War Diary of the 277th
Brigade RFA (transcript) 1915
The 277th Brigade started the War as the 12, 13th and 14th Lancashire Batteries, and though embodied in August 1914, did not go to France until October 1915, when they were attached to the 2nd Canadian Division.
This transcript is made from the copy held at the National Archives, Kew and the original documents at the Royal Artillery Museum (now closed). The documents were largely hand written, so this represents the author's best interpretation of the handwriting. Where there is doubt, a question mark in brackets has been inserted. We hope you find them useful and informative.
This transcript is made from the copy held at the National Archives, Kew and the original documents at the Royal Artillery Museum (now closed). The documents were largely hand written, so this represents the author's best interpretation of the handwriting. Where there is doubt, a question mark in brackets has been inserted. We hope you find them useful and informative.
1917 Messines and Passchendaele
277th RFA Field Diary
June 1917 Sheet1
RENINGHELST area
1st 2nd
Lieut R R McCartney returned from course at Second …......... in Artillery
School.
2nd Lieut JJ Dawson …................... on course at
Second Army Signal School.
2nd Capt F F Bragley B/277 Battery , returned
from 10 days leave in the UK
8th 2nd Lieut A J Garry (?) C/277 Battery
wounded in action admitted to hospital and struck off strength.
11th 2nd Lieut A Sketch C/277th Battery Granted
10 days leave in the UK
Major J O M
Williams DSO D/277 Battery assumed command of the Brigade.
vice Lieut
Col J E C J Cochrane DSO To officers Red
Station … HAZEBROUK
Lieut L Talbot
A/277 Battery admitted by hospital
12th 2nd Lieut W Allen A/277 struck off the
strength with effect from 19/2/1917 having been
indirectly (?)
boarded in England. Authority A G Advd (?) GHQ D/4075/2
Lieut W G
McCanley A/277 and 2nd Lieut W N O'Neill D/277 wounded in action, and
admitted to
hospital (struck of the strength)
14th On the night of 14th/15th B/277 and C/277
relieved B/72 and C/72 in the line.
15th On the night of 15th/16th A/277 and D/277
relieved A/72 and D/72 in the line.
All the
batteries came under command of Lieut Col Cardew ''A Group''
Headquarters
MOATED GRANGE O 1a. 60.35 (sheet 26 NW)
Gun positions
A/277 O2 b 65. 15 (?) B/277 I32 c 50. 40
(?) C/277 I 32 d 05.00
D/277 I 32 c
70.05
The Wagon Lines of the Brigade all at about M
4 b
16th
Major MT Bibby (?) A/277 battery Granted 10 days leave to UK
18th
Lieut Col N P R Preeston (?) A/277 Battery RFA (from 24D AC) assumed
command of the
Brigade vice
Major Williams DSO vice Lieut Col JECJ Cochrane DSO
Major JC
Williams DSO re-assumes command of D/277 Battery
Sheet 2 (277th Army
Brigade RFA)
June 1917
21st The
Brigade exchange Wagon Lines with the 52nd Army Brigade RFA at about N 3 c
(?)
(Sheet 28)
2nd Lieut RR
McCartney B/277 Battery Granted 10 days leave to the UK
Lieut (Temp
Capt) JJJ Bell (?) MC Bde Amm Col posted to 315th Army BDE RFA
23rd On
the nights 23/24 and 25/26th batteries moved out of action to respective wagon
lines at
N 3 C A/277 relieved by A/190 D277 relieved by
D/190 B/277 and C/277 left
positions
vacant.
