8th County of London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
8th County of London Brigade, RFA 65th (8th London) Field Regiment, RA 265 (8th London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA London and Kent Regiment, RA 265 (Home Counties) Air Assault Battery, RA | |
---|---|
Lee Green Grove Park | |
Engagements |
|
The 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a new unit formed when
Origin
When the
VIII County of London (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
- 21st County of London (Howitzer) Battery
- 22nd County of London (Howitzer) Battery
- VIII London (Howitzer) Brigade Ammunition Column (added 26 May 1909)
The new headquarters (HQ) was established at 'Oaklands', St Margaret's Road (later St Margaret's Grove), Plumstead, soon after the units split. VIII Brigade also had a presence at the old 2nd Kent RGA drill hall at Bloomfield Road, Greenwich. The first commanding officer (CO) was Major P.O. Thomas of the 2nd Kent, who was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.[2][3][6][11][12][14]
Armed with four horsedrawn
First World War
Mobilisation
On the outbreak of war the brigade was commanded by a Regular officer, Maj W.E. Emery, who was a Temporary Lt-Col in the TF.
After mobilisation TF units were invited to volunteer for Overseas Service. On 15 August 1914, the War Office issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up 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. In this way duplicate batteries, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas. Eventually these too were prepared for overseas service and 3rd Line reserve units were formed to produce reinforcement drafts to the others.[19] The duplicate 2/VIII London Brigade was formed at Plumstead in October 1914.[12][7][13][20][21][22]
I/VIII London Brigade
At the end of October 1914 the 2nd London Division was chosen to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) fighting on the Western Front and training was stepped up, despite bad weather and equipment shortages. Brigade and divisional training began in February 1915 and it received its orders for the move to France on 2 March. By 22 March all the batteries had reached the divisional concentration area around Béthune.[5][17][23][24]
Aubers Ridge
While the division's infantry were introduced to trench routine by being attached in groups to the
Festubert
Although 2nd London Division suffered few casualties at Aubers Ridge, its gunners had learned a sobering lesson about the impossibility of suppressing strong defences with inadequate guns and shells. On 11 May the division was redesignated
Loos
In June 47th (2nd L) Division took over trenches in front of Loos-en-Gohelle from the French. In August the divisional artillery was rested for the first time since March, and the brigade began training on the 4.5-inch howitzer for when these became available. The Loos sector had been selected for the next major British attack (the Battle of Loos), to which part of 47th (2nd L) Division would provide the southern 'hinge'. The batteries moved into position in the weeks beforehand, Maj E.H. Eley of 1/22nd London Bty finding a concealed position in a railway cutting. He placed each 5-inch howitzer between some abandoned railway trucks and covered them with tarpaulins so they could not be seen from the air. German maps captured in the subsequent fighting showed that this was one of only two British battery positions that had not been identified. 1/VIII London Bde, with the eight remaining 5-inch howitzers on the front, were allotted 4800 HE rounds for the coming battle. 1/21st London Bty was attached to XL Bde as part of the 'MacNaghten Group' supporting the attack by 140th (4th London) and 141st (5th London) infantry brigades, while the rest of the division stood firm while firing continuously on the German trenches opposite. Supported by poison gas clouds, the attacking portion of 47th (2nd L) Division made good progress towards its limited objective on the first day (25 September). However, events had not played out so well further north at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and the battle raged on after 47th (2nd L) Division had been relieved between 28 September and 1 October. On 13 October 47th (2nd L) Division was in support for the final attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and was practising on dummy trenches for a follow-up attack on Hulluch next day, but the results at the Hohenzollern were so disappointing that the operation was cancelled. The division took over the line and the artillery was in constant action over the following weeks.[5][17][31][32][33][34]
The division returned to the Loos sector in January 1916, with most of the artillery round Grenay, with Observation Posts (OPs) in the cottages of Maroc, which had become known as 'Artillery Row' during the earlier battle. The guns carried out a great deal of counter-battery (CB) work against battery positions in and around Lens, ammunition supply having improved.[5][10][35]
Spring 1916
On 19 January 1916 the batteries of 1/VIII London Bde were re-equipped with modern 4.5-inch howitzers, for which they had been training since August. On 4 February it was joined by B (H) Bty and a subsection of the Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) from CLXXVI (Leicestershire) Howitzer Bde, a newly arrived 'Kitchener's Army' unit, followed by R (H) Bty of CLXXVI Bde on 4 April.[d]
The field artillery of the BEF was reorganised in May 1916, with the brigades being numbered and the batteries lettered. 1/VIII London Bde became CCXXXVIII Brigade (238 Bde) on 14 May, exchanging R (H) Bty for the Regular 34th Bty from CCXXXV Bde (formerly
- 34th Bty (originally with XXXVIII Bde in 6th Division)– 4 x 18-pdr
- B Bty (formerly B/CLXXVI Bde in 34th Division) – 4 x 18-pdr
- C Bty (formerly R/VII London Bty) – 4 x 18-pdr
- D (H) Bty (formerly 1/21st London Bty) – 4 x 4.5-inch
By now the brigade was commanded by Lt-Col E.H. Eley, who had commanded 22nd London Bty from its formation in 1908.[3][16]
