Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery
Introduction
Many of the records of the artillery of Bristol were lost or destroyed during World War 1. The work of collecting and compiling the records of the unit from its formation carried out in the 1931 by Serjeant Major, Instructor In Gunnery, Brigade Regimental Serjeant Major, F. Healy from the official war diaries filed in the record office and from notes news cuttings and publications. Major J. Smith RA (V) MBE TD wrote the article "The Bristol Gunner Tradition." Derek Driscoll put both articles on his "The Bristol Gunner" website and this page is based on that.
As Major Smith wrote, "Regrettably a comprehensive history of the Volunteer Artillery Movement in Bristol has yet to be written. The task of unraveling the kaleidoscope of amalgamations that went to produce the ancestry of the present Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery unit needs more investigation to make it complete. The following is intended as a starting point for further research in the future."
19th Century
In September 1859, a circular letter was sent by Lord the secretary Lord Palmerston, the secretary of state for war, to the Lord Lieutenants of candidates to the effect that the government had expressed a decided preference for artillery rather than rifle Corps in maritime neighbourhoods. The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucester the (the Earl of Ducie) thereupon addressed a letter to the Mayor of Bristol, in answer to a requisition made to him by Mr Hirst and others, who had expressed of their willingness to enrol themselves in an Artillery Corps. Informing him that the formation of an artillery Corps with headquarters in Bristol would not only receive official sanction, but would be considered a valuable adjacent to the volunteer force already established.
Major Henry Bourchier Osborne Savile, then Major of the newly formed Rifle Corps, was selected by the Lords Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and Somerset to raise the Artillery Corps of these counties. The Major was made Major Commandant of the new Artillery Corps on 21 December 1859 and which which he commanded for fourteen years retiring in 1874 and then served the Corps as the Honorary Colonel.
Colonel Henry Bourchier Osborne Savile
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, and an appeal was made to the public for funds for the construction of an armoury, sheds and stores at a cost of £1,100, while a Drill Hall was added in 1895, at a further cost of £1,200. They received four 18 pounder smooth bore guns from the War Office which were installed on the old Avon Battery site at Avonmouth on 21 July 1860, and used for firing practice at a sea target. Earthworks were also built and used in connection with ball practice. In April 1860, Sidney Herbert, the Secretary for War, had informed the Town Clerk of Bristol that the War Office intended to restore the old battery at Portishead Point for the protection of Bristol. The site was purchased from Richard Bright in 1864, re-roofed, the magazines repaired, and two platforms installed for the two ton 32 pounders, the Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers finally taking possession of their new practice ground on 23 October 1865.
The newly formed artillery corps on May 15., 1860, appointed had William McAdam from the Royal Artillery, as captain and adjutant and their surgeon as A.G. Power, late of S.A.S. [we are not certain what this was].
| Battery | Captain | 1st Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant |
| No. 1 | Henry Grant | Francis Tothill | H. L. Bean |
| No. 2 | F. P. Egerton | Sholto Vere Hare | G. Garrard |
| No. 3 | J. Battersby-Harford | F. Walker-Savage | Gore Langton |
| No. 4 | W. Montague Baillie | Charles D. Cave | St. Vincent Ames |
As well as the above officers each battery also had four Sergeants, four Corporals, three trumpeters, and 75 men.
The following is an extract from "The Rules Bristol and Gloucestershire Artillery Corps 1859"
That each member absent from either of the parades fixed by the commanding officer, at the time of roll call, shall be fined sixpence; and if absent during the all time of the parade, one shilling; if absent from the commanding officers parade, the fines shall be double; who shall talk, or laugh, or misbehave whilst on parade or under arms, for each offence sixpence; who shall come on parade not uniformly dressed or accoutred after the first muster or after being attached to his company 14 days, one shilling.
Each member quitting the parade without the leaves of that superior officer present, five shillings. N. C. O's and gunners shall for this disobedience of any order, or other disrespectful conduct towards an officer whilst on duty or under arms, for the first offence such some not exceeding 10 shillings, as the commanding officer in his discretion shall inflict.
When not on actual service, service members could quit the Corps by giving 14 days notice.
Officers paid an annual subscription of three guineas, and other ranks an annual subscription of one guinea and each member had to find his own clothing, arms and accoutrements which had to be in accordance with the prescribed patterns.
A band was formed and supported by donation and voluntary subscription, officers of the Corps paid an annual subscription of £2, 2 shillings.
