236 Battery, Royal Field Artillery

   LXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, initially made up of 235, 236 and 237 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 16th (Irish) Division, which was established by Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. On 23 January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. In July 1915 they left the 16th (Irish) Division and underwent training on Salisbury Plain. They landed at Le Havre on the 3rd of September 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos.
The Brigade Ammunition Column left the brigade on the 13th of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column. They fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. The batteries were reorganised on 14th of November 1916 becoming six-gun units. Two guns of B Battery joined A and C Batteries. B Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined, merging with half of D Battery 76th (Howitzer) Brigade to become D (Howitzer) Battery, 75th Brigade.
In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

15th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.
All Batteries tested timing switches by actually firing and carried on registering of Division Zone. Day was generally quiet. Bombardment of Snout provoked a little retaliation. At 1430 hostile aeroplanes were unusually daring and nonplussed observers which let one machine fly almost unmolested 1500 feet over I.26, 27 and Valley Cottages. New enemy work at I.19.c.1.4 and I.30.b.8.0 has progressed. Activity round a camouflet near hilly place suggests offensive Sapping operations, ultimate intention probably being to jump our front line and command reverse slope of ridge. (Note: sapping is constructing trenches forward from the front line towards enemy positions,usually as listening posts or, as suggested here, jumping off points for attacking troops, getting them nearer to enemy lines under cover). (Further note: a camouflet is a chamber created by explosives underground without breaking the surface (which would be a crater)).

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.

19th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force report from Frevillers. Capt. Love OC. 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to C236 Battery 2Lt J.C Carter, 6th London B.A.C. is transferred to A236 Battery. 2Lt Green is transferred from C236 Battery to 6th London B.A.C.

20th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Frevillers: 2/Lt Mason is transferred from 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column to B236 Battery but is attached to C236 Battery for one week.

21st May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency. Col. Lowe took over command of Right Group at 1300. Right Group now consists of A/236 B/236 C/236 D/236 and D/113 Batteries.
German Attack on Vimy Ridge. From 0530 to 1230 hostile artillery were very active on our front and support lines. A balloon was reporting on the Cabaret communication trench and main roads in Carency and Ablain. At 1730 the enemy started a heavy barrage of the Zouave Valley, shelling communication trenches, front and support lines of the Right Battalion of Left Brigade and also the Right Brigade. At about 2000 the enemy used Lachrymatory shells(see note below) on our Batteries as well as 5.9 inch shells. The 16th London Battery had a direct hit on it's No.1 gun wounding five men. At about 2130 the enemy attacked taking the front line and support lines of the Right Brigade (140th ) and the front line of the Right Company of the Right Battalion of the Left Brigade. A bombing attack was organised. Looz, Momber Crater and part of the front lines of the Right Battalion were retaken. Fire slackened off at about 0330. Lt Barnard B236 Battery was promoted Captain. (Note-Lachrymatory shells were filled with tear gas)
(Lt James Henry Van den Bergh from Commonwealth War Graves Commission died aged 23 on 21/05/1916 and is buried at Arras Memorial. He was the son of Henry and Henriette Van Den Bergh of 8 Kensington Palace Gardens.) He was reported as missing on 22nd May 1916.

22nd May 1916 Enemy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report Lt Van den Bergh C236 Battery liaison officer to the Left Battalion of the Right Brigade was reported as missing. Activity not great on front support line trenches till 2350 when the enemy sent up green flares and their artillery laid a heavy barrage on Zouave Valley. Ablain, Carency and Lorette heights were heavily shelled with 4.9 and 8 inch guns during the whole of the day. Our artillery kept up a steady fire on enemy front and support line trenches. The 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division is attached to Right Group.

23rd May 1916 Intermittent shelling   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Intermittent shelling during the day of the Batteries in Carency, Ablain and Lorette. At 1900 our artillery opened a slow bombardment of the enemy new front line which gradually increased until about 2025, when they lifted onto the old German front line. The enemy replied by barraging Zouave Valley. Artillery was very active all night and only stopped at about 0330 24th May 1916.

24th May 1916 Artillery Very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Our artillery was very active throughout the day carrying out a slow bombardment of the enemy front and support lines. Enemy artillery replied with 5.9 inch rounds about battery positions. There was no infantry attack at all. The C236 Battery received a direct hit on the Sergeants Dug out, killing three Sergeants and wounding 2/Lt Green and one other Sergeant. Details of the three sergeants killed are unrecorded.

25th May 1916 Shelling Reduced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report shelling on both sides was much reduced. During the afternoon Divisional Headquarters in Chateau de la Haie was shelled by 4.2 inch guns. During the night of 25th-26th May, the 47th Div Infantry was relieved by 2nd Div Infantry.

26th May 1916 236 Brigade HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Lt Col Lowe DSO commanding Right Group handed over command to Lt Col Parry OC. 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division. 236th Brigade HQ moved to new billets at Valhuon.

27th May 1916 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Valhuon. B236 and C236 Batteries were relieved by batteries of 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and went into new billets at Hucler and Antin. A236 remained at the Wagon line Maisnil, Bourohe to dig new gun pits at Ablain. D236 Battery remained in action.

28th May 1916 Waggon Lines

29th May 1916 HQ Moves

30th May 1916 Leave

31st May 1916 Ready to Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin report B236, C236 & D236 Batteries are in 1st Army reserve ready to move at one hours notice.

1st June 1916 Movements

4th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Brigadier General,Royal Artillery, IV Corps, inspected the horses of the B236 and C236 Batteries.

5th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. B236 and C236 Batteries were inspected by the Brigadier General RA, 5 Corps. One Section of A236 Battery went into action at Ablain.

6th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. GOC. 47th Division inspected the Wagon Lines of B236 and C236 Batteries. 2nd Lt Burgis HQ Staff proceeded to England on seven days leave of absence.
Extract from London Gazette dated June 5th, Birthday Honours.

Lt Lucas 6th London Brigade RFA - Military Cross.
RSM. Hood - Distingushed Conduct Medal.
Cpl. Noel - Military Medal.
Cpl. Williams A236 London Battery - Military Cross.

7th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. Batteries went to inspect gun positions.

8th June 1916 Gun Positions

9th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. OC. Brigade inspected D236 Battery.

11th June 1916 Church Parade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery hold Church Parade at Barlin.

12th June 1916 Re-routing of Units  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. Battery Commanders went to reconnoitre positions of batteries of the 23rd Division. Capt Lindell D236 Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Col Lowe DSO appointed OC. Right Group. Right Group consists of the following Batteries, A,B and C,237 Brigade and A,B,C and D,236th Brigade.

13th June 1916 Movements

14th June 1916 New Positions

15th June 1916 All Quiet

16th June 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. OC. 236th Brigade took over command of Right Group from OC. 102 Brigade. Batteries commence registering. Except for a few 5.9 & 4.2 rounds into Souchez, all was quiet on our front. At 2230 a laye mine was exploded in the south followed by heavy artillery and machine gun fire.

17th June 1916 Road Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. Lt Petro C236 Battery to England. Some shelling of road between Aix Noulette and Bully Grenay. A great amount of aerial activity at 1200 as 9 enemy planes passed over Aix Noulette in the direction of Hirsin.

17th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Nothing to report all quiet.

18th June 1916 Poor Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. The light was not good for observation. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 38 rounds.

19th June 1916 Batteries Retaliate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Slight minewerfen (mortar) fire on our front. Our Batteries retaliated and stopped their fire. Enemy aeroplanes were more active. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 36 rounds and A237 Battery changed position.

20th June 1916 Trench Mortars Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report enemy trench mortars again very active in the morning and our Howitzer Battery shelled the suspected places with good result. Our own trench mortars registered the German wire. Major Cooper A236 and Major Clifton A237 Batteries are Mentioned in Despatches. 1417 Gunner Young A236 Battery is awarded the Military Medal by the Commander in Chief under authority from HM The King (IV GRO 943).

21st June 1916 Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report there was much trench mortar activity about 1200. The enemy trench mortars were also very active and scored two hits on our lines wounding 2/Lt Folingsby 237 Brigade, attached to Y236 Trench Mortar Battery, also wounding Lt Kimber 237 Brigade acting as Liason Officer to the Left Battalion. Our Battery did great damage the day before to wire at enemy's front line. Trench Mortars have had this strafe on retaliation. GOC’s Division HQ sent a message to Trench Mortar officers commending their work. There was again a lot of aerial activity. Lt Kimber and 2nd Lieut Folingsby both died of wounds the same night. (Thomas Grueber Folingsby, aged 20, is buried at Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension and Henry Cyril Dixon Kimber, aged 22, is buried Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension. Both of 7th London Brigade RFA now 237th London Brigade.)

22nd June 1916 Very Little Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Very little shelling today. Enemy put 6 rounds of 4.2 inch shells in A237 Battery's new position. The light for aerial observation was good and a party of enemy aeroplanes flew over Aix Noulette this afternoon. They came back about two hours later followed by our planes.
The following officers arrived from England. 2/Lt G.N. Gaburn - posted to C236 Battery. 2/Lt Wills - posted to C236 Batttery. 2/Lt E.H. de B West - posted to D236 Battery.
Other movements. 2/Lt Gordon Tombe attached to C236 Battery leaves to rejoin his unit 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Lt Pilditch, Adjutant, 237th Brigade RFA, has left this Group HQ. Lt Tausley, Orderly Officer, 237th Brigade RFA, is attached to this HQ. One of the guns of Y236 Trench Mortar Battery had a premature(shell exploding early) resulting in one man killed and 2 men wounded.

23rd June 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Hostile aeroplanes were very active. B223 Battery commanded by Major T----- joined Right Group and was positioned south of A237 Battery (south of the edge of Noulette Wood)

24th June 1916 Wire Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette (War Diary very faint) All batteries of this group shelled wire ---- to ---- zones. Y/47 Trench Mortar Battery (Lt Brown) fired 50 rounds wire registering and retaliation on enemy trench mortars. Much less aerial activity owing to bad weather. Lt Brown attached to Y047 Trench Mortar Battery. A gun of Y047 Trench Mortar Battery blew up killing the Bombardier in charge of the gun.

