Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery
Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery 1st (South Midland) Brigade, RFA (TF) 76th (Gloucestershire) AA Regiment, RA (TA) 266th (GVA) Battery, Royal Artillery | |
---|---|
Active | 22 November 1859 – present |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Territorial Force/Army Reserve |
Role | Field Artillery Anti-Aircraft Artillery Light Artillery |
Size | Up to 13 Batteries (to 1908); Brigade/Regiment (1908–55) One battery (present) |
Peacetime HQ | Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol |
Nickname(s) | The Bristol Gunners |
Motto(s) | Fides et Audax |
Equipment | L118 light gun (present) |
Engagements | First World War:
Second World War:
|
266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) Battery Royal Artillery is a Royal Artillery unit of the British Army Reserve. It was first formed in Bristol in 1859 and served through the First World War as field artillery on the Western Front and in Italy. In the Second World War, it acted as anti-aircraft (AA) artillery. Reduced to a battery postwar, it has carried out a number of roles. At present, the battery fields the L118 in the offensive support role.
Volunteer Artillery 1859-1908
The enthusiasm for the
1st Administrative Brigade, Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers
- HQ: Whiteladies Road, Clifton
- 1st (Bristol) Gloucestershire AVC (21 December 1859; initially five batteries, No 6 Battery raised October 1872)
- 2nd (Newnham on Severn) Gloucestershire AVC (1 March 1860)
- 3rd (Gloucester) Gloucestershire AVC (26 July 1860)
- 4th (Forest of Dean) Gloucestershire AVC (1 September 1861; attached to 1 August 1863; merged into 2 January 1864)
- 1st (Clevedon) Somerset AVC (18 June 1860)
- 2nd (Weston-super-Mare) Somerset AVC (30 July 1860; disbanded 1867)
- 2nd Gloucestershire Engineer Volunteer Corps (10 April 1861; attached from August 1862 until June 1864)[6][10]
In 1863 a subscription by 'Bristol ladies' purchased two Whitworth 3-pounder guns.[9]
Major Savile was appointed
The brigade was consolidated in March 1880 under the command of Lt-Col Adolphus H. Versturme, formerly of the
1st Gloucestershire (Gloucester and Somerset) AVC
- HQ at Bristol
- Nos 1–6 Batteries at Bristol
- No 7 Battery at Newnham
- No 8 Battery at Gloucester
- No 9 Battery at Clevedon
Further batteries were added in following years: No 10 at Portishead, No 11 at Weston-Super-Mare, No 12 at Clevedon and No 13 at Bedminster. A Cadet Corps with HQ at Bristol also existed from 1880 to 1884.[5][6][12] The 1st Gloucester AVC was assigned to the Welsh Division of the Royal Artillery (RA) on 1 April 1882, changing to the Western Division on 1 July 1889.[5][7][9][12] By 1893 the War Office Mobilisation Scheme had allocated the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers to the Plymouth fixed defences.[13]
Frederick Cusac Ord, a former captain in the Royal Artillery, was appointed Major on 25 April 1885, became Lt-Col commanding on 7 December 1889 and Lt-Col Commandant on 1 April 1891. Lieutenant-Colonel
In 1899 the artillery volunteers were assigned to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) and when the divisional organisation was abolished the unit was as 1st Gloucestershire (Gloucester and Somerset) RGA (Volunteers) on 1 January 1902.[5][7][12]
Territorial Force
When the
- HQ: Artillery Grounds, Clifton
- 1st Gloucestershire Battery, Clifton
- 2nd Gloucestershire Battery, Clifton
- 3rd Gloucestershire Battery, Barracks, Gloucester
- 1st South Midland Ammunition Column, Clifton
First World War
Mobilisation
On the outbreak of war, I SM Bde mobilised at Clifton and Gloucester under Lt-Col A.M. Balfour, a retired Regular officer who had been in command since 7 December 1909.[12] Initially went to its war station in the defences of the Naval base at Plymouth. It then joined the concentration of the South Midland Division around Chelmsford, where it formed part of Central Force.[18][20] On the outbreak of war, units of the TF 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 battalions, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas.[18][23]
1/I South Midland Brigade
1/I South Midland Bde was stationed at
On 12 May the division was designated the
