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|mascot=
|battles=First World War:<br> [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]<br>Second World War:<br>[[Battle of France]]<br>[[Dunkirk evacuation]]<br>[[Operation Overlord|Normandy]]
|notable_commanders=[[Sidney Kirkman|Sir Sidney Kirkman]]
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''1st Fife Artillery Volunteers''', later the '''Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery''', was a volunteer unit first recruited in [[Fife]]shire, [[Scotland]], in 1860, which fought on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] in the [[World War I|First World War]]. Its successor units expanded recruitment to [[Aberdeenshire]] and again fought in North West Europe, during the [[World War II|Second World War]].
 
==Volunteer Force (1859–1908)==
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* 11th ([[Kinghorn]]) Fife Artillery Volunteers, formed on 30 April 1863
[[File:SERGEANT ANDREW FOSTER.jpg|thumb|left|Sgt Andrew Foster of Dysart Fife in full dress uniform, c1905]]
Together, these units comprised the 1st Fifeshire Administrative Brigade based in St Andrews under the command of Lt-Col W.H.M. Dougall, a Royal Navy officer. The administrative brigade also included the 1st and 2nd Stirlingshire AVCs at [[Grangemouth]] and [[Stirling]] respectively. It retained its organisation of 13 corps (later companies) throughout the 19th century. They were not connected with the [[Fifeshire Artillery Militia|Fife Artillery]], which was a [[Militia (United Kingdom)|Militia]] regiment based in [[Cupar]].<ref name = List>''Monthly Army List'' January 1866, Januaryvarious 1872dates.</ref>
Despite the ban on Volunteer involvement in politics, the band of the 5th Fife Artillery Volunteers illegally took part in a trade union demonstration in July 1873. This was a recurrent problem with the Volunteer bands, which were only nominally under military control.<ref>Beckett, p. 145.</ref>
 
At the time of the [[Childers Reforms]] in 1881, the Administrative Brigade was consolidated as the 1st Fifeshire Artillery Volunteers, covering Fifeshire and Stirlingshire, ranked 18th in the order of precedence of Artillery Volunteers. LaterIn it1882 wasall includedthe inartillery volunteers were attached to one of the Scottishterritorial Divisiongarrison divisions of the [[Royal Artillery]] (RA), and the unit it was included in the [[Scottish Division, Royal Artillery|Scottish Division]].<ref>''Monthly ArmyWhen List''the DecemberScottish 1880Division was disbanded in 1889 the unit transferred to the [[Southern Division, JanuaryRoyal 1884Artillery|Southern Division]].</ref name = List/>
 
In 1889, a position battery of 16-Pounder Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) guns was issued to the Corps and manned by 3rd Battery. <ref name = Grierson/> In 1892, this became the 1st Position Battery, with the 1st (Tayport) Company becoming the 2nd Position Battery, whilst the 2nd Company became the 3rd Position Battery.
 
In 1900, a new 14th Company was formed at Kirkaldy. <ref name = Grierson/>
 
ByIn the end of the century,1899 the Artillery Volunteers had beenwere attached to the [[Royal Garrison Artillery]] (RGA), withand when the 1stdivisional Fifeshirestructure formingwas part of its Southern Division.<ref>''Monthly Army List'' January 1899.</ref> In 1902,abolished the unit was redesignated asthe '''1st Fifeshire RGA (Volunteers)''' on 1 January 1902. There was also an affiliated Cadet Corps at Kirkcaldy High School.<ref>''Quarterly Armyname = List'' October 1907.</ref>
 
==Territorial Force (TF)==
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The Highland (Fifeshire) RGA consisted of a heavy battery equipped with [[QF 4.7-inch Gun Mk I–IV|4.7-inch guns]] and an ammunition column, based at Kirkcaldy, later at the Drill Hall, Elgin Street, [[Dunfermline]], and was assigned to the [[51st (Highland) Division|Highland Division]] of the TF. From 1908 until the outbreak of war in August 1914, it was commanded by Major Lord Bruce, son of the Honorary Colonel of the 1st Fife RGA, the [[Victor Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin|9th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine]] (and himself later [[Edward Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin|10th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine]]).<ref name = MAL14/><ref>Litchfield, p. 283.</ref><ref name = Burke>''Burke''.</ref><ref name = Becke51/><ref name = Trail51>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/51st-highland-division/ 51st (Highland) Division at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>
 