Fees of honour were paid by officers on an appointment to the clerk of the peace as follows: Major £30, Captain £20, Lieutenant £10, Second Lieutenant £5 pounds as well as an entrance fee of five guineas and the annual subscription of three guineas, or a donation of £20.
General Sir Richard Dacres, obtained the grant of four 18 pounder smooth bore guns for the Corps whilst commandant at Woolwich. These guns were originally intended for the Crimea. The guns arrived at Bristol on 26 April 1860, in the Brig "Nautilius" at the quay near Prince Street Bridge and where escorted to the enclosure in front of the Victoria Rooms by the Queen Charlton Troop of the North Somerset Yeomanry under Captain Haviland, the Bristol rifles under Lieutenant-Colonel Bush and the Bath rifles under Captain Ford. In the evening a Banquet which was attended by 500 was given in the Victoria rooms.
On 21 July 1960, the four 18 pounder, smooth bore guns were removed to Avonmouth, and fired for the first time. On 23 July, Her Majesty showed her a first public recognition of the volunteer movement by holding a grand review of the force in Hyde Park, at which the Gloucestershire Artillery was represented by a large proportion of the members.
A fifth battery was added on 8 Augsut 1860
18 September 1860, there was a review at Gloucester at which the Corps was present.
16 December 1861, there was a presentation of a testimonial to Major Savile.
On 23 December 1861, the Corps attended a funeral service held at the Cathedral in memory of the late Prince Consort. There was also a review at Warwick at which the Corps was present.
17 June 1862, there was a review of about 10,000 volunteers which was held on Durdham Downs, in which the Corps took part. The restoration of the surface of the Downs was not achieved quickly. The Downs Committee instructed Captain A. M. Jones (later Colonel Arthur Mowbray Jones (1823-1889) of Ringwood House, Pembroke Road, Adjutant of 1st Gloucestershire Regiment and Secretary of the Review Committee to fill holes left by the grandstand in September 1862.
In November 1863, the 1st (Clevedon) Somerset Artillery Corps, the No 2 (Newham) and No 3 Gloucestershire Artillery Corps was formed with the Bristol Corps into an Administrative Brigade and was designated 1st Administrative Brigade and Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers.
Also in 1863, the Bristol ladies by subscription procured Two Whitworth 3 pounder guns, and presented them to the Corps. The drill Hall was added at a further cost of £12,000 - being built to the plans of Mr C. F. Rumney a member of the Corps, and was opened on the 10 March 1865.
From October 1871, until July 1874, except for a short spell on Dartmoor in late July and early August 1873, 'K' Battery, 4 Brigade, Royal Artillery were at Horfield Barracks, Bristol, and in July of both 1872 and 1873 they availed themselves of the facilities at Portishead.
In October 1872, the 6th battery was formed at Clifton.
In March 1880, the Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery had become the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers (Gloucester and Somerset).
The first administrative Brigade was consolidated into a single Corps with headquarters at Bristol, and designated the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteer Corps. The Corps consisted of 720 all ranks and distributed in nine batteries as follows:-
Batteries Nos. 1 to 6 at Clifton
Battery No. 7 at Newham
Battery No. 8 at Gloucester
Battery No. 9 at Clevedon
1 RA Gloucester pre 1908 white metal shoulder title shoulder title
In 1881, the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers moved their range from Portishead to Clevedon to have the benefits of a land range, but the practice battery at old battery remained intact until 1899 when the buildings at Portishead were finally demolished and the 64 pounder rifled, muzzle loading (RML) guns by then installed returned to stores.
On 7 March 1863, the Corps attended in Hyde Park on the occasion of the public entry of the Princess Alexandra into London.
On 10 March 1863, on the occasion of the marriage of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to the Princess Alexandra a letter addressed to the commanding all officer by order of the secretary of state for war.
[No Date shown]
V/G.A.
Sir, - I am directed like Col Mc Murdo, C.B. to convey to you, the officers, and non-commissioned officers, and gunners of the first Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery Corps, the thanks of the Rt Hon Secretary of state for war from the high standard of efficiency which the Corps is reported to have attained.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant, J. S. F. Dick, Major.
Assistant Inspector.
To Major Savile,
Commanding 1st Gloucestershire Artillery volunteers, Bristol.
Also on 10 March, the guns of the Corps fired a Royal Salute on Durdham Down.
24 June 1863, there was a review at Oxford at which the Corps was present.
22 August 1863, two Whitworth guns purchased by private subscription were presented to the Corps.
On 28 November 1863, the Newham, Gloucester and Clevedon Corps were formed into an administrative Brigade with the Bristol Corps. Major Savile appointed to the command of the Brigade with the rank of Lt. Col. Lord Glentworth Late of the rifle Brigade, was appointed Major of the Brigade.