During August 1/I SM Bde also had 1/3rd Worcester and 1/1st and 1/2nd Warwickshire Btys from 48th (SM) Divisional Artillery (DA) under its command, forming an artillery group under 144th Bde. It carried out some good shooting for the infantry with the new 18-pdrs. The ammunition limit was now 188 rounds per brigade per week. Some of the gun positions were frequently under water, and some were moved to obtain enfilade fire against enemy trenches. Brigade HQ was in Hébuterne, where the gunners were billeted when they were not in the line. The village was often shelled, when the batteries would retaliate on the Germans in Puisieux; they also carried out barbed wire-cutting. This quiet routine continued into the new year, the guns remaining in position while the infantry brigades were regularly rotated out of the line for rest. 1/I South Midland Bde formed an additional battery, D Bty, at Thièvres on 29 March, including a fresh draft of men from the UK. On 31 March batteries of the newly-arrived 31st Division began taking over 1/I SM Bde's guns and positions, and on 6 April the brigade moved a short distance to Sailly, with two batteries in position in front of Serre.[24]
On 22 April Lt-Col Balfour left the brigade and Lt-Col Lord Wynford took over command on 9 May. On 18 May the brigade was redesignated CCXL (or 240th) Brigade[b] and the old 1/1st–1/3rd Gloucester batteries became A, B and C Btys. At the same time the recently-formed D Bty transferred to CCXLIII (IV SM) Bde in exchange for 1/4th Warwickshire Howitzer Bty, equipped with four 4.5-inch howitzers, which became D (H) Bty. The Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) was also abolished and merged into the Divisional Ammunition Column (DA).[7][17][20][21][24][27]
Somme
After a long period of low-level Trench warfare, 48th (SM) Division's first offensive operation was in the Battle of the Somme. Both sides' artillery became more active and there were regular trench raids: A Bty was lent to 31st Division to support one raid on the night of 3/4 June. The following night CCXL (SM) Bde was relieved by CCXLIII (SM) Bde – the first time the whole brigade had been out of the line since July 1915. It moved to Coigneux, inspected its guns, and carried out training while the brigade and battery staffs reconnoitred the new positions it was to take up for the coming offensive. A, C and D Btys went into their new positions on 15 June, and work went on to improve them and to dump the ammunition (1000 rounds per gun for 18-pdrs and 800 for 4.5s). The bombardment programme for the offensive was to be spread over five days, U, V, W, X and Y before the assault was launched on Z day. On U Day (24 June) A and B Btys began wire-cutting on the German 2nd and 3rd lines in front of Serre, while C Bty bombarded suspected observation posts (OPs) and machine gun positions and D (H) Bty shelled trench junctions and communication trenches. On W and X days C and D Bty supported VIII Corps' heavy artillery in bombarding the German 3rd line trenches. On several days the weather was too bad for good air or ground observation and the programme was extended by two days (Y1 and Y2). The battle was launched on 1 July 1916. Most of 48th (SM) Division was in reserve, only two battalions being engaged, but the brigade fired until 12.00 in support of 31st Division's assault on Serre. Despite the successful wire-cutting, not enough OPs and MG posts had been destroyed and 31stDivision's attack was a disaster: the survivors had made their way back to the British lines by the end of the day.[20][22][24][28][29]
Orders for 48th (SM) Division to resume the attacks next day were cancelled, and over the following days the batteries ceased wire-cutting fire, concentrating on harassing enemy communications. CCXL (SM) Brigade now formed part of 'A' Group of 48th (SM) DA under CCXLII (SM) Bde. and moved back to Coigneux. It carried out an intense bombardment for a feint attack by 48th (SM) Division on 14 July before the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. 48th (SM) Divisional Artillery came under the command of 28th Division when that took over the line next day. Then on 21 July the gun detachments of CCXL (SM) Bde travelled by bus to Aveluy to take over the guns of 12th (Eastern) Division in action there. The wagon lines were established at Bouzincourt with Brigade HQ in Aveluy Wood commanding North Group of 48th (SM) DA. This comprised C Bty and half of B Bty as a six-gun battery, together with D (H) Bty and the whole of CCXLIII (SM) Bde; A Bty and the other half of B Bty were with South Group. At 20.30 on 23 July the guns began a four-hour bombardment, after which 48th (SM) Division put in an attack at 00.30 as part of the Battle of Pozières Ridge. The infantry of 144th Bde were mown down, but 145th (South Midland) Bde was more successful and at 06.30 it renewed its attack. Moving forward close under 'an excellent barrage', the stormers were in among the surprised Germans as soon as it lifted, and were able to secure the Ovillers–Pozières light railway and adjacent trenches.[20][22][24][30]
