7 London Brigade RFA

[homeguard]

Thanks very interesting, does Embodied mean that the men still volunteered to fight or it was assumed they would.  Also would you know where he was living at the outbreak of the war, many thanks for all your help.

[jim1]

Born in Stafford but living at 64 Claybrook Rd. Fulham.
He was a butcher & worked for a company called Slaters Ltd.
An Embodiment was a part-timer being made a full time soldier, he wouldn't have had a say in it but would have been aware of the possibility when signing up for the TF.

[homeguard]

Hi, I wonder would you know how many men were in each team suppling the guns and would I be right in thinking that after the men had supplied the ammunition to the big guns they would  be sent  back to act as a reserve or to resupply the guns later on. Many thanks.

[jim1]

There isn't really an answer as it depended on what the situation was at the time.
During major offensives 1000's of shells were used so obviously more wagons = more men.
Depending on how large & how many were being carried at the time 4 - 6 horses or mules were used with possibly 2 riders & 2 drivers or with teams of six 3 riders.
They would continue to deliver shells as long as the Bde. Bty's needed them.
Typically they would be at Bde. H.Q. & as requests were put in by the Bty. C.O.'s they would be sent off to the Divisional dump, that's the easy bit, getting to the guns was the hard part as the Brigade would be split up & at various locations & often Batteries were split up too so the Brigade would have been spread out over a large area.
During normal routine each Bty. C.O. had the responsibility of ensuring there were sufficient shells of the various types used at the Bty. dump as they were often called upon to shell specific targets spotted by observers or patrols so a steady supply but still hazardous as they would be targets themselves. Considering that & the thick mud they often found themselves in it's a miracle any got delivered at all.
They would go into reserve when their Bde. went.

[homeguard]

Thanks for taking the time to help, all your help is much appreciated.