==First World War I==
 
===1/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Battery===
The Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery mobilised at Dunfermline and joined the Highland Division, which was concentrating around [[Bedford]] as part of [[First Army (Home Forces)|First Army]] of [[Central Force (United Kingdom)|Central Force]]. Having separated 'Home Service' men, who remained at the depots forming 2nd Line units with the recruits who were coming in, the division's 1st Line units (now distinguished by the prefix '1/') undertook training for overseas service. The Highland Division was later designated [[51st (Highland) Division]].<ref name = Becke51>Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 103–5.</ref>
 
====Aubers Ridge====
1/1st Highland Battery went to France with the Highland Division, to join the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War I)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]], landing on 4 May 1915. However, artillery policy in the BEF was to withdraw heavy batteries from the divisions and group them into dedicated heavy artillery formations, so the battery was immediately posted to II Group, Heavy Artillery Reserve for the [[Battle of Aubers Ridge]].<ref name = Becke51/><ref name = Trail51/><ref name = TNA>[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4558646 'Allocation of Heavy Batteries RGA' and 'Allocation of HA Groups', The National Archives (TNA), Kew, file WO 95/5494.]</ref><ref name = FarnE>Farndale, ''Western Front'', Annex E.</ref> II Heavy Artillery Reserve consisted of a variety of heavy and siege batteries whose role was to support the assault of [[IV Corps (United Kingdom)|IV Corps]] by demolishing strongpoints and farms that were beyond the range of divisional field guns, and for [[Counter-battery fire|counter-battery]] (CB) fire in the Ligny le Grand–[[Aubers]]–[[Fromelles]] sector. The group was provided with [[Royal Flying Corps]] reconnaissance aircraft fitted with wireless to assist observation in the flat country. The bombardment began at 05.00 on 9 May, and soon reports came in that many of the shells were falling short of their targets. This was due to faulty ammunition and wear and tear on the old 4.7-inch gun barrels. In many cases the copper driving bands stripped off the shells as they left the barrels, resulting in the shell turning end over end and landing anywhere, even deep in the British support positions.<ref> Edmonds, ''1915'', Vol II, pp. 32–3.</ref> In spite of the CB fire, German guns were able to open up on the British trenches, which were soon packed with wounded men from the first attacking wave, and support troops waiting to follow up. A second attempt to attack in the afternoon was hampered by the shortage of artillery ammunition to repeat the bombardment.<ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', pp. 103–7.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-battle-of-aubers/ Aubers Ridge at Long, Long Trail.]</ref><ref name = BeckeIV>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 156–9.</ref>
 
The battery had been assigned to III Heavy Artillery Brigade on arrival in France, now it was moved to IV Heavy Bde on 3 July and VIII Heavy Bde on 20 August, before being attached to [[5th Division (United Kingdom)|5th Divisional Artillery]] from 4 September to 6 November. It then rejoined VIII Heavy Bde.<ref name = TNA/>
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====Reorganisation====
On 10 December 1916, the battery was withdrawn from the line to rest and refit, replacing its 4.7-inch guns with [[60-pounder]]s. On 23 January 1917, it was joined by a section from [[201st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery|201st Heavy Battery]],{{efn|201st Heavy Bty had been formed at [[Woolwich Garrison|Woolwich]] on 24 June 1916; its other sections were posted to [[Edinburgh City Artillery#1/1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery|1/1st Lowland]] and 151st (Darlington) Hvy Btys.<ref name = Frederick696>Frederick, pp. 696–701.</ref><ref name = TNA/>}} making it up to six guns. It then returned to action on 29 January. It moved to 56th HAG on 19 February 1917 and 4th HAG on 14 March (both with Reserve Army, now renamed [[Fifth Army (United Kingdom)|Fifth Army]]) and then transferred to [[XVII Corps (United Kingdom)|XVII Corps]] in [[Third Army (United Kingdom)|Third Army]] with 7th HAG on 21 March. This corps was preparing for the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]].<ref name = TNA/><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', p. 169.</ref><ref name = BeckeThird>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 92–8.</ref><ref name = BeckeXVII>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 235–8.</ref>
[[File:60pdrsFeuchyBattleOfArras1917.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A battery of 60-pounders deployed during the Battle of Arras, 1917.]]
 
