HISTORY OF 76 SIEGE BATTERY R.G.A

The battery was formed at Harwich in August 1915 and in the early days of its existence there had to be a measure of improvisation and inspiration since there were no guns. Old lumber and any sort of equipment took the place of guns but, blessed with one or two expert carpenters in the battery, it wasn’t long before very creditable productions in the way of imitation directors and dial sights were soon available. When the battery started training, it had to use 8 inch and 6.6 muzzle- loading howitzers with black powder charges. The battery went to France in March 1916, equipped with four 9.2 inch, and took up positions near Albert. On 1st July the 76th took part in the bombardment that opened the Somme offensive; it was in support of X Corps at Thiepval. It was at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, supporting the Canadians; it was in the Salient during Third Ypres and back on the Somme in 1918 during the German offensive and then the advance to victory. These sub-unit histories are aimed at those who served in them, to bring back memories of personalities, casualties, places, times in the line, times back at rest, and above all – comradeship. Nevertheless this is a good account of the war as experienced by a 9.2 inch battery and a most useful source of information on the artillery war. It ends with the Roll of Honour, the list of Awards and the nominal roll of the original members of the battery, showing what happened to each man – promotion, posting, casualty etc.