Background
Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery, along with their ammunition columns, were usually under orders of the headquarters of a brigade of the RHA. Each brigade would have been one and four batteries under its conmand at any one time, and usually a brigade would be placed under the Commander Royal Artillery of a Cavalry or Mounted Division. With the need for rapid expansion of the deployed fighting forces, some brigades were instead placed under the Commander Royal Artillery of an infantry division. In practice, batteries would often be assigned to support one of the cavalry, mounted or infantry brigades of their division, and in some cases this relationship was maintained for a considerable time.
As changes took place, there were instances where a battery of the Royal Field Artillery, or even two, came under command of the RHA Brigade. This did not change the status of the brigade. The same is true of those times when a battery of RHA, usually armed with the lighter 13- or 15-pounder field gun, was re-quipped with the 18-pounder that was the standard armament of the Royal Field Artillery.
A further change of significance took place in early 1917 when some of the brigades left divisional command to become Army Brigades. This meant that instead if being permanently with one division, they could be moved from division to division as need arose.
Brigades
I Brigade (first, 1914)
At Ambala in India when the war began, the brigade was made up of A and B Batteries RHA and was under command of 3rd (Lahore) Division. Both batteries were transferred elsewhere and I Brigade ceased to exist in 1914.
I Indian Brigade
Formed in France in December and placed under command of 1st Indian Cavalry Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, with A, Q and U Batteries RHA and an Ammunition Column. These units had all recently moved to France from India. In December 1916 1st Indian Cavalry Division was renamed 4th Cavalry Division. The brigade was renamed as XVI Brigade in February 1917 (see below).
I Brigade (Territorial Force) (second, 1914 – 1916)
This brigade was formed and placed under orders of 2nd Mounted Division (Territorial Force) in September 1914. It was made up of a headquarters unit and only the 1/1st Warwickshire RHA. On 1 November 1914 the battery was posted to France and became the first Territorial RHA unit to serve overseas. 1/B Battery of the Honourable Artillery Company arrived from II Brigade (Territorial Force) to take its place. The brigade moved to Egypt in April 1915 and went to the Suez defences. The 1/B HAC left to go to Aden on 14 July 1915. This battery rejoined 13 December 1915 and on 20 December it was joined by 1/A Battery HAC from II Brigade (Territorial Force). Both batteries were transferred to the Suez defences and the brigade ceased to exist on 21 January 1916.
II Brigade (first, 1914)
When the war began, the brigade was made up of only C Battery RHA. It transferred to XIV Brigade in September 1914 and and II Brigade ceased to exist.
II Indian Brigade
Formed in France in December and placed under command of 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, with N, V and X Batteries RHA and an Ammunition Column. These units had all recently moved to France from India. In December 1916 the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was renamed 5th Cavalry Division. The brigade was renamed as XVII Brigade in February 1917 (see below).
II Brigade (Territorial Force) (second, 1914 – 1916)
This brigade was formed and placed under orders of 2nd Mounted Division (Territorial Force) in September 1914. It was made up of a headquarters unit and the 1/1st Berkshire RHA, 1/1st Nottinghamshire RHA, 1/A and 1/B Batteries of the Honourable Artillery Company. 1/B Battery HAC left for I Brigade (Territorial Force) on 1 November 1914. The brigade moved to Egypt in April 1915 and went to the Suez defences. The 1/1st Berkshire RHA left to go to Aden on 14 July 1915. On 28 November 1915, 1/1st Nottinghamshire RHA was transferred to the Western Frontier Force. The Berkshire Battery rejoined 10 December 1915 but soon afterwards 1/A Battery HAC left for I Brigade (Territorial Force). The The Berkshire Battery left again, this time for the Western Frontier Force, and the brigade ceased to exist on 21 January 1916.
III Brigade
At Newbridge in County Kildare in Ireland when the war began, the brigade was made up of D and E Batteries RHA and was soon placed under orders of 1st Cavalry Brigade with VII Brigade RHA. It went to France with ithe division in August 1914 but was transferred to the 2nd Cavalry Division on 17 September 1914. It was joined by J Battery RHA on 14 October 1914.
Brigade war diary (1914 Aug – 1919 Feb) National Archives WO95/1123 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
III Brigade (Territorial Force)
This brigade was formed in Egypt in April 1916 and was made up of the Leicestershire and Somerset RHA. It was placed under command of the ANZAC Mounted Division and the batteries supported its 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades (Leicestershire RHA the former, Somerset RHA the latter). On 20 June 1917, the Leicestershire RHA left for the Yeomanry Mounted Division. In the following month, the new XVIII Brigade RHA arrived for the division and took over the Somerset RHA. III Brigade TF then ceased to exist.
IV Brigade (first, 1914)
When the war began, the brigade was made up of F and J Batteries RHA. The two batteries were sent independently to France and the brigade ceased to exist in October 1914.
IV Brigade (second, 1915)
This was a renumbering of XV Brigade RFA (see XV Brigade, first 1914-1915, below).