Afterwards, Pozières and the battery positions came under German shellfire, including
While 48th (SM) Division was ordered to move north of the River Ancre, its divisional artillery came under
The brigade went to quieter positions at Souastre, where it spent a few weeks carrying out registration and wire cutting shoots. On 18 October 48th (SM) DA was reorganised, with CCXLIII Bde being broken up to bring the rest of the 18-pdr batteries up to a strength of six guns each. The brigade's former D Bty (now A/CCXLIII) returned and was split between A and B Btys, while half of C/CCXLIII Bty joined C Bty.[20][21][24][27]
Winter 1916–17
The divisional sector continued largely quiet, though on 9 November A Bty was very heavily shelled, with one gun being destroyed. On 13 November the brigade fired to protect the flank of Fifth Army's attack on Beaumont-Hamel (the Battle of the Ancre). On 17 November 48th (SM) DA was attached to 46th (North Midland) Division for which the brigade became Right Group. On 20 November 147th (2nd West Riding) Bde of 49th (WR) Division carried out a raid on Gommecourt, for which the brigade fired a protective barrage. On 27 November 48th (SM) DA was relieved by 49th (WR) DA, and went back to Pas, where it took over the 49th's guns, moved to Frohen-le-Grand and then on to Béhencourt by 3 December. Brigade HQ was established at Bazentin-le-Petit Cemetery. CCXL (SM) Brigade remained in the one when 48th (SM) Division was relieved by 15th (Scottish) Division, and combined with LXXII Bde to form South Group for 15th (S) DA. On 30 and 31 December CCXLI (SM) Bde's gunners relieved CCXL Bde at their guns.[20][21][24]
D (H) Battery was brought up to a strength of six howitzers when half of C (H)/CCXLII (SM) Bty (originally 513 (H) Bty) joined on 16 January 1917. Thereafter CCXL Bde had the following organisation:[20][21][24][27]
- A Bty + half A/CCXLIII (ex D Bty, see above)
- B Bty + half A/CCXLIII
- C Bty + half C/CCXLIII
- D (H) Bty + half C (H)/CCXLII
CCXL (SM) Brigade was engaged in training during the first days of 1917, then on 13–14 January it relieved CCXLII (SM) Bde (which was leaving the division to become and Army Field Brigade) in the line west of
Ypres
In July 48th (SM) Division was sent north to rejoin Fifth Army for the forthcoming
The division was back in action at the Battle of Broodseinde (4 October), with one infantry brigade attacking, but CCXL (SM) Bde (now commanded by Lt-Col C.M.C. Rudkin) remained in reserve. Next day it moved up and on 6 October the men went forward by lorry to relieve L Bde of 9th (Scottish) Division at their guns. Rudkin took command of No 3 Sub-Group (CCXL and CCXLI (SM) Bdes) from an HQ established in the ramparts of Ypres. The attack of 9 October (the Battle of Poelcappelle) was partially successful and the brigade moved forward to the outskirts of Ypres, with the Group HQ at Hussar Farm. On 12 October it supported a dawn attack by other formations in the First Battle of Passchendaele and had the horse teams waiting in case of an advance. But the ground conditions were terrible, and many batteries were bogged down, so the preparatory barrage was feeble, many of the HE shellbursts being deadened by the mud. Casualties among the gunners were also severe because they were exposed to German observers on the ridge. The attack was a failure and CCXL (SM) Bde was relieved next day and moved to the Vimy area.[20][24][41][42][43][44][45]
Italy
On 10 November, 48th Division was ordered to move to the
On 10 November 1917 the 48th (SM) Division received orders to move to the
Later in April 48th (SM) Division began tours of duty on the
48th (SM) Division remained in the Asiago sector throughout the summer and early autumn, carrying out a few minor operations. When the Allies forced the Piave line in later October (the Battle of Vittorio Veneto) the forces on the Asiago conformed when the Austrians withdrew. 48th (SM) Division began advancing into the Val d'Assa on 1 November, meeting some stiff resistance before the advance turned into a pursuit, with field gun sections accompanying the infantry brigade groups (there was not sufficient transport to support more than half the guns). On 3 November 1918, at Osteria del Termine, the division surrounded and captured a large force of Austrian troops including the corps commander and three divisional commanders. By 15.00 on 4 November, when the Armistice with Austria came into force, the division had pushed forward into the Trentino.[20][22][53][54]
