1st South Midland (Gloucestershire) Brigade - A History
Between 1908 and the start of WWI in 1914, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery saw some great changes. Several changes of name, role, and uniforms took place mostly due to the Haldane Reforms to better prepare the army for overseas service and to expand the reserve forces that were restructured and expanded so as to ensure that overseas forces could be expanded, supplied with new recruits and to provide for home defence.
The Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery (GVA) was created on 22 November 1859, but on 31 March 1908, it ceased to exist because of reforms introduced from 1906 by Right Honorable R. B. Haldane, Minister for War.
1908
31 March 1908 - The Volunteer Force ceased to exist as such and the Territorial Force was established by the Right Honorable R. B. Haldane, Minister for War. Under this scheme, members were to be attested and enlisted for four years and the period for camp increased to 15 Days. The territorial Force was organised in 14 divisions modelled on the lines of a division of the regular army. The Brigade became part of the 7th. District known as the South Midland, which embraced Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
The total number of troops in the division to be 825 officers, and 20,163 men under the command of Brigadier General H. A. Raitt, C.B. with headquarters at Warwick
On the night of the 31st the volunteer officers held a dinner at the Imperial Hotel, Clifton, and the combined P. O's and Sgts held a dinner at the St Stephen's restaurant, Baldwin Street, to commemorate the termination of the volunteer Force.
During the dinner (at which the Last Post and Reveille were sounded) the Sergeants sent a telegram of greetings to the officers, Colonel Ord in replying expressed a wish to meet them all again in the Territorial Force. All ranks of the Bristol and Gloucester companies enlisted.
"H" Battery R.H.A. visited Gloucester and gave a demonstration to arouse interest. They were entertained by the Mayor in the Guild Hall.
Imperial Hotel, Clifton, Bristol, 1908
Image: Bristol Archives
The Brigade became known as the 1st South Midland Brigade R.F.A. consisting of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd batteries and an Ammunition Column. At first the Brigade was designated 2nd (S.M.) Brigade and the Birmingham Brigade 1st (S.M.) Brigade. R. F. A., this was changed in accordance with the Brigade's seniority.
The new units were made up as follows:-
The 1st Battery
Commanded by Captain (Hon. Major) W. C. Swanye.
No 1. Coy: became number one section.
No 2. Coy: became number two section.
No 4. Coy: became number three section.
The 2nd Battery
Commanded by Major W. H. Wise.
No 3. Coy: became number one section.
No 5. Coy: became number two section.
No 6. Coy: became number three section.
The 3rd Battery
Commanded by Major (Hon. Lt. Colonel). K. F. S. Metford.
No 8. Coy: became No's 1, 2, and 3 sections.
No 13 Coy: became No's 1, 2, and 3 sections.
Ammunition Column
The Ammunition Column under the command of Captain C. N. Todd was formed from surplus officers, N.C.O's. and men in the proportion two thirds, Bristol and have Gloucester. No's 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Coy’s were disbanded on the 31 March 1908, some members living within the Bristol boundaries were previously transferred to the Bristol companies.
Colonel Ord was appointed to the command of the Brigade with Lt. Col. (Hon: Col.) A. H. Hobbs V.D. as second in command. Battery commanders were appointed as above and other officers posted as follows:-
| 1st Battery | 2nd Battery | 3rd Battery |
| Captain R. D. Austin | Captain C. W. Todd | Captain W. H. Grosvenor |
| Captain H. White-Smith | Captain A. C. St Paul | Captain F. H. Hole |
| Lieutenant G. F. Lefroy | Captain V. A. Hillman | 2nd Lieutenant R. P. P. Lefroy |
| 2nd Lieutenant B. J. James | 2nd Lieutenant E. D. Burbridge | 2nd Lieutenant E. R. Williams |
| 2nd Lieutenant J. R. Chards | 2nd Lieutenant C. K. Cowline | 2nd Lieutenant G. Hartland Bowden |
| 2nd Lieutenant L. H. Abell | 2nd Lieutenant H. G. W. Prideaux | 2nd Lieutenant C. F. H. Priday |
| 2nd Lieutenant K. E. Aitkin |
Captain C. W. Waycott R.F.A. was appointed Adjutant vice Captain Hegarty. R.G.A. in July.
The Brigade was equipped with 15 pdr B.L.C. Guns (four per battery) with the necessary harness and equipment. A large portion of drills was devoted to riding, driving drill and manoeuvres.
