three 8-gun batteries, but it was not until late 1940 that the RA had enough trained battery staffs to carry out the reorganisation. 68th (SM) Field Rgt accordingly formed 447 Fd Bty by May 1941. 48th (SM) Division remained training in

VIII Corps 8th Corps, Eighth Corps, or VIII Corps may refer to: * VIII Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French army during the Napoleonic Wars *VIII Army Corps (German Confederation) * VIII Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German Army ...

in South West England until late 1941 when it transferred to

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs.) is a county in the East Midlands of England, with a long coastline on the North Sea to the east. It borders Norfolk to the south-east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south-west, Leicestershire ...

in I Corps District.Collier, Maps 20, 27. From November 1941 48th (SM) Division was placed on a lower establishment, indicating that it was no longer intended for overseas service. It did, however, supply trained units to other formations. 68th (SM) Field Rgt left the division on 22 August 1942 and came under WO control preparatory to embarking for overseas service.

Middle East

68th (SM) Field Rgt landed in

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

on 17 March 1943, where it joined Tenth Army. Tenth Army's role was to safeguard the supply route from the

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf ( fa, خلیج فارس, translit=xalij-e fârs, lit=Gulf of Persis, Fars, ), sometimes called the ( ar, اَلْخَلِيْجُ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Khalīj al-ˁArabī), is a Mediterranean sea (oceanography), me ...

to the

Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...

. However, by early 1943 the German defeats at

Stalingrad Volgograd ( rus, Волгогра́д, a=ru-Volgograd.ogg, p=vəɫɡɐˈɡrat), geographical renaming, formerly Tsaritsyn (russian: Цари́цын, Tsarítsyn, label=none; ) (1589–1925), and Stalingrad (russian: Сталингра́д, Stal ...

and in

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

had removed the threat. On 17 August 68th (SM) Field Rgt moved to

Palestine __NOTOC__ Palestine may refer to: * State of Palestine, a state in Western Asia * Palestine (region), a geographic region in Western Asia * Palestinian territories, territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely the West Bank (including East ...

where it came under the command of

10th Indian Infantry Division The 10th Indian Infantry Division was a war formed infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II. In four years, the division travelled over from Tehran to Trieste, fought three small wars, and fought two great campaigns: the ...

, which was reforming there after service in the Western Desert campaign.Joslen, p. 504. The regiment trained with 10th Indian Division in Palestine, Syria and Egypt, before returning to Palestine on 14 November. The division was earmarked to reinforce the Allied Armies in Italy (AAI). On 15 March 1944 it moved to Egypt and embarked on 24 March.

Italy

68th (SM) Field Rgt landed in Italy with the division on 28 March 1944. In May the Allies broke through the German

Winter Line The Winter Line was a series of German and Italian military fortifications in Italy, constructed during World War II by Organisation Todt and commanded by Albert Kesselring. The series of three lines was designed to defend a western section of ...

Operation Diadem Operation Diadem, also referred to as the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino or, in Canada, the Battle of the Liri Valley, was an offensive operation undertaken by the Allies of World War II (U.S. Fifth Army and British Eighth Army) in May 1944, as p ...

, and took

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

. By early June 10 Indian Division had concentrated under

to take part in the pursuit through the mountains towards Bibbiena. The division's infantry worked their way up the Tiber Valley through scrub-covered ridges and deep ravines and then secured the mountain tops beyond, attacking usually at night. X Corps then went onto the defensive while the rest of the AAI concentrated against the

Gothic Line The Gothic Line (german: Gotenstellung; it, Linea Gotica) was a German Defense line, defensive line of the Italian Campaign (World War II), Italian Campaign of World War II. It formed Generalfeldmarschall, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's la ...

. In mid-September 10 Indian Division was switched to

V Corps 5th Corps, Fifth Corps, or V Corps may refer to: France * 5th Army Corps (France) * V Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée), a cavalry unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars * V Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Army ...

under Eighth Army on the

Adriatic The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the Strait of Otranto (where it connects to the Ionian Sea) ...

front, and on 6 October it crossed the headwaters of the Fiumicino ( Rubicon) near Sogliano and early next morning stormed the key feature of Monte Farneto. It then continued through the hills, hustling the Germans off the ridges and turning the defended river lines in the coastal plain. However, the artillery of two divisions had to rely for supplies on a single

Jeep Jeep is an American automobile marque, now owned by multi-national corporation Stellantis. Jeep has been part of Chrysler since 1987, when Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand, along with remaining assets, from its previous owner American Moto ...

