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Alfred Farrell Stanway - War Service History

3 Aug 1914 Outbreak of war.
31 Aug 1914 Enlisted in Royal Field Artillery (RFA) at Stoke-on-Trent, at the age of 25.
2 Sep 1914 Joined RFA at Preston as a Gunner.
20 Oct 1914 Posted to RFA236 as Bombardier.
26 Oct 1914
Postcard showing Killkenny Barracks

Postcard to Nell Dutton:
"Dear Nell, I am on Guard tomorrow (NCO in charge) for 24hrs. My room is just by the cross x in the main block. Will write you again on Wed. Weather fine with just a few showers. Love Alf"

4 Nov 1914 Promoted to Sergeant. RFA236 becomes B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA.
July 1915 75th Brigade RFA attached to 16th Division Artillery and 16th (Irish) Division in Ireland.
August 1915 75th Brigade RFA moves from Ireland to Salisbury Plain.
2 Sep 1915 75th Brigade posted to France. Brigade marches from Rollestone to Amesbury and entrains for Southampton.
3 Sep 1915 75th Brigade arrives at Le Havre at 08:00 and entrains for St Omer.
4 Sep 1915 75th Brigade arrives at St Omer at 23:00 and marches to Merck St-Lieven. Billeted for two nights in outbuildings, and join the Guards Division. (Consisting of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grenadier Guards, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Coldstream Guards, 1st, 2nd Scots Guards, 1st, 2nd Irish Guards, 1st Welsh Guards)
6 Sep 1915 14:00, 75th Brigade RFA marches to Steenbecque and is billeted in the school and farm buildings
7 Sep 1915 11:00, 75th Brigade RFA marches to Neuf-Berquin
8 Sep 1915 B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA attached to C Battery, 91st Brigade RFA, at La-Flinque. In action in the Laventie, La-Flinque, Croix-Blanche area.
12 Sep 1915 Sergeant Hall, B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA killed in action
18 Sep 1915 75th Brigade RFA moved to Bethune area and placed in billets at Gorre
19 Sep 1915 Seven Drivers of C Battery, 75th Brigade RFA died after being buried and suffocated while asleep following the collapse of a sand pit wall.
26 Sep 1915 Guards Division become engaged in the Battle of Loos.
1 Oct 1915 75th Brigade RFA removed from front line to rest at wagon lines at Annequin.
2 Oct 1915 75th Brigade RFA return to front line.
5 Oct 1915 75th Brigade RFA receives heavy counter battery fire. One gun of B Battery badly damaged.
8 Oct 1915 B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA, in action shelling trenches at Hullich Road. End of the Battle of Loos
13 Oct 1915 Guards Division become engaged in the Actions of the Hohenzollern Reboubt
19 Oct 1915 End of the Actions of the Hohenzollern Reboubt
23 Oct 1915 75th Brigade RFA moved out of the line to Labouse for rest
27 Oct 1915 The gun damaged on 5 October, returned after repair
27 Oct 1915 75th Brigade RFA is inspected by His Royal Highness King George V
29 Oct 1915 75th Brigade returns to the front and into action
1 Nov 1915 One gun from B Battery, 75th Brigade rendered out of action due to damaged recoil springs.
2 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 980 rounds fired
3 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 1116 rounds fired
4 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 1183 rounds fired
6 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 818 rounds fired. One gun of B Battery out of action with a broken trigger.
7 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 345 rounds fired
15 Nov 1915 75th Brigade in action, 182 rounds fired
15 Feb 1916 Granted field leave for seven days
22 Feb 1916 Returns from leave and rejoins B Battery, 75th Brigade, which is at rest in the vicinity of Zeggars Cappel.
17 Mar 1916 75th Brigade marches to Houtkerque in the vicinity of Poperinghe, en route to Ypres.
18 Mar 1916 75th Brigade in action, positioned on the right bank of the Yser Canal, in the vicinity of Essex Farm. The troops are accommodated in dug outs, whilst the wagon lines are at Rome Farm and the Brigade HQ at Houtkerque.
20 Mar 1916 Heavy enemy counter-battery shelling of the canal bank causes the death of Brigade Orderly Officer, 2nd Lieutenant Ord Adams, who is killed instantly ten yards from his dug out when hit by a fragment of a 5.9 howitzer shell.
19 Apr 1916 B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA, in action providing support to repel attack in the Wieltje Salient.
28 Apr 1916 Yser Canal bank is shelled heavily by enemy counter battery fire, using gas shells. One casualty in the 75th Brigade RFA.
19 May 1916 75th Brigade RFA leaves the lines and return to the wagon lines at Rome Farm.
20 May 1916 75th Brigade RFA march to Ledringham.
22 May 1916 75th Brigade RFA march to Cape Gris Nez for rest.
7 Jun 1916 75th Brigade RFA returned to Ledringham and at rest.
14 Jun 1916 75th Brigade RFA moves into the line at Poperinghe.
1 Jul 1916
Night Scene on British Front - 1 Jul 1916

75th Brigade RFA batteries in action providing support in the Ypres salient. Start of the First Battle of the Somme.

