Apr: Formation
The 1st Welsh (Howtizer) Brigade was formed on the 1st April 1908 when the 1st Glamorganshire RGA (Volunteers) was subsumed into the newly formed Territorial Force.
The Territorial Force was created by the Haldane Reforms (the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907) in response to manpower issues encountered during the Boer War. Its purpose was to defend Britain’s coast, freeing up the Regular Army to fight overseas. Soldiers of the Territorial Force were not obliged to serve overseas, however they could volunteer to do so.
As late as January 1908, the plans were for the Welsh Howitzer Brigade to be based in Chester. However, in late February, the local Swansea newspaper reported:
……… the Army Council has decided that the Howitzer Brigade, which was originally allocated to Chester under the Territorial Army Scheme, shall go to South Wales, and the Field Artillery Brigade from South Wales shall have its headquarters in Chester.
The Cambrian, 28/2/1908. Welsh Newspapers Online
The newly formed Brigade was initially designated as the 4th Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade and by 17 April, 150 men had been recruited, mainly from the ranks of the 1st Glamorganshire RGA (Volunteers).
Recruits needed to be between 17 and 35 years of age and joined the Territorial Force for a duration of 4 years. In the first year, they were expected to attend 40 drill periods and in the following years, 20 drill periods. They were also expected to attend annual camps for between 1 and 2 weeks.
Volunteers were required to serve anywhere in the United Kingdom, but were not required to go overseas. They could however volunteer to do so and this was referred to as Imperial Service.
The Brigade was made up of:
- Brigade Headquarters, Swansea:
- 3rd Glamorgan (Howitzer) Battery, Swansea,
- 4th Glamorgan (Howitzer) Battery, Neath (Left Section), Briton Ferry (Right Section), and
- Brigade Ammunition Column, Morriston.
The Brigade was armed with 5 inch B.L. (breach loading) Howitzers. Initially brought into use in the mid-1890’s, by 1908 they were considered obsolete with the Regular Army bringing into use the more modern 4.5 inch Q.F. (quick firing) Howitzer. Each Battery had 4no Howitzers.
Jul: First Summer Camp
The Brigade left for their first Summer Camp in late July 1908.
Over 400 strong, the 4th Welsh Howitzer Brigade, who are under canvas at Aber, near Bangor, are exceptionally busy firing at targets in the Menai Straits. The signalling work is also well advanced. Last week the men were dressed in khaki, but this week they are in blue serge, with coloured belts. Excellent health prevails in camp.
Evening Express, 6/8/1908. Welsh Newspapers Online
The 4th Welsh Howitzer Brigade (Swansea) ……. have got through the maximum of work. Colonel Lardner Clark inspected the camp on Wednesday, when 72 rounds were fired with the 5in B.L. Howitzers, the range varying from 2,000 to 3,000 yards, and the results were very good. The batteries engaged were Nos 3 and 4 (Swansea, Neath and Briton Ferry), the battery commanders being Major Davey, Captain Q.T. Gregor, Captain C.J. Howell Thomas and Lieutenant Harris. After the firing the inspecting officer inspected the men’s dinners and all the books, and conducted a special examination of the trumpeters in the calls. No 3 Battery was also inspected in drill (dismounted).
….. The health of the camp continues excellent, the hospital being empty. The only untoward incident occurred at Bangor, Trumpeter Hoskins (Swansea) falling down in a fit in the High-street. He suddenly became delirious, and it took five of his companions and a policeman to hold him down. He was removed to the infirmary suffering from slight sunstroke, but he made a rapid recovery, and was soon discharged.
Evening Express, 8/8/1908. Welsh Newspapers Online
THE 4th WELSH HOWITZER. WHAT THE LIFE IS LIKE IN CAMP
The 4th Welsh howitzer Brigade R.F.A. returned to Swansea on Sunday morning, at eight o’clock, after having undergone a fortnight’s training at Aber, North Wales. The men looked bronzed and, well in their smart service kit with riding whips and spurs, and, as the inspecting officer put it, they constituted “a very serviceable body of men well fitted for a R.F.A. brigade.”
The duties in camp were well carried out, each man evidently knowing that he was there to do hard work for a short period, and well he did it.