25th
Lieut Col JECJ Cochrane returned from Officers Red Station and
re-assumed command of the
Brigade
Lieut Col NPR
Preeston RFA relinquished command of
the Brigade and proceeded to take
over command
of OOSTHOEK GROUP
26th 2nd Lieut GS
Hodgkinson posted to A/277 battery vice Lieut L Talbot to hospital
2nd Lieut RPE
Roberts posted to D/277 vice 2nd Lieut WND Hull to hospital
27th 2nd Lieut N
Morgan Bde Amm Col Granted 10 days leave to UK
27th 2nd Lieut SH
Graham joins the Brigade and posted to A/277 battery
2nd Lieut GW
Pye joins the Brigade and attached to A/277 battery
2nd Lieut EB
Quibell joins the Brigade and attached
to C/277 battery
Lieut L Talbot
re-joined from hospital and attached Bde Amm Col
28th The Brigade moves
from N 3 c to about M4 n 8 . 5 (Sheet 29)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RENINGHELST
July 1917
2nd 2nd Lieut JE Alexander RFA, joined the
Brigade, and attached to D/277 battery
5th 6
other ranks (re-inforcements) joined the Brigade from the Base.
6th 2nd
Lieut DA Gardner RFA B/277 Battery, promoted Lieutenant with precedence from
1/1/16 vide London Gazette at
6/7/1917
7th
685028 BQMS Matthews C/277 battery. Awarded DCM for gallantry in the
''Field''
2nd Lieut RPE Roberts D/277 battery, 2nd Lieut JA Milne
RFA D/277 battery + 2nd Lt W M Hill
Awarded the
Military Cross for gallantry in the Field on June 7th, June 4th and June 12th
1917
respectively.
8th The
'Brigade' moved into the II Corps, Fifth Army, and attached the the 8th
Divisional Artillery for
tactical
purposes. Administered by II Corps RA.
Location as
follows:- (Sheet 28) Hd Qrs G 22 b
3.9 'A' Battery G 17 d 8.4 'B” Battery G 17 d 1.6
'C' Battery G 17
c 1.1 'D' Battery G 22 b 9.9 Bde Amm Col G 22 b 6.3
9th
Lieut W C McCauley RFA Rejoined the Brigade and posted to 'A' Battery
10th BSM
Hall posted to the Brigade from the 26th BAC and posted to C/277
11th 5
Reinforcements (other ranks)joined the Brigade from the Base
13th 2nd
Lieut DA Harvey RFA (Adjutant), promoted
Lieutenant with precedence from 1/6/16 (vide
London
Gazette)
14th 2nd
Lieut AJ Whelan joined the Brigade, on appointment to Commissioned Rank and
attached to
'C' Battery
16th 63427 Sgt Saunders JA 'A' Battery, awarded the 'Military Medal' for
gallantry in the Field
14th 'A'
and 'B' batteries ordered into action with “C” Group 8th Divisional Artillery
Gun positions:
Sheet 28, I 16 a 11.40 'A' Battery, I 15 b 44.40
'B' Battery
19th 2nd
Lieut HJ Sketch RFA C/277 retained in England whilst on leave and struck off
(Authority
AG D/4223)
20th
Capt (a Major) AH Bibby RFA 'A' Battery promoted Major with precedence
from 1/6/16 (vide London Gazette)
20th 2nd Lieut J Lock RFA joined the Brigade on
appointment to first commission and posted to 'A'
Battery
277th Army Brigade RFA
War Diary
RENINGHELST
July 1917
21st
Lieut WC McCauley RFA 'A' Battery. Awarded the 'Military Cross' for
conspicuous gallantry in
the field.
