Bombardier Walter Joseph Dew-379 Siege Battery

[shirley11]

I'm trying to find out anything I can about my grandfather Walter Joseph Dew & what he did in the war . He was in 379 Siege Battery 2/2 London RGA. His Regtl No was 318463, his rank was bombardier & he enlisted on 14th September 1914 & he was a qualified signaller. The only thing he ever said about his time in the war was that he was at the Somme when it was frozen over. He did write a short biography & in it he says that he wasn't too happy about being put on coastal defence. Then he missed the draft to our 1st line battery in France because he broke his collar bone but eventually joined them in 1917. He doesn't say anything else apart from being stunned when the cease fire sounded & he didn't get back to England until May 1919. So if anyone can help or advise I would be very grateful.
Thank you very much in advance,
Shirley

[jim1]

Can't see too much at the moment except to say that they were in Gaza Sept. 1917.
& this
http://www.mit-stamtrae.co.uk/myweb3/1919_absent_voters_swarbrick_04.htm

There is conflicting information as the death of this man shows;
Date of birth: 1892
Place of birth: Southampton
Service No.: 353693
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA)
Battalion: 379th Siege Battery
Died: 4th June 1918 aged 25 years
Death location: France and Flanders
So one says Gaza & the other France & Flanders.

Looks like they at both places.

[shirley11]

Thank you for your reply. Walter Joseph was definitely in France, Somme area in 1917. He talked of being something to do with either signals, observation or maybe a runner. He was born in 1897 in Islington, London & died aged 90 in 1987. Would the rga cover the royal horse artillery? I'm wondering if he was in that in view of accident falling off a horse.

[RRTB]

This might be of interest to you:

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/4698/royal-garrison-artillery/

RRTB

[shirley11]

Thank you, it is definitely of interest. My grandfather wrote a short biography & in it he says he was made a bombardier at Braughin, Hertfordshire, had gained his instructor's certificate in signalling at Southern Command School of Signals.He says they were moved around various places on the East Coast. That would tie in with the link you sent.

[jim1]

The RGA weren't mounted, they as the name implies were gunners at the Garrison.
Their War diary is at Kew & you can download from there for about £3.50.
In WW1 they were doing the same job as the RFA & RHA.
It looks like part of the battery was sent to Belgium probably in readiness for the 3rd. Battle of Ypres.

[km1971]

According to 1914-1918.net 2/2 London RGA stayed at home. So he must have been transferred to 1/2 London RGA when he moved to France.

This link gives the composition of the siege battery - http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/definitions-of-units/what-was-a-siege-battery-of-the-royal-garrison-artillery/

Ken

[shirley11]

Thank you very much for the link. Things are becoming a little clearer now.

[RRTB]

Judging by the picture you posted earlier with Mr Dew mounted on his horse, he may well have been one of the "riders" mentioned in the link from Ken concerning the Siege batteries.

RRTB