It will interest our readers to know what the day’s round of duty in camp as like. Reveille sounded at 6.30 a.m., and the brigade was exercised in the Swedish drill until breakfast time. All meals were served in a large marquee capable of seating about 400 men, thus doing away with the insanitary practice of feeding the men in their own tents. One pound of good meat and as much bread and potatoes as desired were supplied to each man, and not a single complaint made to the officer of the day, one of whose duties it was to see that the meals were properly served out.
Six men slept in each tent, and these had a good supply of blankets issued to them. The comfort of the men was well studied. At, nine o’clock the commanding officer’s parade was held, all officers and men, with the exception of the cooks and orderlies being present. One battery was told off for gun practice, with the 5-in. B.L. Howitzer gun, and the remainder for gun drill and marching drill.
The Howitzers, which have a range of about 6,000 yards, are used for “high angle” fire, being fired under cover, for searching the enemy’s position. The gunners in charge lay their guns on aiming posts about 100 yards to the front, as they are unable to see the target at which they are firing. The aimers are placed in position by the battery commander and his officers, who give the “line of fire” by aid of their directors—instruments set up on tripods which give the angle necessary to place on the gun arc to bring the gun into line with the target. The officers were quite ebual to this work, and the line of fire was each day well directed, and would soon have destroyed the guns of the enemy, as they and the guns were on the reverse side of a slope.
At 3.30 each day the men were given leave, and many visited the neighbouring towns of Bangor and Llandudno, wearing their marching-out dress. which looked particularly smart and soldier-like. The regiment is well up to strength, and about 370 officers and men were under canvas, giving nearly 98 per cent. of the total number enrolled.
The duties of the medical officer, Surgeon-Captain D. A. Davies, were onerous, as he had to re-examine all the men under training. The adjutant, Capt. Burton, ILA., was busy during the whole period examining gun layers, fuze setters, and other specialists, without whom the correct service of the brigade would be impeded. The quarter-master, Captain J. Davies, was responsible for the laying out of the camp and the rations of the men, and ably discharged his duties The inspecting officer (Col. Gardner Clarke, R.A.), accompanied by an instructor of gunnery (Captain Ridout), made a two days’ examination of specialists, etc, saw the brigade at gun practice, and inspected the camp and equipment It is understood that he told the commanding officer that he was well pleased with the discipline and good work of the brigade.
During the 16 days’ training, excellent work was done, strict discipline was maintained, and the men had a good holiday. They proved themselves worthy soldiers of the Territorial Force, The officers in camp were Col. A. S. Gardner (commanding), Major Davey. Capt. G. S. Burton (adjutant), Capt. Gregor, Capt. Howell Thomas, Capt. H. Edwards. Capt. W. L. Davis. Lieut. Harris, Lieut. Simpson, Lieut. Davis, Lieut. Portsmouth. Capt. and Quarter-Mater J Davies, Surgeon-Captain D A. Davies.
Herald of Wales, 15/8/1908. Newspapers.com
Sep: Renumbering the Brigade
Throughout this period, it appears the question of Brigade seniority within the Territorial Welsh Division was causing concern amongst the officers.
In late September 1908, the decision was announced to renumber the Welsh Territorial Artillery Brigades. In consequence, the 4th Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade became the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade and the Brigade became the senior Artillery unit in the Territorial Welsh Division.
Renumbering of the Brigade also led to the renumbering of the batteries. The revised Brigade was made up of:
- Brigade Headquarters, Castle St, Swansea:
- 1st Glamorgan (Howitzer) Battery, Castle St, Swansea,
- 2nd Glamorgan (Howitzer) Battery, Quay Rd Drill Hall, Neath (Left Section) and Shelone Road Drill Hall, Briton Ferry (Right Section), and
- 1st Welsh Ammunition Column, Morriston.
Recruitment continued in 1908, and despite an overall shortage of 2,000 volunteers reported across all of Territorial units in Glamorgan, the Brigade was only 33 officers and men short of their establishment in November (with a strength of 343 men and 13 officers against an establishment of 373 men and 16 officers).
Nov: Officers Gazetted
On 6 November 1908, the London Gazette confirmed the Brigades’ officers :
On 10 November, the London Gazette also confirmed
- the honorary colonelcy of the Right Hon. Victor Albert George the Earl of Jersey, G.C.B, G.C.M.G
- Captain Frederick Henry Edwards, 2nd Glamorgan (Howitzer) Battery, 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade.