Royal Artillery

Northumbrian Gunners

Tuesday, 18 February 2020

London - Imperial Camel Corps Memorial


The Imperial Camel Corps was formed on the 19th December 1916 as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) and would be engaged in the Sinai and Palestine Campaigns. 

A memorial to those who lost their lives serving with the Imperial Camel Corps is located in the Victoria Embankment Gardens near Charing Cross in London.


The Imperial Camel Corps (ICC) was a brigade sized unit. The brigade consisted of of 4 x Infantry Camel Battalions ( 2 x Australian / 1 x New Zealand / 1 x British) and a Machine Gun Company. 

Imperial Camel Corps
Australian / British / New Zealand / Indian

Imperial Camel Corps
The Imperial Camel Corps was commanded Brigadier General Clement Leslie Smith VC MC
Brigadier CL Smith VC MC
Commander Imperial Camel Corps

Imperial Camel Corps Headquarters
The artillery support to the Imperial Camel Corps was provided by No 1 Mountain Battery Hong Kong and Singapore Artillery. Their Gunners were drawn from the India Army. 

Imperial Camel Corps No1 Mountain Battery HKSRGA

The brigade had integral signals section, engineer troop, field ambulance and a brigade train.  

Imperial Camel Corps Brigade Train

The Imperial Camel Corps base was in Abassi on the outskirts of Cairo.

Imperial Camel Corps Abassi

Total Imperial Camel Corps strength was  a brigade of 4,150 men and 4,800 camels.  


Imperial Camel Corps Egypt

The Infantry Camel Battalions were mounted infantry, their camels were for transport not fighting , once engaged they did so as foot soldiers. 

Imperial Camel Corps Dismounted Infantry

The No 1 Mountain Battery Kong Kong and Singapore Artillery had deployed to Egypt in November 1915 equipped with  10 pounder mountain guns transported by mules. They initially deployed in a static role defending the Suez Canal. The battery then supported troops during the Senussi campaign until autumn 1915,  when they moved to Abassi to exchange their mules for camels. The battery would join the Imperial Camel Corps. The unit would also re-equip in February 1916 with 2.75 inch mountain guns. The guns broke down into six loads transported by camels. 

Imperial Camel Corps HKS RGA 
Camels carrying mountain guns

Imperial Camel Corps HKS RGA 
2.75 inch mountain gun
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INSPECTION OF THE IMPERIAL CAMEL CORPS

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022564

Probably 3rd or 4th Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, with its camel battery, the Hong Kong-Singapore Mountain Battery, training on the Palestine Front, early 1917.
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The Egyptian Expeditionary Force launched their Sinai campaign in August 1916, their intent was to move along the Mediterranean Coast, clearing Turkish Forces in order to strengthen the defence the Suez Canal. As they progressed they would build a railway line, road and water pipe to sustain logistics.

Sinai - Palestine Railway
In early august 1916, the Battle of Romani resulted in the capture of the town, and Ottoman forces were pursued as they withdrew east. 

The next major action of the EEF was the Battle of Magdhaba on 23rd December, the Imperial Camel Corps being in action only few days after it's formation. Magdhaba was captured, as was El Arish.

Imperial Camel Corps Battle of Magdhaba

The advance continued. On 9th January 1917 Rafa fell to the Empire forces, and the Ottomans withdrew in to Palestine. 

attle of Rafa firing line

The Imperial Camel Corps continued in the EEF's campaign, capturing the Turkish force at Bir el Hassan in February 1917. 

Progress halted in March when an assault on Gazza failed (First Battle of Gazza). Another attempt to capture the town in April also failed (Second Battle of Gazza). Subsequent operations also failed, and in August the Imperial Camel Corps withdrew to refit. 


Imperial Camel Corps at Beersheba
Source: IWM Q13539

The ICC's campaign renewed in October with the Battle of Beersheba and the capturing of the town. The following day an assault was launched on Gazza and in the Third Battle for the town, it was finally taken. The fighting continued with the Battle of Mughar Ridge as the EEF pursued the Ottomans. 

The campaign continued into 1918 and the Egyptian Expeditionary Force entered Jordan. In March an unsuccessful attack on Amman in the First Transjordan Attack resulted in Empire forces being repulsed. The Second Transjordan Attack in April and May were also unsuccessful.
The nature of operations was changing. The ground in Jordan was more mountainous and not suited to camels. Consequently the ICC was broken up and the Australian and New Zealand troops were transferred. Six companies of British troops now made up the Imperial Camel Corps.

Two companies, no 7 and no 10 joined Lawrence of Arabia supporting guerrilla operations during the Arab Revolt  durining late summer 1918with an attack on the Hejaz railway at Mudawara Railway Station. 