After the conclusion of hostilities 48th (SM) Division was withdrawn to Italy for the winter. Demobilisation began in 1919 and was complete by 31 March.[20][22] A composite infantry brigade was kept in Italy a little longer, accompanied by a reformed CII Bde RFA, one battery of which was supplied by CCXL (SM) Bde (made up from gunners who had joined from 1916 onwards, with a few volunteers).[55]
2/I South Midland Brigade
The 2nd Line brigade was formed in the autumn of 1914,[c] commanded by Lt-Col F.K.S. Metford formerly of 3rd Gloucestershire Bty, and in January 1915 it joined the 2nd South Midland Division (later 61st (2nd South Midland) Division) at Northampton. Equipment was scarce, and until the end of 1915 the only guns available for training were obsolete French De Bange 90 mm guns. 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/I SM Brigade replaced its 1st Line at Broomfield, and was then housed in huts at Writtle, where it carried out intensive training in Hylands Park. In July the remaining Home Service men were transferred to a Provisional (Home Defence) unit and replaced by men from the 3rd Line, so that the whole brigade was composed of men available for overseas service. At the end of the month the brigade went under canvas at Thornwood Camp, Epping until September, when it moved to Ingatestone. In December the brigade received its new 18-pdr guns and in mid-February 1916 carried out firing practice at Southminster. At the end of the month it moved to No 7 Camp at Bulford for final battle training on Salisbury Plain, with firing on the West Down Ranges at Larkhill. On 16/17 May 1916 2/I (SM) brigade was redesignated CCCV Brigade RFA (305 Bde),[d] the batteries became A, B and C, and the BAC was absorbed into 61st (SM) DAC.[7][17][27][57][58][56]
The brigade entrained at
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 CCCV Bde engaged in Counter-battery fire. The division's own first action was the Attack at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, a diversionary operation in support of the Somme Offensive. Artillery preparation began on 18 July but failed to suppress the enemy artillery. A dugout at B Battery's OP was destroyed by shellfire and the battery commander, Maj G.P. Lindrea, was killed. 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.[57][58][56][60]
On 16/17 September CCCV (2/I SM) Brigade was broken up among the other artillery brigades of 61st (2nd SM) DA to bring them up to 6-gun batteries. Lieutenant-Col Koebel went to command CCXLVII Bde [27][57][58][56]
Interwar Years
When the TF was reconstituted on 7 February 1920 the 1st South Midland Bde reformed with 1st–3rd Gloucestershire Batteries, joined by the former
- HQ: Artillery Grounds, Clifton
- 261st (Bristol) Field Battery, Clifton
- 262nd (Bristol) Field Battery, Clifton
- 263rd (Bristol) Field Battery, Clifton
- 264th (Berkshire) Field Battery (Howitzers), Yeomanry House, Reading
The Clifton College contingent of the Officers' Training Corps (Junior Division) was attached to the unit in the 1930s.[12]
Anti-Aircraft conversion
During the 1930s the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence for Britain's cities was addressed by converting a number of existing TA units. The 66th (South Midland) Field Brigade was one of the units converted to the AA artillery role on 1 November 1938, becoming 76th (Gloucestershire) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA. 264 Battery at Reading was separated and expanded to form a new
Second World War
Mobilisation
The TA's AA units were mobilised on 23 September 1938 during the
On 11 September 1939, all the available heavy AA (HAA) guns in 46 AA Bde (76th AA Rgt's eight guns) were concentrated to cover
From 1 June 1940 those AA units armed with 3-inch or the more modern 3.7-inch guns were termed 'Heavy AA' (HAA) to distinguish them for the Light AA units then being formed.[7][17][63][70]
Battle of Britain and Blitz
By 11 July 1940, at the start of the Battle of Britain, 5 AA Division had 36 HAA guns deployed at Bristol.[71] Some of the greatest air battles of the Battle of Britain were fought on 15 August, from South Wales to the Yorkshire Coast, when 5 AA Division was hotly engaged, being credited with several 'kills'. Another peak day came on 24 August, when the Bristol gunners were in action again. From 6 September the Luftwaffe switched from bombing airfields to bombing cities, and there was a daylight raid on Bristol on 25 September 1940.[72][73]
