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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Greg Webb on Thursday 31 July 14 17:48 BST (UK)
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Can anybody help with finding where this Battery was fighting in June, July & August of 1918. All I know is that they were engaged in fighting on the Western Front. Any guidance would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
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My great uncle was in the 173rd Seige Battery, RGA. He was killed in September 1918 in the area of Bertincourt, Northern France. I did a lot of background reading when I was researching what happened to his battery and where they were. I will dig it out and see if they mention the 203rd.
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The War Diary for the 203rd Siege Coy RGA does not appear to have survived. Nearby ones are here:
WO 95/465 01/10/1916 28/02/1918 200 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4498 01/08/1917 30/04/1918 201 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4453 01/07/1916 31/07/1917 201 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4500 01/10/1917 31/12/1918 202 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4728 01/01/1919 30/06/1919 202 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/322 01/05/1917 31/05/1917 202 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4728 01/04/1917 31/12/1918 204 Calcutta Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/216 01/08/1916 31/05/1917 204 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4486 01/05/1918 31/05/1919 205 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4407 01/10/1917 30/04/1918 205 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4795 01/07/1916 31/07/1917 205 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/391 01/05/1917 31/05/1917 206 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/392 01/03/1917 31/05/1917 207 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4500 01/06/1917 31/12/1918 209 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4799 01/07/1916 31/05/1917 209 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
WO 95/4728 01/01/1919 31/05/1919 209 Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
I would ask on the Great War Forum or firepower.org
Ken
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Further to the above, I can't find any specific mention of the 203rd Seige Battery in all the papers I have here, but I can tell you that a huge number of batteries were involved in the Cambrai Offensive at this time and in particular the Battle of the Canal du Nord at the end of September. It is highly likely that the 203rd would be amongst them, but I am sure that somebody with a bit more knowledge and expertise on this site will be able to put you right. Have you checked with the National Archives at Kew to see if there is a surviving War Diary for the 203rd?
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Thank you all. I know the diaries for the 203rd did not survive. As suggested I will try the GWF and firepower.org. Thanks again and I will post here any further findings.
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There are diaries covering the 203 Siege Battery RGA: see http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=209017
W0 95/303 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C4553454
Not yet available online, so it needs a trip to Kew.