25th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette: Divisional Artillery continued wire cutting in conjunction with the Trench Mortar Batteries. Enemy T.Ms also active at times during the day, but stopped firing when fired on by our Batteries. Aeroplane activity was much less owing to the weather. The sound of heavy bombardment came from just north of the Angres Sector at about 1230.

26th June 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Wire cutting and fire on enemy mortars continued throughout the day. Enemy trench mortars were active on our front, but were silenced by our artillery. At 2330 2nd Division opened a heavy bombardment of enemy trenches on Vimy Ridge. The enemy barrage was fairly heavy for a time but by midnight had practically ceased while our fire carried on until about 0045. At 0445 an exactly similar state of affairs was observed opposite the Loos Salient, very little gun fire was heard and infantry confined themselves chiefly to bombs and machine gun fire.

27th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report 18 pounder Batteries and Y047 Trench Mortar Battery were wire cutting all day. At 2345 Divisional Artillery opened a bombardment along the whole of the Divisional Front. Under cover of this, gas was let off at 0120. Artillery fire became intense and at 0125 our infantry raided German lines. At present time ----- --- ----. The enemy retaliated very little with 5.9s and heavy minenwerfer (mortars) on our front line. Also a few shells on roads going up to Aix Noulette. All was quiet by 0230. The gas was discharged from the Angres Sector. The artillery barrage was excellent and very heavy.

28th June 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette: Batteries engaged in wire cutting, but light very bad for observation during the morning. At about 2145 artillery was very active in Loos Sector. Capt Gayman C236 Battery reverts to the rank of Lieutenant.

29th June 1916 High Winds  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. A very high wind made wire cutting very difficult especially by the Bois en Hach which, owing to the nature of the ground and undergrowth, is very difficult to see. C236 and B236 Batteries put forward a gun for wire cutting. Lt Yenken C236 Battery arrived from England, but went at once to the Field Ambulance Unit again.
At 2130 2nd Division opened a short but very intense bombardment of Vimy Ridge and the enemy replied with a short barrage.

30th June 1916 Wire Cutting Continues  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report wire received from GHQ that 3rd & 4th Armies launched attacks at 0730 this morning in conjunction with the French and results so far are satisfactory. Batteries continue wire cutting and aeroplane activity is much greater than yesterday.

1st July 1916 Very Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report a very quiet day. Germans displayed slightly more aeroplane activity. A236 Battery and C236 Battery carried out wire cutting with single gun.

2nd July 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Gunn C236 Battery moved from post and returned to his battery. A quiet day with enemy retaliation feeble in reply to bombarding their front line and Vimy Ridge.

3rd July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Batteries wire cutting. B237 battery was shelled with 4.2s at about 0900 and one gun was damaged. The enemy shelled battery positions on the Aix-Noulette - Bully Grenay road all morning with 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns. Minewerfen (mortars) were active about 1600. At 2230 the enemy blew up a mine on Vimy Ridge but very little artillery fire followed. Another mine was exploded at 0030. At 0145 our artillery open a strong barrage in support of a raid by the 15th London Regiment on salient in Bois en Hache. The raid lasted twenty minutes with result at present not known. Enemy retaliation was much heavier than in the former raid. All was quiet again by 0230.

4th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette the enemy was active in the Angres Setor this morning with trench mortars, otherwise all quiet.

5th July 1916 Observation Impossible  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Observation impossible so all quiet on this front.

6th July 1916 Trench Motors Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Wildes C236 Battery proceeded on Trench Mortar Course. During the early morning enemy trench mortars were active on Gouchez II to which our own retaliated. Observation was again difficult owing to bad weather.

7th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. All quiet. 2nd Lt Woollett transferred from D236 Battery to Y047 TM Battery.

8th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: All quiet.

9th July 1916 Billets and Roads Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. at Aix-Noulette. Col. Peel took over command of Right Group. Col Lowe and Adjutant along with HQ Staff moved to new billets in Helsin. All quiet on this front. During the night the enemy's billets and ration roads were shelled in conjunction with IV Corps heavy artillery.

10th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet on this front.

11th July 1916 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report enemy active about 1800 on Left Battalion HQ, our Howitzers retaliated on enemy support line. After a few rounds the enemy stopped firing.

12th July 1916 Weather Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. Officers and men of 63rd Division attached to C236 Battery for instruction. Batteries carried out small strafes on enemy billets, field gun positions and dumps. Weather rather bad for aeroplane observation.

13th July 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Aix-Noulette. Batteries carried out strafes on road, dump etc. B236 Battery fired 26 rounds on ---- de HIR---LLE obtaining several hits. Trench Mortars cut wire from 1430 to 1800 covered by fire from 18 pounders.

14th July 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Trench Mortars continue wire cutting covered by fire from 18 pounders. At 1600 enemy retaliated for our wire cutting on Straight - Huntrench and Boshwalk. Our artillery retaliated strongly and the enemy ceased firing.

15th July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Wire cutting by Trench Mortars and 18 pounders during the afternoon. The enemy retaliated as yesterday on the Straight & Boshwalk, otherwise all quiet.

16th July 1916 Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Trench Mortars wire cutting in afternoon from 1500 to 1730. At 0100 on the night of 16-17th July, the 20th London Regiment carried out a raid on enemy lines at a small salient north of Bois en Hache. The raid was supported by intense artillery fire with 2" Mortars and Stokes Mortars. Enemy retaliation was slight consisting of a few Light High Velocity shells & trench mortars. Infantry report that German front line trench was entered, dugs outs were bombed and a machine gun was destroyed. Our casualties were light. All was quiet again by 0145.

18th July 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Except for slight shelling of Boche Trench & the Straight everything was all quiet. 141st Infantry Brigade relieved by the 63rd Division.

19th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet.

20th July 1916 Enemy Mine Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Quiet all day. Enemy blew up mine by Double Crassier at 2230.

21st July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: All quiet. Nothing to report.

22nd July 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: The Batteries fired on enemy trenches from 1400 to 1800. Retaliation was slight.

23rd July 1916 Straffing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette: Our artillery carried out a strafe at 0100 of 20 rounds per battery. The enemy was quick to retaliate on our support line.

24th July 1916 Personnel  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Hersin report: 2/Lt Wildes returned from Trench Mortar Course. During the course he was sent to the Neuve Chapple front to take command of a Trench Mortar Battery during the operations there.

25th July 1916 Movements

26th July 1916 On the March

27th July 1916 236th London Brigade Relocate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Sains les Pernes. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

28th July 1916 Quiet

29th July 1916 Reliefs

30th July 1916 On the Move

31st July 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aubrometz. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. OC. Brigade and Adjutant with representatives of each battery, inspected the guns of the 21st Division which have just withdrawn from action at the S.

1st August 1916 On the March

2nd August 1916 Daily Battery Report  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

3rd August 1916 Sport and Concert  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. In the afternoon a Brigade swimming sports was held with great success and in the evening a camp fire concert was held. Col Kennedy 21st London Battalion sent the Battalion Band which was a great success and the concert ended at 2200.

4th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at the disposal of Battery Commanders.

5th August 1916 Moves

6th August 1916 Recce  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Vitz-Villeroy. The Brigade carried out a minor recce in conjunction with 235th Brigade RFA.

7th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

8th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

9th August 1916 Divisional Field Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery billeted at Vitz-Villeroy took part in Divisional Field Day. The Brigade massed at Divisional Artillery HQ near Roofles and, after going over a pontoon bridge constructed by Divisional Royal Engineers, proceeded to take up positions in the neighbourhood of Caumont. After batteries had been in action until 1430, retirement to billets was ordered.

10th August 1916 Movements

11th August 1916 Movements

12th August 1916 Movements

13th August 1916 Action Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Behencourt. C236 Battery and sections of A236, B236 and D236 Batteries move up to action positions at Bottom Wood. The remainder stay at Behencourt.

14th August 1916 Into Position

15th August 1916 Work Done  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. 46th Infantry Brigade in trenches. Quiet day. Work done on positions. Quiet on the front

16th August 1916 Light Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Quiet day except for German shelling at intervals of Welsh Alley and 70th Avenue where all our Observation Points are. There was a practice barrage at 1600. Our Batteries shelled Switch Line on right of tramway running to Martinpuich during the night.

17th August 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood. Quiet day until 1500. The morning was spent in registration of targets. Lt Graburn C236 Battery was wounded in the trenches. Batteries formed an intense barrage 220 yards over the Switch Line and infantry made a bombing attack along the Switch Line towards Tramway. The Germans made feeble counter attack near the Tramway which was repulsed. There was no firing during the night by Batteries.

18th August 1916 Heavy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: At 0855 a heavy barrage was put up by our batteries 200 yards over the Switch Line and formed with 47th Division Artillery a double barrage. At 1445 a further heavy barrage at Switch Line on the right of Tramway. Smoke was discharged on our front and the 1st Division attacked the intermediate line on our right. They got in but were driven out. From 2030 fire was kept up at odd intervals on tracks and trenches leading to Martinpuich.

19th August 1916 Fire Continued  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood From midnight 18/19th August fire was continued until 0730. Quiet morning and quiet afternoon. No firing during the night.

20th August 1916 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1200 batteries fired on Martinpuich and surroundings. At 2200 and at intervals during the night Batteries switched back from Martinpuich to a line 400 yards over Switch Line and West of Tramway.

21st August 1916 Gas Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the night 20/21st B236 Battery was shelled with gas shell losing two men killed, two wounded and four gassed. Five German aeroplanes came over at about 0920 and dropped six bombs on the Wagon Lines. During the afternoon Major Pollard went up in a balloon but found the light too bad for clear observation.

22nd August 1916 Salvoes fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Very quiet day. At 1400, 1710 and 2025, four batteries bombarded new German trench in front of Martinpuich. At 1355, 1705 and 2020 D236 Battery fired salvoes into Martinpuich.

