Jeffrey: John (txic) sent me an email about your posting and I also would be very happy to help you in any way I can. As you may be aware the only the April 1917 to June 1917 portion of the 173rd Siege Batteries war diary is a available at The National Archives, the remainder has never been located. That makes your grandfather's diary very important to researchers of that battery.
I can give you some information on the officers in the photo:
2nd Lieut. John Charles Walton was educated at Tonbridge School. In 1916 he was Asst. Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India. He came home and was appointed an RGA Officer Cadet on 12 May 16 and commissioned 2nd Lieut, RGA (SR) on 19 Aug 16. He served with 173 Siege Battery in France and Belgium from 4 Oct 16 to the end of the war. He participated in the battle of Ancre, the capture of Beaumont Hamel, the battle of the Somme, the Ancre-Bapaume operations, the Battle of Arras and Vimy Ridge, and the Lens operations until being wounded by a HE shell splinter in the head on 16 June 1917. He was invalided home where he remained from 12 Dec 17 to 12 Aug 18 serving as an Officer in No. 2 Cadet School at Maresfield. He rejoined 173 Siege Battery on 15 Aug 18 and took part in the following actions: 2nd Battle of Arras, Ancre-Bapaume, battle of the Drocourt-Queant line, Battle of the Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt-Gouzeaucourt, Cambrai-St Quentin, Le Cateau, Battle of the Selle, Vendegies , and Ghissingnies-Le Quesnoy. He disembarked for the UK on 18 Dec 18 and relinquished his commission with the rank of Lieutenant on 1 Apr 20. He was awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 3 June 20 for distinguished service with 173rd Siege Battery. After the war he continued his service in the India Office rising to Asst Under-Secretary of State for India in 1936 and Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Burma in 1942. He was made a Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1930 and a Knights Cross, Order of the Indian Empire in 1942. Retired in 1946 and lived at 37 Clifton Hill, St Johns Wood.
Major John Thomas Garriock died of wounds on 3 April 1918 while in command of 173 Siege Battery, RGA
Major Arthur Sydney Ponsonby McGhee was a regular officer and a veteran of the South African War 1899-1902. He commanded 173 Siege Battery for the early part of the war and was then promoted to Acting Lieut. Colonel and during 1918 and 1919 he commanded 10th Brigade, RGA. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the London Gazette of 3 June 1919 and three times mentioned in despatches in the London Gazette: 14 Dec 17, 23 Dec 1918 and 7 July 1919. He retired as a Lieut. Colonel, RGA on 7 June 1921.
Captain R W Rice, was a territorial officer who served with the regular RGA. He left 173 Siege Battery, RGA in 1917 and on 25 Sept 1917 he went overseas with 443 Siege Battery, RGA and was mentioned in despatches in the London Gazette of 7 July 1919 for distinguished service with that unit.
Lieut. Stephen Glynne Hughes was commissioned from the University of London Officer Training Corps and served with 173 Siege Battery in France and Flanders from September 1916 to August 1917 when he was invalided out of the service.
Who was your grandfather?
Please feel free to contact me at any time. I would very much like to see a copy of the diary when it is completed.
Regards, Dick Flory