24th 2nd
Lieut (/ Lieut) JH Hudson RFA 'D' Battery, promoted Lieut with precedence from
1/6/16
(vide
London Gazette)
24th 20
(other ranks) reinforcements joined from the Base (signallers)
27th 2nd
Lieut AS Edge RFA 'B' Battery promoted Lieut with precedence from London
Gazette (vide
London
Gazette)
2nd Sheet (dates as indicated –
reason for the discontinuity not known)
7th Lieut EV Pratt RFA 'C' Battery proceeded on
leave to UK
2nd Lieut RPE
Roberts D/277 proceeded on leave to UK
11th 2nd Lieut HR Pratt BAC proceeded on leave
to UK
Capt CP Rimmer
D/277 proceeded on leave to UK
13th Lieut DA Gardner RFA B/277 proceeded on
leave to UK
17th
Lieut WC McCauley RFA A/277 proceeded on leave to UK
29th
Capt M Ravenscroft MC proceeded on leave to UK
31st Lieut Col JSCJ Cochrane DSO RFA carried
out the duties of Senior Liaison Officer for the
Artillery Group
8th Divisional
Artillery attacked the enemy in Railway Wood, 'A' and 'B' Batteries
participated,
be attached to
'C' Group 8th DA, 'C' and 'D' Batteries supplied 3 guns and 2 Hwrs respectively
as
'guns of
opportunity' to forward and operate.
Capt CG Ashton
RFA joined from the Base and attached to 'C' Battery
Casualties Personnel
24th 2nd Lieut GS Hodgkinson RFA 'A' Battery killed in action
2nd Lieut WG Pye RFA 'A' Battery killed in action
Capt WS Durward
MC 'A' Battery wounded in action
12 other ranks
killed in action during month
35 other ranks
wounded in action during month
Casualties Horses
15 horses killed by shell fire during month
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 1917 Reninghelst
1st
339321 Pte A Roberts (RAMC) A/277 awarded the Military Medal for
Gallantry
2nd 'C'
and 'D' Batteries relieved B/232 and D/232 in the line. Became 'B' Group under
25th
Divisional
Artillery. Gun positions: 'C' Battery I 16 c 45.05, 'C' Battery I 16 c 9.
9
3rd
154766 Sgt DJ West, 'B' Battery. Awarded the Military Medal for
gallantry in the field.
4th
Lieut JA Milne D/277 battery. To be Lieut with precedence from 1/6/16 (vide London Gazette)
8th
Lieut JH Hudson D/277 Battery. Awarded the 'Military Cross' for
gallantry in the field
100393 Sgt TB
Murray late D/277 Battery awarded DCM for gallantry in the field
687129 Bdr HW
Dixon D/277 Battery Awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field.
13th Lieut DA Harvey to be acting Captain
whilst holding the appointment (with pay and allowance of
Lieutenant)
with effect from 3/5/17
Lieut WC
McCauley A/277 Battery. To be Acting Captain, whilst second in command of 6 gun
battery (A/277)
14th
Capt (a/Major) AW Gossage C/277. Awarded Military Cross for Gallantry in
the Field
Brigade
transferred to 18th Div Artillery Group
17th
Guns of 281st Brigade RFA taken over by 277th Brigade
Brigade came
under orders of 8th Div Artillery for tactical purposes
18th
Major AH Bibby A/277 Battery assumed temporary command of the Brigade vice
Lt Col JECJ
Cochrane DSO
granted 10 leave UK
21st
685110 Sgt H Smith and 685698 Sgt Harrison
S of C/277 battery Awarded Military Medal for
Gallantry in
the Field
25th The
Brigade moved to NOORDPEENE en route to St MOMELIN AREA
26th The
Brigade moved from NOORDPEENE to St Momelin area and occupied billets in St
Momelin
28th
Rations were supplied by 5th Corps Troops Supply Column
31st
Ammunition Park Section and Supply Column came under orders of 'O' Corps
Ammunition Park
V Corps
lorries moved to WATTEN
Casualties during month: Personnel
Officers: 2nd Lt AJ Whelan C/277 Gassed and admitted to
hospital
O/R killed (GSW) 14;
killed (Gassed) 5
O/R wounded (GSW) 53;
wounded (Gassed) 18
Horses and Mules
Killied 22 LD and Mules by hostile fire
HAVRE
1915 Oct 1st
7.00 am Commenced disembarkation from SS
City of Benares. Headquarters, 12th Lancs Battery, 13th
Lancs Battery. The 14th Lancs Battery and
Ammunition Column by SS Austrialind (?)