23rd August 1916 Casualties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Quiet day. Very little firing by batteries. A236 Battery had nine casualties, one very bad and the remainder very slight. C236 Battery had one man wounded.

24th August 1916 Battery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was quiet in the morning. B236 Battery went out of action yesterday leaving only sixteen men and one officer with A236 Battery to work their guns. This is in accordance with new system of reliefs. In the late afternoon greater activity prevailed. The Division on our right (E) attacked the intermediate line at 1745. The Germans shelled Welch Alley and localities adjoining very furiously with heavy shells. Later in the evening A236 was targeted with gas shells. The attack was a failure.

25th August 1916 Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery carried out barrage as ordered by Divisional Artillery. Fairly quiet day. Hostile aircraft rather more active. One of our aeroplanes was forced to descend in X29 through engine trouble, but was packed up in crates and carted away about evening. Hostile activity was somewhat below average.

26th August 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood Hostile artillery displayed greater activity today against our rearward positions, barraging valleys with heavy shells for short periods with no small intensity. The valley south of Mametz Wood, west of Bottom Wood and Shelter Wood were also heavily shelled. Otherwise the day was fairly uneventful, except that the Division on our right (1st Division) took another 200 yards of the Intermediate Line. Hostile aeroplanes to the number of five carried out a small reconnaissance over Death Valley and its environs at about 1700. The Batteries of 236th Brigade carried on a continuous bombardment on German front line.

27th August 1916 More Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Moderately quiet day. B236 Battery took over from A236 Battery in accordance with the programme of reliefs instituted by the GOCRA 47th Division. At about 1150 a heavy hostile bombardment was put on Villa Wood and the North West corner of Mametz Wood. At about 1415 the gun positions of B236, A236 Batteries and the 235th Brigade positions were violently shelled with heavy Howitzers. Three men of B236 Battery were buried but were got out again and found to be suffering from slight shell shock. The Brigade fired continuously throughout the day in barrages. Major W Cooper A236 Battery RFA proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick.

28th August 1916 Continuous Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired continuously throughout the twenty four hours. Hostile artillery was moderately inactive compared to the previous day. Capt Egerton Warburton came to be attached to B236 Battery; 2/Lt Pearson and 2/Lt Tabor from the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column were yesterday attached to the battery for instruction, while Lt C H De Wael was attached to C236 Battery from 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Fairly quiet day.

29th August 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a continuous barrage kept up all day on the trenches in front of Martinpuich. At midnight our infantry dug round the Intermediate Line.

30th August 1916 Heavy Rain  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report heavy rains interfered with work. Our batteries barraged as before. One hundred and thirty six prisoners were obtained from the Intermediate Line. Four officers, two NCOs and one hundred and thirty prisoners. They passed down Welch Alley between the hours of 1500 and 1800. The whole of Intermediate Trench is now occupied. Capt R A Corsan A236 Battery rejoined his unit after a stay in hospital.

31st August 1916 Exchange of Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery kept up a continuous barrage all day and Hostile artillery was active, particularly with gas shells. Brigade Headquarters were shelled with gas shell from about 2200 until about 2300. No damage was done. Relatively quiet day. A236 and B236 Batteries were heavily shelled with Lachrymatory (tear gas) and poison shell.

1st September 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Continuous barrage kept up by Brigade all day except by B236 and A236 Batteries who dropped out about midday after being violently shelled by 8 inch guns. They had to abandon position. The barrage was taken on by C236 Battery until relieved by the 238th Brigade. One man was wounded and one or two others were rather badly shaken. Enemy artillery very active. It was decided to change position of one section of A236 Battery.

2nd September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: One Section of A236 Battery removed and placed alongside C236 Battery. Heavy artillery began their bombardment for the attack of the 3rd, 14th, and 15th Corps.

3rd September 1916 Assault Sucessful  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: In the morning the Australians captured Mouguet Farm also the 1st Division occupied their objectives in High Wood. At 1200 the 14th Corps captured Guillemont and 15th Corps captured Ginchy. The French took Clery and reached within 1000 yards of Combles. Batteries fired intense heavy bombardments prior to the attacks mentioned above.

4th September 1916 Misfire causes Injury

5th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired on Martinpuich and it's neighbourhood during the day in accordance with the programme. A fairly quiet day. The French break through between Combles and Clery.

6th September 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots throughout the day. The French are reported to have captured 500 yards of enemy trench line near Combles. The Germans made strong counter attacks which were repulsed. Major Cooper returned to take command of A236 Battery.

7th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day. The Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. C236 Battery began to dig new position near Bazentin Le Petit Wood. The French attacked south of the Somme and took large part of Berny and the western half of Verman Dovillers.

8th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. A quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. At 1745 the 1st Division attacked enemy trenches in High Wood. 47th Divisional Artillery cooperated with an intense bombardment for 15 minutes and then fired on trenches to North West of High Wood. 1st Division at first took their objectives but later dropped back on account of their flanks being exposed. A few prisoners were taken.

9th September 1916 Attack Made

10th September 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 235th and 236th Brigades came under the command of CRA 15th Division. B,C and D Batteries moved sections into new positions. B236 Battery in Lower Wood, C236 Battery south of Bazentine le Petit Wood and D236 Battery in Bazentine le Petit. The Group Observation Point in 10th Avenue was heavily shelled by 5.9 inch guns during the afternoon.

11th September 1916 Batteries Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries moved the remaining two sections into new positions. All fairly quiet on this front.

12th September 1916 Registration   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Brigade came under the command of Divisional Commander R.A. 47th Division Front, High Wood supporting 47th Divisional Infantry. Batteries registered points in High Wood.

13th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries carried out barrages behind enemy lines in High Wood. Battle of Flers-Coucelette 15th September 1916 to 22nd September 1916 (sixth phase of the Battle of the Somme).

14th September 1916 Barrages Fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood: Fairly quiet day. Batteries fired in barrages all night (13-14th). Registration was carried out during the day. Bombardment was carried for 23 minutes beginning from 1900. There was a certain amount of shelling by the enemy. The heavy artillery bombarded High Wood.

15th September 1916 New Positions

16th September 1916 Moves

17th September 1916 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. There was a certain amount of heavy shelling along our front line but no Infantry actions. Lt Whitten B236 Battery was wounded while up at the observation chateau. 2/Lt Davies B236 Battery was slightly wounded but is still at duty.

18th September 1916 Starfish Line Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood Our Artillery shelled certain parts of the enemy front, especially the strong point in 34.b.1.2 in the Starfish Line. Our Infantry made a small bombing attack about 2030 which partially succeeded. (Note-The Starfish Line was a German trench line to the left of High Wood)

19th September 1916 Bombardments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Our Artillery carried out bombardments according to the programme and at different points at the request of infantry. At about 2000 the enemy made a counter attack against our infantry in Drop Alley and our Artillery opened fire after SOS from our line. At 2100 all was again reported quiet.

20th September 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Batteries fired on Flers during the day and on fleeing targets. 1st Division Infantry relieved 47th Division Infantry during the night. The weather gradually improving and 7.0.0 continues reconnoitering the front trenches. Howitzers battery fired all night into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. (See note and comment on 7.0.0. from 15th Sep.)

21st September 1916 Continuous Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 0325 SOS signal but it was a false alarm. At 0355 Batteries ceased firing. At 1030 D236 fired at the rate of 50 rounds an hour on the Flers Line just South East of Eaucourt L’Abbaye and ceased at 1930. At 1130 and 1330 the 18 pounder Batteries fired 15 four gun salvoes into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. During the night 18 pounder Batteries fired continually on Flers Line at 100 rounds per hour.

22nd September 1916 No Resistance Met  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 1030 Howitzer battery commenced firing 50 rounds an hour on Flers Line M.29.b.12 to M.23.c.70. (ceased firing at 1945). At 1300 transport was seen on Bapaume le Sarg road MEc and MHb heavy Batteries informed. Our Infantry (1st Division) the Welsh Regiment occupied Prue and Starfish trenches. Patrols sent out in front as far as 700 yards without meeting any resistance.

23rd September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing. The enemy were singularly quiet throughout the afternoon, their artillery being almost entirely silent. At night Batteries fired a few rounds on a German working party digging a trench.

24th September 1916 Night Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing only registration. Hostile shelling very little. B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery who in turn relieved C236 Battery. At night 2020 the 1st Division launched a local attack on the Flers Line which proved abortive. Batteries fired for most of the night.

25th September 1916 Offensive Resumes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 1430 the Fourth Army resumed the offensive. The 1st Division attacked along the Flers Line and secured their objectives with very little trouble. They joined line with the New Zealanders in Goose Alley. The New Zealand Division on our right secured all its objectives; our troops securing Grid Trench in front of Guedecourt, Les Boeufs to the north of Morval. The French secured Fregicourt and Rancourt. Batteries kept up continuous fire all day on the barrages ordered by 47th Divisional Artillery. At night D236 Battery was shelled with lachrymatory (tear gas) and other shells suffering two casualties.

26th September 1916 Uneventful Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. More or less uneventful day on our front. The Canadian Corps on our left captured Thiepval and 1500 prisoners. Batteries assisted by an intense bombardment at 1235 for a few minutes on the hostile trenches. At about 1900 D236 Battery was again shelled. 2/Lt Stephenson being wounded with one man killed and five others wounded. Major Pollard was slightly wounded in the hand but remained at duty. At 2330 1st Division assaulted hostile trench in M29 but failed chiefly owing to losing their way.

27th September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: 47th Division relieved 1st Division in High Wood sector. Moderately quiet day. Batteries fired very little except for registration purposes, considerable defensive barrages. There were no infantry operations but artillery was fairly active.

28th September 1916 Fairly Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day. C236 Battery staff relieved A236 Battery staff. It was decided during the afternoon that D236 should change their position to that vacated by D275 Battery RFA. Batteries fired a defensive barrage.

29th September 1916 Infantry Assault

30th September 1916 Hostile Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Hostile artillery fairly active on our trenches in the morning & afternoon. Hostile anti-aircraft guns very active against our aeroplanes. Major General Sir Charles Barter relinquished command of 47th London Division. Batteries fired in barrages but there was no infantry action on our front.