====Arras====
There were many more guns available for this attack and the artillery plan was much more carefully worked out than previous operations. It began with systematic CB work to put the German artillery out of action. Then, at Zero hour, howitzers laid a standing barrage on the German trenches while the 60-pounders swept and searched in depth to catch machine gunners and moving infantry. As the attacking infantry reached their second objective (the Blue Line), their field guns moved up in support and the 60-pounder batteries moved forward into the vacated positions. On XVII Corps' front the attack was a great success, the 60-pounders laying a standing barrage on the distant final objective until the infantry reached it. However, the follow-up over succeeding days was less successful, the guns having to be moved forward through mud and destruction, and the later bombardments were rushed and less effective. Fighting on the Arras front dragged on into May.<ref>Farndale, pp. 164–74.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-arras-offensive-1917-battle-of-arras/ Arras at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>
 
====Flanders====
1/1st Highland Hvy Bty moved to 48th HAG on 16 May 1917, to 3rd HAG on 29 May, to 73rd on 26 June, and then to 28th HAG in [[Fourth Army (United Kingdom)|Fourth Army]] on 7 July. Fourth Army was at the time stationed on the [[Flanders]] coast awaiting a breakthrough at [[Third Battle of Ypres|Ypres]] that never came.<ref name = TNA/><ref name = BeckeFourth/><ref>Wolff, pp. 143–7.</ref> Eventually, the battery was transferred on 11 September to 35th HAG with [[Second Army (United Kingdom)|Second Army]], which was taking over the direction of the faltering offensive. The Battles of the [[Battle of the Menin Road Ridge|Menin Road]], [[Battle of Polygon Wood|Polygon Wood]] and [[Battle of Broodseinde|Broodseinde]] were highly successful because of the weight of artillery brought to bear on German positions. But as the offensive continued with the [[Battle of Poelcappelle]] and First and Second Battles of [[Battle of Passchendaele|Passchendaele]], the tables were turned: British batteries were clearly observable from the Passchendaele Ridge and were subjected to CB fire, while their own guns sank into the mud and became difficult to aim and fire. 1/1st Highland Hvy Bty had been moved to 28th HAG on 17 October, then on 27 October, as the fighting at Passchendaele ground on, it was transferred away to 83rd HAG toat [[Écurie]], near [[Arras]], in the quiet sector of First Army's front.<ref name = TNA/><ref name = BeckeSecond>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 82–6.</ref><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', pp. 211–13.</ref><ref>Wolff, pp. 223–35, 249–51.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-battles-of-ypres-1917-third-ypres/ Third Ypres at Long, Long Trail.]</ref><ref name = 83WD>[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/04e3f37827b0463f91a73fe950f161e8 83rd Bde RGA War Diary February 1917–February 1919], TNA file WO 95/478/4.</ref>
 
In the winter of 1917–18 the HAGs were reorganised as permanent brigades. 83rd HAG became 83rd Brigade, RGA, on 1 January 1918, defined as a 'Mixed' brigade, with 60-pdrs and various calibres of howitzers, assigned to CB duties under [[XIII Corps (United Kingdom)|XIII Corps]]. 1/1st Highland Heavy Bty served with 83rd Bde until the end of the war.<ref name = TNA/><ref name = FarnE/><ref name = 83WD/><ref name = HAG>[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4558646 'Headquarters Heavy Artillery Groups', TNA file WO 95/5494/1.]</ref><ref name = FarnM>Farndale, Annex M.</ref><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 72–4.</ref>
From late 1917, batteries ceased to be swapped between HAGs, and from 27 October 1917 until the end of the war a year later, 1/1st Highland Heavy Bty served with 83rd HAG (later 83rd Heavy Brigade). 83rd Brigade was a mixed grouping of heavy guns serving with [[First Army (United Kingdom)|First Army]].<ref name = TNA/><ref name = FarnE/><ref name = FarnM>Farndale, ''Western Front'', Annex M.</ref>
 