Rendezvous Rest Camp
7.00 pm 12th Lancs Battery and Headquarters Staff departed for HAZEBROUCK
7.00 pm 12th Lancs Battery and Headquarters Staff departed for HAZEBROUCK
Oct 2nd 4.47 pm 12th Lancs
Battery and Headquarters Staff arrived HAZEBROUCK
5.30 pm 12th Lancs Battery and
Headquarters Staff arrived BAILLEUL
7.00 pm Marched to BERTHEN 4.5 miles
Quarters at the farms
of M. DE FOOR and M CHERBOUTER
13th and 14th Batteries and one sub-section of Ammunition Column arrived during the night. Truck flooring broke down 3 horses killed.
13th and 14th Batteries and one sub-section of Ammunition Column arrived during the night. Truck flooring broke down 3 horses killed.
Truck with 2 men and 5 horses side tracked
BERTHEN
Oct 3rd 10 pm Arrival of Ammunition Column
Oct 4th 9.30 am Met GOCRA at
Barrier KEMMEL. Informed 13th Lancs Battery
was to be detached
and that I was to take tactical control of Group No.1
consisting of 1st
West Lancashire Brigade RFA
Initialled JPR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BERTHEN 1915 Oct 4th 9.30 am
3rd West Lancs
Brigade RFA (less 13th Lancs Battery) and 8th
Lancs (Howitzer Battery RFA
Made
reconnaissance of positions of 12th and 14th
Lancs Batteries
Headquarters THE
CHALET.
5.00pm Right half of 12th,
13th
and 14th
Lancs Batteries and Headquarters Staff left BERTHEN for KEMMEL
KEMMEL
Oct 5th
5.30 pm
Arrived at CHALET, KEMMEL. Left half Batteries reported
during the night and took up their positions. All positions good
order in occupation
of the 1st
Canadian Divisions. The 13th
Lancs Battery forming part of Group No. 2 come under the command of
Lt. Col.Topping for
tactical purposes.
Group
No. 1 is attached to the 6th
Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General HDB. Ketchen, ZONE, Map 28,
BELGIUM (NEUVE EGLISE) N24 c77
to N36 a81 on the German Trenches, a line about 2200 yards. See
appendix for copy order.
The Ammunition
Column moved at 10 pm to new position N21 c18 LOCRE
6th
Oct 2.30 pm Orders to find Flash Guard. Copy see appendix
OsC (?) Units
devoted themselves to registering their Zones.
Initialled JPR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KEMMEL October 1915
7th 10.00 am Conference with GOC 6th Infantry regarding sub-division of zones. Instructions received o detail one officer in Group to be responsible for trench Artillery telephones.see appendix
8th Arranged for working of all artillery telephones in the trenches by two or more telephonists under the supervision of an officer.
5.40 pm An SOS was sent to the 14th Lancs Battery. 166 rounds fired.
7.30 pm The 8th (How) Battery reported to the Group and telephone connection made.
The 459th (How) Battery left the Group at 2.00 am (The unit was temporarily attached)
9th 2.15 pm Order received – all guns to register on BLACK REDOUBT, PECKHAM
2.45 pm Order to fire on BLACK REDOUBT and PECKHAM see appendix originals
10th Order re Group Commands see appendix
6.00 pm Reported at RA HQ for conference with CRA re coming gas attack. Date uncertain. Artillery concentration Left and Centre Groups on PETIT BOIS. Right Group on BLACK REDOUBT. Question of use of ammunition settled.
(a) Weekly allowance
(b) SOS calls as required
(c) Special allowance for operations
Total allowance for Group No 1 for operations, 1160 Shrapnel and 200 High Explosive
Ammunition drawn, night 10 / 11 (?)
.............................................................................................................................................................
KEMMEL October 1915
12th Further Operation orders received
13th Operations as per operation orders in appendix
The 14th Lancs Battery were called for SOS on which 197 rounds were fired.