In the spring of 1916, 47th (2nd L) Division took over the lines facing
Somme
On 1 August 1916 47th (2nd L) Division began to move south to join in the
47th (2nd L) Division came back into the line to relieve 1st Division on 28/29 September, and began attacking
At Ypres 47th (2nd L) Division garrisoned the Hill 60 sector, where intensive mine and trench warfare had been conducted for two years. The divisional artillery was arranged in two groups, one in Ypres, the other in the Railway Dugouts. These battery positions were under enemy observation and were frequently shelled during the winter. On 16 January 1917 a German attack was anticipated, and the divisional artillery, together with that of 23rd and 41st Divisions and the Corps and Army heavy guns, carried out an intense bombardment, which brought considerable enemy retaliation. As well as organised bombardments of the enemy lines, the guns frequently responded to SOS calls from the front during enemy raids, and laid on wire-cutting and box barrages for British trench raids.[47]
A further reorganisation of the BEF's field artillery was carried out during the winter of 1916–17. On 27 November B Bty was split up between 34th and C Btys to bring both up to six guns; C Bty became the new B Bty. At the same time C and half of B Bty from CCXXXVII (VII London) Bde replaced C Bty. However, CCXXXVIII Brigade's headquarters was abolished on 21 January 1917, and the brigade ceased to exist for the rest of the war. The batteries were dispersed: 34th to CLXXXIX (Hackney) Army Field Bde, B to CIV Army Field Bde, C to CCXXXVI (VI London) Bde and D (H) to CCXXXV (V London) Bde.[5][10][7][22][13]
2/VIII London Brigade
The 2/2nd London Division came into existence quickly as volunteers rushed to join up. There were no guns or horses for the artillery, but the batteries improvised dummy guns mounted on handcarts, with wooden sights and washing-lines for drag-ropes. Although the Master-General of the Ordnance, Major-General Sir Stanley von Donop, was pleased with their work and promised them the first guns available, it was not until May 1915 that some old 5-inch howitzers arrived for training. In 1915 the division took the place of 1/2nd London Division in the St Albans area, 2/VIII Bde arriving in April. At the end of May, now numbered 60th (2/2nd London) Division, the division moved into Essex, with the artillery at Much Hadham. Finally, at the end of 1915 it began to receive new 4.5-inch howitzers and towards the end of January 1916 the division moved to the Warminster training area on Salisbury Plain. On 28 April the brigade was brought up to three batteries by the arrival of 4/LX (H) Bty, a Kitchener's Army battery that had originally been raised for the 11th (Northern) Division.[22][7][20][48][49][50]
The division was warned to prepare for embarkation to the Western Front. On 17–18 May the artillery brigades were converted to the establishment adopted by the BEF: 2/VIII Bde was numbered CCCIII Brigade (303 Bde), 2/21st London Bty left to become D (H) Bty in CCC (formerly
- A (formerly 3/1st Wessex) Bty – 4 x 18-pdrs
- B (formerly 3/2nd Wessex) Bty – 4 x 18-pdrs
- C (formerly 3/3rd Wessex) Bty – 4 x 18-pdrs
- D (H) (formerly 4/LX) Bty – 4 x 4.5-inch
Western Front
On 14 June 1916 orders arrived for 60th (2/2nd L) Division to embark, and the artillery units made the crossing from Southampton to Le Havre between 22 and 26 June, with CCCIII Bde under the command of Lt-Col N. Bayley. The division concentrated in the area behind Arras by 29 June. It relieved 51st (Highland) Division in the line on 14 July, with the artillery moving into position over the next three nights. The line held was facing the same strong German positions along Vimy Ridge that 47th (2nd L) Division had faced, and there was constant mine warfare and trench raiding. The artillery was mostly engaged in suppressing troublesome German trench mortars (Minenwerfers) by firing short concentrated bombardments on specific sectors of the enemy line. Some trench raids were preceded by local wire-cutting bombardments, or by a barrage, others were 'stealth' raids.[20][56][57]
On 30–31 August the divisional artillery underwent the same reorganisation into six-gun batteries that was going on throughout the BEF. In CCCIII Bde this meant half batteries joining from CCC Bde, which was being broken up. However, orders arrived on 1 November for the division to transfer to the Macedonian front (Salonika), where the four-gun establishment was still in force, and the batteries reverted to their original organisation; the former sections from CCC Bde left and formed a composite B/CCC Bty, which remained in France as an instructional battery at First Army School. The BAC was also reformed. Once the brigade was in Macedonia, the six-gun battery establishment was introduced there as well, and this time C Bty was broken up to bring A and B Btys up to six guns each (D (H) Hty became C (H) on 20 June 1917).[7][22][20][58]
Salonika
Entrainment of the artillery for the embarkation port of
Palestine
After landing at Alexandria between 18 and 22 June, 60th (2/2nd L) Division moved to the Suez Canal to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), where its units were reorganised (the BACs were absorbed into the DAC once more) and underwent training before crossing Sinai in early July 1917. Further intensive training followed until late October, when the division made its first full-scale attack of the war, at Beersheba. In the weeks leading up to the attack artillery officers had regularly ridden close to the Beersheba defences to reconnoitre, often under fire. Concentration for the attack was carried out under cover of darkness, beginning on 20/21 October and completed on 28/29 October. The divisional artillery was divided into Right and Left groups corresponding to the two attacking brigade; CCCIII Bde was part of Right Group supporting 179th (2/4th London) Brigade. The whole force moved forward under moonlight on 30/31 October, with the Royal Engineers improving the track north of Wadi ed Sabe for the artillery, which was in position by 01.30. At dawn the guns began to bombard Hill 1070, pausing at 07.00 to let the smoke and dust clear. Right Group then resumed its wirecutting and at 08.30 the guns switched to intensive bombardment, 179th Bde moving forward as the guns lifted. By 13.00 the whole of the defence works were in British hands, and that evening the Desert Mounted Corps entered Beersheba.[20][61][62]