====Spring Offensive====
The Allies were expecting the Germans to launch their [[German spring offensive|Spring offensive]] shortly. 83rd Brigade's forward gun positions on [[Vimy Ridge]], including 1/1st Highland Bty's two-gun 'C' position at [[Willerval]], were prepared for all-round defence. During February and March the gun positions and the nearby village of [[Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult|Bailleul]] were regularly shelled with [[Shell (projectile)#High-explosive shells|high explosive]] and [[Mustard gas]].<ref name = 83WD/><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 78–80.</ref> First Army was not affected by the first phase of the German Spring offensive ([[Operation Michael]]), but came under attack in the second phase ([[Operation Michael#First Battle of Arras, 28 March|Operation Mars]]) beginning on 28 March. Just before the attack 83rd Bde had pulled its most forward batteries back behind the ridge, avoiding much of the German bombardment when it opened at 03.00. The British heavy artillery replied with devastating CB fire, but 1/1st Highland Bty's two guns on Vimy Ridge were soon put out of action, one with a split trail, the other with its sight bracket shot off; the gunners joined other batteries to keep up the defensive fire. Once the attack began much of the brigade's fire was at short range in support of [[56th (1st London) Division|56th (1/1st London) Division]] and directed by that division's observation posts, the two-gun rear section of 1/1st Highland Bty firing around 500 rounds. Several times the heavy guns caught massed German troops advancing in the open. Although its casualties were heavy and it had to fall back to the Bailleul–Willerval 'Red Line', 56th Division managed to hold the German attack. German casualties had been so heavy that they only made a few tentative advances in the afternoon, and did not renew the attack on the following days. At midnight on 29 March XIII Corps was relieved by [[Canadian Corps]] whose fresh troops took over the line. 1/1st Highland Bty had suffered one man killed and eight wounded during the action.<ref name = 83WD/><ref name = BeckeFirst>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 74–8.</ref><ref>Blaxland, pp. 84-6.</ref><ref>Edmonds, ''1918'', Vol II, pp. 59–73,Sketches 8 & 9.</ref><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', p. 275.</ref><ref>Dudley Ward, pp. 225–36.</ref><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 87–96.</ref>
Part of First Army was engaged at Arras on 28 March 1918 ([[Operation_Michael#First_Battle_of_Arras,_28_March|Operation Mars]]), the second phase of the German [[Spring Offensive]], when the British heavy artillery replied with devastating CB fire.<ref name = BeckeFirst>Becke, Pt 4, pp. 74–8.</ref><ref>Blaxland, pp. 84-6.</ref><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', p. 275.</ref> Then most of First Army was involved in heavy fighting in the [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Battle of the Lys]] in April, when the third German offensive (Operation Georgette) failed to break through in the Ypres sector.<ref name = BeckeFirst/><ref>Blaxland, pp. 117–23.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-battles-of-the-lys-1918/ Lys at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>
 
The brigade returned to routine harassing fire and aeroplane shoots during April, with 1/1st Highland Bty's remaining two guns grouped with two from 116th Hvy Bty as a composite battery known as '60-pdr R'. By 15 April 1/1st Highland Bty was back up to four guns, and was temporarily controlled by 50th Bde, RGA, under Canadian Corps. The corps' front was not involved in the [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Battle of the Lys]] in April, when the third German offensive (Operation Georgette) failed to break through in the Ypres sector.<ref name = 83WD/><ref name = BeckeFirst/> Routine firing continued through the summer months, with [[XVII Corps (United Kingdom)|XVII Corps]] and Canadian Corps alternating in command of the Vimy front. On 18 July 83rd Bde was ordered to go into GHQ Reserve under [[VIII Corps (United Kingdom)|VIII Corps]]. The batteries pulled out by sections and marched to the [[Gouy-Servins]] area, where the 60-pdr batteries underwent training and tactical exercises in open warfare.<ref name = 83WD/><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 97–107.</ref>
 
====The Hundred Days====
[[File:The_Hundred_Days_Offensive,_August-november_1918_Q6995.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A 60-pounder moving up during the Hundred Days Offensive, 1918.]]
On 181 August 1918,the heavy batteries marched from Servins while the rest of the brigade entrained, and by 7 August 83rd Bde had moved tointo positions at [[Gentelles|Gentelles Wood]] in the Somme sector under [[Fourth Army (United Kingdom)|Fourth Army]] and served with which it served during the triumphal advance of the [[Hundred Days Offensive]] of 1918.<ref name = TNA/><ref name = FarnM/><ref name = 83WD/><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 108–16.</ref>
 
