Frederick Smith

[243rose]

i visited a relative yesterday who had lots of interesting letters about a relative who died in the 1st world war... it was a photo of a gravestone, and various documents relating to his death including letters of condolence from the chaplain and his 2nd lieutenant.

the grave said Sgt Frederick Smith ; Royal Garrison Artillery: killed in action 3rd November 1917 aged 32: 79th seige battery RGA ; 30106 Sgt F Smith...

Can anyone with the appropriate knowledge tell me what his unit were up to and where they were that day...

 i would be grateful
many thanks iain

[gortonboy]

maybe the cemetery he is buried in may give other rootschatters a clue?

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=164797

[gortonboy]

Unfortunately there is no surviving official war diary for this Siege Battery. You are therefore left with the higher formation HAG (Heavy Artillery Groups) diaries this battery was part of during its time on the Western front.
These were as follows, the respective NA Brigade diary references are in brackets:

79 Sge Bty, went out to the WF 26 April 1916 with armament of 4 x 9.2 Hows.
Joining 17 HAG 7-5-16,
To 4 HAG 4-7-16, (WO95/298)
To 17 HAG 12-7-16, (WO95/388)
To 1 HAG 29-7-16, (WO95/208)
To 16 HAG 3-10-16, (WO95/216)
To 84 HAG 22-3-17, (joined 27-3-17)
To 15 HAG 30-4-17, (WO95/216)
To 84 HAG 5-5-17, (WO95/396)
To 15 HAG 15-5-17, (to rest 26-8-17 - 9-9-17)
To 64 HAG 1-12-17, (WO95/227)
To 67 HAG First Army 3-12-17 (joined 8-12-17) (WO95/228) diary ends Dec 1918.
With no subsequent change.

Best viewed at Kew direct, as there are two many to order, and the cost would prove prohibitive. Or try just ordering one, perhaps start with the largest time period, the 11 months covered in the 67 HAG diary to give you a good idea of what you can expect.
Please note that although the name suggests it may, the 79 Brigade diary has no connection with 79 Sge Bty.

[243rose]

thanks for this info.. which i shall be following up, shame about lask of diary...can i just ask you... if his grave was in Belgium.. i take it he fought there.. the chaplains letter stated he was buried not far from the fighting

cheers
iain