1st October 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 0700 D236 began to bombard hostile trenches --- near Eaucourt L’Abbaye and other Batteries fired a short intense barrage from 1007 until 1015. At 1515 140 Infantry Brigade assaulted and took Eaucourt L’Abbaye in conjunction with the New Zealand Division on our right. They held firm on the left flank with the 20th Battalion holding firm on the right: another Battalion attacked, but the situation still remained obscure.

2nd October 1916 Infantry Attack

3rd October 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: The position at the front was satisfactorily cleared up. Eaucourt L’Abbaye was definitely captured and all the Germans in the dug out silenced. The wagons that got stuck were cleared and 3 more guns proceeded down to the new positions between dawn and dusk. Otherwise a fairly quiet day.

4th October 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Very quiet day on our front with no infantry action at all. C236 Battery has one gun in it's new position and B236 Battery has 4. The light is very bad, but some registration is done by the Batteries. It has rained for most of the day.

5th October 1916 236 Bde RFA HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was decided to move HQ. to a new position at S.10.c.4.6 on the road running from the Longueval - Contalmaison Road to the East Corner of High Wood. There was hostile artillery activity on the slope North East of High Wood. Nothing of any great importance.

6th October 1916 Gunners Buried  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bazentin le Grand - High Wood(east)Road (S.10.c.4.6). Brigade HQ. moved to the new position on the road running from the Longueval-Contalmaison Road to the East side of High Wood (S.10.c.4.6). C236 Battery was shelled in their new position with 5.9 and 8 inch guns and had to evacuate it. Gunner Grove E.S.B. was killed and one wounded (Sgt. Irons). Two or three others were buried, but were successfully dug out and remained on duty. The Batteries fired some ordered barrages. A236 Battery relieved C236 Battery in their position while B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery in their position.

7th October 1916 Continuous Barrages  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 1345 47th Division attacked with a view to seizing the Grid Line and Butte de Warlencourt. The 15th Battalion on the right obtained their objectives and after several vicissitudes held it with a few parties and dug in behind it. On the left the attack was, as a whole, unsuccessful with very little ground being gained. The Batteries fired continuously on barrages ordered by Divisional Artillery. Lt J.F. Gayner proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick. 2/Lt B.B. Wallace was wounded by a bullet in his hand while reconnoitering the front.

8th October 1916 Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bazentin le Grand and High Wood Road. 236th Brigade RFA was relieved by 237th Brigade RFA. D236 battery remained in action under 237th Brigade RFA. D235 battery was taken over later by 236th Brigade RFA. All batteries held at their Wagon Lines in Bottom Wood except C236 Battery which took over C237 Battery gun position at Marlboro Wood and kept in charge of the depot guns of 47th Division Artillery. D235 Battery acts as depot Howitzer battery. Brigade Headquarters were moved to 237th Brigade Headquarters near Mametz.

9th October 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz. No events of any importance. Several guns and Howitzers passed through our hands.

10th October 1916 Ammunition Moved  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report No events of any importance. C236 Battery finally cleared its dump at it's old position at Bazentin le Petit Windmill and took the ammunition up to 237th Battery positions.

11th October 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Nothing of any importance.

12th October 1916 Reliefs

13th October 1916 On the Move

14th October 1916 At Rest

15th October 1916 On the March

16th October 1916 On the March

17th October 1916 On the March

18th October 1916 On the March

19th October 1916 Into Billets

20th October 1916 On the March

21st October 1916 Reliefs

22nd October 1916 Positions

23rd October 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing of any importance. Batteries registered. Very little firing.

24th October 1916 Battery Zones  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a certain amount of movement in our zone which extends from just south of Clonmel Copse to just north of Zwarteleen. The Battery zones being in order from the north A236, B236, C236 and D238.

25th October 1916 Minewerfen Activity   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very little activity. C180 Battery is added to Right Brigade. This Battery commanded Major Digby. Left Brigade of 23rd RA consists of remainder of 180 Brigade RFA under the command of Major Stebbing. Right Brigade HQ shifted to Lille Gate. Considerable minewerfen (mortar) activity by the enemy from about 1200 to 1500. Batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else of much importance.

26th October 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day. Batteries only fired in retaliation.

27th October 1916 Interpreter Joins Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a Belgian interpreter was attached to the Brigade. The French interpreter M Chapaur returned after being away for some weeks with a French Corps Headquarters. Very quiet day.

28th October 1916 Minenwerfers Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day until about 1400, when the hostile minenwerfers (mortars) showed some activity but were effectively silenced by our Howitzer Battery.

29th October 1916 Some hostile Minewerfens  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.: Nothing of very great importance. Some hostile minewerfens (mortars).

30th October 1916 Considerable Minenwerfer Activity.   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report General Gorringe called at HQ in the morning. Nothing of any importance occurred. Very little activity with artillery, but considerable minenwerfer (mortar) activity.

31st October 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day. Very little firing by Batteries except for a little retaliation by C/180 Battery. GOCRA Corps went round Batteries in afternoon.

1st November 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres, Lille Gate. Quiet day on the whole. Considerable trench mortar activity on our left. Batteries fired in registration only.

2nd November 1916 Light Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Light bad in the morning for registration. Some trench mortar and artillery activity displayed on our front about 1300. D236 Battery fired in retaliation for this.

3rd November 1916 Heavy Hostile Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day until about 1530 when there was heavy hostile trench mortar activity on the right portion of our front (Davison Street, Winnipeg St, Crab Crawl and Sanctuary Wood). Batteries fired in retaliation and ultimately stopped the enemy's fire.

4th November 1916 Trench Mortars Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report that at about 1620 the enemy fired some trench mortars on Crab Crawl but was stopped by the retaliation of C180 Battery.

5th November 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Fairly quiet day. Some minenwerfers (mortars) were fired and the Batteries only fired in retaliation.

6th November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing much in the morning. B236 spotted German's minenwerfer (mortars) in the afternoon. It was decided that 236th Brigade should be reorganised into two six gun batteries and two four gun Howitzer Batteries.

7th November 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Practically nothing happened all day.

8th November 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A little shelling took place on the German side but very little happened otherwise.

9th November 1916 Battery Visit  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major General Gorringe came round the Batteries in the afternoon. Very quiet day and only about five minenwerfers (mortars) were fired by the enemy, all of them coming from Clonmel Copse.

10th November 1916 Reorganisation Scheme

11th November 1916 Firing at Intervals  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Morning quiet. At 1500 the enemy opened fire of Crab Crawl with Trench Mortars and rifle grenades. We retaliated but the enemy continued firing at intervals until 1730.

12th November 1916 Engineers Advise  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. 128 Field Company went round all positions in the morning to advise on drainage and points in construction. Current Observation Point was also visited re continuation of Observation Point on the roof. The situation was normal until 1500 when Trench Mortar activity spread from the right onto our lines, but as before enemy did not give up until 1725 in spite of sharp retaliation.

13th November 1916 Visibility Good  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility good resulting as usual in comparative inactivity of hostile Trench Mortars. A236 Battery fired on and dispersed several working parties. A236 Battery carried out a registration of the zone sub group. Our aeroplanes were active and one hostile machine came over at 1400 but soon veered off. Major P F Clifton went to B235 Battery on order of Commander RA.

14th November 1916 Intermittent Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: During the morning intermittent shelling took place at Sanctuary Wood, Maple Copse, Lille Gate and Ypres with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Batteries fired back at Clonmel and continued registration. At 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were active on the Right. Activity spread to our zone at 1605. We retaliated with fifty 4.5 inch and eighty 18 pounder guns in sharp bursts, until the enemy was silenced at 1700. Six men seen J.20.d.7.4 dressed in blue uniform dispersed. Six men in sap Jige 10.55 were Stokes Mortared and strafed with 18 pounders. They ran back along the sap. Considerable movement of men and vehicles on road J.21.a.1.7 to J.27.a.0.5. A squad of men were seen at Tower Hamlets, but disappeared quickly.

16th November 1916 Visibility Excellent  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Visibility excellent bringing unusual district shelling. Hostile aeroplanes were again active and more daring. During the afternoon level crossing I.21.d 4.5, Shrapnel Corner, Hell Fire Corner and Zillebeke were shelled with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Enemy artillery generally unusually active. Proposed bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 fell through owing to a failure of communication.

17th November 1916 A Very Satisfactory Shoot  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Several Trench Mortar emplacements were registered. At 1130 bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 trench was carried out by D236 Battery, our infantry being cleared. There were no duds and it was a very satisfactory shoot. Several hits were obtained with trench boards, pieces of wood and revetment being blown through the air. The enemy's work was wrecked. Fifty eight rounds were fired all being observed from the front line. (Note: Revetment is the general lining of trench floors and walls including fire stepping and duckboards).

18th November 1916 Poor Visibility  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was poor generally. 4.2 inch guns were active in the morning on usual spots. Some activity with Trench Mortars on both sides near Hill 60 and The Dump. Bombardment of the Snout at 1630 by 18 pounders provoked no retaliation. 40% of Heavy Artillery shells were duds.

19th November 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Registration for a special operation was carried out in the morning. Our Trench Mortars and artillery were active all day. At 2210 enemy Trench Mortars retaliated but stopped at once on our firing salvoes into Clonmel Copse. At 1550 Trench Mortars were active again. Our retaliation at first was ineffective because it was too dispersed. A second retaliation of well grouped Howitzers and 18 pounders effectively silenced the enemy. Enemy Trench Mortars fired from about J.19.c.2.4 and I.30.b.6.0.

20th November 1916 New Works  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report B236 and D236 Batteries carried out a registration on new works. D236 reported new work at two points. Enemy shelled I.27.a.9.8 for first time for about three weeks but except for slight Trench Mortar activity at 1500, the enemy was quiet. D236 Battery report 3/29 blind.