Riding classes were held at the Clifton Riding School.
The Brigade camped at Stratton Heights, Plymouth for eight days in June and practised with 15 pounder field guns and 4.7 inch guns.
Capt. (Hon. Major.) C. S. Paul. resigned with permission to retain his rank and wear the prescribed uniform.
31 March 1908 - The following officers resigned Captain A. J. Mawer, Captain W. A. B. Savile, Captain W. J. W. Dickman, and Surgeon Captain A. Ogilvy. M.D.
1 April 1908 - Surgeon Captains W. J. Hill and J.R. Bibby. M.B. posted to the Brigade.
9 June 1908, the Brigade furnished a guard of honour and fired the Royal Salute on the visit of H. M. King Edward VII and took part in a tournament.
The silver gun Trophy hitherto awarded for Carbine shooting was awarded to the best all round battery.
Sergeant M. G. V. P. Wills commissioned 2/nd Lt. he would later become Sir Vernon G. P. Wills.
August 1908 - Gold braid and badges substituted for the Volunteer Silver pattern badges.
Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel (Hon: Surg. Col.) J. S. Carlton resigned with permission to retain his rank and wear the prescribed uniform.
23 November 1908 - Captain W. W. Grosvenor resigned his commission
1909
31 May - 12 June 1909 - The Brigade camped at Berrow near Burnham-on-Sea 1909 and practised using its own equipment, 15 pdr breech loading converted (BLC) guns. These were a modernised version of the obsolete BL 15 pdr 7 cwt gun which were developed to provide Territorial Force artillery brigades with a reasonably modern field gun without incurring the expense of equipping them with the newer 18-pounder.
Gun drill in 1909 with 6 inch 30cwt Howitzer
In April 1909, Brigade became 1st. South Midland (Gloucester) Brigade, R.F.A.
At the end of 1909, Colonel F.C. Ord, CB, VD, retired after 20 years service with the Brigade. Colonel A. H. Hobbs, VD also retired after 35 years service - having enlisted in the ranks in 1874 and commissioned in 1883. Lt Col. A. M. Balfour took over command of the Brigade on the 7 December.
All buff equipment and blue greatcoats were withdrawn. Khaki greatcoats were issued. Rides held in Bristol Tramway Riding School.
1910
Bandolier equipment was issued.
On 31 March 1910, Lieutenant W. E. Aitken resigned his commission
On 1 April 1910 E. J. Dunscombe and J. S. Hobbs appointed were promoted to 2nd Lieutenants.
2 April 1910 - The Brigade took part with other T.A. Troops in a field day between Gloucester and Bristol.
15 - 29 May 1910 - The Brigade camped at Fargo Camp, Salisbury Plain, but owing to the death of King Edward VII on 6 May, gun practice was not carried out.
Colonel Ord appointed Hon: Colonel of the Brigade.
1911
4 - 19 June 1911 - The Brigade camped at Braunton, N. Devon and practised with their 15 pdr B.L.C. guns.
Braunton Camp 1911. Away the lads, Bristol and Gloucester here we come.
Photo: by W. Easton, Braunton station, Braunton, North Devon. Supplied by Braunton Countryside Centre
The inspector of R.H. and R.F.A. rendered a very satisfactory report of the work in the Brigade to the Army Council.
No. 4 Battery, 1st South Midland Brigade, Berrow, Somerset, 1911"
Photo: National Army Museum
The above photo shows the drivers for the guns of the battery. The battery's horse teams would pull guns, ammunition limbers and other wagons which equipped the battery. The men in the photograph wear service dress. The horses are fitted with draught harness, to which the guns would be attached. Berrow was used for camps and exercises for the Gloucestershire Royal Field Artillery.
1912
25 May - 8 June 2012 - The Brigade camp and practised at Okehampton.
1st South Midland Brigade, RFA (TF), Okehampton Camp, Devon, 1912
The men include signallers holding flags. They wear service dress, which includes obsolete pattern bandoliers for their rifle ammunition.
Photo: National Army Museum
1st South Midland Brigade, RFA (TF), Okehampton Camp, Devon, 1912
Photo: National Army Museum
Captain C.E. Boyce, R. F. A. was appointed Adjutant, with Vice as Captain Waycott, R. F. A.
Busbies were withdrawn.
3rd. Battery held its first weekend camp at Frocester. The personnel were billeted in hired buildings.
Sgt’s Mess with guest’s the Colonel and Adjutant
Notice the two officers, one is wearing a Busby and the other one is wearing the police type helmet. The helmet [regulars only] did not come into use before 1902.
1913
25 April 1913 - 3rd Battery held a weekend camp at Tibberton Court, Gloucestershire.
11 - 25 May 1913 - Brigade camped and practised at Pembury, south Wales.
1914
The Brigade camped and practised at a Larkhill, Salisbury Plain in June and was inspected by General Sir A. L. Smith Dorien. At this time the Brigade had reached a good standard of efficiency as a Field Brigade.
In the earlier days of the Corps, gun practice was confined to shooting by single guns under a Sgt as No. 1, the officers took no part except as umpires and observers. No recognized system of ranging was employed, each No. 1 adopting his own methods. Under Colonel Ord’s command, proper methods of ranging were adopted and sections of guns employed under the command of officers. Considerable improvement took place in Laying (Direct and Indirect), observation and correction of fire.
In addition to practice at Annual Camp, practice was regularly carried out at Portishead, and that until the year 1897 the detachments of the Corps attended the Annual Meetings of the National Artillery Association at Shoeburyness and won many prizes at competitive practice, vis: five times with 10 inch R.M.L. Guns, once with 40 pdr R.B.L Guns, once with a battery of 16 pdr R. M. L. field guns, twice with a section of 64 pdr RML guns at moving targets, and four times with a section of 6.6 inch R.M.L. Howitzers by indirect laying.
With the introduction of the Territorial Force, the units gained experience in manoeuvre and use of ground as a Brigade of Field Artillery. Thus considerable progress had been made at this period.
1914 - Mobilisation
During the 12 months previous to the war, Captain Boyce, the Adjutant, had given several lectures on mobilisation procedure, so that the scheme was generally known. The order to mobilise of 4 August, was anticipated, with calling up papers which were signed ready for dispatch. The staff and Q.M.S's, etc. were at headquarters awaiting for the order.
The order was received at 8.45 a.m. and notices were sent out, the members of the Brigade reported for duty the following morning and from the remainder of the week were busily employed with various duties and fatigues.
Mobilization telegraph
An armed party proceeded with motor lorries to the magazine at Portishead and transported 15 pdr and rifle ammunition to the Artillery Ground.
Horses and Wagons which had previously been arranged for with local firms reported to the ground and handed over. The wagons were varied assortment of trade’s vehicles and were used with their civilian pattern harness for the Ammunition Column and general transport. The Vehicles were parked in the grounds and horse lines fixed up for the animals.
Rations and forage were obtained locally. A cookhouse was set up just inside and to the right of the main gate and meals were served in the drill Hall. All ranks slept and breakfasted at their own homes reporting at the grounds each morning. On the night of 7 August they were accommodated in the Victoria Rooms and departed for Devonport the next day.
Guns being taken to Pyle Hill station on Mobilization, 8 August 1914
These photos were taken outside the Bristol and West of England Arts school opposite the Victoria Rooms on 8 August 1914
Ammunition Limbers and a general service wagon
5 August, 1914, Second Lieutenant George V. P. Wills was promoted to Lieutenant (temporary).
Sources and Resources
Derek Driscoll's original pages
Historical-Records-1859-1914 (PDF, 3.64Mb)
Historical Records of 66th (South Midland) Field Brigade R.A. (T.A.)
Historical Records of 66th (South Midland) Field Brigade R.A. (T.A.)
The Bristol Gunner Tradition by Major J. Smith RA (V) MBE TD
The Bristol Gunner Tradition (Image) by Major J. Smith RA (V) MBE TD
The Bristol Gunners - History
Other Resources
No. 4 Battery, 1st South Midland Brigade, Berrow, Somerset, 1911 - National Army Museum
1st South Midland Brigade, RFA (TF), Okehampton Camp, Devon, 1912 - National Army Museum
1st South Midland Brigade, RFA (TF), Okehampton Camp, Devon, 1912 - National Army Museum
BLC 15-pounder gun - Wilipedia
Braunton Countryside Centre
Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery - Wikipedia
Haldane Reforms - Wikipedia
Imperial Hotel Clifton, 24th Apr 1908 - Bristol Archives
London Gazette, 3 February 1915