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Topic: 87th company Royal Garrison Artillery (Read 232 times)
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Hi
I have just downloaded the 1911 census return for my great great uncle who was with the 87th company Royal Garrison Artillery.
I want to find out something about this unit and where they were at the time of the census, another rootschatter googled and found possibility of Hong Kong but on googling myself I'm not finding out anything useful about this unit at all.
He died 1915 at Ypres at the 4th siege bty and I am presuming he was with the same unit at that point.
Can anyone help?
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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km1971
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2656
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Kerry
According to the 1914 Army List they were in Hong Kong. But surely if you have them on the 1911 Census it will say where they were.
Here is a link to when the siege companies went to war - http://www.1914-1918.net/siege-battery-index.htm. There appears to have been only a handful of siege companies before WW1. My guess is that they were re-designated from existing howitzer and heavy companies. But you really need an RA expert. What date is on his medal index card for him going to France?
Ken
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Hi Ken
Unfortunately the front page of the 1911 census just shows that all the men are part of the 87th company Royal Garrison Artillery but there is no address.
No medal card for him either unfortunately.
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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I tell a lie, I found his medal card, on a search without his middle initial.
It tells me he was in the 4th siege battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and received two medals I think - Victory and British.
Sadly nothing about the 87th company though.
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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km1971
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2656
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Kerry
This link will tell you something about the medals - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp
In theory there could be another card covering either the 1914 Star or 1914-1915 Star. If not, he went to the front in 1916 or later.
I think it is clear that he was transferred to the 4th Siege battery. But if his papers have not survived you will never know when.
Ken
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Thanks for the link Ken, I didn't realise there were so many medals.
Kerry
Added I missed a third medal, that I can now decipher as 14 star. You need a degree in hieraglyphics to read the card!
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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km1971
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2656
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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If he earned a 1914 Star it should give the date he 'entered theatre', ie France. Does this match with the rest of 4th siege battery?
Ken
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Hi Ken
The date on the card is 17 September 1914 so I will go and check.
Thank you
Kerry
Added - it checks out with the link you gave above. 
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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forester
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1841
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Hello Kerry,
87 Company were in Hong Kong at the time of the 1911 Census.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/06km/
According to the "Stations of Units ............", 1st July 1913, they were still there then.
Phil
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Thanks Phil
I'm sure I did a search on TNA and didn't find anything  Shall have to search harder next time 
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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DavidGreenall110
RootsChat Member
Posts: 183
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Kerry,
Have you tried the Royal Artillery Museum www.firepower.org.uk ? They should be able to give you some basic information on the unit and it's weapons.
For more detail on the actual unit and it's movements you'll need to look in the National Archives www.nationalarchives.gov.uk under the Battery War Diary in the WO series.
You haven't mentioned if you've looked on the Commonwealth War Graves site www.cwgc.org for his place of burial, this can sometimes give you clues as to where he was at the time.
My G Grandfather was also in the RGA and I've spent years trying to piece his movements together, all I can say is Good Luck as the Artillery records are few and far between and not always complete.
David
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Death, Sambles, Searle, Loates, Hughes, Lythgoe, Johnson, Rodgers, Hawthorne, Rhodes, Lister
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11933
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Hi David
Thank you for your tips and links.
I have found Henry's details as a casualty on CWGC, unfortunately he died at Ypres in 1915. Luckily for me my brother is just off to visit and has taken details of the grave and is going to bring me back a picture.
I will try the Royal Artillery Museum, Thank you
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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JustinL
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1011
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Hello Kerry,
The artillery went through many changes during the course of the war. With the help of others I have pieced together a pretty complete history of my great-uncle's experiences in the 71st Siege Battery (SB).
The war diary for the 4th Siege Battery has the NA reference WO 95/543. You can always order specific months or time-periods rather than the whole diary.
An SB was allocated to a larger formation called a Heavy Artillery Group (HAG). You may need to consult the war diaries for the relevant HAGs to get a clearer picture of the movements of your ggu's unit. To determine to which HAG the unit was allocated you'll need to see the Battery Allocation which is also available at the NA - somewhere!
Another very good place to ask questions is The Great War Forum. Just google it and you'll find the site.
Hopwe this helps rather than confuses.
Justin
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71SB_allocation.JPG