21st November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility bad all day which was quiet. A raid attempted at 1130 from Cross Trench against J.19.c.45.55, failed owing to wire not being completely cut by the Bangalore Tube. Contradictory reports led Battalion Commander to stop Artillery Barrage and almost immediately to start it again. This was done very quickly in each case communications being excellent. A full programme was carried out by Artillery after abandonment of raid owing to call wire from Crab Crawl being broken. The semi circular barrage appeared to be very effective. Enemy retaliated with Trench Mortars only on trenches and 77 mm guns behind. Batteries engaged were A180, B236, D236, C188 and A236. Reorganisation of 18 pounder Batteries took place at noon 21st inst. Right Section C236 to B236. Left Section C236 to A236. BQMS continued to draw rations for C/236 men. GOC 47th Division made formal inspection of Wagon Lines. (Bangalore Torpedo-an explosive tube used to clear a path through a wire entanglement)

22nd November 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Visibility bad and day quiet. At 0530 a party of twelve Germans crawled over opposite Cross Trench and attempted to throw bombs. These all fell short and they retired hastily.

23rd November 1916 Exchange of Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy broke his custom and began Trench Mortar strafe in the morning. From 9am to 10.30am about thirty bombs were fired on our trenches I.21.d.5.3 and I.24.d.5.4. Group were informed and scheme two for bombardment of Trench Mortars was ordered at 1050. Left Brigade and Heavies did not fire but C180 Battery carried out the programme. Enemy became annoyed and at 1120 opened a heavy Trench Mortar fire on our trenches. Retaliation scheme two as ordered again at 1210. This time all batteries fired and at 1230 the enemy was silenced for the day. On Right of Group Zone the enemy's Trench Mortars were very active from 1345 to 1415 from Snout to Dump. This repeated from 1535 to 1615 with the addition of 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. Reorganisation officially ordered but S.O. ASC still insists that C236 Battery should draw its own rations.

24th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres. Hostile Trench Mortars became active at 1450. Scheme two was ordered and enemy silenced. He appeared to retaliate for scheme two further to the right. At 1550 scheme six was ordered and was effective, but almost immediately a heavy bombardment broke out from Knoll Road to the Dump with the enemy using Trench Mortars, 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. The Division on our Right retaliated and all was quiet by 1645.

25th November 1916 Infantry Officers Instructed  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Infantry officers attached to A236 and B236 Batteries for instruction. Batteries did not fire with observation being bad.

26th November 1916 Fire on Sound Bearings  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Morning very quiet until 1100 when five 5.9 inch shells fell near Blaupoort Farm. This was fired repeated at 1030. The Heavy Artillery were given Sound Bearings and fired on the suspected Battery and the Howitzer ceased fire. Visibility sketch was made from I.28.d.5.8, a proposed Observation Point on the back of Verbrandenmolen Hill to the corner of Armagh Wood site and Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge. From 1000 to 1300 the Dump was shelled with single 5.9 inch shell at one round per minute.

29th November 1916 Low Cloud  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C180 Battery dispersed a working party at J.19.b.7.1. between 1126 and 1215. D236 Battery registered by aeroplane. Usual trench mortar, 5.9 and 4.2 inch shelling. A fine day, but low cloud interfered with aeroplane observation.

1st December 1916 Covering 23rd Division  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres record: All map references on Zillebeeke Bund.3.E 1/10,000 and sheet 28 1/40,000 236th Brigade RFA still covering the 23rd Division. A236 and B236 Batteries registered for special operations. Heavy mist made general observation impossible enemy artillery and trench mortars were very quiet. At 1230 a raid was attempted by the 11th Sherwood Foresters on sap at I.30.b.15.20, which was not successful.

2nd December 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.
No firing due to thick mist.

3rd December 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries did not fire as visibility was bad. Our Trench Mortars were active, both heavy and medium. The enemy did not retaliate. At 0300 in the morning the observing officer reported Trench Mortars were active. At 0230 a successful raid was carried out at J.19.c.15.55. Our barrage silenced the enemy's fire.

4th December 1916 Visibility Good   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and all batteries carefully checked map and gun ranges. Considerable enemy movement was seen behind their lines and working parties were dispersed by A236 Battery with two salvoes falling amongst them, after which no further movement was observed. Barrage Z to help 47th Division was ordered at 1501 which was successful.

5th December 1916 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was good in the morning. D236 Battery registered a single gun at I.20.b.95.95. Working party in J.19.b fired on and dispersed. A direct hit was obtained on a wheelbarrow they were using. Trench Mortars were active against our trenches from 1315 to 1330 and 1500 to 1555. Scheme four was ordered and silenced the enemy fire at 1540. There was increased hostile artillery activity behind our lines. L’Ecole, Zillebeke Village and Station were shelled with 4.2 inch guns. Ypres Square, Station Crossing and Menem Road were shelled with 4.2 inch guns at 1700. Direct hits by 5.9 inch guns were obtained on Zillebeke Lake duck boards, Hellblast Corner and the Bund.

6th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and the morning was quiet. Hostile Trench Mortars opened moderate fire on Crab Crawl and Winnipeg Street at 1300. Scheme two fire successfully silenced them.

7th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was quiet. At 1400 Trench Mortars were active on I.30.a and a scheme four was effective in silencing them. Visibility bad owing to the mist. At 1530 a stationary engine was heard working near Stirling Castle. A bugle was heard at 1600 behind Bodmin Copse.

8th December 1916 Visibility again Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was again bad. At 1320 hostile medium Trench Mortarss opened fire on Winnifred Street and a scheme two was ordered. Enemy ceased fire before the scheme (with Heavy Artillery) was put into force, but the enemy did not retaliate. Enemy artillery remained inactive.

9th December 1916 Considerable Enemy Movement   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the morning considerable enemy movement was seen near Stirling Castle at J.13.d.4.5 and at Tower Hamlets. These parties were fired on and dispersed. Engine noise again heard on bearing 134 degrees from I.24.d.7.4.

10th December 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery A236 Battery carried out careful registration of all guns. Flashes of a 5.9 inch Howitzer battery firing on Dickerbusch seen on bearing 140 degrees 5 minutes (true) from I.24.d.7.3. with time from flash to sound 13.5 seconds. 2/Lt Edds observed large Tower like edifice about forty feet high with construction of seven poles with three hooped bands round them. True bearing 39 degrees from I.24.d.70.35. It has no platform.

11th December 1916 Enemy Working Parties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Working parties at I.13.d.30.15, were dispersed three times by A236 Battery, with casualties. Hostile balloon up from dawn to 0800. At 0900 a hostile aeroplane came over Blauwe Poort farm. A236 Battery fired but this drew attention and battery was shelled.

12th December 1916 Army Commader Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility as very poor and none of the batteries fired. Enemy was also very quiet. During the morning the 2nd Army Commander visited all batteries and was pleased with what he saw.

13th December 1916 Unusual Enemy Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report There was some unusual enemy activity. At 0900 the enemy's Trench Mortars opened fire and a Scheme two was commenced and continued intermittently until 1200. An enemy 77 mm Battery covered the fire. At 1340pm the enemy made a special bombardment of C Sap. At about 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were again active and spread down towards Hedge Street. A Scheme four was at once put into operation after which there was no further activity.

14th December 1916 Heavy Trench Mortar Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was normal. At 1500 the Division on our right bombarded Hill 60 and the Snout. We cooperated on our front. The enemy retaliated at 1525. D236 Battery silenced a Heavy Trench Mortar. A Scheme five was ordered twice and the second time was effective. Much movement was seen on Tower Hamlets Road.

15th December 1916 An eventful day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record an eventful day. From 0700 to 0940 the enemy bombardment the whole of our trench system, paying especial attention to the part from Hedge Street to Canada Trench. We retaliated vigorously. Considerable damage was done to our trenches. At 1600 the enemy commenced another bombardment this time accompanied by an artillery barrage. All batteries stood to (action stations). About forty Germans advanced against Sap B. An SOS flare was fired and our barrage opened whilst the rocket was still in the air. This barrage come down on the enemy in No Mans Land and inflicted casualties. The enemy at once left our trenches and returned to his own. No more Germans attempted to penetrate the barrage. Several dead Germans were left in our trench and on the parapets. Our casualties were very slight.

16th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the enemy artillery was fairly active on our back area. Snipers were busy on both sides. D236 Battery fired one hundred and six rounds at 1530 in cooperation with Scheme of Division on our right (47th). Aeroplanes were active on both sides.

17th December 1916 Poor visibility.  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a very quiet day and poor visibility.

18th December 1916 Batteries Calibrated  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Again a very quiet day and the Batteries calibrated.

19th December 1916 Much Work in Progress  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 0950 A236 Battery fired on and dispersed a working party. At 1515 A236 fired on a new machine gun emplacement near Observation Point at I.19.c.10.65, but without effect. A lot of work is being done here.

20th December 1916 Considerable Damage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1000 to 1130 the enemy bombarded our trenches with Trench Mortars and 4.2 inch guns, we retaliated with D236 Battery firing one hundred and forty rounds. Heavy and counter artillery Groups cooperated. GOC. 23rd Division asked for a further bombardment at 1530. This was carried out on the enemy support line opposite Stewart Street and considerable damage was done to the enemy's works.

21st December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Day was normal. Slight artillery activity on usual places. B236 Battery dispersed a working party.

22nd December 1916 Hostile Battery in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report front was very quiet all day. Considerable activity took place on our right. At 1430 a hostile 77 mm battery was seen in action from St Peters Street, 176.5 (true) from I.24.d.6.1. The battery shelled Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge.

23rd December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Day was quiet except for slight activity from enemy 77 mm battery on roads. Working parties were seen and dispersed by our fire.

24th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report Enemy artillery activity on Railway Dugouts and Duckboards. Counter batteries engaged the battery shelling these places and the enemy ceased fire at 1700.

25th December 1916 Christmas in ypres  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres on Xmas Day. All very quiet during the morning. A236 Battery fired at intervals throughout the day on working parties at J.20.d.7.7 firing eighty six rounds. After firing on two occasions stretcher parties were seen and finally a large horse ambulance drove up. In the afternoon the lines at Zillebeke and Ypres Square were shelled by enemy 77 mm and 4.2 inch batteries respectively.