As AA Command expanded, the regiment formed a new 349 HAA Bty formed on 17 September, and 46 AA Bde transferred to a new 8 AA Division in November.[63][64][74][75][76] Now the night attacks were stepped up against London and other cities, with Bristol receiving frequent raids, particularly heavy in March 1941 (the Bristol Blitz).[77][78][79][80]
The regiment sent a cadre to 207th Training Regiment at Devizes to provide the basis for a new 425 HAA Bty; this was formed on 24 April 1941 and later joined 126th HAA Rgt. The regiment sent another cadre to 207th HAA Training Regiment to provide the basis for a new 480 (Mixed) HAA Bty, in which women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service were integrated. This battery was formed on 18 September 1941 but was converted to men-only on 15 October before being regimented with 76th HAA Rgt on 9 December.[63] It replaced 238 HAA Bty, which left in October–November to join the field force under War Office control and later transferred to 83rd (Blythswood) AA Rgt.[63][81] In the autumn of 1941 the regiment (with 236, 237 and 349 HAA Btys) joined a new 69 AA Bde in 8 AA Division.[82]
Mobilising for overseas service
The regiment was now prepared for overseas service. This required a war establishment of three batteries, and 480 HAA Bty was reduced back to a cadre on 9 April 1942 to return to Devizes and form a new 480 (Mixed) Bty; this battery eventually joined 162nd HAA Rgt[63] The rest of the regiment had left AA Command by May 1942.[83] By September 1942 it had come under War Office Control, with its own Royal Corps of Signals Section and Royal Army Ordnance Corps Workshop Section.[84] It was joined by a Royal Army Service Corps transport platoon in the autumn of 1942 and was now ready for overseas service as a mobile unit.[85]
Tunisia
In October 1942 the advance parties of the regiment sailed for
By late April, 62 AA Bde had been relieved round Algiers by
Sicily
The assault landings on Sicily began on 10 July 1943, Syracuse was entered that night, and 62 AA Bde HQ landed there on 17 July, bringing with it batteries from 76th HAA and other regiments, which were dispersed and deployed where required. The vital harbours at Syracuse and Augusta received constant raids from Luftwaffe bombers and fighters by day and night, with the AA gunners scoring several 'kills'. By D+28 (7 August), 76th HAA Rgt was deployed around Syracuse with 236 HAA Bty detached to Augusta.[70][91][92][93]
Italy
Shortly after the Bari raid, 62 AA Bde HQ and 76 HAA Rgt were relieved and moved on up the eastern side of the Italian peninsula behind Eighth Army, crossing to join
Once Fifth Army had crossed the Arno, it faced the Serchio and the defences of the Gothic Line. On 26 December the German forces put in a major counterattack, Unternehmen Wintergewitter (Operation Winter Storm), between Lucca and Pistoia aimed at retaking the port of Livorno (Leghorn). 62 AA Brigade was well to the front in the resulting Battle of Garfagnana, with LAA regiments acting as infantry and anti-tank gunners, while the HAA regiments acted as divisional medium artillery. 76th HAA Regiment answered 181 calls for fire with 4995 rounds fired. Having beaten off the attack, IV US Corps advanced into the mountains. There was little activity by the Luftwaffe, so the ample stocks of 3.7-inch AA ammunition were used for all kinds of engagements. By the end of February 1945, 62 AA had been reduced to just two regiments – of which 76th was one – with only one battery on AA tasks.[98][99][100]
Post-war
When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947 the regiment was reformed as 266 (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) HAA Rgt, RA in 72 AA Bde (the former 46 AA Bde at Bristol).[7][17][63][102][103] (On 1 April 1947 the Regular Army's 1st HAA Rgt took the GVA's old number and became 76 HAA Rgt.[104])
When AA Command was disbanded in 1955 there were wholesale mergers among its units. 266 HAA Regiment was amalgamated with
A further reorganisation in 1967 saw the battery converted to 'A' (Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery) Squadron in the
In 2013, when 100th Regiment RA went into suspended animation under
266 Battery has since re-roled back to L118 Light Gun in 2017 and currently operates in support of 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team, providing gun sections, FSTs, and Command Post personnel.
