101 RA Beating Retreat 2025

 

101 Regiment RA Beating Retreat

5 RRF Band

Tyneside Scottish Piper

Lord Lieutenant Bandmaster Salute

Lord Lieutenant / CO taking the salute on the March Past

5 RRF Band March Past

Ex Magpie Progress 25

 EXERCISE MAGPIE PROGRESS 25

YPRES

Ex Magpie Progress 25 - Messines Ridge

 The Messines Ridge runs North South from Hill 60 to south of Messines. It had been in German hands since 1914 and it’s capture was essential to the forthcoming offensive that would launch the Third Battle of Ypres.

The planning for the capture of the ridge began in August 1915 when the Royal Engineers began tunnelling under the German defences with the intent of mines filled with tons of explosives. 

Royal Engineer Tunnellers

Over a period of two years 25 mines containing 500,000 kilograms of explosive would be dug under the Messines Ridge prior to the battle.

On the eve of the Battle of Messines, General Sir Charles Harrington, Chief of Staff Second Army, remarked to press reporters;

  "Gentlemen, I don’t know whether we are going to make history tomorrow, but at any rate we shall change geography"      

Messines Mine Explosions

One of the largest mines was located at Spanbroekmolen. The 41,000 kgs of explosive at Spanbroekmolen left a crater 27 metres deep and a diameter of 76 metres which is now filled with water. 

Messines Ridge Spanbroekmolen Crater

Messines Ridge Spanbroekmolen Crater IJ

The assault on the Messines Ridge would be  conducted by the British Second Army, X Corps on the left, X Corps centre and II ANZAC Corps on the right. 

The capture of the village of Messines would be conducted by the New Zealand Division. 

Messines Ridge view towards New Zealand positions

New Zealand Division attack on Messines

The effect of the mine explosions coupled with the preliminary bombardment were devastating. Defences were destroyed or neutralised, many who survived were so traumatised they surrendered or ran away.  The creeping barrage successfully supported the infantry assault and the German defences were breached, the Messines was captured and the New Zealanders consolidated their position.  

Messines assault on Messines Ridge

The New Zealanders' success was replicated along the Messines Ridge which now lay in British hands. 

New Zealand Memorial Messines

Ex Magpie Progress 25 - Vimy Ridge

 

Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge IJ

The capture of the vital ground of Vimy Ridge was an essential pre-requisite to the Arras offensive. The ridge dominated the Douai Plane and Scarpe Valley which were the areas where the operation would be conducted. 

Vimy Ridge view across Douai Plane

The capture of Vimy Ridge was entrusted to the Canadians. 

At 05:30 9th April 1917 the Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge commenced. 

Canadian Troops Vimy Ridge

The four assault divisions of the Canadian Corps left their trenches after a five minute hurricane bombardment, a technique developed by the Russians during the Brusilov Offensive.

Canadian TArtillery Vimy Ridge

A creeping barrage saw the Canadian infantry moving  forward on predicted fire lines at 2 rounds per minute, lifting 100 yards every 3 minutes.  

Barrage Map Vimy Ridge

By the afternoon 9th April most of Vimy Ridge was under Canadian control, the remaining part being captured the following day.

Canadian Soldiers Vimy ridge overlooking village of Vimy

The significance of Vimy Ridge to the Canadians was such that it was chosen as the Canadian National Memorial dedicated to the memory of the soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force killed during the First World War. 

The foundation stones were laid in 1925 and construction took 11 years. It was unveiled by King Edward VIII on 26th July 1936. 

Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge

Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial Park

Ex Magpie Progress - 50th Northumbrian Division Memorial

The 50th Northumbrian Division memorial located in the village of  Wieltje near where the Division fought its first action in April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. 

50th Northumbrian Division Wieltje 

The memorial records the units who served with the 50th Northumbrian Division during the First World War. 

50th Northumbrian Division Memorial
Units that served in the Division

Amongst the recorded on the memorial are those lineage links to 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery .

The 1st (Northumbrian) Brigade Royal Field Artillery TF  included the 3rd Northumbrian Battery (later C/250)  from Elswick which links to 203 (Elswick) Battery based in Blyth. 

The 4th (Northumbrian) Brigade Royal Field Artillery TF included the 4th (Durham) Howitzer Battery (later D/250) from South Shields links to 205 (3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery) Battery based in South Shields. 

An act of remembrance was held by members of 101 Regiment RA to remember those lost from the Northumbrian Gunners.

50th Northumbrian Division Memorial
Exhortation

50th Northumbrian Division Memorial
Remembering the Fallen

 

Ex Magpie Progress 25 - 49 West Riding Division Memorial

The 49th (West Riding) Division Memorial is located on the bank of the Yser Canal adjacent to  the Essex Farm Cemetery.

49 (West Riding) Division Memorial 
Ypres Canal 

49 (West Riding) Division Memorial 

It is dedicated to the memory of more than 9,500 men killed whilst serving with the 49th (West Riding) Division during World War One. At least 1,000 of those died between 7 July and 31 December 1915 when the Division first manned the trenches north of Ypres.

To the memory

of all ranks of

the 49th West Riding Division

who gave their lives for

King and Country

in the Great War

1914-1918

The memorial records the Battles in which the 49th (West Riding) Division were engaged;

1915: Aubers / Ypres

1916: The Somme / Thiepval / Schwaben Redoubt

1917: Nieuport / Poelcapelle 

1918: Neuve Eglise / Kemmel/ Wijtschate / River Selle / Valenciennes

The 49th (West Riding) Divisional Artillery included;

• Divisional Artillery HQ: Red House, Marygate, York

• I West Riding Brigade RFA - HQ Leeds -> Batteries @ Leeds 

• II West Riding Brigade, RFA–HQ Bradford -> Batteries @ Bradford / Halifax / Heckmondwike 

• III West Riding Brigade, RFA - HQ  Sheffield -> Batteries @ Sheffield 

• IV West Riding (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA –HQ Otley -> Batteries @ Otley / Ilkley

Ex Magpie Progress - Essex Farm Cemetery

 Essex Farm Cemetery  is located on the Ypres Canal to the north of the town. The cemetery contains the resting place of 1,200 casualties of which 1,102 are identified.

Essex Farm Cemetery | Cemetery Details | CWGC

Essex Farm Cemetery

Essex Farm Cemetery DLI Graves

The cemetery is located adjacent to what was an Advanced Dressing Station (ADS), one of the early parts of the medical evacuation chain. Sadly some of those lying in the cemetery died from wounds whilst at the ADS.

Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station

Essex Farm Advanced Dressing Station
Briefing 101 Regiment RA

In May 1915 Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army Medical Corps  wrote the poem "In Flanders Field" whilst working at the Advanced Dressing Station. 

Lt.Col. John McCrea In Flanders Field

Essex Farm Cemetery
In Flanders Field Museum