IV Brigade (Territorial Force)
This brigade was formed in Egypt in April 1916 and was made up of the Ayrshire and Inverness-shire RHA. It was placed under command of the ANZAC Mounted Division and the batteries supported its 3rd Light Horse Brigade and New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (Inverness-shire RHA the former, Ayrshire RHA the latter). In January 1917 the 3rd Light Horse Brigade was replaced in the division by the 22nd Mounted Brigade, and the Inverness-shire RHA remained to support the latter. In July 1917, the new XVIII Brigade RHA arrived for the division and took over the two batteries (as well as the Somerset RHA). IV Brigade TF then ceased to exist.
V Brigade
At Ipswich when the war began, the brigade was made up of G and O Batteries RHA and supporting 5th Cavalry Brigade. They were joined by Z Battery in October 1914. The brigade then came under orders of the new 8th Division and went to France with it in early November 1914. G Battery left on 24 November 1914 and it was not until 8 May 1916 when a third battery joined in the form of D (Howitzer) Battery RFA from 128th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. On 13 January 1917 the brigade left 8th Division and became an Army Brigade. At the same time, B Battery joined from 188th Brigade RFA and was renamed as this brigade’s A Battery. It was later renamed as 402 Battery RFA. This unit left on 9 April 1918, on which date G and N Batteries RHA joined.
Brigade war diary (1914 Nov – 1916 Dec) National Archives WO95/1693 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
Brigade war diary (1917 Jan – 1919 Sep) National Archives WO95/455 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
VI Brigade
At Trowbridge when the war began, the brigade was made up of H and K Batteries RHA and supporting 2nd Cavalry Brigade. The two batteries were sent independently to France and the brigade ceased to exist in October 1914.
VII Brigade
At Aldershot when the war began, the brigade was made up of I and L Batteries RHA and was soon under command of 1st Cavalry Division with III Brigade RHA. It went to France with the division in August 1914 and remained in service there throughout the war. L Battery was returned home in October 1914 having already been temporarily replaced by a new Z Battery RHA. In late September 1914, Z ceased to exist and its place was taken by H Battery RHA. On 14 April 1915 the brigade was joined by 1/1st Warwickshire RHA. The brigade then remained unchanged until November 1916, when Y Battery RHA replaced /1st Warwickshire RHA.
Brigade war diary (1914 Aug – 1919 Apr) National Archives WO95/1103 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
VIII Brigade
In India when the war began, the brigade was made up of M and Q Batteries RHA and was under command of 1st (Peshawar) Division. Both batteries were transferred elsewhere and VIII Brigade ceased to exist in December 1914.
IX Brigade
In India when the war began, the brigade was made up of N and S Batteries RHA and was under command of 9th (Secunderbad) Division. Both batteries were transferred for service overseas and IX Brigade ceased to exist in early 1915.
X Brigade
Located at Woolwich, this brigade remained there throughout the war and was renamed as X (Reserve) Brigade RHA. It was made up of a headquarters unit, P and R Batteries RHA and was joined by AA Battery RHA in October 1916. The brigade was a primary training unit for men of the regular RHA.
XI Brigade
In India when the war began, the brigade was made up of T and U Batteries RHA; a rather strange command as T was in Egypt. Both batteries were transferred for service overseas and XI Brigade ceased to exist in late 1914.
XII Brigade
In India when the war began, the brigade was made up of V and W Batteries RHA and was under command of 7th (Meerut) Division. Both batteries were transferred for service overseas and XII Brigade ceased to exist in late 1914.
XIII Brigade
In India when the war began, the brigade was made up of X and Y Batteries RHA and was under command of 5th (Mhow) Division. Both batteries were transferred for service overseas and XIII Brigade ceased to exist in December 1914.
XIV Brigade
This brigade was formed in late September 1914 came under command of the new 7th Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, two batteries (C and F Batteries RHA), and an Ammunition Column. The brigade landed at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914. C Battery RHA left on 19 October 1914; 57th (Howitzer) Battery RFA joined between 27 November 1914 and 2 March 1915; T Battery RHA arrived on 21 December 1914; and a new D (Howitzer) Battery RFA joined on 17 May 1916; 509 (Howitzer) Battery RFA joined on 7 October and served until 13 February 1917 when it was broken up.
On 10 February 1917 the brigade left the 7th Division and became an Army Brigade. Three days later, B Battery joined from 169th Brigade RFA and became this brigade’s D Battery. C and D Batteries were later renamed as 400 and 401 Batteries RFA respectively.
Between November 1917 and April 1918, the brigade served in Italy.
Brigade war diary (1914 Oct – 1917 Mar) National Archives WO95/1642 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
Brigade war diary (1917 Apr – 1917 Nov and 1918 Apr – 1919 Jun) National Archives WO95/385 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
Brigade war diary (1917 Dec – 1918 Mar) National Archives WO95/4205 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
XV Brigade (first, 1914 – 1915)
This brigade was formed at Windmill Hill Camp on 1 October 1914. It came under command of the new 3rd Cavalry Division and was made up of a headquarters unit, three batteries (C, G and K Batteries RHA), and an Ammunition Column. The brigade landed at Ostend on 8 October 1914 and was renamed IV Brigade RHA in May 1915.
