NO. 6 RESERVE BRIGADE ARTILLERY

WAR  DIARY

BISCOT CAMP, LUTON

DECEMBER  1917

Dec 1

2^nd Lt. W.R. BISHOP Sth. Midland Bde R.F.A having joined for duty was taken on the strength of the Brigade

200 Details arrived from 67^th Divisional Artillery Canterbury and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. LAIDLOW, 1^st South Midland Brigade R.F.A. was posted to 72^nd Divisional Artillery and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 3

Lieut. C.E.H. PINKERTON 4^th London (How) Bde/. R.F.A joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 4

20 Horses L.D. were transferred to Remount Depot Swaythling and struck off the strength of the Brigade

20 Mules L.D. arrived from Remount Depot Ormsirk and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. T.A.C. JONES 2^nd London Bde. R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

A draft of 2 Bombardiers, 58 Gunners, 3 Signallers and 2 Fitters proceeded to France

10 Mules L.D. were transferred to Remount Depot Swaythling and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 5

2^nd Lt. D.N. FINDLAY, 2^nd Scottish Horse having joined the Brigade on probation pending transfer is taken on the strength

The undermentioned Officers proceeded Overseas to France and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

Lieut. W.E. BROWN     R.F.A.   (T)

2^nd Lt. H.H. McGRATH R.F.A.    (T)

“          W.W. BROWN

“          S.S. ALLEN

“          R. HENDERSON

“          H.S. BUCK

2^ND Lt. J.C. CORNELIUS  R.F.A.    (S.R.)

“          C.H. BARKER

“          H.L.H. DILLON                       “

112 Details arrived from 67^th Divisional Arty. and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

13 Signallers arrived from 346^th and 348^th Brigade R.F.A. and were taken on strength of the Brigade

Horse L.D. No. 135 was transferred to North Midland Veterinary Hospital, London Road, Luton and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 7

Major P. JOHNS R.F.A. (T) having been posted to 326^th Brigade R.F.A. (65^th Division) Kildare is struck off the strength of the Brigade

90 Details arrived from Ripon and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. C.P. MONK, 2^ND Lon. Brigade R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 8

Horse L.D. No. 174 was transferred to North Midland Veterinary Hospital, London Road, Luton and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 10

20 Horses, L.D. were transferred to Remount Depot Swaythling and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Horse No. 570 L.D. was transferred to North Midland Veterinary London Road, Luton and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Lieut. A.H. WARNER, 419^th Battery R.F.A. (T) Herne Bay, joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

30 Recruits joined from No. 4 Depot R.F.A. Woolwich and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 11

Horses R.No.13 and L.D. No. 697 were transferred to North Midland Veterinary Hospital, London Road, Luton and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

Captain P.H. GIBBIINS, 3^rd London Brigade R.F.A. (T) joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 12

110 L.D. Horses arrived from Shirehampton Remount Depot and were taken on the strength of the Brigade.

Lieut. A.F. BOURDAS M.C., 7^th London Bde. R.F.A. (T) joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

10 L.D. Mules were transferred to Remount Depot Swaythling and were struck off the strength of the Bde.

Dec 13

17 Recruits joined from No. 4. Depot, R.F.A Woolwich and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 14

30 L.D. Horses arrived from Remount Depot Market Harboro.

Dec 14

The undermentioned Officers proceeded Overseas to France and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. G.H. GOODENOUGH     R.F.A.  (T)

2^nd Lt. H.N. SNODGRASS           R.F.A.  (S.R)

“          J. WHITLEY

“          W.D. WILLIAMS

“          H.H. SPURR

“          W. SUNDERLAND

“          A.E. WATKINS

“          H.C. WILLIAMSON

“          J.R. WALKER                       “          “

Dec 16

The undermentioned Officers of the R.F.A  Special Reserve having joined the Brigade were taken on the strength

2^nd Lt. C.E.W. JONES

“          R.S. MORRIS

“          W.. RETTIE

“          S.R.K. REAKES

“          R.W. THOMAS

2^nd Lt. J.H.G. SADDINGTON, 1^st Lon. Bde. R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on strength

2^nd Lt. A.H.L. WALTERS 5^th Loln. Bde. R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on strength

A draft of 1 Corporal, 1 Bombardier, 95 Gunners and 7 Drivers proceeded Overseas to France.  Total 104

Dec 19

The undermentioned Officers proceeded Overseas to France

2^nd Lt. F. STADWOOD       R.F.A.   (T.F.)

“          N.A. WISE

“          C. VAGG

“          H. WRIGHT

“          A.F. HUGGINS              “            “

2^ND Lt. A.G. TOBIAS          R.F.A.  (S.R.)