Uniforms and insignia
The original officers' uniform of the 1st Gloucestershire AVC was a long-skirted blue tunic with scarlet cuffs, collar and edging, five rows of black braid across the front and black Austrian knots on the sleeves. Other ranks wore a blue tunic with black Austrian knots. A peaked forage cap was worn with a silver grenade on the front, with white waist and cross belts. A busby became the full dress headgear in the 1860s and was worn until 1908.[6][9]
During the period 1908–19, the Gloucester TF batteries wore a brass shoulder title, 'T/RFA/GLOSTER', while the brigade ammunition column wore 'T/RFA/S.MIDLAND'. However, at some point the batteries wore a non-regulation embroidered shoulder title 'GLOS/RFA/T', in red on a dark blue backing.[17]
From 1961 to 1967, 883 Locating Battery wore an embroidered title 'GLOUCESTERSHIRE/VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY' in red on dark blue. This remained in wear for A (GVA) Squadron, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars from 1967 to 1971. In 1971 the reformed 266 OP Battery introduced a black embroidered slip-on title 'G.V.A.' worn on the shoulder straps of the barrack jersey; other ranks wore the title in white metal.[17]
Honorary Colonels
The following officers served as Honorary Colonel of the unit:[11][12]
- Col Henry Bourchier Osborne Savile, VD, former CO, appointed 9 August 1873
- Col Frederick Cusac Ord, CB, VD, TD, former CO, appointed 8 December 1909
- Lt-Gen Sir Percy P. de B. Radcliffe, KCMG, CB, DSO, RA officer and former commander of 48th (SM) Division, appointed 24 April 1926
- Lt-Col Francis Killigrew Seymour Metford, CB, OBE, VD, TD, appointed 12 May 1934
Notes
- ^ In the Royal Artillery prior to 1938 a brigade was a lieutenant-colonel's command consisting of independent batteries 'brigaded' together; it was not comparable with an infantry or cavalry brigade commanded by a brigadier-general. After 1938 the RA updated the terminology from 'brigade' to 'regiment'. In the Territorials, unlike the Regulars, unit heritage is carried by the brigade/regiment, rather than the battery.[3]
- ^ The brigade continued to refer to itself as '240th (SM) Brigade',[24] and is referred to in the RA history as '241st (Gloucester) Brigade'.[26]
- ^ It referred to itself as 2/1st South Midland (Gloucester) Bde.[56]
- ^ 61st (2nd SM) Division's own order of battle document refers to it as '305th (SM) Brigade'.[56]
References
- ^ Beckett.
- ^ Spiers, pp. 163–168.
- ^ Litchfield, pp. 1 & 5.
- ^ Beckett, Appendix VIII.
- ^ a b c d e Frederick, pp. 658–659.
- ^ a b c d e f Litchfield & Westlake, pp. 86–88, 153.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery at Regiments.org". Archived from the original on 16 November 2005. Retrieved 16 November 2005.
- ^ 1859–1908 at Bristol Gunners.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g "Historical Records at Bristol Gunners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ Westlake, p. 8.
- ^ a b "Officers Biographies at Bristol Gunners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Army List
- ^ Mobilization Tables for Home Defence, List of Militia, Yeomanry and Volunteer Units, HMSO, London, 1893
- ^ Dunlop, Chapter 14.
- ^ Spiers, Chapter 10.
- ^ Frederick, p. 680.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Litchfield, pp. 84–86.
- ^ a b c "1908–1920 at Bristol Gunners". Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ London Gazette 20 March 1908.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 77–83.
- ^ a b c d e f g 48th (SM) Divisional Artillery at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 48 (SM) Division at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2b, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n 240th SM Bde War Diary, March 1915–November 1917, The National Archives (TNA), Kew, file WO 95/2749/3.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 94.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, p. 183.
- ^ a b c d e Frederick, p. 692.
- ^ Edmonds, 1916, Vol I, pp. 299–305, 426, 441–4.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front', pp. 142–6.
- ^ Miles, 1916, Vol II, pp. 3, 13, 75, 116, 144–5.
- ^ Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 141–2.
- ^ Miles, 1916, Vol II, pp. 218–22, 224–5.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 85–91.
- ^ Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 19–25.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 150–3.
- ^ Miles, 1916, Vol II, pp. 226, 279–81, 285–6, 340–2, 392–407, 414–22.
- ^ Falls, 1917, Vol I, pp. 127–36, 155–60, 529–32.
- ^ Edmonds, 1917, Vol II, pp. 107–8, 199–202.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 204, Map 27.
- ^ John Lee, 'The British Divisions at Ypres', in Liddle (ed), pp. 217–219.
