The 156, 162, 166 and 167 (Howitzer) Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery, all designated “Camberwell” initially collectively known as the “Camberwell Gun Brigade”, were raised at Grove Vale, East Dulwich in the period 3 February to 1 June 1915 under command of Fred Hall, MP. They moved to Bulford in August 1915 and sailed from Southampton for France in the period 12-13 December 1915.
All of the brigades were placed under orders of 33rd Division but went to France slightly later than that formation. The division had the artillery of 54th (East Anglian) Division attached in its absence from mid November 1915 until 12 December 1915.
Published history
A published and comprehensive history of the divisional artillery can be downloaded here (PDF and other formats available)
CLVI
- The brigade was comprised of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column. The batteries were all armed with four 18-pounder field guns. It was complete in manpower by 31 March 1915. The brigade remained with 33rd Division throughout the rest of the war: you can see details of its battles and movements on the page describing the division.
- On 19 May 1916 D Battery left, becoming the A Battery of 167 Brigade. A (Howitzer) Battery joined from 167 Brigade and became the new D (Howitzer) Battery.
- On 22 May 1916 the Ammunition Column left, to be merged with the 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column.
- On 12 September 1916 the brigade was reorganised. A Battery and one section of B Battery joined from 167 Brigade and were broken up in order to bring 156 Brigade’s A, B and C Batteries up to six guns each.
- On 14 January 1917 one section arrived from D (Howitzer) Battery of 166 Brigade and was used to 156 Brigade’s D (Howitzer) Battery up to six howitzers.
CLXII
- The brigade was comprised of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column. The batteries were all armed with four 18-pounder field guns. The brigade remained with 33rd Division throughout the rest of the war: you can see details of its battles and movements on the page describing the division.
- On 19 May 1916 D Battery left, becoming the B Battery of 167 Brigade. C (Howitzer) Battery joined from 167 Brigade and became the new D (Howitzer) Battery.
- On 22 May 1916 the Ammunition Column left, to be merged with the 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column.
- On 12 September 1916 the brigade was reorganised in order to bring the three 18-pounder field gun batteries up to six guns each. C Battery and one two-gun section of B Battery joined from 167 Brigade. 162’s A Battery transferred on of its two-gun sections to B Battery, and was brought up to six guns by the addition of the former C/167. The two-gun section of the former B/167 was added to C Battery.
- On 14 January 1917 one section arrived from D (Howitzer) Battery of 166 Brigade and was used to 162 Brigade’s D (Howitzer) Battery up to six howitzers
CLXVI
- The brigade was comprised of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column. The batteries were all armed with four 18-pounder field guns. The brigade then remained with the 33rd Division until it was broken up on 14 January 1917: you can see details of its battles and movements on the page describing the division.
- On 16 May 1916 D Battery left, becoming the C Battery of 167 Brigade. D (Howitzer) Battery joined from 167 Brigade and became the new D (Howitzer) Battery.
- On 22 May 1916 the Ammunition Column left, to be merged with the 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column.
- On 12 September 1916 C Battery was broken up in order to bring A and B Batteries up to six guns each.
- On 14 January 1917 the brigade was broken up. A Battery went to 26 Army Field Artillery Brigade as its new A Battery. B Battery went to 43 Army Field Artillery Brigade as its new C Battery. D (Howitzer) battery was split, with two-howitzer sections going to the D (Howitzer) batteries of 156 and 162 Brigades RFA respectively.
CLXVII (Howitzer)
- The brigade was comprised of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column. The batteries were all armed with four 4.5-inch howitzers. The brigade then remained with the 33rd Division until it was broken up on 12 September 1916: you can see details of its battles and movements on the page describing the division.
- On 14 February 1916 B (Howitzer) Battery and a subsection of the Brigade Ammunition Column left to join 1/4th London Brigade RFA in 56th (2nd London) Division.
- Between 16 and 20 May 1916 the remaining elements of the brigade were reorganised. A, C and D (Howitzer) Batteries all left to go to 156, 162 and 166 Brigades RFA respectively. They were replaced by the D (Howitzer) Batteries coming from those brigades, which became A, B and C Batteries of 167 Brigade.
- On 22 May 1916 the Ammunition Column left, to be merged with the 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column
- On 12 September 1916 A and one section of Battery went to 156 Brigade; the other section of B and C Battery went to 162 Brigade; and the 167 Brigade ceased to exist.