The next phase of the offensive involved 60th (2/2nd L) Division in an attack on
After a short rest at Huj, the division
60th (2/2nd L) Division was then pushed forward into positions from which to defend the captured city. Turkish counter-attacks began on 22 December, and a major attack followed on the night of 26/27 December. This was beaten off and the division took the opportunity to push forward up the Nablus Road into the hills over the following days. 60th Divisional Artillery made 'extraordinary exertions' to get its guns up to support attacks that captured the heights of Tahuneh and Shab Salah on 29 December. 180th Brigade was halted by enemy fire until CCCIII Bde struggled through to come into action and allow 181st Bde to resume the advance. The Jerusalem defences were then garrisoned by 179th Bde backed by CCCIII Bde.[20][69][70]
There was a pause in operations until February 1918 when the EEF moved to drive the Turks east of the Jordan. 60th (2/2nd L) Division advanced with three brigade groups, each supported by artillery, and worked its way forward between 14 and 21 February over rough country, with Turkish road demolitions needing repair before the guns could get forward.[20][71][72] Major Cooke, in temporary command of CCCIII Bde supporting 180th Bde Group, reported that 'On the way to support the 2/20th [Londons], finding the bridge blown up, we unhooked the teams, and with the help of sixty men of the 2/20th, dragged the guns bodily down into the wadi and up the other side, in time to render much needed aid to the Infantry held up south of Talat-ed-Dumm'.[73] On 21 February the Australian 1st Light Horse Brigade swept into Jericho, leaving the Turks with only small bridgeheads west of the Jordan.[20][74][75]
60th (2/2nd L) Division then crossed the river on the night of 21 March to carry out the
As a result of the German spring offensive and consequent British manpower crisis on the Western Front, 60th (2/2nd L) Division was changed between 25 May and 1 August to an Indian Army establishment, releasing three-quarters of its London infantry units for service in France and replacing them with Indian units; however, this did not affect the artillery, which continued to serve with the division in Palestine.[20][81][82]
In July the Abu Tulul salient in the Jordan Valley was garrisoned by the 1st Light Horse Brigade when it was attacked by German troops bolstering the Turks. Among the artillery supporting this sector was C (H)/CCCIII Bty. When the Australian unit in the front line heard the sound of movement in front at 01.00 on 14 July he called down a defensive barrage in front of his position; the enemy artillery also came into action, shelling the whole position. A serious attack came in at 03.30 as the Australians withdrew their outposts, but after a fierce fight the Light Horse recovered their positions and took hundreds of prisoners.[83]
For the final offensive in Palestine, the Battle of Megiddo, 60th Division was transferred to the coastal sector where the breakthrough was to be made. The opening attack (the Battle of Sharon) went in at 04.30 on 19 September behind an intense artillery bombardment. As soon as the barrage programme was complete, the artillery moved up behind the infantry, who had gained their first objectives. The division then continued its advance as the Turks streamed away in retreat. The 60th Division advanced for the next three days against enemy rearguards until it ran ahead of its supplies.[20][84][85]
After the battle the pursuit was carried out by the mounted troops and 60th Division was left behind on salvage duties. It was still in the rear areas when the Armistice of Mudros ended the war with Turkey on 31 October. The division then went back to Alexandria where demobilisation began and units were gradually reduced to cadres, though still with some responsibility for internal security and seizing illegal arms. The division ceased to exist on 31 May 1919 and CCCIII Bde was disbanded.[13][20][86][87]
2/2nd London Battery
After leaving CCCIII Bde, 2/22nd London Bty became D (H)/CCCII Bty and continued to serve in 60th (2/2nd L) Division in Macedonia.[22][51] On arrival in Egypt, the battery transferred to become C (H) in CCLXVIII Bde on 19 June 1917. This brigade was newly formed for service with 74th (Yeomanry) Division.[22][20][51][88][f]
It served with this brigade at Beersheba (where the battery's howitzers were dragged into action by the pack-mules of 5th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers), Sheria, the defence of Jerusalem, and the Battle of Tell 'Asur.[88][90] On 3 April 1918, 74th (Y) Division was warned that it was to go to France as part of the same reinforcement for the BEF that saw most of 60th (2/2nd L) Division's infantry leave Palestine. Between 13 and 21 April CCLXVIII Bde was broken up, and C (H) Bty transferred within the division to XLIV Bde as D (H) Bty.[22][88][51]
The battery embarked at Alexandria on 3 May and concentrated with 74th (Y) Division in the Abbeville district for training, principally in defence against gas. At the end of the month the division went into GHQ reserve while continuing its training. It took its place in the line on 14 July, and the participated in the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, including the battles of Bapaume and Épehy, and the final advance into Flanders.[88]
Interwar
The TF was reconstituted on 7 February 1920 and the unit reformed at Plumstead as 8th London (Howitzer) Bde, though now with four batteries numbered 21st–24th.