14th 7.00 pm of OsC Units in reference to scheme for concentration of Units on a call for SOS for a better scheme. See appendix
Casualty. No 1351 Br Davies J died in hospital BAILLEUL. Weather too misty for firing.
15th 10.30 am Inspected secondary (CHQ) positions of 12th and 14th Lancs Batteries
Reported on Visual Signalling and Secondary positions. See Appendix. Weather too misty for firing.
16th Weather very misty
17th Conference with GOC 6th Infantry Bde, and Os. C re telephone communications.
For scheme see Appendix. Too misty for firing.
18th Conference with CRA re placing of guns in front line trenches and the finding of further positions for 15 Batteries 18 Pr. and 2 Howitzer Batteries. See Report to RA
19th Made further reconnaissance of front line trenches of the whole zone with a view to finding suitable emplacements for guns.
All Units made reconnaissance of alternative positions. See order Appendix
Orders issued that all registered targets should be made known to
7th 10.00 am Conference with GOC 6th Infantry regarding sub-division of zones. Instructions received o detail one officer in Group to be responsible for trench Artillery telephones.see appendix
8th Arranged for working of all artillery telephones in the trenches by two or more telephonists under the supervision of an officer.
5.40 pm An SOS was sent to the 14th Lancs Battery. 166 rounds fired.
7.30 pm The 8th (How) Battery reported to the Group and telephone connection made.
The 459th (How) Battery left the Group at 2.00 am (The unit was temporarily attached)
9th 2.15 pm Order received – all guns to register on BLACK REDOUBT, PECKHAM
2.45 pm Order to fire on BLACK REDOUBT and PECKHAM see appendix originals
10th Order re Group Commands see appendix
6.00 pm Reported at RA HQ for conference with CRA re coming gas attack. Date uncertain. Artillery concentration Left and Centre Groups on PETIT BOIS. Right Group on BLACK REDOUBT. Question of use of ammunition settled.
(a) Weekly allowance
(b) SOS calls as required
(c) Special allowance for operations
Total allowance for Group No 1 for operations, 1160 Shrapnel and 200 High Explosive
Ammunition drawn, night 10 / 11 (?)
.............................................................................................................................................................
KEMMEL October 1915
12th Further Operation orders received
13th Operations as per operation orders in appendix
The 14th Lancs Battery were called for SOS on which 197 rounds were fired.
14th 7.00 pm of OsC Units in reference to scheme for concentration of Units on a call for SOS for a better scheme. See appendix
Casualty. No 1351 Br Davies J died in hospital BAILLEUL. Weather too misty for firing.
15th 10.30 am Inspected secondary (CHQ) positions of 12th and 14th Lancs Batteries
Reported on Visual Signalling and Secondary positions. See Appendix. Weather too misty for firing.
16th Weather very misty
17th Conference with GOC 6th Infantry Bde, and Os. C re telephone communications.
For scheme see Appendix. Too misty for firing.
18th Conference with CRA re placing of guns in front line trenches and the finding of further positions for 15 Batteries 18 Pr. and 2 Howitzer Batteries. See Report to RA
19th Made further reconnaissance of front line trenches of the whole zone with a view to finding suitable emplacements for guns.
All Units made reconnaissance of alternative positions. See order Appendix
Orders issued that all registered targets should be made known to
Intialled JPR
..................................................................................................................................................................
KEMMEL Oct
1915
19th
Infantry OCs including sight(?) lines & further that Infantry
must always be informed when about to open fire. See appendix
Being on clear days a
good deal of registration was done. 97 rounds fired.
20th
Spent day in investigating the task of placing six guns in the front
trenches.
21st
Submitted list of targets and sight linesto GOC Infantry see
appendix
Clear day.133 rounds fired by the Brigade
22nd
Inspected alternative positions of 12th and 14th
Batteries. Ordered work to proceed on the …..........(?) priority
to the (?) HQ positions.
The Br ….(?) Augustine Kenisy (?) reported for duty.