26th December 1916 Misty  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet all day and observation was bad owing to mist. Battery Commanders of relieving Brigade - 103 Brigade RFA - came up early. At 1000 a German fighting aeroplane came over our lines and shot down one of our planes near Gordon House. The first sections of the 103 Brigade will relieve our sections as soon as it will be dark enough.

27th December 1916 Relief  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Slight trench mortar activity in the morning. This was silenced by our Trench Mortars and 4.5 inch Howitzers. The remainder of the day was quiet. Completion of relief - the remaining two sections of each Battery moved in. Relief was completed by 2100 when command of Observatory Ridge Sector Artillery Group was handed over to OC. 103 Brigade RFA, 23rd Division Artillery. During the day the remaining section was moved to rest billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. Lt Col Lowe assumed command of the brigade. Lt G Lyon Smith returned to position of Adjutant after being Brigade Major of Lowe’s Group R.A.

28th December 1916 In Billets  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery now in billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. All horses were put under cover.

29th December 1916 Xmas Festivities   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Friday 29th December to 31st December 1916 Refitting and Section Commander's inspections Xmas festivities are held late, owing to the fact that relief was taking place on the 25th and the day after.

1st January 1917 Training and recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force are at Winnezeele. Batteries, with exception of C236 Battery in action with Left Group 47th Divisional Artillery, continued training in Reserve Area. 2/Lt A Morton Cole posted to B236 Battery.

2nd January 1917 Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery from Tuesday 2nd January 1917 to Sunday 21st January Training continued.

11th January 1917 Movements

15th January 1917 Movements

21st January 1917 Reliefs

22nd January 1917 Registration & Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres: The Brigade checked zero lines and registrations. A test SOS. was received by the Batteries of the Brigade and the times averaged two minutes. Lt G Lyon Smith left for England on Jan 21st 1917 to continue his medical studies. 2/Lt M O Haskell RFA(SR) becomes acting Adjutant. On the night of 22/23 January the 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) relieved 7th Battalion and 15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles) relieved 8th Battalion, (all units in 47th Division).

23rd January 1917 Bomardment of Enemy Front Line  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery undertake Bombardment of enemy front line system and communication trenches by the division in conjunction with the Heavy Artillery was carried out. The enemy’s retaliation to this Bombardment was slight. The effect of the Bombardment was good as his front and communication trenches were considerably knocked about.
Casualties: Lt Hellier, V47 Ttrench Mortar Battery, wounded and one other rank, Y47 Trench Mortar Battery, wounded.

24th January 1917 Tests Show Improvement  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Two test SOS messages were received by the Brigade. The times achieved showed improvement over the previous test SOS.

25th January 1917 Hostile Artillery  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Hostile artillery (77mm 4.2 inch and 5.9 inch) bombarded B236 Battery and D236 Battery at Woodcote House and vicinity with about three hundred rounds, causing four casualties (three in D236 and one in B236)- all slight. Three direct hits were obtained on pits but only one gun was put out of action. A four point two fuse( for 4.2 inch shell)was found after this bombardment set to explode at 4 or 75 metres.

26th January 1917 Registration and Calibration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report registration and calibration continued. Two test SOS messages were received and the average time was about one minute. Casualties one other rank. 2/Lt L B Tausley RFA assumed the Adjutancy and 2/Lt M D Haskell became orderly officer.

27th January 1917 Bombardment of Enemy Trenches  The four Batteries of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery in conjunction with the Y and V Batteries of Trench mortar and the Batteries of Right Group and Corps Heavy Artillery carried out bombardment lasting from 1200 to 1330 onto hostile trenches on the Left Group front with special reference to enemy's Observation Points. 2/Lt Payne (Late --- ---- Battery) posted to D236 with effect from 26th Jan.1917. The Batteries of the Group took part in a Test SOS at 2009.

28th January 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery at Langkhof Farm was shelled during the day.

29th January 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt P S Ayers was transferred from 235 Brigade RFA to C236 Battery with effect from today’s date. C236 Battery and vicinity was shelled during the afternoon with three hundred to four hundred rounds - no casualties.

30th January 1917 Test Calls  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Two test SOS calls were fired on by the Group one at 0010 and one at 0312. Y47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery fired and much damaged a machine gun emplacement and surrounds. Working party of thirty eight men are now with the Group working on reserve reinforcement positions.

31st January 1917 All quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Signed A.C. Lowe, Lt Col R.A Commander 236th Brigade RFA.

1st February 1917 Enemy Artillery very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Enemy artillery very active indeed on Back areas and Batteries. A test SOS call was received by Group at 2111 and all Batteries had full response within two minutes. 2/Lt D S Culterall was transferred from C236 Battery to the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column with effect from 31st January 1917.

2nd February 1917 GOC Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the GOC 47th Division visited B236, C236 and D236 Batteries at 1200.

3rd February 1917 Enemy Front Line Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Y47 Trench Mortar Battery bombarded the enemy's front line across the Railway Cutting with sixty rounds and no retaliation of any importance.

4th February 1917 Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery engaged in Bombardment of a small area of enemy's trenches East of the Snout from 1500 until 1600 by Corps Heavy Artillery and 4.5 Howitzers Batteries included D236 Battery which fired one hundred and eighty rounds. The Medium Trench Mortar Battery(Y47) with thirty six rounds and A236 Battery shelled enemy Observation Points during the bombardment. Much damage was done and the enemy retaliated with light guns only. Relief by X47 Trench Mortar Battery of Y47 Battery in the line took place. 2/Lt E A de B West (D236 Battery) evacuated sick.

5th February 1917 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt H V Ramsey admitted to Field Hospital on 3rd February 1917 while on 47th Divisional Artillery Course

6th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Howitzer Battery from 1440 to 1540 fired one hundred rounds in combined bombardment with 23rd Divisional Artillery and Corps Heavy Artillery onto area of trenches immediately South of Stirling Castle on 23rd Division front. C236 Battery fired at intervals during the night onto area of bombardment the 4 lines, East of the Snout.

7th February 1917 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet, registration by batteries.

8th February 1917 Personnel changes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery 2nd Lt H V Ramsey evacuated out of Divisional Area - sick.

9th February 1917 Hostile Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Aeroplane registration carried out by D236 Battery for Counter Battery Work. Small crater with suspected enemy mine workings bombarded by X47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery with sixty rounds and many direct hits obtained. At 2030 the enemy opened heavy shrapnel fire on both Battalion fronts. Group Batteries replied as retaliation was asked for increasing to SOS fire at 2050 in answer to SOS call from Right Battalion. The hostile fire soon died down.

10th February 1917 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery report "The Field Marshall, Commander in Chief awarded the French decoration "Medale Militaire" to Corporal W. P Noel HQ Staff. At 1400 D236 4.5 Howitzer Battery took part in one hours bombardment by all 47th and 41st Division Field Howitzers of the area opposite trenches of left Battalion of Right Brigade 47th Division. A registration by aeroplane by D236 Battery was also attempted at 1530. 2/Lt T Ballantyne C236 Battery was evacuated to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station."

12th February 1917 Conference  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Conference of OC. Group and Battery Commanders. First section of C236 Battery went out of action.

13th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Battery fired two hundred rounds in a combined bombardment on 23rd Division front by all available Howitzers. X47 Trench Mortar Battery commenced wire cutting on the Left Battalion's front and fired fifty four rounds. Remainder of C236 Battery went out of action and handed over position to B1014 Battery which is therefore part of Group. C246 took over Wagon Lines of B235 in rest at Winnizeele.

14th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery B236 Battery commenced wire cutting opposite Right Battalion's front. X47 Trench Mortar Battery continued on wire with fifty rounds.

15th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 and B236 Batteries continued on the enemy wire with the usual allotment of two hundred rounds a day. D236 fired on an area Bombardment scheme at 1545 in conjunction with Howitzers of 23rd and 41st Division and Heavy Artillery on Area Hill 60. 2/Lt V Overton and 2/Lt H S Metcalfe attached to A236 and D236 Batteries respectively for 14 days instruction (From the DAC).

16th February 1917 Gaps made in Enemy Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: All Batteries of the Group (except D236) and including X47 Trench Mortar Battery, which fired fifty rounds, bombarded the enemy's wire today. Many gaps were made.

17th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting by A236 and B104 Batteries continued with an average of two hundred rounds a day being fired by each Battery. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired one hundred rounds on cutting the wire.

18th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting continued successfully by all Batteries. D236 took part in an area bombardment with all other Howitzer Batteries at 1430 and one hundred and eighty rounds were fired. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired sixty rounds at enemy's trenches which were much damaged as a result of last few days bombardment.

19th February 1917 Batteries Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery came into action in position immediately south of Left Infantry Brigade HQ as reserve Battery for raid operation. Wire cutting continued by A236, B236, B104 and D236 Battery with the other Howitzers firing again on right area National - one hundred and eighty rounds. X47 Trench Mortar Battery again fired sixty rounds at enemy wire.

20th February 1917 Daylight Raid  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 18 pounder Batteries continued rigorous wire cutting in the morning as did Trench Mortar Battery. Much damage has been done and many gaps made in the enemy's defences. At 1700, Zero Time, a large daylight raid was carried out on the Right Brigade front of 47th Division. A dummy raid was made by explosion of mines and bombardment on the Hill 60 sub sector at the same time. All Batteries of Left Group barraged southern boundary of said area and cease fire took place at approx 1925. Raid highly successful with one hundred and thirteen prisoners and four machine guns being gained by 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles). 2/Lt M O Haskell A235 Battery (attached HQ) acted as liaison officer with raiding party. 6600 rounds of 18 pounder ammunition, 1100 rounds of 4.5 inch Howitzer and 450 rounds of 2" Trench Mortar ammunition were used by Left Group in the raid operations from 13th inst. onwards.

21st Feb 1917 No Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report (A J Roberts due back from leave). All quiet - no immediate retaliation by the enemy for the raid. 2/Lt H Davies rejoined the Brigade from Hospital (B236 Battery).

