What was a Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery?

This article describes the composition and structure of a battery equipped with four 6-inch Howitzers, as defined in the army’s “Field Service Pocket Book”, 1914 version. At this period of the war, the Siege Batteries were equipped with the 30-cwt (hundredweight) version of the 6-inch Howitzer. This type had been introduced into  service in 1895 . It fired a 100-pound (weight) shell to a maximum range of 6,000 yards.

A 6-inch 30 cwt. howitzer in action. IWM image Q24247. No date or location stated by likely to be Palestine.
A 6-inch 30 cwt. howitzer in action. IWM image Q24247. No date or location stated but likely to be Palestine.

The battery would include

  • Personnel: 5  officers and 177 other ranks
  • Horses: 17 riding, 6 draught and 80 heavy draught
  • Transport: 3 two-horse carts, 10 four-horse wagons

The battery would normally be with three others, under command of a Siege Brigade. The brigade would also include an Ammunition Column of:

  • Personnel: 3  officers and 104 other ranks
  • Horses: 13 riding, 2 draught and 72 heavy draught
  • Transport: 1 two-horse carts, 16 four-horse wagons

The brigade would also include its headquarters of:

  • Personnel: 7  officers and 137 other ranks
  • Horses: 21 riding, 5 draught and 72 heavy draught
  • Transport: 1 one-horse cart, 2 two-horse carts, 16 four-horse wagons

Links

The Siege Batteries of the Royal Garrison Artillery

Definitions of other types of units