Imperial Camel Corps
 Dropping into Wadi Arba from the east while en route to join T E Lawrence


Lawrence of Arabia

Colonel TE Lawrence of Arabia commented on the Imperial Camel Corps

‘Consequently, our Imperial camel Corps had become rapid, elastic, enduring, silent; except when they mounted by numbers, for then the three hundred he-camels would roar in concert, giving out a wave of sound audible miles across the night. Each march saw them more workmanlike, more at home on their animals, tougher, leaner, faster’.


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The Imperial Camel Corps memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens was sculptured by Major Cecil Brown who served with the ICC. It was unveiled on the 22 July 1921 by Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Chetwode. 


Two bronze plaques lists the 346 men who lost their lives serving with the Imperial Camel Corps; 191 Australian's, 106 British, 41 New Zealanders and 9 Indians.

Imperial Camel Corps Memorial
Embankment Gardens

TO THE GLORIOUS AND IMMORTAL
MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS, NCO‘S AND MEN
OF THE IMPERIAL CAMEL CORPS BRITISH
 AUSTRALIAN NEW ZEALAND INDIAN
WHO FELL IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS
AND DISEASE IN EGYPT SINAI AND PALESTINE
1916 -1917-1918

Imperial Camel Corps Memorial Inscription
Imperial Camel Corps Memorial

Imperial Camel Corps Memorial
Record of engagements


Imperial Camel Corps Memorial

Imperial Camel Corps Memorial




London - Guards Memorial


The Guards Memorial is located at the edge of St James Park and Horse Guards. It was built to commemorate those who lost their lives whilst serving with the Guards Division during the First World War.

Guards Memorial

The 12 metre high Portland stone memorial was designed by HC Bradshaw and unveiled by the Duke of Connaught on the 16th  October 1926.


The memorial features five bronze sculptured Guardsmen and carved stone badges of the Foot Guards Regiments; Grenadier, Scots, Irish, Welsh, Coldstream, Guards. 

Guards Memorial - Bronze Statues of Guardsmen
Grenadier    Scots     Welsh    Irish     Coldstream
Guards Memorial - Bronze Statues of Guardsmen
Grenadiers    Scots     Welsh    Irish     Coldstream

The inscription on the face of the memorial was written by Rudyard Kipling, who's son Jack had been killed serving with the Irish Guards in September 1915 at Loos. 

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN THE MEMORY OF THE
OFFICERS WARRANT OFFICERS
NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS &
GUARDSMEN OF HIS MAJESTY'S
REGIMENTS OF FOOT GUARDS
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR
KING AND COUNTRY DURING THE
GREAT WAR 1914–1918 AND OF THE
OFFICERS WARRANT OFFICERS
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND
MEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY
CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS
ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS ROYAL
MEDICAL CORPS AND OTHER
UNITS WHO WHILE SERVING THE
GUARDS DIVISION IN FRANCE & 
BELGIUM 1915–1918 FELL WITH THEM IN
THE FIGHT FOR THE WORLD'S FREEDOM.

Guards Memorial Inscription

The memorial also bears the name of the units of the Guards Division and their Battle Honours. A further inscription was added after World War Two which also serves as a memorial to those lost in more recent conflicts.


THIS MEMORIAL ALSO COMMEMORATES ALL THOSE MEMBERS
OF THE HOUSEHOLD DIVISION WHO DIED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
AND IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY SINCE 1918


The inscription on the memorial remembers the Officers, WO's, SNCO's and men of the supporting arms and logistics units that were part of the Guards Division, which includes the Royal Regiment of Artillery.


A panel at the rear of the memorial recognises the contribution of the Royal Artillery, portraying an 18 pounder gun in action.

Guards Divisional Artillery WW1

London MMB »219 Guards Memorial
Guards Memorial 18 pounder in action
Source:  mattbuck.

The Guards Division was formed in France in August 1915 by transferring all the Guards Battalions from the Divisions with which they were serving into the new formation.

1st Guards Brigade
2 Grenadier / 2 Coldstream / 3 Coldstream / 1 Irish

2nd Guards Brigade
3 Grenadier / 1 Coldstream / 1 Scots / 2 Irish

3rd Guards Brigade
1 Grenadier / 4 Coldstream / 2 Scots / 1 Welsh

Divisional Pioneers
4 Coldstream

When the Guards Division formed, the bulk of the divisional artillery was brought in from the 16th (Irish) Division. The 74th / 75th / 76th Brigades Royal Field Artillery were formed in September 1914 by the Irish Command as New Army (K2) units. They moved to Aldershot, then on to Salisbury Plain, equipping with 18 pounders. They transferred to the Guards Division in August 1915. 