65th (8th London) Brigade, RFA
- 257 (21st London) Bty at St Margaret's Road, Plumstead
- 258 (22nd London) Bty at St Margaret's Road, Plumstead
- 259 (23rd London) Bty at Southend Row, Eltham
- 260 (24th London) Bty (Howitzer) at St Margaret's Road, Plumstead
When the RFA was subsumed into the Royal Artillery (RA) on 1 June 1924, its units were redesignated as 'Field Brigades' and 'Field Batteries', RA.[12][7][13][91] In the reformed TA, 65th (8th London) Field Bde was again part of 47th (2nd London) Division.[92]
In 1926 the unit became the first TA field artillery brigade to be mechanised, replacing their draught horses with agricultural tractors.
In 1935 most of 47th (2nd London) Division was converted into 1st Anti-Aircraft Division and the remaining London units were reassigned. By the outbreak of war in 1939 65th Fd Bde had joined 44th (Home Counties) Division.[3][96][97] When the RA adopted the term 'regiment' instead of the obsolete 'brigade' for a lieutenant-colonel's command, the unit became 65th (8th London) Field Regiment, RA, on 1 November 1938.[12][7][91]
After the
Field regiments were now organised as Regimental HQ (RHQ) and two batteries each of 12 guns. These were 18-pounders of First World War pattern, though now equipped with pneumatic tyres and towed by motorised gun tractors. There was a programme to replace the 18-pdr barrels with that of the new 25-pounder coming into service, giving the hybrid 18/25-pounder.[101]
Second World War
65th (8th London) Field Regiment
The regiment mobilised at Lee Green under the command of Lt-Col C.C. West and on 25 September 1939 it moved to
Dunkirk
When the
Cut off, the BEF fell back towards the coast, with 44th (HC) Division given the responsibility of defending the area round
Home Defence
After evacuation the survivors of 65th Fd Rgt assembled at Oxford and then moved to Gloucester, then to a camp at Cheltenham Racecourse, and later arrived at Castleford in Yorkshire. Replacement guns, modern 25-pounders, began to arrive on 18 July, but there were acute shortages of gunsights and of small arms.[115] In October 44th (HC) Division returned to invasion-threatened South East England with XII Corps.[96][116]
It was only in the autumn of 1940 that the RA began producing enough battery staffs to start the process of changing regiments from a two-battery to a three-battery organisation. (Three 8-gun batteries were easier to handle, and it meant that each infantry battalion in a brigade could be closely associated with its own battery.) 65th Field Rgt formed 445 Bty on 7 January 1941 while it was stationed at Northiam, Kent.[91][117]
In April 1942 the division came under War Office control preparatory to going overseas, and on 29 May it embarked for Egypt.[96]
North Africa
44th (HC) Division arrived in Egypt on 24 July, shortly after
For Eighth Army's counter-offensive (the
65th (8th London) Fd Rgt was transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division on 19 November. This formation was in reserve, and only came back into the front line for the Battle of the Mareth Line. For this battle 50th (N) Division was tasked with assaulting the Wadi Zigzaou, which opened on the night of 16/17 March 1943 with 69th Bde successfully driving in the enemy outposts with the support of the whole divisional artillery. The following day it pushed on to the wadi itself, and began the assault with 151st Bde on 20/21 March. The divisional artillery was strongly reinforced and supplied with up to 500 rounds of ammunition per gun, but only a tiny bridgehead on the far side of the wadi was achieved by daybreak. Two more nights of heavy fighting failed to expand the bridgehead and communications with the forward troops broke down; the division was permitted to retire on 23 March as Eighth Army carried out a 'left hook' and broke through elsewhere.[122][123]
The Axis forces retreated to Wadi Akarit. Again, 50th (N) Division was ordered to breach the wadi position on 5/6 April. This time the preliminary operations were 'silent', without artillery preparation; the reinforced divisional guns opened up at 04.15, firing concentrations and barrages, with 300 rounds per gun available. This time the assault went well, and by 09.35 the division's infantry were pressing on towards their final objectives.[122][124]
When 50th (N) Division was withdrawn from the line and relieved by the recently arrived
Salerno to Anzio
Because of Montgomery's doubts, 56th (L) Division was not in fact used in Operation Husky. Instead it moved back to Tripoli in Libya for further training, and then put to sea on 1 September for the invasion of mainland Italy, landing at Salerno on 9 September (Operation Avalanche). H-Hour was at 03.30, the division's leading infantry landing craft touched down at 03.35 covered by naval gunfire, and 65th Fd Rgt's guns were all in action at 18.00.[125][128]
Over the next few days the division fought its way forward to extend the beachhead against strong German counter-attacks, and the divisional artillery was heavily engaged in defensive fire (DF) tasks.[129] X Corps began its advance out of the beachhead on the night of 22/23 September with massive artillery support and reached Naples on 30 September.[125][130]