track through the hills, and 10th Indian Division was halted once it had secured a bridgehead across the

Savio Savio may refer to: People ; Surname * Carlos Fernando Savio (born 1978), Uruguayan footballer * Daniel Savio (born 1978), Swedish musician * Dominic Savio (1842–1857), Italian saint * Ernesto Savio (1899–1945), Italian partisan * Edit Romanos ...

at Roversano by 21 October. The division resumed its advance on 23 October, attacking out of its bridgehead and seizing a foothold on Monte Cavallo, the whole of which was then captured after dark. The Germans now pulled back hastily to the line of the Ronco, where 10th Indian Division 'bounced' two small bridgeheads on the night of 25/26 October before the defences were set. However, other formations were less successful, and with its supply lines collapsing under floods, V Corps had to close down its operations and 10th Indian Division was sent for rest. V Corps was ordered to resume its advance at the beginning of November, 10th Indian Division leading off on 30 October because the ground dried out in front of its Ronco bridgehead first. The advance south of

Forlì Forlì ( , ; rgn, Furlè ; la, Forum Livii) is a ''comune'' (municipality) and city in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. It is the central city of Romagna. The city is situated along the Via E ...

became rapid once an opposing infantry regiment collapsed: the German commander attributed this to the weight and accuracy of 10th Indian Division's artillery support and a complementary shortage of German artillery ammunition. But fresh rain on 2 November stalled the advance and Forlì did not fall until 9 November. The advance then continued as the Germans fell back behind a series of river lines, 10th Indian Division crossing the

Montone Montone is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Perugia in the Italian region Umbria, located about 35 km north of Perugia. Montone is a walled medieval village with a small industrial and housing estate surrounding the walled to ...

on 25 November. Once again, heavy rain stalled the planned crossing of the

Lamone Lamone is a municipality in the district of Lugano in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. History Lamone is first mentioned in 854 as ''Namonni''. In 1295 it was mentioned as ''Lamono''. A prehistoric stone bowl was discovered on San Zeno ...

next day, but 10th Indian Division attacked with heavy artillery support on 30 November, just failing to capture the German military bridge over the river before it was blown up. By the time winter ended offensive operations, V Corps had struggled forward to the line of the Senio. For the

Spring 1945 offensive in Italy The spring 1945 offensive in Italy, codenamed Operation Grapeshot, was the final Allied attack during the Italian Campaign in the final stages of the Second World War. The attack into the Lombard Plain by the 15th Allied Army Group started on 6 ...

(Operation Grapeshot), 10th Indian Division was assigned to XIII Corps in the

Apennine Mountains The Apennines or Apennine Mountains (; grc-gre, links=no, Ἀπέννινα ὄρη or Ἀπέννινον ὄρος; la, Appenninus or – a singular with plural meaning;''Apenninus'' (Greek or ) has the form of an adjective, which wou ...

. After Eighth Army had crossed the Senio and taken the

Argenta Gap The Battle of the Argenta Gap was an engagement which formed part of the Allied spring 1945 offensive during the Italian campaign in the final stages of the Second World War. It took place in northern Italy from 12 to 19 April 1945 between tr ...

, the Germans in front of XIII Corps pulled out, and 10th Indian Division began a pursuit towards

Budrio Budrio ( Eastern Bolognese: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy; it is east of Bologna. Budrio is the birthplace of Giuseppe Barilli, better known under his pseudonym of Quirico Filopanti, an I ...

on 14 April. XIII Corps then took over the central sector of Eighth Army's front, and brought round the divisional artillery of 10th Indian Division to support the attack by

2nd New Zealand Division The 2nd New Zealand Division, initially the New Zealand Division, was an infantry Division (military), division of the New Zealand Army, New Zealand Military Forces (New Zealand's army) during the World War II, Second World War. The division was ...

to break out of its bridgehead over the Sillaro. The attack was made at 21.00 on 15 April, supported by a barrage from seven field regiments and four medium regiments, lasting 2 hours 50 minutes and expending 40,000 rounds. The breakout was entirely successful, and an even bigger artillery concentration helped the New Zealanders across the steeply-banked Gaiana stream on the evening of 18 April, causing immense devastation to the German units. 10th Indian Division and the New Zealanders wheeled north and reached the

Reno Reno ( ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada-California border, about north from Lake Tahoe, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World". Known for its casino and tourism industry, Reno is the c ...

on the night of 22/23 April. Next day, Eighth Army began crossing the Po. 10th Indian Division was now 'grounded', its transport taken away to help keep the spearhead formations moving as the campaign came to an end. Hostilities in the theatre ended on 29 April with the

Surrender of Caserta Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

. 68th (South Midland) Field Regiment passed into suspended animation on 31 December 1946.

