176 Battery, Royal Field Artillery

20th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA took over from 103rd Brigade RFA (23rd Division) at 1000. Brigade Headquarters is at Bois de la Hair (A.8.d.3.2.). Attached to the 6th Lon Field Artillery Batteries is the 176th Battery RFA, which forms the Centre Group (Lt Col Lowe). The Northern Group is on the left (Lt Col Peel)and the Southern Group on right (Lt Col Massey). During the day, chiefly between 0900 and 0930, also about 1730, the enemy shelled Ablain St Nagiare with 5.9’s(150mm guns). Carency was also shelled about mid-day. The enemy were also active with aerial torpedoes and heavy trench mortars, but were silenced by our Howitzers. Otherwise all was quiet on this front. The OC. Brigade reconnoitred the front by aeroplane.

21st March 1916 Bad Light   6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: There was very little artillery fire owing to bad light. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration. Otherwise all quiet. Hostile artillery also quiet.

22nd March 1916 Observation Impossible  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report very misty weather. Observation impossible. Very little enemy shelling all day. Capt Causland of the 2nd Household Division is attached to the 17th London Battery for instruction.

24th March 1916 Bad Weather  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Leave of absence again opened for the 47th Divisional Artillery. During the day there was very little shelling from the enemy as the light and weather were very bad. Our batteries were quiet all day. During the evening the enemy fired on the road to the east of Carency which is used by our infantry for transport. B176 Battery replied firing on the cross roads in Carency. The reply was effective.

25th March 1916 Enemy More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. 2nd Lt Gordon Tombe arrived from England (3/6 London Brigade RFA) attached to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Capt. Cooper 15th London Battery and Lt Lyon Smith (Adjutant) proceeded to England on ten days leave of absence. Lt Burke 47th Divisional Ammunition Column was attached to the 16th London Battery for instruction. Light for observation very good and enemy artillery was more active, again shelling the cross roads in Souchez. We retaliated again with 4.5s (4 1/2 inch shells), otherwise all quiet.

26th March 1916 Registration  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy showed little activity all day. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration, otherwise all quiet.

27th March 1916 Minewerfer Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Enemy more active today. A minenwerfer (mortar) fired on our support and communication trenches to which our Batteries replied and in each case kept on until the minenwerfer fire discontinued. A house in Lieviu was observed by the 17th London Battery to be in constant use and is possibly a Headquarters of some kind. All firing done by the Battery today was at the request of infantry.

3rd April 1916 German Aeroplane Shot Down  6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force at Carency. Capt. Causland 2nd Household Division attached to the 17th London Battery returned to England. Lt. Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column was attached to the 15th London Battery. A quiet day with a hostile minenwerfer (mortar) active at about 0900. We retaliated apparently with effect. A German aeroplane was shot down in our lines about 1000. The 15th London Battery registered by aeroplane in the afternoon.

4th April 1916 A Lot of Ammunition  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the 15th London Battery used a lot of ammunition today as arranged with infantry. It is reported that whenever we shell the Pimple, the Germans retaliate on Souchez. The light was again bad for observation. At about 1900 and 2000, the 16th Battery shelled the cross road next to Givenchy. Souchez was heavily shelled in the afternoon with 4.2 and 5.9 inch guns. At headquarters, the CORPS Commander (General Wilson) gave a lecture to officers.

5th April 1916 More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFAat Carency report 2/Lt Mason, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded on a course at the mortar school at St Vincent. The day was more active and the enemy fired 5.9 inch guns this morning, evidently searching for R. Battery. The enemy stopped shelling immediately a British aeroplane approached their lines. Minenwerfer (small range mortars) and trench mortars were unusually active.

6th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Hostile artillery much more active today, at 1145 the enemy shelled our front line with light & heavy trench mortars and 4.2 inch guns. This lasted for about a quarter of an hour. At 1415 the enemy put about 30 4.2 inch shells on the Carency - Souchez road at a very quick rate. Our artillery again carried out an organised strafe in conjunction with the grenade & trench mortars fire of our own infantry. Nothing else reported today.

7th April 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lyon Smith returned today after 10 days leave, 2/Lt Davies 16th London Battery returned to duty after seven days leave. The whole day was very quiet, there being thankfully no hostile shelling. In the morning between 0800 and 0900 hostile trench mortars bombarded our support line. Between 1715 and 1800 Light High Velocity guns bombarded Souchez. Later bombardment with 5.9s on A.18.d and S.13.b at all support roads or communication trenches. All together about 220 rounds were fired. The battery 8th Jan tested their guns today. [comment: last sentence unclear as the only additional battery apart from 15,16 and 17 in brigade is 176 battery attached as part of Lowe Group. Subsequent entry on 21st April 1916 possibly identifies this as R8 London Battery)

8th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard returned from a course at Litres. Hostile artillery quiet owing to the activity of our aeroplanes. The Group Observation Point had some 5.9s fall near it in the afternoon. 17th London Battery registered in the afternoon and while this registration lasted, the enemy retaliated on Notre Dame with 5.9s.