By 11 October, the division was on the Volturno Line but failed to cross the river the following day and had to wait until 16 October before it could cross and begin the pursuit through rough country beyond.[125][131] This brought the division to the Bernhardt Line, where 65th Fd Rgt lent support to the attack of 201st Guards Brigade up 'Bare Arse Ridge' on 6 November during the during the Battle of Monte Camino.[125][132] Attacks at Monte Camino continued in early December, with large numbers of guns in support, until the division seized the heights on 6 December.[133]
56th (L) Division was next tasked with capturing a bridgehead across the Garigliano using strong artillery support (400 rounds per gun were supplied for the division's 25-pounders). The attack on the night of 17/18 January 1944 was successful and by morning the leading battalions were across and attacking with plenty of artillery support.[125][134] The division began its breakout from the bridgehead on 23 January, but at the end of the month was ordered to pull out and go by sea to reinforce the Anzio beachhead. By 15 February the whole division had arrived and taken over part of the line under VI US Corps, in time to beat off the German counter-attack (Operation Fischfang or 'Catching Fish').[125][135]
Trench warfare in the Anzio bridgehead continued for months. On 28 February the German I Parachute Corps began an offensive against 56th (L) Division that produced no change in the line. When the attack was widened to the front of 3rd US Division the following day, accompanied by unusually heavy support from field artillery, the whole artillery in VI Corps brought down a pre-emptive counter-preparation programme. Although this was too late to catch the German troops as they formed up, the attack made no real impression on the Allied defences.[136] 56th (L) Division was by now so weak that it was relieved and on 28 March went by sea to Egypt for recuperation.[125][137][138]
Italy again
56th (L) Division returned to Italy on 17 July 1944 and was assigned to
On the night of 27/28 September 56th (L) Division attacked Savignano sul Rubicone on the Fiumicino river, supported by a 90-minute barrage fired by the heavily reinforced divisional artillery. Nevertheless, the attack failed, as did attempts to renew it on 29/30 September and 1 October. Later in October, the badly weakened 56th (L) Division was relieved in the line.[140] While the infantry were recuperating, 56th (L) Division's artillery was brought up to reinforce V Corps' fire-plan for the capture of Forlì and the attempted crossings of the Montone on 8 November.[141]
56th (L) Division returned to the fighting in December to cover the Lamone crossing (2–13 December) and then to clear the ground between the Lamone and the Senio, forcing its way into Sant'Andrea on 31 December. However, ammunition shortages limited the use of the artillery.[125][142]
For the Spring 1945 offensive in Italy (Operation Grapeshot), 56th (L) Division was responsible for the operations on Lake Comacchio to outflank the Senio line (5/6, 10/11 and 13 April) allowing it to breach the Argenta Gap (15–19 April) despite the shortage of artillery ammunition.[125][143] Once through the gap, 56th (L) Division drove on through German rearguards to the Po, arriving on 25 April and crossing immediately. The division reached Venice on 29 April. Here it was halted due to shortage of fuel. The Surrender of Caserta came into force on 2 May, ending hostilities in the Italian theatre.[144]
56th (L) Division was made responsible for protecting
118th Field Regiment
The 118th Field Regiment was assigned to the 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division on 7 October 1939, and it trained at Woolwich. In April 1940, the infantry of 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division moved to France, but the artillery remained in England to continue training. On 30 June 1940, the 118th Field Regiment was transferred to the
The 118th Field Regiment landed at
Not everyone was prepared to surrender: John Crawley gathered 60 Non-Commissioned Officers and men, found a
Postwar
In the reformed TA the regiment became 265 (8th London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA, at Napier House, Grove Park, Lewisham, a modern drill hall rebuilt in 1937, while 265 HAA Rgt Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Workshop was at the old HQ at 'Oaklands' in Plumstead.[12][13][14][95][91][93][156] It formed part of 97 (AA) Army Group Royal Artillery.[157][158]
- RHQ at Grove Park
- P (7th City of London) Bty at Grove Park
- Q (The Queen's Own) Bty at Grove Park
- R (4th City of London) Bty at Catford
- S (8th London) Bty at Foots Cray, Eltham
A further round of mergers on 1 May 1961 saw the regiment amalgamated with
- RHQ and HQ Bty at Grove Park
- P (Kent) Bty at Bexleyheath
- Q (London) Bty at Foots Cray
- R (Surrey) Bty at Camberwell
- Light Aid Detachment, REME, at Bexleyheath