Fourth Army launched the offensive at 04.20 on 8 August at the [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Battle of Amiens]], with all the guns of 83rd Bde supporting Canadian Corps with a prearranged programme of barrage, harassing and concentration fire, fired without any prior registration. The attack was so successful that by 10.50 the enemy were completely out of range, even for the 60-pdrs, after which the brigade was kept in reserve. Next day the brigade advanced to [[Beaucourt-en-Santerre|Beaucourt]] and at 13.35 the 60-pdrs came into action (in front of the field artillery) to support an attack at 14.00. On 10 August [[31st Division (United Kingdom)|31st Division]] took over the front and 83rd Bde moved up close behind on the [[Warvillers]]–[[Folies]] road, and commenced night harassing fire as the front settled down.<ref name = BeckeFourth/><ref name = 83WD/><ref>Edmonds, ''1918'', Vol IV, pp. 40–58, 96–103, Sketches 3 & 8.</ref><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', pp. 287–90, Map 38.</ref><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 117–8.</ref>
 
On 21 August, the [[31st Army Corps (France)|XXXI French Corps]] took over the sector with 83rd Bde attached to it, supporting its capture of [[Fresnoy-en-Chaussée|Fresnoy]] on 26 August. By the end of the month the brigade's 60-pdr batteries were being pushed forward alongside the French [[Canon de 75 modèle 1897|75mm field guns]] at the least sign of German withdrawal. On 7 September the brigade moved to Renancourt near [[Amiens]] and two days later reverted to British command in GHQ Reserve.<ref name = 83WD/><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 124–9.</ref>
 
ByOn 14 September, 83rd Bde came under Fourth Army once more, and marched to St Quentin Wood, arriving on 17 September. Next day it took part in the end[[Battle of Épehy]], beginning at 05.20. In the afternoon a German counter-attack was crushed by the massed British artillery. Over the next few days the guns carried out HF and CB tasks, particularly against the strongpoint known as the Quadrilateral, though they also received a good deal of enemy shellfire, especially on 21–23 September when 1/1st Highland Bty lost 2 other ranks killed and 9 wounded. On 27 September the 60-pdr carried out a heavy programme of harassing fire on enemy road junctions, railways and HQs as Fourth Army had closed up to the [[Hindenburg Line]]. On 29 September [[IX Corps (United Kingdom)|IX Corps]] carried out an [[Battle of the St Quentin Canal|assault crossing of the St Quentin Canal]], with 83rd Bde amongst the mass of artillery supporting the operation. The canal defences had largely been destroyed by the heavy guns, which continued firing on the canal banks until the last possible moment as [[Staffordshire Brigade|137th (Staffordshire) Brigade]] of [[46th (North Midland) Division]] stormed the outpost line and then scrambled across the canal in the morning mist. The objectives were taken by 15.30; and 83rd Bde was moved forward to fresh positions along the canal that day and the following day. From now on the lighter guns of the brigade, including 1/1st Highland Bty, were affiliated directly to 46th (NM) Division for the advance.<ref name = BeckeFourth/><ref name = 83WD/><ref>Blaxland, pp. 232–7.</ref><ref>Edmonds, ''1918'', Vol IV, pp. 476–89.</ref><ref>Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 101–6, 130, 139.</ref><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 133–53.</ref>
 
