Monday 3 May 2010

Ypres 2010 - Northumbrian Gunners

The 1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA (TF) deployed 24th April 1915 along the Robaarsbeek, east of Poperinghe. The 1st Battery on the extreme left under some willows on the stream its self, the 2nd Battery on the right some 100 yards east of the brook, and the 3rd in an orchard in the centre. The Brigade Ammunition Column was a mile to the rear in a farm.


1st Northumbrian Brigade RFA (TF)

On the very day ninety five years later...............






4th Northumbrian (County of Durham)Howitzer Brigade RFA (TF)

The 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Brigade deployed 6th May 1915 under command of the 27th Division. At 20:00 the batteries advanced and went into action, the first Territorial field gunners to take part on the Ypres fighting.
The 4th Durham Battery deployed just north of the Menin Road, 3,000 yards east of Ypres. The 5th Durham Battery was 300 yards south of La Brique, 1,000 yards North East of Ypres. The wagon lines were 800 yards east of Vlamertinghe on the Poperinghe-Ypres Road, with the Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) at Brandhoek, where it was collocated with Brigade Head Quarters. The Batteries were within 2 miles of the front line.

Northumbrian (East Riding) Heavy Battery
The Northumbrian (East Riding) Heavy Battery moved into position just east of the Vlamertinghe – Elverdinghe Road. The Battery was placed under the command of th 4th Division.

Northumbrian Gunners 6th May 1915