22nd February 1917 Enemy Work Prevented  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy was prevented from working on his lines by 18 pounder fire.

23rd February 1917 Movements

24th February 1917 Battery Rests  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: After very successful raid by 41st Division, C236 Battery goes back to rest during night to Winnezeele.

28th February 1917 Movements

1st March 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Heavy shelling of A236 and B236 Batteries in the afternoon with direct hits on gunpits etc. but no casualties. Toll Gate and vicinity of Group HQ. were also shelled and one wounded in HQ. Visual signalling operated this morning, while telephones closed down from 1000 to 1400. Batteries fired on SOS message at 2200 but no attack.

2nd March 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, A236 Battery was again heavily shelled. Batteries are on small allotment.

3rd March 1917 Enemy Movements  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Probable enemy relief discovered to be taking place tonight so Batteries fired from 2100 until midnight, about one hundred and twenty rounds each. No retaliation was received.

4th March 1917 Enemy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy actively shelled our back areas during the evenings.

5th March 1917 Positions Reinforced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Working parties from 104 Brigade RFA and 47th Divisional Ammunition Column attached to Batteries of the Group to work on the reinforcement positions. 2/Lt T Ballantyne evacuated to England and struck off Brigade strength with effect from 3rd March 1917.

9th March 1917 Camoflets Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report D236 Battery fired on Counter Battery targets with aeroplane observation. B236 Battery fired one hundred and fifty rounds on enemy wire. Several camouflets blown by the enemy. (note: camouflet is an underground cavity caused by explosives but without breaking surface which would form a crater)

11th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 Battery fired about seventy rounds wire cutting. Great air activity with two British machines shot down over Ypres. Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery to Field Ambulance sick.

12th March 1917 Enemy Working party  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 Battery successfully dispersed a large working party behind enemy lines. Major Pollard evacuated out of Divisional Area, also 2/Lt Davies.

13th March 1917 New Battery OC  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report T/Lt S Taylor appointed Captain whilst sent to Command D236 Battery.

14th March 1917 Change of Command  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major A C Gordon DSO OC B236 Battery assumes command of 235th Brigade RFA and is struck off the strength of this Brigade from today’s date.

15th March 1917 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report The enemy batteries were active today especially their eight inch guns and our Batteries retaliated at the request of infantry.

16th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report B104 Battery fired one hundred and forty rounds in wire cutting and there was much intermittent retaliation by the other Batteries.

17th March 1917 Change of Command  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Capt R A Corsan MC A236 Battery appointed to command B236 Battery with effect from 16th inst in place of Major Gordon DSO.

18th March 1917 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report D236 Battery fired on Counter Battery target. A236 and B236 Batteries fired at the request of infantry. D236 also fired all night on a German Battery suspected of moving.

19th March 1917 Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries retaliated for enemy firings on Left Battalion during the morning. 2/Lt G Jacques posted to B236 Battery from 119th Brigade RFA.

20th March 1917 Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery first section relieved one section of B104 Battery today from Corps Reserve and took over B235 Battery Wagon Line.

21st March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Remaining sections of C236 Battery relieved remaining sections of B104 Battery. A236 Battery fired one hundred and ten rounds wire cutting and Other Batteries fired one hundred and twenty rounds in retaliation for enemy shelling.

22nd March 1917 New Craters Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired thirty rounds on Hill 60 and into new craters blown by the enemy. Work was heard during the night and X47 Battery again fired into craters.

23rd March 1917 Enemy Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy actively bombarded in retaliation for Trench Mortars early this morning. Our Batteries replied and X47 Trench Mortar Battery again fired on the crater.

24th March 1917 Battery Shelled  From 0800 until 1130, C236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery was heavily shelled. One gunner was killed and two others wounded. The shelling was repeated at intervals during the day and an ammunition dump was blown up. At 1800 after heavy Trench Mortar activity the SOS signal went up to the right of Group zone and an attack was reported on Group Zone. Batteries opened fire on the SOS, but the situation almost immediately cleared and the cease fire was given. A small mine had been sprung on Left Battalion front.

25th March 1917 Personnel Changes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports Captain H Carey-Morgan C236 Battery posted to command B236 Battery with effect from this date and Captain R A Corsan MC B236 Battery posted to A236 Battery.

26th March 1917 Enemy Work Stopped  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired on the enemy crater to stop work.

27th March 1917 Special Shoot  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt H W Stevens and 2/Lt H J Glover attached from 47th Divisional Ammunition Column to A236 and B236 Batteries respectively for a fortnight's instruction. D236 Battery fired one hundred and eighty rounds in conjunction with Heavy Artillery and other 4.5 inch Howitzers Batteries on special area opposite the Right Front.

28th March 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's C236 Battery was heavily shelled again during the morning with two direct hits on a gun pit, but no casualties. Major Wood OC. C236 goes on leave of absence (special).

30th March 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery's B236 Battery fired one hundred and thirty rounds in wire cutting and also with A236 Battery fired on German officers inspecting the enemy front line. C236 Battery were again shelled this morning. Major Cooper OC. A236 Battery on special leave of absence.

31st March 1917 Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report 2/Lt E A West rejoined from hospital to D236 Battery. Batteries retaliated during the day and X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired on crater.

1st April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting in preparation for raiding operation started by this Group; A236 Battery fired one hundred and fifty rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and ten rounds, C236 Battery one hundred also twenty on the wire and D236 Battery fired one hundred and eighty rounds on area opposite Division on the left in collaboration with other Howitzers and Heavy Batteries. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired in retaliation and moved guns south to cover more front. New Battery positions for offensive action started upon by Batteries of this Group with twelve positions to be completed.

2nd April 1917 High Wind  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting was carried out in spite of high wind by 18 pounders and trench mortars. D236 Battery fired on an area bombardment, one hundred and sixty rounds and A236 Battery fired at intervals during the night on this area.

3rd April 1917 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery fired forty four rounds in wire cutting and X47 Trench Mortar Battery sixty rounds. A236 Battery fired during the night on the same area of bombardment as yesterday.

4th April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report On wire cutting A236 Battery fired one hundred and seventy rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and four, C236 Battery one hundred and thirty three and X47 Battery twenty five with good results being obtained. D236 Battery fired on area bombardment.

5th April 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report wire cutting was continued today. A236 Battery firing one hundred and nineteen rounds, B236 Battery two hundred and twenty one, X47 Trench Mortar Battery one hundred and seven and C236 Battery one hundred and thirty six. A236 Battery after being registered in the morning was shelled at about 1830 and two gun pits were blown in by 5.9 inch guns. Two other ranks and one Sergeant were wounded.

6th April 1917 Wire Cutting and support  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, C189 Battery (Army Field Brigade) came into action in position East of B236 Battery as reinforcement Battery for the Group. Wire cutting again today with A236 Battery firing one hundred rounds, B236 Battery seventy six rounds and C236 Battery one hundred and fifty two rounds. D236 Battery took part in an area bombardment on Group Zone. X47 Trench Mortar Battery also fired fifty four rounds. C189 Battery registered.

7th April 1917 Intense Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries carried out intense wire cutting this morning, A236 Battery firing one hundred and thirty rounds, B236 Battery one hundred and fifty five rounds and C236 Battery two hundred and ten rounds. Zero time for Daylight Raid 2000. 18th Battalion (London Irish Rifles) carried out this raid, in the same place on the right Brigade Front as the raid in February, under a heavy barrage by two and half Divisional Artilleries, accompanied by dummy raid at German line on Hill 60 and St Eloi. Enemy fire was fairly heavy and caused a number of casualties. Nineteen prisoners were taken. OC. Left Group acted as liaison officer with GOC 141st Infantry Brigade, also Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery acted as liaison with OC. Raid. 2/Lt A M Cole B236 Battery posted to 66th Division.

8th April 1917 Relief Imminent   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. 101 Brigade RFA arrived to take over Group but relief of Batteries not yet begun.

9th April 1917 Heavy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Left Group now under tactical command of 23rd Divisional Artillery and covering 23rd Division Infantry, but still covering Hill 60 front. After trench mortaring of our lines all day the enemy at 1835 opened a heavy barrage along the Divisional Front particularly on the Centre Battalion. SOS went up at 1844 and the Batteries of 236 Brigade commenced barrage immediately. There was some Shelling of Group on right and Division on left, but both turned a Battery into mutual barrages on this Brigade front after ten minutes. Enemy found to have been completely held up by our barrage fire and dead found in 'no mans land'. Firing continued until about 2000 at a rapid rate with 3960 rounds being fired by the Group despite some Batteries being all shelled with 5.9 inch guns and gas shells. One 4.5 Howitzer was badly damaged, but no other damage or casualties except slight gas poisoning and shock.

10th April 1917 Quiet day for 6th London Batteries  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: Lt A F Yencken (B236 Battery) struck off the Brigade strength on evacuation to England. All quiet today and all front trenches including Battery Observation Points have been demolished along with one trench mortar pit probably bombed by the enemy. First sections went out of action tonight and withdrew to the wagon lines.

11th April 1917 On the March

12th April 917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery A236 and B236 Batteries and HQ. Brigade in Winnezeeze rest billets with C236 and D236 Batteries at Ouderzeele.

15th April 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major W Cooper OC. A236 Battery returned from special leave.

16th April 1917 Inspections and Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery recordL Drill order Inspection of Batteries by BGRA (Brigadier General Royal Artillery). Each Battery inspected separately A236 and B236 at Winnezeeze with C236 and D236 at Ouderzeele. Major Wood OC. C236 Battery returned from leave. Classes in gunnery and signalling in each Battery is now being carried on.

18th April 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports OC. Brigade to HQ 47th Divisional Artillery as acting CRA in absence of CRA on leave. Major Pollard OC. D236 Battery to command Brigade in absence of OC.

19th April 1917 Court Martial  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery provide summaries of evidence in case of Bombardier Wiseman D236 Battery, remanded for Field General Court Martial on 15th inst., taken.