By 3 October, the brigade was supporting IX Corps' attack on the [[Battle_of_St_Quentin_CanalBattle of St Quentin Canal#Subsequent_fightingSubsequent fighting|Beaurevoir Line]], bombarding [[Sequehart]], [[Ramicourt]], [[Montbrehain]] and other commanding features. Fourth Army then pursued the Germans to the [[River Selle]], the 60-pdrs and lighter howitzers keeping up with the advance and coming into action as required. From 11 to 17 October itFourth Army prepared for another set-piece attack with vigorous HF and CB work, 83rd Bde among the mass of artillery supporting IX Corps. The successful assault of 17 October (the [[Battle of the Selle]]) was followed by another on 23 October: a moonlight attack with 83rd Bde supporting [[1stHistory Infantryof the British 1st Division (Unitedduring Kingdom)the World Wars|1st Division]].<ref name = BeckeFourth/><ref name = 83WD/><ref>Blaxland, pp. 238–40, 251–2.</ref><ref>Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 159–64, 295, 299–305, 354–6.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/the-final-advance-in-picardy/Walters Picardy& atHurle LongHobbs, Longpp. Trail158–60.]</ref> As the regimental historian wrote:
:"The guns of Fourth Army demonstrated, on 23rd October, the crushing effect of well co-ordinated, massed artillery. They simply swept away the opposition and, though stiff fighting was reported in places, it was not on a large scale".<ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', pp. 311–2.</ref>
 
FourthBy Armynow continued83rd Bde had left its advanceheavier fromhowitzers behind, and on 27 October the Selle60-pdr batteries left their guns under guard and the gunners went back to [[Bohain]] for rest. They returned to the line with the rest of the brigade on 4 November when Fourth Army crossed the [[Sambre Canal]] (the [[Battle of the Sambre (1918)|Battle of the Sambre]]) with massive fire support. Next day 46th (NM) Division pushed on, whichand itthe 60-pdr batteries crossed the canal with four guns each on 46 November, afterwith 1/1st Highland Bty coming in to action at midday. whichDuring the night it carried out harassing fire at extreme range, and this continued as the advance became a pursuit, in which most ofall, the heavyheavier artilleryguns washaving been left behind,. heldOn up10 byNovember blownthe bridges.guns Theremained in readiness until the [[Armistice with Germany]] came into force on 11the Novemberfollowing day.<ref name = BeckeFourth/><ref name = 83WD/><ref>Blaxland, pp. 254, 261.</ref><ref>Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 464–8, 499–502, 507–8, 519–21.</ref><ref>Farndale, ''Western Front'', p. 319.</ref><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, pp. 162–68.</ref>
 
After the Armistice 83rd Bde was selected to be part of the [[British Army of the Rhine|Army of Occupation]] in Germany. In December it marched towards the frontier but went into winter quarters near [[Andenne]] in Belgium. [[Demobilization|Demobilisation]] began in January 1919.<ref name = 83WD/><ref>Walters & Hurle Hobbs, p. 169.</ref>
 
===2/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Battery===
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==Interwar==
When the TF was reformed inon 7 February 1920, the battery was reconstituted as the '''1st (Highland) Medium Brigade, RGA''', with the headquarters now at [[Aberdeen]]. As well as men from the former Highland (Fifeshire) Battery, personnel were drawn from six companies of the 6th (Banff and Donside) and four companies of 7th (Deeside) Battalions of the [[Gordon Highlanders]] to bring it up to a strength of four batteries. It was renumbered as the '''5th (Highland) Medium Brigade''' in 1921 when the TF was reorganised as the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA). In 1924, the RGA was absorbed into the RA. The brigade was classed as 'Army Troops' within 51st (Highland) Divisional Area. By 1927, the unit's organisation was as follows:<ref name = Frederick723>Frederick, pp. 723, 734, 737.</ref><ref name = Litchfield>Litchfield, p. 271.</ref><ref>''Titles and Designations'', 1927.</ref><ref>Litchfield, Appendix IV.</ref><br>
'''56th (Highland) Medium Brigade, RA (TA)'''
* HQ at Aberdeen
* 221st ([[Peterhead]]) Medium Battery (Howitzers) – ''ex 7th Gordons''
* 222nd ([[Fraserburgh]]) Medium Battery (Howitzers) – ''ex 7th Gordons''
* 223rd ([[Banffshire]]) Medium Battery (Howitzers) – ''ex 6th Gordons''
* 224th (Fife) Medium Battery – ''ex Highland Bty''
 
