Lt. Christopher Trevor Elias Murphy (8194)

Enlisted in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps on 12th January 1916 and entered RGA Officer Cadet School on 4th August 1916. Commissioned in the RGA on 1st November 1916. Died of wounds while serving with 216 Siege Battery on 8th May 1918 and buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.

..........

Cpt  Vivian Telfer Pemberton

Born 9th May 1894, one of twin sons of George and Isabella Taylor Pemberton. Attended Cheltenham College from May 1907 to July 1913. Attended Sidney College, Cambridge University from 1913 to 1914.

Killed in action at Sancourt while serving with 216 Siege Battery 7th october 1918.

His twin brother Alexander Lancaster Pemberton was an acting Major in the Royal Artillery in WW1. His older brother Oswald, was killed in action at Festubert on 21st December 1914 while serving as a Captain in the 1st  bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers.

Thomas Arthur Holmes

Lance
bombardier
(106730)

Born Spondon, Derby
Enlisted Neston, Cheshire.

Died of wounds 24th April 1918 while serving with 216 Siege Battery.

Lt.Ernest Arthur Fisher

(Regimental number 2588)

Enlisted in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (Regimental number 2588)  on 4th January 1915.Commissioned in the RGA on 16th April 1915. Temporary Lieutenant, RGA on 1st July 1917.

Major Hilary Ralph Hood

Cpl.James Coker Cpl. 76418

Bombardier William Waters (79715)

William Waters

William Waters was born in 1893, the son of John and Jane Waters of Pantyglass Farm, Broadway, Laugharne, which is a village on the coast of Carmarthen Bay, in West Wales. He had an elder brother, Joseph, and younger siblings Mary Jane and Llewellyn Waters.

William enlisted at Carmarthen at the age of 22 years and 9 months along with his friend Herbert Roblin of Colston Farm, Laugharne. William was posted to the 216th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, with the service number 79715, while Herbert was posted to the Royal Field Artillery.

The 216th Siege Battery consisted of four 6” howitzers, which together with their crews formed a small part of 89 Heavy Artillery Group (HAG), originally attached to the 46th North Midland Division. The 46th Division had fought through some of the toughest campaigns of the Great War. They took a leading part in the opening of the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, suffering heavy casualties during an attack on Gommecourt, and fought through the later Battle of the Ancre, and following the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. By 14 July the 46th Division was in the Loos Sector, and 89 HAG was to play an important role in supporting the Divisions part in the forthcoming Battle for Hill 70.

On 15 August 1917, the Battle for Hill 70 began, near Loos. The 46th North Midland Division was in the thick of the fighting, with the Canadian Corps to its south, and 216 Siege Battery was fully involved in support of the assaulting troops.

William was part of the crew of No. 3 gun, and while the battery was involved in laying down a bombardment in support of the assaulting Canadians on 16 August 1917, a German shell fell into the gun pit of No. 3, killing three men outright, and severely wounding the remainder of the crew. William was one of the dead. On 27 August, William’s parents received a letter from his Company Chaplain dated 22 August 1917-

‘France, 22nd August 1917. Dear Mrs. Waters, it is my most painful duty to inform you that your son, Bombardier W. Waters, was killed in action on the afternoon of the 16th August. His gun was just ready to fire when a Hun shell fell into the gun pit causing the whole detachment to become casualties. It will be a little consolation to you to know that death was practically instantaneous, and that he suffered no pain. He was buried on the following day at a British Cemetery, some distance behind the battery, being laid to rest with two others of the same detachment. The Chaplain read the burial service at the graveside and a cross has been placed on the grave. He was loved by the men of the battery for his great character, strength and industry. By the officers he was admired for his keen sense of duty. Two days before his death he was promoted to Bombardier, and his future was very promising for further promotion. We feel his loss very much. Both officers and men combine in sending their deepest sympathy to you in your great bereavement.

I am, Yours Sincerely, C. T. E. Murphy, Second Lieutenant.’

Gunner Samuel Robinson (112412)

1898 - 1966

Letter of commendation from Major Hilary Ralph Hood

Samuel Robinson, Gunner with 216 Siege Battery RGA.

Went to France in December 1916 with the newly formed 216 Siege Battery.

Born in Cheshire 1898 and died 26.03.1966

Lived most of his life in the village of Barnton Cheshire, married to Florence and had two children; Samuel Maurice and Joseph Donald Robinson.

Served on no: 6 gun in 1918.

No.6 2210 ?
Cpl. Stewart
gnr.Baldwin
gnr.Wright
gnr.Adams
gnr.Ga(i)llard
gnr.Painter
gnr.Robinson
gnr.Pickles
bdr.Howard

In 1919 Samuel Robinson was given a written testimonial by Major Hilary Ralph Hood (CO 216 Siege Battery.)

The testimonial reads as follows:

Personal

28.1.1919

To all whom it may concern

This is to certify that Gunner Robinson.S. No: 112412 has served in the unit under my command since its formation in August 1916 over two years of which have been spent on Active Service on the Western Front. Gunner Robinson has served his gun during two years of heavy fighting and has exhibited the highest standards of courage, energy, and devotion to duty. He is one of the few survivors of the old Battery and I consider him one of the most reliable and efficient soldiers under my command.

I feel sure that he will justify any confidence placed in him, and I shall have much pleasure in recommending him for any position of responsibility or trust.

Hilary.R.Hood

Major RGA

Commanding 216th Siege Btty.

Gunner Alfred J Payne.