30 Jul 1916 75th Brigade RFA moves to Proven, where the batteries entrain for St Pol.
31 Jul 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to Doullons.
1 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA is at Milly.
2 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA march to St Ledger des Authie via Halloy, Orville, Thievres and Authie.
7 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA prepares new positions south of Mailly Maillet.
14 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA returns to St Ledger des Authie.
16 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA moves into action, taking over from the 6th Division in the viscinity of Flers and Ginchy.
20 Aug 1916 Whilst in action supporting the Guards Division at Ginchy, B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA came under heavy counter battery fire. Over 200 5.9 shells and a number of 4.2 shells bombarded the battery. At the end of the bombardment there were about 20 7.7 airbursts. During this one gun carriage was destroyed. Captain Corbett, OIC, B Battery, extracted buried gun crew during the bombardment.
22 Aug 1916 One man of B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA wounded by premature firing of one of the guns.
29 Aug 1916 75th Brigade RFA leaves the line and marches to Thievres for rest.
31 Aug 1916 Granted proficiency pay class 1. 75th Brigade RFA marches to Coisy, via Sarton, Beauqueene and Talmas.
1 Sep 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to Vaux-sur-Somme, via Allonville, Querrieu, Portnoyelles, La Neuville and Corsie.
3 Sep 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to Bois de Tailles.
6 Sep 1916 75th Brigade RFA now in line south of Guillemont and commence firing.
8 Sep 1916 75th Brigade RFA firing on Ginchy in support of Guards Division attack.
10 Sep 1916 During the attack, 75th Brigade RFA fire the following;
  18 Pounder Rounds 4.5" Shells Gas Shells
Noon 7th to 9am 10th 8934 1419 250
Noon 9th to 9am 10th 5985 833  
9am 10th to 7:30pm 10th 3150 850  

11 Sep 1916 Captain Corbett, OIC, B Battery, 75th Brigade RFA is awarded the Military Cross as the result of his actions on 20 August 1916.
13 Sep 1916 B Battery is split between A and C Batteries. A Battery, 75th Brigade RFA moves to new positions in front of Trones Wood.
13 Sep 1916 Guards Division become engaged in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. A Battery, 75th Brigade RFA in action providing heavy shelling of Flers, Martinpuich and Courcelette.
20 Sep 1916 A Battery, 75th Brigade RFA move gun positions; all guns and limbers become bogged down in thick mud.
22 Sep 1916 End of the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
23 Sep 1916 75th Brigade RFA commences bombardment of Les Boeufs and Morval.
25 Sep 1916 Guards Division become engaged in the Battle of Morval. Les Boeufs captured by the Guards Division.
28 Sep 1916 End of the Battle of Morval.
30 Sep 1916 In the period 6th to the 30th September, 75th Brigade RFA sustain the following casualties; killed in action - 2 other ranks, wounded in action - 2 officers and 23 other ranks.

Ammunition expenditure during the same period is 40,000 18 pounder rounds and 6,000 4.5 shells.

1 Oct 1916 75th Brigade RFA engaged in heavy action shelling the area of Le Transloy, Thiepval and Le Sars.
24 Oct 1916 75th Brigade RFA engaged in specific shelling of Eclipse and Zenith trenches to provide support for the Guards Division attack.
2 Nov 1916 Guards Division captures Zenith trench at 19:00 hrs.
5 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA starts incendiary shelling of Le Transloy at 22:00 hrs.
10 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA leave the line and commence march to Hangest, having spent 11 weeks in continual action on the Somme.
11 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA at rest at Meaulte.
17 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to Argoeuvres.
18 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA at rest at Hangest.

End of the First Battle of the Somme.

30 Nov 1916 75th Brigade RFA departs Hangest.
1 Dec 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to Daours.
2 Dec 1916 75th Brigade RFA marches to wagon lines at Carnoy in the area of Combles.
18 Jan 1917 75th Brigade RFA positioned in the vicinity of Arderlu. The weather has become very cold, with heavy frosts. The coldest temperature recorded by the Brigade was 17 degrees below freezing.
11 Mar 1917 75th Brigade RFA now positioned at Bois Douage, providing support to the Guards Division.
14 Mar 1917 Guards Division become engaged in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line.
24 Mar 1917 End of the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line.
25 Mar 1917 75th Brigade RFA leave the front and move to Morancourt near Albert, for rest and training.
6 May 1917 Posted home.
7 May 1917 Posted to 5c Reserve Brigade RFA, at Charlton Park.
11 May 1917 Appointed to Cadetship.
29 Jun 1917 Posted to Officer Cadet School at Weedon.
30 Jul 1917
Postcard showing Fire Drill, Weedon Barracks

Postcard to Nell Dutton:
"Dear Nell, Your letter to hand this afternoon. This is barracks but it looks as if it was taken in winter, Best love Alf"

22 Nov 1917 Discharged from service to a Commission. Having completed 3 years 84 days service as an other rank.
23 Nov 1917 Commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant (Special Reserve) RFA.
1 Dec 1917
Alfred Stanway and Helen Dutton

Married Helen Hammersley (Nell) Dutton at Endon, Staffordshire.