On 4 October 1961 the regiment dropped the 'LAA' part of its title, then on 18 March 1964 'Light Air Defence' was substituted. When the TA was reduced into the
In the 1967 reorganisation P (Kent) and Q (London) Btys joined the new London and Kent Regiment, RA. On 1 April 1969 the London and Kent Rgt was reduced to a cadre under
Uniform and insignia
From its formation in 1908 the TF's artillery units wore identical uniforms to the Regular Royal Artillery; the exceptions were the brass shoulder titles, which consisted of the letter 'T' over 'RFA' over 'LONDON', and the cap badge, which did not carry the motto Ubique (because the TF had signed up for home defence only).[2][164]
During the Second World War, the 65th Field Regiment wore an embroidered shoulder title '65th (LONDON) R.A.' in red on dark blue in place of the standard RA title. From 1947 to 1955, 265 Field Regiment wore an arm badge consisting of a large oval shield divided in half horizontally with red over blue upon which was superimposed the White Horse of Kent over a scroll with the county motto 'INVICTA', below which were the letters KAV (for Kent Artillery Volunteers, the 8th Londons' parent unit) in white.[7]
After the 1955 amalgamation, P (Kent) Bty retained the red
Honorary Colonels
The following served as Honorary Colonel of the 8th Londons:[3][12]
- Col F. Griffith, appointed 12 July 1911[11]
- Col E.H. Eley, CMG, DSO, TD, former CO, appointed 5 February 1924
- Lt-Col A.C.L. Theobald, DSO, former CO, appointed 5 February 1929
- Capt W.H. Bevan 1 January 1936
- Brig H.E.C. Weldon, CBE, continued with London & Kent Rgt 1 April 1967[12]
Memorials
The First World War memorial to 8th London Howitzer Brigade, RFA, is a stone obelisk on
Two wooden memorial crosses erected at High Wood and Eaucourt l'Abbaye by 47th (2nd London) Division in 1916[168] were replaced in stone in 1925. The restored wooden crosses were preserved at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea (the former divisional HQ), and are now at Connaught House, the HQ of the London Irish Rifles in Camberwell.[169][170]
A bronze plaque bearing the Roll of Honour of the men of 65th (8th London) and 118th Field Rgts who died during the Second World War, previously at the Eltham drill hall, is now at Napier House.[171]
First-hand accounts
Captain A. Douglas Thorburn wrote an account of his experiences with 2/22nd County of London Howitzer Battery on the Western Front, at Salonika and Palestine.[172]
See also
- 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
- 71 (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment
Footones
- ^ Both Lewisham and Plumstead had been transferred from Kent to the new County of London in 1883. Plumstead was in the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich.
- ^ However, VIII London (H) Brigade was photographed training with wooden guns and mule teams in 1909.[7]
- ^ 2nd London Division's historian claimed that some of the howitzers had seen action of the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.[15]
- ^ Army Council Instruction 856 of 20 April 1916 implies that R (H) Bty was B (H) Bty of CLXXVI Bde redesignated, but Becke regards it as separate, giving the brigade the four batteries it is known to have had.[5][16]
- ^ It was unusual for Reserve or 3rd Line TF units to be sent on active service; the few cases appear to be where both the 1st and 2nd Lines had gone overseas very early in the war (such as the four battalions of the 3/1st London Infantry Brigade[52][53]). There were no 1st or 2nd line 'Wessex' Batteries; it is possible that 3/1st–3/3rd were composite batteries formed from the 3rd Lines of the four Wessex brigades (whose batteries were designated Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Wiltshire and Devonshire), all of which had been sent to India in 1914.[54][55]
- IV Welsh Bde, but this had been renumbered CCLXVI in 1916.[89]
Notes
- ^ Spiers, Chapter 10.
- ^ a b c Anon, Lewisham Gunners, pp. 10–1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Army List, various dates.
- ^ Barnes, Appendix IV.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 72–5.
- ^ a b Frederick, pp. 661, 678.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Litchfield, pp. 158–61.
- ^ London Gazette 20 March 1908.
- ^ London Gazette 14 October 1910.
- ^ a b c Maude, pp. 1–2; Appendix C.
- ^ a b c Maude, Appendix F.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q 8th Londons at Regiments.org.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o County of London Artillery at Stepping Forward London.
- ^ a b c Royal Borough of Greenwich, Drill Hall Register at Stepping Forward London.
- ^ Maude, p. 12.
- ^ a b c d Maude, Appendix D.
- ^ a b c d e f g 47th (2nd London) Division at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ Maude, pp. 2–3, 11.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2b, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 25–32.
- ^ Dalbaic, pp. 17–8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Frederick, p. 691.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 94.
- ^ Maude, pp. 3, 11–12.
