1st Gloucester RGA Volunteers
Nominal Roll 1897 - 1913
On the 22 November 1859, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery (GVA) was formed, making it's headquarters at the Artillery Ground, Whiteladies Rd. Clifton, Bristol. The unit started with five batteries with a sixth added later. The GVA were tasked with the defence of the Bristol Channel and the ports of Bristol and Gloucester and were fully paid for and organised by the City of Bristol, it was not part of the War Office responsibilities. The motto of the GVA is 'Fidus et Audax', which is Latin, meaning 'Loyal and Audacious.' It was chosen by the original officers of the GVA as values to be aspired to by everyone who serves in the GVA. History has shown that The Bristol Gunners have never failed to live up to these ideals.
In May 1860, the newly formed Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers were fortunately able to secure a long lease from the Society of Merchant Venturers of the existing parade ground on Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol.
In March 1880, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery had become the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers (Gloucester and Somerset).
Starting in 1906, the Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane's Reforms were designed to better prepare the armed forces for future wars and involved a reorganization of the regular, volunteer and militia forces. The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907 saw the formation of the Territorial Force which consisted of fourteen infantry divisions, fourteen cavalry brigades, and a large number of support units including fully established divisions, provided with field artillery, companies of engineers and crucial supply services, including medical provision. The GVA became part of the Territorial Force, an army tasked with the defence of the UK, and came under the control of the War Office.
The volunteer forces were reformed into a Territorial Force (TF) which had its own organisation and was tasked with the defence of the UK homeland. The TF was organised into divisions that were structured in the same way as the Regular Army, but which were based on geographical regions and soldiers were committed only to home service, that is, were not required to serve overseas except by voluntarily agreeing to do so.
The GVA was transferred from the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) to become part of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA).
Nominal Roll 1897 - 1913
This list is far from complete but was compiled by Derek Driscoll from the scrapbook of No 4 Company, Sgt Major H. J. Warren R.G.A. (V), the Regiment orders that were printed in local newspapers such as the Bristol Observer, Western Daily Press and Bristol Times & Mirror. Sgt Major H. J. Warren was Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery RGA from the first quarter of 1897
As the Regiment was charged with Coastal Defence, Battery Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, were based at Bristol; No. 7 at Newham-on-Severn; No. 8 at Gloucester; No. 9 at Clevedon; No. 10 at Portishead; and No. 11 at Weston-Super-Mare.
Some names mentioned are ex members who are reported dining with the Sergeants Mess
This list comes from a Google Sheet
All information must be checked with other sources, as this list is not guaranteed to be correct. All information in this Nominal Roll is a stating point for research and is not a definitive list, you must check all information contained within, with other sources at your disposal.
Sources and Resources
Derek Driscoll's original pages
1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery R.G.A. Pre-1908
1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery R.G.A. Pre-1908
3rd Glouceshire Battery RFA (T)
3rd Glouceshire Battery RFA (T)
Nominal Roll of the 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery R.G.A
Nominal Roll of the 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery R.G.A
Avonmouth, Clevedon and Portishead Batteries
A military history of Bristol during the Revolutionary War 1793-1802 - John Penny, Fishponds Local History Society
Battery Diary - Clevedon Conservation Volunteers
Battery Point, Woodhill Bay & Kilkenny Bay Battery Point - Posset Wanderer
Clevedon's Victorian Gun Battery - Walking the Battlefields
Gun Battery - Clevedon Conservation Volunteers
Rough Notes on the Portishead & Avonmouth Coastal Gun Batteries 1643 to 1945 - Flying Fox Association