Brigade war diary (1914 Oct – 1919 Jun) National Archives WO95/1146 [digitised; indexed as 4 Brigade; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
XV Brigade (second, 1915 – 1919)
This brigade was formed at Leamington Spa in January 1915. It came under command of the new 29th Division and was made up of a headquarters unit, three batteries (B, L and Y Batteries RHA), and an Ammunition Column. It went to Egypt and Gallipoli with the division, and returned to Egypt in January 1916. The brigade then moved with the division to France in March 1916 and remained with it for the rest of the war. It was joined by 369 Battery RFA between March and May 1916, and 460 Howitzer) Battery RFA arrived in September 1916. In late November 1916, Y battery RHA left and was replaced by 1/1st Warwickshire RHA.
Brigade war diary (1915 Mar – 1916 Jan) National Archives WO95/4308 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
Brigade war diary (1916 Mar – 1919 Feb) National Archives WO95/2291 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
XVI Brigade
This brigade was the renaming of I Indian Brigade RHA in France in February 1917. It came under command of 4th Cavalry Division, which until December 1916 had been called 1st Indian Cavalry Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, three batteries (A, Q and U Batteries RHA), and an Ammunition Column. The division was broken up during March 1918, and the brigade became an Army Brigade.
Brigade war diary (1917 Jan – 1918 Feb) National Archives WO95/1158 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
Brigade war diary (1918 Mar – 1919 Feb) National Archives WO95/455 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
XVII Brigade
This brigade was the renaming of II Indian Brigade RHA in France in February 1917. It came under command of 5th Cavalry Division, which until December 1916 had been called 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, two batteries (N and X Batteries RHA), and an Ammunition Column. X Battery and its associated section of the Ammunition Column left for service in India on 8 October 1917. The division was broken up during March 1918, and the brigade became an Army Brigade. G Battery RHA and a section of IV Brigade RHA Ammunition Column joined in 14 March 1918. Next day, the batteries were placed in anti-tank roles (G Battery for 66th Division and N for 24th). On 9 April 1918 the two batteries were transferred and a few days later the brigade ceased to exist.
Brigade war diary (1917 Jan – 1918 Mar) National Archives WO95/1163 [digitised; can be downloaded from National Archives website]
XVIII Brigade
This brigade was formed in Egypt in July 1917 in a reorganisation of the ANZAC Mounted Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, three batteries (1/1st Ayrshire RHA, 1/1st Inverness-shire RHA, and 1/1st Somerset RHA), and an Ammunition Column. In June 1917, the 1/1st Berkshire RHA left the brigade. The division was renamed Australian Mounted Division in June 1917.
Brigade war diary (1917 Jul – 1919 May) National Archives WO95/4527 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
XIX Brigade
This brigade was formed in Egypt in January 1917 to form part of the new Imperial Mounted Division. It was made up of a headquarters unit, four batteries (1/1st Berkshire RHA, 1/1st Nottinghamshire RHA, 1/A Battery Honourable Artillery Company, and 1/B Honourable Artillery Company), and an Ammunition Column. In June 1917, the 1/1st Berkshire RHA left the brigade. The division was renamed Australian Mounted Division in June 1917.
Brigade war diary (1917 Jun – 1919 Mar) National Archives WO95/4555 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
Brigade war diary (1919 Apr – Oct) National Archives WO95/4516 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
XX Brigade
This brigade was formed in Egypt in January 1917 to form part of the new Yeomanry Mounted Division, although it was a conversion from what had been the 263rd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (which itself was a renaming of what had been the 1/5th Lowland Brigade). It was made up of a headquarters unit, two batteries (1/1st Essex RHA, 1/1st Hampshire RHA), and an Ammunition Column. In July 1917 it was joined by two more batteries (1/1st Berkshire RHA and 1/1st Leicestershire RHA). In April 1918 the division was renamed as a new 1st Mounted Division and in July 1918 as 4th Cavalry Division.
Brigade war diary (1917 Jul – 1918 Mar) National Archives WO95/4504 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
Brigade war diary (1918 pr – 1918 Jul) National Archives WO95/4508 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
Brigade war diary (1918 Aug – 1919 Aug) National Archives WO95/4511 [not digitised; must be seen at National Archives]
Links
Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery: regular army
Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery: Territorial Force
Allocations of Royal Horse Artillery Army Brigades to higher formations
1st Cavalry Division | 2nd Cavalry Division | 3rd Cavalry Division
7th Division | 8th Division | 29th Division
1st Indian Cavalry Division | 2nd Indian Cavalry Division
ANZAC Mounted Division | Imperial Mounted Division | Yeomanry Mounted Division | Australian Mounted Division