The fourth RFA Brigade in the Division was the 61st (Howitzer) Brigade RFA,  a New Army (K1) unit which transferred in from the 11th (Northern) Division. The 61st Brigade RFA formed as three x 6 gun batteries. In February 1915 the Brigade re-organised into four x 4 gun batteries. It came under the command of the Guards Division in August 1915,  when the 11th Division was ordered to the Mediterranean. 

The Divisional Ammunition Column was originally raised by the 16th (Irish) Division, transferring to the Guards Division, September 1915. Three Medium Trench Mortar Batteries (X / Y / Z)  were formed in March 1916, and a Heavy Trench Mortar Battery (V Guards) in May. 

The 61st (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in November 1916 and the units left the Division. D/61 Battery would transfer to 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

The 76th Brigade would leave the Guards Division in January 1917 to become an Army Field Brigade. 


520 (Household) Siege Battery


The inscription on the memorial includes the Household Cavalry who provided a cavalry squadron to the Guards Division from August 1915 to June 1916. 

Later in the war, personnel from the Household Cavalry would form a Siege Battery [520 (Household) Siege Battery RGA], which served on the Western Front. 

The 520 SB was formed in November 1917 and sailed from Southampton on the March 31st 1918, arriving in Le Havre the following day. Equipped with four x 6 inch guns, the battery joined First Army (located Armentieres to Arras) on 18th April 1918, becoming an army level resource. 

BL 6 inch gun

London - Royal Air Force Memorials

The Royal Airforce Memorial is located on the Victoria Embankment over looking the Thames.
 
Royal Air Force Memorial
Victoria Embankment

It was unveiled on 16th July 1923 to commemorate those who lost their lives whilst serving with the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps, and the new force that amalgamated them together in April 1918, the Royal Air Force.

The memorial bears the Royal Air Force motto 'PER ARDUA AD ASTRA' 'Through Endeavour to the Stars'

An inscription reads; 

IN MEMORY OF ALL RANKS OF THE  ROYAL NAVAL AIR  SERVICE ROYAL FLYING CORPS ROYAL AIR FORCE AND THOSE AIR FORCES FROM EVERY PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN WINNING VICTORY FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY 1914–1918"

and includes a quotation from the Bible (Exodus 19)

I BARE YOU ON EAGLES WINGS AND BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF

Royal Air Force Memorial
Victoria Embankment
The memorial subsequently remembered those lost during the Second World War.

THIS INSCRIPTION IS ADDED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AIR FORCES OF EVERY PART OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES 1939–1945.
________________________________________

Near by the RAF Memorial is the Battle of Britain Memorial which commemorates and lists the 2,936 pilots from the allied air forces that flew during the Battle of Britain in 1940.


Battle of Britain Memorial
Victoria Embankment


Battle of Britain Memorial
Victoria Embankment

Battle of Britain Memorial
Victoria Embankment

London - Cleopatras Needle

Standing on the Victoria Embankment, overlooking the Thames near Charring Cross is Cleopatra's Needle. 

Cleopatra's Needle Embankment

The obelisk was one of two constructed in Heliopolis by Pharaoh Thothmes in 1500 BC. It was moved to Alexandria in 12 BC by the Romans when an earthquake caused them fall over.

Cleopatra's Needle Alexandria

The obelisk was gifted to Great Britain in 1819 in recognition of Nelson's victory in the Battle of the Nile. It was not however till 1877 that funds were raised to transport it to London where it was erected. 

Cleopatra's Needle Embankment

The obelisk is flanked either side by  two sphinx. 

Sphinx Cleopatra's Needle Embankment

Sphinx Cleopatra's Needle Embankment

On the night of 4 / 5 September 1917, the Germans launched their first nigh time air raid on London using aircraft. Eleven Gotha bombers set out to bomb England, five of which dropped bombs on London. 


One of the bombs exploded near Cleopatra's Needle as a tram was passing killing the driver and two passenger, injuring nine others. 



1917 Sphinx damage from Gotha Air Raid
Source: Imperial War Museum

The damage to the base of the obelisk and the right sphinx can still be seen. A plaque records the air raid and the damage it left.

2020 Sphinx damage from Gotha Air Raid
2020 Sphinx damage from Gotha Air Raid

Plaque recording Sphinx damage from Gotha Air Raid
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In 1877, the United States secured the second of the pair of obelisks. It was was erected in Central Park, New York City in 1881. Another obelisk, one of another pair, resides in Paris in the Place de Concorde, it's counterpart is still in Egypt, in Luxor.

             London                           New York                               Paris
      Embankment                     Central Park                  Place de Concorde