Monday, 24 March 2014

Mons - First British Artilley round on Western Front

Following the British Army's opening shots of the Great War, the Royal Artillery followed with the opening rounds of the war.

The British cavalry were holding bridges in the area of Peronnes, east of the main BEF positions in the Mons area. A troop from  16th  Lancers were enraged an enemy patrol, and to cover their withdrawal the guns of E Battery RHA unlimbered and fired the first British Artillery round of the Great War.


1914 - First round fired by RA on the Western Front

1964 - Veterans of E Battery at location of the first RA round fired on the Western Front

2014 - At the location of the first RA round fired on the Western Front
A small commemorative stone marks the spot where the first round was fired by E Battery.


First RA round fired on Western Front commemoration stone plaque

First RA round fired on Western Front commemoration stone plaque
 


Not the easiest of thing to photograph !
 

Location of first British artillery round fired on Western Front