What the Heck was the 189th Brigade?!

[alan w jones]

Yes Rich,
39th Division.
Alan

[mmm45]

http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm

If you put 189  into Roman Numerals and scroll down the link

CLXXXIX=189

should take you to 41st DIV.

[rich23434565]

http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm

If you put 189  into Roman Numerals and scroll down the link

CLXXXIX=189

should take you to 41st DIV.

Much appreciated.   

[alan w jones]

Hello Rich ,
I apologise for my mistake , Ady is quite correct, it is 41st Div, I can't read my own writing !
Regards
Alan

[rich23434565]

   Don't worry. It certainly helped to set me off on the right track and now I've got a much clearer idea about what was going on in 1916.

Rich

Hello Rich ,
I apologise for my mistake , Ady is quite correct, it is 41st Div, I can't read my own writing !
Regards
Alan

[atom12]

Spotted this little mention CLXXXIX (Hackney) Brigade. (War Raised Unit). Formed at Hackney in 1915 and consisted of A, B, C and D Batteries. In the 41st Division.

Where they part of the Diversionary attack, as I noticed Alfred is buried at The London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, south  of Ploegsteert, in Belguim

[atom12]

His SDGW info:

[rich23434565]

Thanks for that Atom.

I know that Alfred Hayden enlisted at the Hackney Baths in 1915, which fits in with your information. Why would he have been made a sergeant though if he had no experience of the military? I've always assumed that he died in the early days of the Somme battles. He died on 02 July 1916, on the second day of the first battle. But I can't find the 41st Division being involved in the first onslaught.

And yes, he is buried in the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery near Ploegsteert. I didn't even know that he had a named grave until about two years ago. My grandfather, Alfred's son, knew nothing about his father other than the fact that he was in the RFA (which was the unit my grandfather entered after leaving the Duke of York's Military School). My grandfather was 4 when his father died and the only thing I have relating to that entire side of the family is a single photograph of Alfred Hayden (which I've used as my avatar), and I didn't even know that existed until my grandfather died in 2005! Alfred's widow would've been in possession of his medals and the death plaque but I have no idea what happened to them. My grandfather lost all contact with his mother from the 1950s onwards.

Rich

Spotted this little mention CLXXXIX (Hackney) Brigade. (War Raised Unit). Formed at Hackney in 1915 and consisted of A, B, C and D Batteries. In the 41st Division.

Where they part of the Diversionary attack, as I noticed Alfred is buried at The London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, south  of Ploegsteert, in Belguim

[rich23434565]

Thanks again Atom