“          G.S. DAVIDSON

“          F.W. HUDD

“          H.F. DARBY                  “             “

20 L.D. Horses transferred to Remount Depot, Swaythling

Lieut. E. BARTON R.F.A. was transferred for duty with Ministry of Munitions and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 20

2^nd Lt. H. MARSH 1^st Lon. Bde R.F.A. was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 21

20 L.D. Horse arrived from Remount Depot Market Harborough and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

Lieut. J. LOW, 2^ND Wessex Brigade, R.F.A. proceeded Overseas and was struck off the strength of the Brigade

Lieut. B.B. CLARKE, 3^rd London Bde R.F.A. was transferred for duty with Ministry of Munitions and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 22

8 Riding, 8 L.D. and 1 H.D.  Horses were transferred to the North Midland Veterinary Hospital London Road and were struck off the strength of the  Brigade

Dec 23

The undermentioned Officers proceeded Overseas and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. W.C. RATTRAY        R.A.F.   S.R.

“          F. WRIGHT                   “        “

“          T.N. BESSUNGER

“          P.W. M. QUICKE

“          S.F. PRYKE                     “        “

2^nd Lt. C.P. MONK              R.A.F.  T.F.

Mule No. 113 was transferred to North Midland Veterinary Hospital, London Road, Luton and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Dec 24

10 L.D. Mules were transferred to Remounts Luton, and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

Royal Greetings Xmas 1917

“I send to all ranks of the Navy and Army my hearty Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year.  I realise your hardships, patiently and cheerfully borne and rejoice in the successes you have won so nobly.  The Nation stands faithful to its pledges, resolute to fulfil them.  May God bless your efforts and give you victory.

Christmas thoughts are with the wounded Sailors and Soldiers.  We know by personal experience with what patience and cheerfulness their suffering is borne.

We wish all a speedy restoration to health, a restful Christmastide and brighter days to come.” 

Dec 26

Lieut. G. WEIR, 6^th London Bde. R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 27

20 L.D. Horses and 6 L.D. Mules were transferred to Remount Depot, Swaythling and struck off the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. J.H. CHEW, 7^th London Brigade R.F.A. reported for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

Dec 27

The undermentioned Officers reported for duty from No. 3. R.F.A Officers’ Cadet School, Weedon and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. J.B.I. BELLAIRS     1^st London Bde. R.F.A

“          H.P. CHILVER                          “

2^nd Lt. S.I. DOORMAN     3^rd London Bde R.F.A.

2^nd Lt. A.H. FREAKES       6^th London. Bde. R.F.A

2^nd Lt. R.S. CREED            1^st Sth Mid. Bde R.F.A.

Xmas Entertainments etc.

The Commandant wishes to express his appreciation of the excellent arrangements made by Lieut. WILSON P.R.I. for the Xmas dinners and of his energy and zeal for the comfort of the Men.

To the success of the Xmas dinners, the skill and ability of Sergeant McCONNELL (Sergeant cook) largely contributed

The arrangements for the Entertainments on Christmas Day were admirably made by Lieut. HOWELL Hon. Sec. Entertainments Committee and carried out to  the entire satisfaction of all.

Dec 28

Draft No. 44 comprising of 3 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, 3 Bombardiers, 112 Gunners, 50 Drivers, and 2 Fitters proceeded Overseas to France.  Total 172

The undermentioned Officers joined for duty and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

Major J.G.G. THOMPSON R.F.A.

Lieut. F.H. COBBOLD R.F.A.

2^nd Lt. R.A. WEISS, 3^rd London Brigade, R.F.A. joined for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. H.P. EDMUNDS, 1^st Wessex Brigade, R.F.A. was transferred to Anti-Aircraft Depot, Abbeywood and struck off the strength of the Brigade

Discipline

The Commandant wishes to express his appreciation of the exemplary behaviour of the men of this Brigade during Christmas Week.

Dec 29

The undermentioned Officers proceeded Overseas to France and were struck off the strength of the Brigade

2^nd Lt. T.A. DRISCOLL    R.F.A.  S.R.

“          J.J. DALY

“          L.C. HOPKINS

2^ND Lt. W.E. CLARKE      R.F.A.  T.F.

2^nd Lt. F.S. MILLER          R.F.A.  S.R.

“          J. CARR

“          G.F. HALLETT          “        “

“          J.P. LOCK                 “       “

2^nd Lt. W.F. LAWRENCE   R.F.A.  T.F.

“          C.V. PERRIN

“         A.G. BALLARD           “         “

Dec 31

2^nd Lt. A.W. LAXTON, 3/1^st S. Midland Bde R.F.A. reported for duty and was taken on the strength of the Brigade

The undermentioned Officers reported for duty from No. 1 R.T.H. Cadet School, St. Johns Wood, and were taken on the strength of the Brigade

Lieut. A.S. FOWLER

“         F.A. MITCHELL   R.F.A.

Lieut W.N. ORCHARD  Special Reserve

“         C.U. PRITTICK

“          J. ELLIOT                           “

The following casualties occurred amongst the Horses and Mules of the Brigade during the month of December 1917

Horses

160 Joined

104 Transferred

Leaving a total of 461

Mules

20 Joined

37 Transferred

Leaving a total of 20