120th (South Midland) Field Regiment

120th Field Rgt mobilised in 61st Division and remained with it throughout the war. The division never served outside the United Kingdom. Having trained in Southern Command it was sent to

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

in June 1940 during the post-Dunkirk invasion crisis, remaining there until February 1943. 120th Field Rgt formed its third battery, 485 Fd Bty, on 1 March 1941 when the regiment was stationed at Ballymoney. It was authorised to adopt its parent unit's 'South Midland' subtitle on 17 February 1942. The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H20971

The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H20971

61st Division did appear in

21st Army Group The 21st Army Group was a British headquarters formation formed during the Second World War. It controlled two field armies and other supporting units, consisting primarily of the British Second Army and the First Canadian Army. Established in ...

's proposed order of battle in the summer of 1943, but it was later replaced by veteran formations brought back from the Mediterranean theatre before

Operation Overlord Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allies of World War II, Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Front (World War II), Western Europe during World War II. The operat ...

was launched. It remained in reserve in the UK at full establishment. On 1 September 1944 120th (SM) Fd Rgt transferred to 48th (SM) Division (now 48th (Reserve) Division), replacing 180th Fd Rgt, which had disbanded the previous day; 120th took over 146 Bty and the remaining personnel from 180th Fd Rgt. The regiment served in 48th (R) Division as a holding unit until the end of the war. It formed 603 Fd Bty as a holding battery on 5 December 1944. After the war, 603 Fd Bty disbanded on 1 January 1946 and 120th (South Midland) Field Regiment began entering suspended animation on 14 April 1946, completing the process by 2 May.

Postwar

When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947, 68th (SM) Field Rgt reformed at Stoney Lane,

Sparkbrook Sparkbrook is an inner-city area in south-east Birmingham, England. It is one of the four wards forming the Hall Green formal district within Birmingham City Council. Etymology The area receives its name from Spark Brook, a small stream that f ...

, Birmingham, as 268 (Warwickshire) Field Regiment, while 120th reformed at

Washwood Heath Washwood Heath is a ward in Birmingham, within the formal district of Hodge Hill, roughly two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre, England. Washwood Heath covers the areas of Birmingham that lie between Nechells, Bordesley Green, Stechf ...

, Birmingham, as 320 (South Midland) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. 268 Field Rgt was part of 86 (Field)

Army Group Royal Artillery An Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA) was a British Commonwealth military formation during the Second World War and shortly thereafter. Generally assigned to Army corps, an AGRA provided the medium and heavy artillery to higher formations within the ...

(AGRA), while 320 HAA Rgt was in 92 (AA) AGRA, though that was disbanded on 9 September 1948. 320 HAA Regiment was absorbed into 495 (Birmingham) HAA Rgt on 1 January 1954.Frederick, pp. 999, 1005, 1018. On 1 October 1954 268 Field Rgt was converted to medium artillery, then on 31 October 1956 it amalgamated with 267 (South Midland) Fd Rgt (the other half of the old 1st Worcestershire and Warwickshire Artillery Volunteers) at Worcester to form 267 (Worcester & Warwickshire) Medium Rgt with its RHQ and Q Bty at Birmingham, and a detachment at

. The TA was reorganised on 1 May 1961 after

National Service National service is the system of voluntary government service, usually military service. Conscription is mandatory national service. The term ''national service'' comes from the United Kingdom's National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939. The l ...

was abolished. The Warwickshire (Birmingham and Leamington Spa) elements of 267 (W&W) Med Rgt combined with Q (Warwickshire) Bty of 442 Light AA Rgt and P and Q Btys of 443 (Warwickshire) LAA Rgt to form a new 268 (Warwickshire) Regiment ('Field' was restored to the title in 1964), while the Worcestershire batteries amalgamated with part of 639 (8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment) Heavy Rgt to form a new 267 (Worcestershire) Field Rgt. The new Warwickshire unit had the following organisation:Frederick, pp. 1014, 1027. * RHQ – ex 267 (W&W) Fd Rgt * P Bty – ex 443 (W) LAA Rgt * Q Bty – ex 442 LAA Rgt * R Bty – ex 267 (W&W) Fd Rgt When the TA was reduced into the

Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve The Army Reserve is the active-duty volunteer reserve force of the British Army. It is separate from the Regular Reserve whose members are ex-Regular personnel who retain a statutory liability for service. The Army Reserve was known as the Ter ...