- ^ Edmonds, 1917, Vol II, pp. 310–1, 328–30, 343–5.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, pp. 210–2.
- ^ Wolff, pp. 223–235.
- ^ John Lee, 'The British Divisions at Third Ypres' in Liddle (ed), p. 221.
- ^ Ashley Eakins, 'The Australians at Passchendaele', in Liddle (ed), pp. 239–240.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 213.
- ^ Wolff, p. 253.
- ^ Edmonds, 1917, Vol II, p. 352.
- ^ Edmonds & Davies, Italy, pp. 96–7, 110–2, 154, 162–5, 178.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, pp. 177–83.
- ^ Edmonds & Davies, Italy, pp. 181, 195, 199–200, 204–15.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, pp. 184–8.
- ^ Edmonds & Davies, Italy, pp. 249, 252, 256, 259–60, 262–3, 327–45.
- ^ Farndale, Forgotten Fronts, pp. 191–2.
- ^ Edmonds & Davies, p. 385.
- ^ a b c d e f 305th Bde War Diary May 1915–September 1916, TNA file WO 95/3042/2.
- ^ a b c d Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 33–39.
- ^ a b c d 61 (SM) Division at Long, Long Trail.
- ^ Farndale, Western Front, p. 133.
- ^ Miles, 1916, Vol II, pp. 121–30.
- ^ a b Frederick, p. 518.
- ^ Titles and Designations, 1927.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Frederick, pp. 755–759, 774–775.
- ^ a b 5 AA Division 1939 at British Military History.
- ^ Routledge, Table LX, p. 378.
- ^ AA Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 62–63.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 65–66, 371, Table LIX, p. 377.
- ^ a b 46 AA Bde War Diary 1939–40, TA file WO 166/2287.
- ^ a b c d "76 (Gloucester) HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, p. 106.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, p. 108.
- ^ Routledge, Table LXII, pp. 379–80.
- ^ Farndale, Years of Defeat, Annex D.
- ^ Routledge, Table LXV, p. 96.
- ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 12 May 1941, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/79.
- ^ Routledge, p. 394.
- ^ Pile's despatch.
- ^ Collier, Chapter 17.
- ^ Collier, Appendix XXX.
- ^ Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional units), 22 October 1941, TNA files WO 212/6 and WO 33/1883.
- ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 2 December 1941, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/80.
- ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 14 May 1942, TNA file WO 212/81.
- ^ Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional units), 2 April 1942, with amendments, TNA files WO 212/515.
- ^ Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional Units), 22 November 1942, TNA file WO 212/8.
- ^ Joslen, p. 465.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 178–185; Table XXX, p. 188; Table XXXI, p. 189.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 146, 174, 252–253.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 185–186; Table XXXII, p. 190.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, p. 453.
- ^ Joslen, p. 466.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 59–64, 81.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 261–3; Table XLII, p. 267.
- ^ Joslen, p. 467.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 182, 413–414.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 265, 269, 274–275, 281.
- ^ Routledge, pp. 275, 279–81, 284–5; Table XLIV, p. 293.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 126–129.
- ^ a b Routledge, Table XLVI, p. 295.
- ^ Routledge, p. 285; Table XLVII, pp. 296–297.
- ^ Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, pp. 253–333.
- ^ a b Frederick, p. 999.
- ^ a b c A. Young. "Territorial Army - Royal Artillery » 266 - 288 Regiments 1947-67". British Army units from 1945 on. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ Frederick, p. 957.
- ^ a b Frederick, pp. 1004, 1032.
- ^ 289–322 Rgts RA at British Army 1945 on
- ^ 592–638 Regiments at British Army 1945 on
- ^ 871–895 Batteries at British Army 1945 on
- ^ "289 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (T.A.) 1956-1999 at regiments.org by T.F.Mills". Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ A D O’Neill Captain PSAO 201 Bty RA(V). "A letter from Captain O'Neill". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Summary of Army 2020 Reserve Structure and Basing Changes" (PDF). 3 July 2013. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
Bibliography
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- Peter H. Liddle (ed), Passchendaele in Perspective: The Third Battle of Ypres, London: Leo Cooper, 1997, ISBN 978-0-85052-552-6.
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External links
- The Bristol Gunners Archived 3 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine
- British Army units from 1945 on
- British Military History
- The Long, Long Trail
- Orders of Battle at Patriot Files
- The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org) – archive site
- Royal Artillery 1939–1945