9th April 1916 Artillery More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lucas 16th London Battery wounded by a premature shell from R.8 -----. Major Gordon proceeded on 10 days leave of absence to England. Major Clifton 17th London Battery proceeded to Aire for a course at the First Army School. Our own and hostile artillery were more active today. Our front line trenches were shelled with 4.2s and a heavy minenwerfer (mortar). Our batteries fired many rounds in retaliation at the request of the infantry. They seem satisfied with the result.

10th April 1916 Bombardment and Retailiation  6th County of London Brigade RFA by Carency report The Pimple was bombarded with heavy & light guns. At first the affect did not seem good, but later on many good hits were obtained. This was in conjunction with a bombardment by the 23rd Division which seemed very effective. The enemy retaliated for the bombardment of the Pimple by shelling the Souchez valley with 4.2s. (4.2 inch guns).

11th April 1916 Trench Mortars Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Capt Corsan 15th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Lt Corsan 6th Lon Brigade Ammunition Column is attached to 17th London Battery. Hostile artillery very quiet except for trench mortars which were very active between 1815 and 1850. We replied with some rounds of shrapnel and High Explosive.

12th April 1916 Trenches Heavily Shelled in Evening  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report hostile artillery very quiet until about 1730 in the evening when our trenches were rather heavily shelled with 4.2s and trench mortars. Our batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else to report.

13th April 1916 Observation Light Good  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Light for observation very good all day. Very little shelling all day except from 1800 to 1845, when the division on our right were heavily bombarded by the enemy. All leave for 1st Army stopped, all officers and men on leave to return to this country by 17th of this month. 2/Lt Masson returned from the Trench Mortar Course.

14th April 1916 Loos Pylon Collapses  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Very little hostile shelling all day. Between 1130 and 1200, the northern of the Loos Pylons together with the bridge connecting it to the Southern Pylon collapsed. Nothing else to report.

15th April 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major Clifton returned from First Army Artillery course at Aire. All day was very quiet nothing to report.

16th April 1916 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Brigade headquarters moved from Moulin Topaz to Bois de la Haie. Hostile artillery very active between 1630 and 1700 when the trenches between Souchez village and the front line were heavily shelled with Light High Velocity and 4.2 inch guns. We retaliated.

17th April 1916 Motor and Rifle Grenade Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA. at Carency. Major Gordon DSO OC. 15th London Battery returned from leave to England. The front line trenches were subjected to one and a half hours of trench mortar & rifle grenade shelling. It was noticeable today that whenever we fired on the Pimple, the enemy retaliated with mortars & rifle grenades. A fire was seen to break out in a house in Lens at about 1830.

18th April 1916 Enemy Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery was very quiet all day as observation conditions were not good.

19th April 1916 Trench Mortars Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy Trench Mortar active at about 1520. We retaliated with 18 pounders and 4.5 inch Howitzers, the enemy stopped at once. At 1825 our trench mortars bombarded the enemy front line and the effect appeared to be very satisfactory.

20th April 1916 Intermittent Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Tomb, 6th London Ammunition Column is attached to the 17th London Battery and 2nd Lt Corsan 6th London Ammunition Column who was attached to the 15th London Battery returned to his unit. The enemy shelled the Zouave Valley and Notre Dame de Lorette slopes intermittently all day. At 1825 the enemy exploded a mine on the left front of the Division on our right.

21st April 1916 Enemy Artillery Very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The enemy artillery were very active today. 16th London Battery and R 8th London Battery were heavily shelled with 5.9 inch guns. One man in R Battery was killed otherwise no damage was done, though the shells dropped all around the batteries. At about 1450 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns were fired on these two positions.

22nd April 1916 Mist and Rain  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Observation was very bad owing to mist and rain. After the 15th London Battery had fired from 2100 to 2200, the infantry reported much noise in the enemy trenches which had been blown in. Evidently some casualties had been caused.

23rd April 1916 Enemy Guns More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a wagon parade was held at 1010 in the 16th Battery Wagon Line which the BGRA attended. The enemy guns were more active today bombarding our front line with Trench Mortars at 1000 and 1120. All our batteries retaliated. There were at least seven German observation balloons up today. The BGRA visited the 15th London Battery RFA while the battery was firing on Puist. The Carency-Souchez road was shelled from 1215 to 1300, with a burst of 12 shells. (Note: BGRA = Brigadier General Royal Artillery).

24th April 1916 Enemy Busy  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Capt Cooper OC. 15th London Battery was promoted to Major dating from the 15th March 1916. Enemy again busy this morning with 5.9 inch guns - observation being very clear. 15th London Battery was heavily shelled with 5.9s, in salvoes of three, with nearly all the shells falling just in front of its position. Enemy were again active with heavy trench mortars and our 18 pounders and Howitzers retaliated.