- ^ Edmonds, 1915, Vol II, pp. 6, 17–29, 39.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 103–7.
- ^ Maude, pp 12–3.
- ^ Edmonds, 1915, Vol II, pp. 44–76.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 107–10.
- ^ Maude, pp. 12–13, 18–20.
- ^ Cherry, pp. 41, 109–22.
- ^ Edmonds, 1915, Vol II, pp. 174–76, 182–91.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 116–23.
- ^ Maude, pp. 14–15, 25–41.
- ^ Maude, pp. 45–6.
- ^ Becke, Pt 3b, pp. 44–5.
- ^ Frederick, p. 552.
- ^ Edmonds, 1916, Vol I, pp. 210–27.
- ^ Farndale Western Front, p. 138.
- ^ Maude, pp. 50–7.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 150–2.
- ^ Maude, pp. 61–9.
- ^ Miles, 1916, pp. 299, 331–3, 344, 352.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 154.
- ^ Maude, pp. 69–78.
- ^ Miles, 1916, pp. 430–43.
- ^ Maude, pp. 80–95.
- ^ a b 60th (2/2nd London) Division at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 22–3.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 18–9, 30–1, 35.
- ^ a b c d Thorburn, p. 5.
- ^ James, p. 116.
- ^ London Regiment at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 44–8, 56–60; Pt 2b, pp. 11–5.
- ^ Frederick, p. 695.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 42–62; Appendix I.
- ^ Thorburn, p. 17.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 63–5.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 65–7, 78–104.
- ^ Wakefield & Moody, pp. 69, 85, 95, 154.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 106–8, 112–22.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 46–51.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 126–35.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 98–100, 107–9, 119, 122.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, p. 106.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 142–68.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 124, 126, 208, 218–9, 229, 237, 243–8, 251–2.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, pp. 113–4.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 178–88.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 286–9.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 190–3.
- ^ T I, , Vol II, pp. 303–7.
- ^ Dalbiac, p. 193.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 193–7.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 308–9.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 199–206.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 313, 331–48.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, pp. 118–20.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 215–9.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 365–89.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 220–4.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt II, pp. 411–21.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt II, pp. 429–34.
- ^ Dalbiac, pp. 224–32.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt II, pp. 464, 484–7.
- ^ Dalbiac, p. 233.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt II, pp. 623.
- ^ a b c d Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 117–22.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 120–1.
- ^ Falls, Vol II, Pt I, pp. 47, 96–7, 109, 227, 283.
- ^ a b c d e f g Frederick, p. 518.
- ^ Titles and Designations, 1927.
- ^ a b c d e f g 65th (8th London) Fd Rgt at Lewisham War Memorials.
- ^ a b Lord & Watson, pp. 191–2.
- ^ a b c Borough of Lewisham, Drill Hall Register at Stepping Forward London.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Joslen, pp. 71–2.
- ^ a b Eastern Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files.
- ^ a b c Frederick, p. 529.
- ^ a b c d e f 118 Fd Rgt at Lewisham War Memorials.
- ^ a b Joslen, p. 56.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Appendix I.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, pp. 21–2.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter III.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter IV.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter V.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter VI.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter VII.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter VIII.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter IX.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter XI.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter XII.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter XIII.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, Chapter XIV.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, pp. 67–8, 77, 83.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, p. 102.
- ^ a b Collier, Maps 5, 6, 17, 20.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, pp. 99–100.
- ^ Playfair, Vol III, pp. 384–90.
- ^ Joslen, p. 570.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 42–3, 46–7.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 92–3; 220.
- ^ a b Joslen, pp. 81–2.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 334–5, 337–42.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 364–7, 372.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Joslen, pp. 37–8.
- ^ Playfair, Vol IV, pp. 441–2, 453–4.
- ^ Montgomery, p. 172.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 259, 276–7.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 283–4, 291–2, 296, 310, 321.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 337–8, 340–1, 343.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 438, 444–5, 450.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, p. 451.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 517–8.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 606–12.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 635–6, 744–5.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, p. 755.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, p. 757.
- ^ Molony, Vol VI, Pt I, pp. 10, 13.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt II, pp. 130, 226, 231, 241, 249–52, 260–1, 267–8, 277.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt II, pp. 353–4, 371–2, 402.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 39–40.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 120–24, 158.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 215–6, 222, 259–60, 267–8, 271–2, 281–2.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 289–91, 293, 319, 326–8.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, p. 340.
- ^ a b c d Joslen, pp. 60–1.
- ^ Sainsbury, pp. 161–5.
- ^ Playfair, Vol II, p. 292.
- ^ Sainsbury, pp. 166–9.
- ^ Woodburn Kirby, pp. 253–61.
- ^ a b c d Farndale, Far East, pp. 65–7; Annex K.
- ^ Woodburn Kirby, pp. 318–9, 324, 364, 369, 375, 399–400, 403, 413–5, Map 22.
- ^ Sainsbury, pp. 184, 186–7, 192–4.