20th April 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report marching order parades of C236 and D236 Batteries were inspected by acting OC. Brigade (Major C A Pollard DSO).

23rd April 1917 Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Gas demonstration by chemical adviser X Corps held at 1415 near Ouderzeele. Four 18 pounder guns of C236 Battery and two 4.5 inch Howitzers of D236 Battery were bought into action in the gas cloud. Commander Royal Artillery and all available Officers and ORs of the Brigade attended.

25th April 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Marching order parade of HQ. Brigade, A236 and B236 Batteries at 0930 with an inspection by the acting Brigade Commander. A good turnout.

28th April 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Captain R A Corsan MC A236 Battery went to command C102 Battery in action vice Major Britten killed. (Major Charles Wells Britten aged 30 was killed on the 26th April 1917 and is buried at Bedford House Cemetery).

29th April 1917 appointments and recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel A C Lowe resumed command of Brigade on return of BGRA from leave and Major C A Pollard relinquished command. Brigade officers jumping competition held at 1730 and won by 2/Lt G Jacques B236 Battery.

30th April 1917 Training and Recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery attend Brigade Sergeants jumping competition and rides. During the period in rest, active training has been carried on daily with Battery Staff including, gun drill, range, fuse setting, signalling with flags sited in advance stations, riding schools and competitions in turnout.

1st May 1917 Recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. The Brigade subsections competition for general turnout was won by B236 Battery with A236 Battery in second place.

3rd May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report first section of each Battery left for it's position in the line. The rest billets are taken over by 104 Brigade RFA.

4th May 1917 Relocations  The remaining sections of each Battery and Headquarters Staff of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery await night action on the Bluff and Canal sectors immediately South of Ypres and with three Batteries of 235th Brigade remaining in newly formed Chateau Group, covering the whole of the 47th Divisional front. Lt Colonel W B Grandage OC. 235 Brigade RFA remained in command of the Group with HQ Staff 236th Brigade. Two, two inch Trench Mortars Batteries and one 9.45 Trench Mortar also form part of the Group.

5th May 1917 Movements

6th May 1917 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report there was heavy shelling of roads and back areas by the enemy and much counter battery work by him.

7th May 1917 Increased Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report shelling of the whole area by the enemy increased. GOC. Division inspected the Brigade Wagon Louex. One NCO and the horses of D236 Battery were killed. Bombardment of enemy roads, railways and communications carried out by every gun in the Army. An intense fire for two periods of five minutes each at 2045 and 2315 carried out, the Group taking part in and firing an average of three hundred and fifty rounds per 18 pounder Battery and two hundred rounds per 4.5 inch Howitzer. The Enemy were quietened by this retaliation.

8th May 1917 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report GOC. Division inspected the Brigade HQ and Batteries during the morning. Still much artillery activity and bombardment of dumps by the enemy.

9th May 1917 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy active with trench mortars and artillery on our trenches during the day, much retaliation by our batteries. Firing increased and heavy bombardment opened at 2110. SOS was given and Batteries opened up barrages on our Group front and of the Division on our right to 2200 with little success.

10th May 1917 Heavy Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report another heavy bombardment, chiefly on the Divisional front in the North was opened at 0345 and Batteries barraged for half an hour. Much counter Battery work and many targets of guns in action fired on. 2nd Lt C B Payne struck off strength of the Brigade on transfer to RFC (Royal Flying Corps).

11th May 1917 Enemy Artillery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery received enemy artillery activity. Vicinity of Group HQ shelled all the morning and the HQ’s Chateau was registered, heavily bombarded from 1130 to 1430 and partly destroyed but no casualties. D236 Battery was also heavily shelled and one gun together with pit and ammunition blown up and completely destroyed. Another gun was buried from 1700 to 1750 but no casualties.

12th May 1917 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy artillery was active and Howitzer Batteries retaliated on counter-battery targets. C236 Battery was shelled.

14th May 1917 Group Commander Killed  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel W B Grandage commanding the Group died of his wounds this morning and 2nd Lt L J Helliar. Orderly officer 236th Brigade was killed, both at Swan Chateau. Major C A Pollard appointed as temporary Group commander. Large working parties joined from 104 Brigade RFA for work on offensive positions.

15th May 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Lt Colonel Nicholson 104th Army Field Artillery Brigade arrived to take over command of Group. Battery positions for offensive action definitely allotted to Brigade. Wire cutting started.

16th May 1917 Relocations  Headquarters 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery went out of action to Wagon Louex.

17th May 1917 Appointments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Command of Group definitely handed over and all HQ staff now at Wagon Louex.

18th May 1917 Relocations  One section of A236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery relieved by one section A104 Bty and went to Wagon Louex.

19th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report remaining sections of A236 Battery relieved by A104 and one section put onto new offensive position.

20th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report One section of B236 Battery to Wagon Louex on relief by one section B104 Brigade. Telephone exchange for HQ Brigade established in new Headquarters at Bedford House. Capt C Egerton-Warbutton posted to A236 Battery.

21st May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Remaining sections of B236 Battery relieved and one section went onto new position. Lt Lucas MC with Forward Operations Observation party to 142nd Infantry Brigade for practice in training area.

23rd May 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery confirm preliminary instructions for offensive action issued. Batteries all working on positions and wire cutting with Group. Lt Colonel A C Lowe arrived back from leave to England and took over command of the Brigade from Major C A Pollard temporarily holding it.

24th May 1917 Relocations  First section of C236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery in action in new position tonight.

25th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report all Batteries 236 Brigade (less one section C236 Battery) in new positions tonight and completion of large ammunition dumps at guns now taking place.

27th May 1917 Heavy Enemy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report heavy shelling of all roads tonight by the enemy and much gas used. D236 shelled with one Bombardier killed and ten men wounded and ammunition dump blown up. Firing with gas shells continued until morning 28th May.

28th May 1917 Dumps Complete  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report all 18 pounder Batteries now have completed dumps on gun positions of 7800 rounds. Roads again shelled by the enemy. One driver from A236 Battery was killed, one wounded and two horses killed. Several other men were slightly wounded.

29th May 1917 Battery Shelled  D236 Battery 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery completed dump of 6600 rounds. HQ. Staff went up into action station. D236 Battery was heavily shelled.

30th May 1917 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report ‘C’ Group consisting of A,B,C and D/236 Batteries with D/119 Battery as counter battery formed under command of Lt Colonel A C Lowe DSO. 64th Army Field Artillery Brigade attached as a sub-group (D Group). Both Headquarters, under ruins of Bedford House, on Ypres-St Eloi Road. C Group's offensive zone is immediately North of Ypres-Comines canal. Batteries are all to the East of Headquarters and within close distance in new positions. Night firing commenced by the Group

31st May 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Wire cutting by A236 and C236 Batteries. Night firing by B236 Battery and registration by all Batteries for raid, which is to take place immediately South of Canal. One driver C236 Battery was killed.

1st June 1917 Wire Cutting  Batteries of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery continued wire cutting. Practice barrage from 1530 to 1600 was fired at by all Batteries on Group offensive zone. Smoke shell being used. Night firing and neutralisation of wire by B236 Battery in addition.

2nd June 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting continued in cooperation with French Mortars and harassing fire carried out on tracks and communication trenches. D236 Battery bombarded five forward enemy front positions. In reply to all day bombardment by our heavy batteries the enemy retaliated with a few rounds on Batteries and Group HQ. Staff Sergeant Masters and one gunner were killed and two Sergeants wounded all in A236 Battery. Lieut A.F. Blackwell A236 Battery slightly wounded and missing in back area,believed killed. Later found to have been killed. Usual heavy firing on enemy roads and communications and wire.

3rd June 1917 Batteries in action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries firing all day on roads etc. and counter Battery work with gas shells carried out during the whole night by howitzer batteries. HQ was bombarded by gas shells heavily for two hours during the night.

4th June 1917 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report One gun of C236 knocked out and destroyed by a direct hit during heavy shelling of C236. D236 on harassing fire all day. A one round per minute bombardment at 2200 by all Batteries on enemy headquarters and much firing during the night. D236 had two howitzers destroyed.
Conference of BGRA (Brigadier General Royal Artillery) and Group commanders at ‘C’ Group headquarters.

5th June 1917 Patrol Raids  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired three searching barrages by 18 pounder Batteries during the day and a practice barrage carried out at 1500. Lt Colonel A.C. Love DSO OC ‘C’ Group went up as Senior Liaison Officer with 142 Infantry Brigade at the Bluff. Patrol raids were carried out during the night and Bedford House was again shelled.

6th June 1917 Batteries in Action  At 0230 A236 and B236 Batteries, 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired on said barrage. Barrage creeping to final objective carried on. Very heavy shelling of all Batteries throughout day by the enemy with 8 inch and 5.9 inch shells. A236 had two guns destroyed, B236 had two badly damaged and ammunition blown up. C236 had also two guns put out of action and 1000 rounds of ammunition blown up. Only two gunners of C236 Battery were wounded. A and C Batteries were both obliged to relocate positions for some hours. Owing to loses in guns B Battery was taken off today’s imtended barrage and placed to reinforce creeping barrage. D236 again carried out counter battery work all night. 2nd Lt M.F. Allen posted to Brigade as signal officer.

7th June 1917 Attack Launched  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Zero time for offensive by the II Army to take Hill 60, Wytschate and Messines Ridges at 0310. At that hour all artillery opened heavy barrage which continued to creep forward as infantry advanced for 10 hours until all objectives were joined and ridge remained in our hands. ‘C’ Group formed the centre of the six groups covering the Divisional front and the barrage crossed the canal south of which the final group protective barrage was placed. A large number of Neutralise Fire calls were received and D236 did resulting neutralisation of Batteries including firing at enemy troops on the march. At about 1800 barrage was carried out on SOS line, but no infantry action by the enemy.

8th June 1917 Reorganisation   Reorganisation of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries on new zero lines took place. Otherwise the enemy was very quiet. 2nd Lt H.L. Burgis was reposted to the Brigade and to A236 Battery from England.

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