1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers in 1863
Far left is Lt. Bean, Captain and Adjtutant McAdam. Standing, Captain Tothill, Lt. Col. Savile, on the far right Lt. Hanson
On 28 May 1864, there was a review in Hyde Park, at which the Corps was represented.
9 December 1864 - The Corps created a demonstration at the opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and fired a Salute.
18 March 1865 - The Drill Hall at headquarters was opened.
3 May 1865 - Lord Glentworth appointed Major Commandant of the 1st Corps.
29 May 1865 - The practice range was removed from Avonmouth and established at Portishead for a land range.
30 July 1865 - A Bazaar and Fantasy Fair was held at headquarters in aid of the building fund of the Corps.
2 August 1865 - A review at Wells, at which the field guns were present.
25 July 1866 A Review and Sham Fight at Lansdown, in which the Corps with its guns took part.
5 June 1867 - The Earl of Limerick resigned the rank of Major Commandant of the 1st Corps. Lieutenant. Col. Savile reverted to the command of the 1st Corps, in addition to that of the Brigade.
17 August 1867 - A Sham Fight at Cadbury Camp at which the Corps was present.
13 April 1868 - A Review and Sham fight took place at Portsmouth at which the Corps was present.
September 1868 - Mr. Midwinter appointed Bandmaster.
31 October 1868 - Captain C.D. Cave Esq. appointed Major of the Brigade in succession to the Earl of Limerick who had resigned.
30 January 1869 - Major C.D. Cave Esq. appointed Major of the 1st. Corps in succession to the Lieut. Col. Savile who had resigned.
29 March, 1869 - The Clevedon Battery fire a volley at the opening of Clevedon pier
The opening of Clevedon Pier, 29 March 1869
Photo: Illustrated London News, 10 April 1869 via BBC News
19 June 1869 - A Sham fight at Almondsbury; the hill being defended by the guns of the Corps.
August 1870 - Detachment attended the N.A.A. a camp at Shoeburyness.
1871 - Officers examined for Certificates of Proficiency.
28 April 1871 - F. Bacon Esq., late R.M.A. appointed Major of the first Corps in succession to Major Cave who had resigned.
31 May 1871 - Camp formed at Portishead.
In October 1872, 'F' battery (later known at No. Six Company) was raised by Captain W. M. Webb, who was posted to the command of it. The Whitfield Field guns (the private property of the Corps) were transferred to this company which was worked for a time at a field battery. The company obtained many of its members from amongst the students at the University College and the medical school, the legal profession, the banks and insurance companies this company provided many officers for the Corps in later years.
The following comes from Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol, edited by H. J. Spear and J. W. Arrowsmith of 1884:
Artillery Corps. At a meeting, presided over by the Mayor, on the 12th November, 1859, Colonel (then Major) Savile was requested to raise a corps, and the proposition having received the sanction of the Secretary of State for War, on the 21st December that year Major Savile was gazetted Major Commandant of the First Gloucestershire (Bristol) Artillery Corps. On the marriage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, on March 10th, 1863, the guns of the corps fired a royal salute on Durdham down ; and on August 22nd in the same year two Wnitworth guns, purchased by private subscription, were presented to the corps. The drill hall erected in the parade ground was opened March 20th, 1865.
Drills are held daily at 7.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. from Easter to Whitsuntide. The corps, too, has been familiarised with active military duty by frequent encampment at Portishead, Clevedon, and Brean down. The first camp at Portishead battery was formed in May, 1871, and in the summers of 1873, of 1876, and of 1880 the regiment was under canvas at Portishead on two of these occasions for nearly a month. On June 15th, 1874, the corps went into camp on Brean down; on July 17th, 1878, a camp was formed at Clevedon ; and on July 12th, 1879, a portion of the brigade attended a camp formed at Staddon heights. The corps was present at the great review in Hyde park in 1860, at Gloucester in the same year, at Warwick in 1861, on Durdham down in 1882, at Oxford in 1863, at Hyde park in 1863 and 1864, at Wells in 1865, on Lansdown in 1866, at Portsmouth in 1868, and at Windsor in 1881, at which review it was estimated there were 53,500 volunteers present, and the Bristol Artillery corps numbered 420 of all ranks.