25th April 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report leave again opened. Very little shelling. We bombarded the hostile trenches with usual 18 pounders, Howitzers and 15 pounders doing considerable damage. The enemy retaliated with a few 4.2 inch and Light High Velocity guns.

26th April 1916 Enemy Mine Explodes  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. During the afternoon the enemy trench mortars were very active. They appeared to be using a new very heavy bomb. At 1906 the enemy sprang a mine. The explosion was a large one and big columns of flame leapt into the air. Immediately after the explosion the enemy opened a heavy bombardment of our trenches and our artillery formed an effective barrage. The bombardment lasted about half an hour, died down, then opened again for a short time and then died down again.

27th April 1916 Evening Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day was very quiet. At about 1830 to 1930 the enemy bombarded our lines with very heavy trench mortars. The concussion of the bombs shook the observation stations. Our Howitzers and field guns replied to this bombardment.

28th April 1916 Allies explode small Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Corsan and 2nd Lt Tombs posted to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Intermittent shelling of Ablain and Souchez Valley today by 5.9s & 4.2s. At 0420 we exploded a small mine just in front of our front line opposite Gobinaux trench. This is called the Broadridge crater.

29th April 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a few trench mortars were fired on the support lines and communication trenches at about 1400. Otherwise all was quiet. At 1910 there was great activity on the left of the Division on our right, with heavy firing taking place.

30th April 1916 Large Mine Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2/Lt Eddis 15th London Battery, 2/Lt Gordon Tombe and Lt Corsan 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded to the 47th Division Artillery Course at Malincourt. During the day our trench mortars were active and did some good shooting. There was intermittent shelling of Zouave Valley near Centre Battery. At 1900 the enemy exploded a large mine in front of the Centre Company of the Centre Battalion. Heavy firing took place but the enemy did not attack. All was quiet again by 2100. 2nd Lt Green 3/6 London Brigade RFA reported from England and was attached to the 17th London Battery.

1st May 1916 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report The enemy was very active between 1730 and 1830 with a very large minenwerfer (mortar) firing about 20 rounds into the Centre Battalian Zone. At 1400 the enemy fired 10 rounds of 5.9s on the light railway between 15th London Battery and the Carency station getting 5 direct hits. Everything else was all quiet.

2nd May 1916 Report of a Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Col Lowe DSO Commanding the 6th London Field Artillery Brigade, Capt Edwards Veterinary Officer and Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England, the former on ten days leave. At 1945 all artillery opened fire after the Centre Battalion reported a mine going up. This report proved to be false and the Batteries stopped firing. Major Gordon DSO 16th London Battery assumed command of the Right Group.

3rd May 1916 Three Mines Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Everything quiet all day until 1645, at which time we exploded 3 mines in front of the right & centre gun section. Three deep craters were formed now known as the Northern, Middle & Southern Craters. Our heavy and light artillery bombarded the enemy front and support lines after the explosion for three hours to enable the infantry to occupy and consolidate the craters. The enemy retaliation was steady and their fire was by no means excessive. After 2200 the night was very quiet. Our 15" gun took part in this event, firing 12 rounds. (Note: if description correct a very large modified naval 15 inch gun)

4th May 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day passed off fairly quietly with very little shelling taking place. In the evening the infantry had a little difficulty with the enemy in the middle crater. 2nd Lt Van Auger 2/6th Lon Field Artillery Brigade reported and was attached to 16th London Battery.

5th May 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt. Barnard returned from leave and took command of 16th London Battery. Lt Bennett returned from trench mortar course. All day it was very quiet. At 1945 we bombarded the enemy front line & communication trenches behind the craters to enable infantry to work on farther lip of the craters. At 1940 a message came through to defend the 17th Corps on our right. Three batteries switched target and started a barrage. It appears that the attack was only a small bombing one and all was quiet again by 2115.

6th May 1916 HQ moves

7th May 1915 New CO

9th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt Love OC. 6th London Brigade Artillery Column and Lt Yenchen 17th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

10th May 1916 Lecture by ADVS  Members of 6th County of London Brigade RFA attend lecture by ADVS at 2/6 Battery Wagon Line.(Assistant Director of Veterinary Services)

12th May 1916 Return from Leave  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt. Edwards, Veterinary Officer, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, returned from England after 7 days leave of absence.

14th May 1916 Officers Return  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Blackwell 15th London Battery & Capt ------ 176 London Battery proceeded on seven days leave of absence to England. 2/Lt Tomb is attached to 15th London Battery. Col Lowe returned from leave.

17th May 1916 Reorganisation  At Frevilliers 6th County of London Brigade RFA are renamed 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.
Battery title changes

15th Battery = A236
16th Battery = B236
17th Battery = C236
22nd Battery = D236
6th London Field Artillery Brigade is now called 15th-A236, 16th-B236, 17th-C236. the 22nd London Battery now in this Brigade is called D236 Battery.
Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to 17th London Battery. Brigade Ammunition Column is split up between the Batteries and the Divisional Ammunition Column.

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