Dull misty
day. No firing
24th
GHQ positions investigated by the Brigade Major and Adjutant. Repot
appendix.
Agreed with GOC
Infantry Bde that SOS calls should be qualified for 1,2,3 & 4
Batteries. Dull misty day. No firing
25th
At request of GOC infantry ordered that 20 minutes notice should be
given before firing. Dull misty day. Only 4 rounds fired.
26th 256 rounds fired by Brigade. Weather very clear.
27th
Interview with GOC Infantry regarding Battle Headquarters &
new new Headquarters in case of falling back to GH8 (?) positions.
1.30pm Inspection by
HM …...(?) at LOORZ (?) Placed in charge of the Divisional andCorps Artillery details.
Initialled
JPR
…...............................................................................................................................................................
KEMMEL
October 1915
28th
Nil (?)
30th
Reconnaissance of Ops for new forward positions
31st
Decision to bombard suspected gun emplacement with a
…..................(?) of 20 rounds of HE to test ability to
destroy same.
James
Reynolds
Lieut
Col
Commd
1 /3rd
West Lancs Bde RFA
…...................................................................................................................................................
APPENDICES
Appendix
to the Diary.
October
(1915)
Number
|
Date
|
||
1
|
5
|
Zones
of Group No 1
|
Copy
|
2
|
6
|
Order
to appoint Flash Officer
|
Original
|
3
|
7
|
Appointment.
Artillery Officer to supervise
|
Copy
|
telephonic
communication with the trenches
|
|||
4
|
9
|
Order
to fire on BLACK REDOUBT & PECKHAM
|
Originals
|
5
|
10
|
Group
Commands
|
Copy
|
6
|
10
|
Outline
Operations
|
Original
|
7
|
11
|
R.A
Operation Order No.1 and continuance
|
Originals
|
8
|
11
|
Instructions
from HQ. ECD. Re operations
|
Original
|
12
|
R.A
Operation Order No.2 . Group operation order
|
Original
|
|
9
|
13
|
Instructions
from HQ. ECD. Re operations
|
Original
|
10
|
13
|
Operation
order No. 3
|
Original
|
11
|
17
|
(a)
RA Instructions re dealing with SOS call
|
Original
|
(b)
Report on method of dealing with SOS
|
Copy
|
||
(c)
Diagram & explanation
|
Copy
|
||
(d)
Final instructions
|
Original
|
||
12
|
17
|
Instructions
from G.O.C.R.A. re alternative
|
Copy
|
positions
|
|||
13
|
18
|
Orders
re reconnaissance of gun positions & for
|
Copy
|
front
line trenches & supporting trenches & reports
|
|||
14
|
20
|
Report
on Visual Signalling
|
Copy
|
15
|
20
|
Orders
& report on test concentration
|
Copies
|
16
|
21
|
Recapitulation
of system of co-operation with
|
Copy
|
Infantry
|
|||
17
|
24
|
Report
on GHQ positions
|
Copy
|
 |
| Messages from 2nd Canadian Division to Officer Commanding 3rd West Lancs Brigade RFA October 1915 (1 and 2) |
......................................................................................................................
2nd
Canadian Divn
G 1145
re 6th
Canadian Infantry Brigade
With
reference to the instructions issued from this office on 27th
October 1915* regarding Artillery communication, owing to the present
unsatisfactory state of these communications the Artillery telephone
in the trenches will for the present be operated by the Artillery.
One Artillery Officer in each Artillery Group will be detailed as
forward observing officer to supervise the working of all the
Artillery telephones in that group.
(sgd) H. De Free, Col
Gen Staff
06/10/1915
*although
the letter clearly the date as 27th October 1915, I think
that it must refer to an order issued in September as this
communication was written in early October.
…................................................................................................................................................................................
 |
| Messages from 2nd Canadian Division to Officer Commanding 3rd West Lancs Brigade RFA October 1915 (3 and 4) ...................................................................................................................... |
