359th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

The 359th Siege Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) was established under the Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery, Territorial Force, in Lavernock in late January, 1917. Battery Sergeant Major George Evans, a veteran of the Territorial Forces who had seen active service, served as the provisional commander. In early February, 1917, 2nd Lt. George Rae and 2nd Lt. Robert C. Palmer were the first two officers assigned to the battery.

Originally established as an 8-inch howitzer battery, the unit was re-formed as a 12-inch railway gun battery while training at Lydd Ranges in April and May 1917. The battery embarked from Southampton for France on June 10, 1917, on the S.S. Archangel and arrived in Le Havre the next day. On July 5, 1917, King George V of the United Kingdom and Edward, Prince of Wales, personally inspected the battery. The battery was under command of the Second Army and remained there until the armistice.[1]

While in active service, the 359th Siege Artillery was positioned at Coxyde (Koksijde), Oost Dunkerque (Oostduinkerke), Nieuport (Nieuwpoort), Vierstraat, Oaten Wood, Passchendaele, Wytschaete Ridge, Verbrandenmolen, Voormezeele, Borre Yard, and Wolverghem. Wolverghem was the last position for the 359th, because rail tracks could not be laid fast enough to keep the railway guns within range of the retreating enemy. At Voormezeele, on the evening of April 3, 1918, Battalion Sergeant Major George Evans and four others were killed by one enemy artillery shell.

The 359th Siege Artillery returned home to England some time after December 16, 1918.[2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Farndale, Martin, 1986. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery - The Western Front 1914-18, Royal Artillery Institution, London, p382
  2. ↑ A Short Record of the 359th Siege Battery R.G.A., by Frank House, published by H. Mones-Cross, 44 Bedford Row, W.C. 1, date unknown
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