10 Jan 1918 Posted to 3rd Army Artillery School.
10 Feb 1918 Leaves 3rd Army Artillery School and returns to Special Reserve RFA.
2 Jun 1918 Attached to 70th Brigade RFA, which is part of the 15th (Scottish) Division.
Joins the Brigade at Roclincourt where it is in line providing harassing fire.
18 Jun 1918 70th Brigade RFA is relieved by the 51st Divisional Artillery and returns to the wagon lines at Ecurie.
22 Jun 1918 70th Brigade RFA relieves the 41st Brigade RFA at Blangy Chateau.
24 Jun 1918 70th Brigade RFA provide a covering barrage for a raid by the 7/8th Kings Own Scottish Borders on Iceland trench.
26 Jun 1918 70th Brigade HQ is relocated to 6 Place St Croix, Arras.
15 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA is relieved by the 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
16 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Tinques.
17 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA entrain at Tinques at 08:30hrs and travel to Clermont via St Pol, Doullens, Amiens, Poix, Beauvais and Nogent, arriving at Clermont at 23:00 hrs.
18 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Nointel.
19 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Pont de la Croix via Pont St Maxence and Verberie.
20 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Vieux Moulin via St Jeanne au Bois.
21 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Monte Fontaine via Reteuil.
22 Jul 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to St Pierre Aigle, and goes into action with the 1st United States Division near Chaudin.
30 Jul 1918 Granted home leave.
6 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA at rest at Etree-Wamin, where French decorations are distributed in recognition of their work on the Soissons front.
14 Aug 1918 Returns from leave and rejoins 70th Brigade RFA at Etree-Wamin.
17 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA relieves the 280th Brigade RFA at Agny.
18 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA move wagon lines forward to Agny Chateau, ready for advance.
26 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA in action at Tilloy, supporting 27th Canadian Division. Batteries later moved to a position east of Bois des Boefs and resume action.
27 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA move batteries to new position north west of Wancourt, and provide support for the 4th Canadian Brigade's successful attack on Gwemappe and Wancourt.
28 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA moves to a position east of Wancourt.
29 Aug 1918 70th Brigade RFA in action supporting successful attack on Vis-an-Artois.
2 Sep 1918 70th Brigade RFA in position south east of Buiry.
5 Sep 1918 70th Brigade RFA relieved and return to Arras.
6 Sep 1918 70th Brigade RFA marches to Hersin.
7 Sep 1918 70th Brigade RFA relieves 59th Brigade, 11th Division in Loos sector, covering 46th Brigade, 15th Division.
17 Sep 1918 2nd Lieutenants Potter, Field and Aspinall, 70th Brigade RFA, are killed in action near Fossey de Bethune.
23 Sep 1918 70th Brigade RFA move wagon lines to Barlin.
1 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA in position at Eluaston Castle, Loos.
15 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA in position west of the canal at Vendin.
17 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Libercourt.
19 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA in action around Molpas and Laverdere.
20 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Berco.
21 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Petit Rumes.
27 Oct 1918 70th Brigade RFA arrest a number of civilians behind the lines, suspected of being enemy agents.
30 Oct 1918 Enemy aeroplane drops propaganda leaflets over 70th Brigade RFA's position.
6 Nov 1918 Admitted to Field Hospital, sick.
8 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Nis Velvin Chateau.
9 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Antoing.
10 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Tourpes.
11 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Ormeiqnies.
Armistice signed at 11am.
22 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA move forward to Jardin Chateau.
27 Nov 1918 70th Brigade RFA hold a brigade sports day.
1 Dec 1918 Admitted to Field Hospital, with influenza. (Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918.) Invalided to England.
2 Dec 1918 Sails from Boulogne to Dover. Admitted to 1st Western General Hospital, Liverpool.
12 Dec 1918 Transferred to an auxiliary hospital for 1 month.
9 Apr 1919 Granted home leave.
30 Apr 1919 Posted to No 5 Reserve Brigade.
9 May 1919 Demobilised to the Special Reserve of Officers.
23 May 1919 Promoted to Lieutenant. Gazetted 1st January 1920.
29 Apr 1920 Whilst at The Special Surgical Military Hospital, Birmingham, resigns commission due to bad health
5 Jun 1920 Letter received from the War Office accepting resignation as of 1st April 1920. Gazetted 14th June 1920.
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