Besides these the corps took part in a sham fight at Cadbury camp in August, 1867, and at Almondsbury in June, 1869 ; attended the demonstration and fired a salute at the opening of the Clifton Suspension oridge on December 9th, 1864, and has shared in many other public demonstrations. In March, 1880, an order was promulgated by the Secretary of State for War directing that the First Administrative Brigade of Gloucestershire Artillery volunteers should be consolidated into a single corps, with headquarters at Bristol, to be known as the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers, and its establishment to consist of 720 of all ranks, divided into nine batteries.
The Clevedon, Newnham, and Gloucester corps, which orginaly formed an administrative brigade to the Bristol corps, therefore ceased to exist as separate corps, and became batteries 7, 8, and 9 of the consolidated corps. The strength of the Bristol corps at the end of the volunteer year, 1860, was 312, and of the headquarter batteries of the consolidated corps, in 1883, 450. In 1880 a cadet corps was formed, consisting of boys attending the Bristol Grammar school. Both in carbine and heavy-gun prize competitions the Bristol artillerymen have won considerable renown, and have established the reputation of the corps year by year at the National Artillery Association meetings at Shoeburyness. H. B. O. Savile, R.A., hon. colonel ; A. H. Versturme, colonel; W. F. Nelson, major.
20th Century
Once again in response to petitions to Parliament and the Admiralty concerning the defenceless state of the Bristol Channel the battery at Portishead was re-constructed in 1901. It was located on Portishead Point facing north-west and was specifically intended for the defence of the Bristol Channel leading to the docks at Portishead, Avonmouth and Bristol.
By now the 1st Gloucestershire Artillery Volunteers had expanded and in 1904, the H.Q. of No. 13 battery moved from Bedminster to Gloucester.
In 1907, the Brigade consisted of 13 batteries, the batteries being distributed as follows:-
Batteries Nos. 1 to 6 at Clifton
Battery No. 7 at Newham
Battery No. 8 at Gloucester
Battery No. 9 at Clevedon
Battery No. 10 at Portishead with a detachment at Bedminster
Batteries Nos. 11 and 12 at Weston-Super-Mare
Battery No. 13 at Bedminster with their H.Q. in Gloucester
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.
Under Haldene's Reforms, the units became the 2nd South Midland (Gloucestershire) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA), but this was changed in 1910 to 1st South Midland (Gloucestershire) Brigade, RFA. It formed part of the South Midland Division of the TF, with the following organisation (each battery consisted of four 15-pounder guns):
HQ: Artillery Grounds, Clifton
1st Gloucestershire Battery, Artillery Grounds, Clifton
2nd Gloucestershire Battery, Artillery Grounds, Clifton
3rd Gloucestershire Battery, Barracks, Gloucester
1st South Midland Ammunition Column, Clifton
The GVA was transferred from the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) to become part of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA). This meant that coastal defences such as those at Avonmouth and Portishead were manned by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 1914 when the Portishead battery was dismantled and the stores and ammunition removed.
Gloucestershire Territorials Royal Field Artillery white metal shoulder title shoulder title
Also under the Act, the 1st and 2nd Gloucestershire (City of Bristol) Rifle Volunteers became part of the 4th Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment (T), and served as such during the First World War. It was reformed in 1920 and served as an infantry battalion until 1938 when it was re-badged as the 66th Searchlight Regiment RA (TA). After service during the 2nd World War it change it's role and became the 601st (City of Bristol) Heavy Anti Aircraft (Mixed) Regiment RA (TA) in 1947.
The Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery became the 1st (South Midland) Brigade RFA (T) on 1 April 1908. During the reorganization, the six batteries in Clifton were reformed into 2, with a thrid in Gloucester. An ammunition column was raised with the surplus officers, NCO’s and men in the proportion of 2/3rds at Bristol and 1/3rd at Gloucester.
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
Derek Driscoll's References
Dereke made use of several sites while creating his, the main ones were:
British Artillery
The Long, Long Trail
Other Resources
A military history of Bristol during the Revolutionary War 1793-1802 - John Penny, Fishponds Local History Society
Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol 1884 - edited by H. J. Spear and J. W. Arrowsmith
Clifton and Durdham Downs: A Place of Public Resort and Recreation by Gerry Nichols, Bristol Branch of the Historical Association, 2006
Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery - by Wienand Drenth, T. F. Mills
Gloucestershire Volunteers 1795-1815 - Brigadier H. Bullock, Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research , June, 1960, Vol. 38, No. 154 (June, 1960), pp. 76-82
Invalid Battalion, Royal Artillery - Steve Brown
Rough Notes on the Portishead & Avonmouth Coastal Gun Batteries 1643 to 1945 - Flying Fox Association
Volunteer Force - Wikipedia