(TAVR) in 1967 the regiment reformed as the Warwickshire Regiment, RA, in TAVR III (Home Defence), absorbing an infantry battalion of the

Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a c ...

and a squadron of the

Royal Corps of Transport The Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) was a British Army Corps established to manage all matters in relation to the transport of men and material for the Army and the wider Defence community. It was formed in 1965 and disbanded in 1993; its units and ...

(RCT); 48th Divisional/District Provost Company, Royal Military Police, also assisted in its formation. The new unit had the following organisation:Frederick, p. 1044.Warwickshire Regiment, RA, at Regiments.org.
/ref> * RHQ – ex 268 (W) Fd Rgt * P (68 South Midland) Bty – ex 268 (W) Fd Rgt * Q (Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers) Bty – ex 7th Bn, Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers * R (Warwickshire Transport) Bty – ex 516 Squadron, 48th Divisional/District Rgt, RCT The TAVR was further reduced on 1 April 1969, when the regiment became a

cadre Cadre may refer to: *Cadre (military), a group of officers or NCOs around whom a unit is formed, or a training staff *Cadre (politics), a politically controlled appointment to an institution in order to circumvent the state and bring control to th ...

under

35th (South Midlands) Signal Regiment The 35th (South Midlands) Signal Regiment was a British Territorial Army regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals. History The Regiment was formed at Sparkbrook in 1967. It consisted of five squadrons: *Support Squadron *48 (City of Birmingham ...

Royal Corps of Signals The Royal Corps of Signals (often simply known as the Royal Signals – abbreviated to R SIGNALS or R SIGS) is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. Signals units are among the first into action, providing the battlefield communi ...

, with some men joining 48 (City of Birmingham) Signal Squadron at Sparkbrook in that regiment. Then on 1 April 1971 the cadre was disbanded to form X Troop in A Queen's Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry Squadron of The Mercian Yeomanry, when the Warwickshire artillery lineage ended.

Honorary Colonels

The following served as Honorary Colonel of the unit: * Sir

Hallewell Rogers Sir Hallewell Rogers, Deputy lieutenant, DL (25 February 1864 – 16 November 1931) was a British Conservative Party (UK), Conservative politician who was Member of Parliament (UK), Member of Parliament and List of mayors of Birmingham, Lord Ma ...

, former

Lord Mayor of Birmingham This is a list of the mayors and lord mayors of Birmingham in the West Midlands of England. Birmingham has had a mayor (and elected council) since 1838. The office was raised to the dignity of lord mayor when Queen Victoria issued letters pat ...

and later MP for Birmingham Moseley, appointed 10 October 1913. * Col A. Constantine, TD, former Commanding Officer, appointed 6 July 1929 * Brig-Gen Lord Henry Seymour, DSO and Bar, appointed 3 November 1934, died 8 June 1939.''Burke's'': Hertford'. * Col Frank Allday,

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

, TD, appointed 1 April 1967

Memorials

Memorials to the men of III South Midland Brigade who died during World War I and those of 68th (South Midland) Field Regiment who died in France and Belgium, Iraq and the Middle East, and in Italy during World War II, were erected at the Drill Hall at Stoney Lane. They were repositioned in the new Montgomery House Army Reserve Centre that replaced it in 1988.

Footnotes

Notes

References

* Maj A.F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, . * Maj A.F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions,'' London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, . * Maj A.F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3a: New Army Divisions (9–26)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1938/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, . * Maj A.F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3b: New Army Divisions (30–41) and 63rd (R.N.) Division'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1939/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, . * Maj A.F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 4: The Army Council, GHQs, Armies, and Corps 1914–1918'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1944/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, . * Gregory Blaxland, ''Amiens: 1918'', London: Frederick Muller, 1968/Star, 1981, . * ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage,'' 100th Edn, London, 1953. * Nigel Cave, ''Battleground Europe: Arras: Vimy Ridge'', Barnsley: Leo Cooper, 1996, . *

Basil Collier John Basil Collier (1908–1983) was a British writer of books of military history, particularly military aviation, World War II and military and political strategy. Collier became a full-time professional writer in 1932. Before the war he was a ...

''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Defence of the United Kingdom'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1957/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004
. * Brig-Gen Sir

James E. Edmonds Brigadier (United Kingdom), Brigadier-General Sir James Edward Edmonds (25 December 1861 – 2 August 1956) was an commissioned officer, officer of the Royal Engineers in the late-Victorian era British Army who worked in the Intelligence Corps ...

, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1916'', Vol I, London: Macmillan,1932/Woking: Shearer, 1986, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, . * Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1917'', Vol II, ''Messines and Third Ypres (Passchendaele)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1948/Uckfield: Imperial War Museum and Naval and Military Press, 2009, . * Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol I, ''The German March Offensive and its Preliminaries'', London: Macmillan, 1935/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, . * Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol II, ''March–April: Continuation of the German Offensives'', London: Macmillan, 1937/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, . * Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol III, ''May–July: The German Diversion Offensives and the First Allied Counter-Offensive'', London: Macmillan, 1939/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1994, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, . * Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds & Lt-Col R. Maxwell-Hyslop, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol V, ''26th September–11th November, The Advance to Victory'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1947/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1993, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2021, . * Capt

Cyril Falls Cyril Bentham Falls CBE (2 March 1888 – 23 April 1971) was a 20th Century British military historian, journalist, and academic, noted for his works on the First World War. Early life Falls was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 2 March 1888, the elde ...

, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1917'', Vol I, ''The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of Arras'', London: Macmillan, 1940/London: Imperial War Museum & Battery Press/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2009, . * Gen Sir

Martin Farndale General Sir Martin Baker Farndale, (6 January 1929 – 10 May 2000) was a British Army officer who reached high office in the 1980s. Military career Educated at Yorebridge Grammar School, Askrigg, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Farnda ...

, ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Western Front 1914–18'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1986, . * Gen Sir Martin Farndale, ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996, . * J.B.M. Frederick, ''Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978'', Vol I, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, . * J.B.M. Frederick, ''Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978'', Vol II, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, . * Robin Grist, ''A Gallant County: The Regiments of Gloucestershire in the Great War'', Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2018, . * Gen Sir William Jackson, ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East'', Vol VI: ''Victory in the Mediterranean, Part I, : June to October 1944'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1987/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, . * Gen Sir William Jackson, ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East'', Vol VI: ''Victory in the Mediterranean, Part I, I: November 1944 to May 1945'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1988/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, . * Norman E.H. Litchfield, ''The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, . * Norman Litchfield & Ray Westlake, ''The Volunteer Artillery 1859–1908 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1982, . * David Martin, ''Londoners on the Western Front: The 58th (2/1st London) Division in the Great War'', Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2014, . * Capt Wilfred Miles, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1916'', Vol II, ''2nd July 1916 to the End of the Battles of the Somme'', London: Macmillan, 1938/Imperial War Museum & Battery Press, 1992, /Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2005, . * Capt Wilfred Miles, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1917'', Vol III, ''The Battle of Cambrai'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1948/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2009, . * Brig C.J.C. Molony, ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East'', Vol VI: ''Victory in the Mediterranean, Part I: 1st April to 4th June 1944'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1987/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, . * Jerry Murland, ''Retreat and Rearguard Somme 1918: The Fifth Army Retreat'', Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2014, . * Col

G. W. L. Nicholson Colonel Gerald William Lingen Nicholson (6 January 1902 – 28 February 1980) was a British-Canadian soldier, historian, author, and teacher. From 1943 until his retirement in 1961, Nicholson served in the Historical Section, Canadian Army, wher ...

''Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War: Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914–1919'', Ottawa: Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery, 1962/Uckfield, Naval & Military, 2004, 978-1-78331-411-9.
* Lt-Col J.D. Sainsbury, ''The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Part 1: The Field Regiments 1920-1946'', Welwyn: Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Trust/Hart Books, 1999, . * War Office, ''Instructions Issued by The War Office During August 1914'', London: HM Stationery Office. * War Office, ''Army Council Instructions issued during June 1916'', London: HM Stationery Office. * War Office, ''Army Council Instructions issued during September 1916'', London: HM Stationery Office. * War Office, ''Titles and Designations of Formations and Units of the Territorial Army'', London: War Office, 7 November 1927 (RA sections also summarised in Litchfield, Appendix IV). * Everard Wyrall, ''The Gloucestershire Regiment in the War 1914–1918'', London: Methuen, 1931/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, .

External sources

Chris Baker, ''The Long, Long Trail''

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records

* ttp://www.orbat.info/history/historical/uk/ta47.html Graham Watson, ''The Territorial Army 1947''{{refend

Warwickshire Warwickshire (; abbreviated Warks) is a county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, and the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon an ...

Military units and formations in Warwickshire Military units and formations in Birmingham Military units and formations established in 1900