- ^ Woodburn Kirby, pp. 413–5.
- ^ Sainsbury, pp. 197–8.
- ^ a b c d Frederick, p. 998.
- ^ Litchfield, Appendix 5.
- ^ Watson, TA 1947.
- ^ Barnes, Appendix V.
- ^ Frederick, p. 1039.
- ^ Baring Rd at Army Reserve Centres.
- ^ Frederick, p. 1043.
- ^ 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) at Stepping Forward London.
- ^ Litchfield, Fig 202, p. 150.
- ^ IWM WMR Ref 1190.
- ^ IWM WMR Ref 11796.
- ^ Remaining Memorial Plaques at Stepping Forward London.
- ^ Maude, facing p. 70.
- ^ IWM WMR Ref 12077.
- ^ IWM WMR Ref 12078.
- ^ Roll of Honour at Lewisham War Memorials.
- ^ Thorburn.
References
- Army Council Instructions Issued During April 1916, London: HM Stationery Office, 1916.
- Anon, Lewisham Gunners: A Centenary History of 291st (4th London) Field Regiment R.A. (T.A.) formerly 2nd Kent R.G.A. (Volunteers), Chatham: W & J Mackay, 1962
- Maj R. Money Barnes, The Soldiers of London, London: Seeley Service, 1963.
- 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, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
- 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, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
- 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, ISBN 1-847347-41-X.
- 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, ISBN 1-847347-41-X.
- Col P.H. Dalbiac, History of the 60th Division (2/2nd London Division), London: George Allen & Unwin, 1927/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, ISBN 978-1-84342-873-2.
- Brig-Gen Sir ISBN 0-89839-219-5.
- Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1916, Vol I, London: Macmillan,1932/Woking: Shearer, 1986, ISBN 0-946998-02-7.
- Maj L.F. Ellis, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940, London: HM Stationery Office, 1954/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, 978-1-85457-056-6.
- Capt ISBN 978-1-84574-951-4.
- Capt Cyril Falls, History of the Great War: Military Operations, Egypt and Palestine, Vol II, From June 1917 to the End of the War, Part II, London: HM Stationery Office, 1930/Naval & Military Press, 2013, ISBN 978-1-84574-950-7.
- Gen Sir ISBN 1-870114-00-0.
- Gen Sir Martin Farndale, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base 1914–18, Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988, ISBN 1-870114-05-1.
- 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, ISBN 1-85753-080-2.
- Gen Sir Martin Farndale, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Far East Theatre 1939–1946, London: Brasseys, 2002, ISBN 1-85753-302-X.
- J.B.M. Frederick, Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978, Vol I, Wakefield, Microform Academic, 1984, ISBN 1-85117-007-3.
- Gen Sir ISBN 1-845740-71-8.
- 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, ISBN 1-845740-72-6.
- Brig E.A. James, British Regiments 1914–18, Samson Books 1978/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-197-9.
- Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
- Maj-Gen ISBN 1-845740-60-2.
- Norman E.H. Litchfield, The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges), Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, ISBN 0-9508205-2-0.
- Cliff Lord & Graham Watson, Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecedents, Solihull: Helion, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-92-2.
- Alan H. Maude (ed.), The History of the 47th (London) Division 1914–1919, London: Amalgamated Press, 1922/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2002, ISBN 1-84342-205-0.
- 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, ISBN 0-89839-169-5.
- Brig C.J.C. Molony,History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East, Vol V: The Campaign in Sicily 1943 and the Campaign in Italy 3rd September 1943 to 31st March 1944, London: HM Stationery Office, 1973/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-69-6.
- 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, ISBN 1-845740-70-X.
- The Memoirs of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, London: Collins, 1958.
- Maj-Gen I.S.O. Playfair, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East, Vol II: The Germans come to the aid of their Ally (1941), London: HM Stationery Office, 1956/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004 ISBN 1-845740-66-1.
- Maj-Gen ISBN 1-845740-67-X
- Maj-Gen I.S.O. Playfair & Brig C.J.C. Molony, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East, Vol IV: The Destruction of the Axis forces in Africa, London: HM Stationery Office, 1966/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-68-8.
- 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, ISBN 0-948527-05-6.
- Capt A. Douglas Thorburn, Amateur Gunners: the Adventures of an Amateur Soldier in France. Salonika and Palestine in the Royal Field Artillery, Recording Some Exploits of the 2/22nd County of London Howitzer Battery RFA on Active Service, Liverpool: William Potter, 1933.
- Alan Wakefield and Simon Moody, Under the Devil's Eye: Britain's Forgotten Army at Salonika 1915–1918, Stroud: Sutton, 2004, ISBN 0-7509-3537-5.
- 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).
External sources
- Imperial War Museum, War Memorials Register
- Lewisham War Memorials
- The Long, Long Trail
- Orders of Battle at Patriot Files
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth – Regiments.org (archive site)
- Stepping Forward: A Tribute to the Volunteer Military Reservists and Supporting Auxiliaries of Greater London
- Graham Watson, The Territorial Army 1947