InOn 1 February 1938, the Dunfermline-based 224th (Fife) Bty was transferred to provide the basis for a new [[71st (Forth) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|71st (Forth) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA]].<ref name = Frederick723/><ref>Frederick, p. 773.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19380113&id=tD9AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fVkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4924,1792330 ''Glasgow Herald'' 13 January 1938.]</ref><ref>''Monthly Army List'', January 1938.</ref> It was replaced by 174th Bty, transferred from the North Scottish Heavy Brigade (formerly the [[North Scottish Royal Garrison Artillery|North Scottish RGA]]), a coast defence unit that included part of 1st Fifeshire RGA when it was reorganised in 1908 (''see above''). InOn 1 November 1938, the RA renamed its brigades as regiments. Thus, by 1939, the unit's organisation was:<ref name = Litchfield/><ref name = AL>''Army Lists'', various dates.</ref><br>
'''56th (Highland) Medium Regiment, RA (TA)'''
* HQ at Drill Hall, 43 Skene Terrace, Aberdeen
Line 119 ⟶ 127:
* 223rd (Banffshire) Battery (H) at [[Banff, Aberdeenshire|Banff]]
 
JustAfter the [[Munich Crisis]] the TA was doubled in size and just before the outbreak of war in September 1939, the regiment was split into two: 56th Medium Regiment retained 174 and 221 Btys; the new 65th Medium Regiment based in Banff had 222 and 223 Btys. Both regiments formed part of the Highland Area of [[Scottish Command]].<ref name = Frederick723/><ref name = Litchfield/><ref>[http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6693&page=1 Scottish Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files]</ref><ref name = BMH39>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/Highland-Area-1939-.pdf |title=Highland Area 1939 at British Military History. |access-date=2015-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221216/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/Highland-Area-1939-.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
==Second World War==▼
 
▲==Second World War II==
===56th (Highland) Medium Regiment===
The regiment went to France with the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] in October 1939 as part of [[III Corps (United Kingdom)|III Corps]].<ref name = BMH39/><ref name = Ellis>[http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-I.html Ellis, Appendix I.]</ref><ref name = Joslen>Joslen, p. 462.</ref>
Line 128 ⟶ 135:
When the [[Battle of France]] began on 10 May 1940, the regiment accompanied the BEF's advance into Belgium, and then its retirement to defend the Escaut line.<ref>Ellis, p. 71.</ref> German breakthroughs elsewhere forced the BEF to retreat to Dunkirk, where the artillery had to destroy its guns and await evacuation ([[Operation Dynamo]]).
 
After the evacuation from Dunkirk, the regiment became part of [[Eastern Command (United Kingdom)|Eastern Command]] of Home Forces in June 1940.<ref name = Nigel>[http://nigelef.tripod.com/regtsumm.htm British Artillery in World War 2.]</ref><ref name=RA56>[httphttps://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/medunits/page22.htmlmedium-regiments/56-highland-medium-regiment-rata 56 Med Rgt at RA 39–45.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231349/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/med/page22.html |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> It was sent, with whatever guns could be obtained, to assist in the defence of [[Essex]], where it came under the Commander Royal Artillery (CRA) of [[15th (Scottish) Division]]. According to the divisional historian:
 
:'The guns had the stupendous task of covering from static positions the whole forty miles of the Divisional front from [[Southend]] along the Essex coast to [[Harwich]]. And what guns! The field regiments averaged eight museum pieces per regiment&nbsp;... The pride of the C.R.A.'s flock was the 56th Medium Regiment, which he superimposed over the whole front. Its armament showed a pleasing variety, consisting of four [[BL 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer|6-inch howitzers]], six [[Newton 6-inch Mortar|6-inch mortars]], two [[QF 4.7-inch Gun Mk I–IV|4.7-inch Q.F. naval guns]], two [[BL 4 inch naval gun Mk VII|4-inch B.L. naval guns]], one [[Canon de 75 modèle 1897|75m]] (French) gun taken off a ship, two [[QF 12 pounder 18 cwt naval gun|12-pounders]] on fixed mountings, and four [[QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss|6-pounders]]. The rumour that [[Mons Meg]] was on her way south to join the party proved unfounded'.<ref>Martin, p. 8.</ref>
 
The Essex coastal defences were stood down in 1941 and the units returned to training.<ref>Martin, p. 10.</ref> 56th Medium Regiment never saw active service again. In January 1943 it was reorganised as a reserve or holding regiment, being joined between 1 and 11 January by 139 and 140 Field Btys from 167th Field Rgt and 95 and 96 Medium Btys from 71st Medium Rgt (both of which were being disbanded), and by 7 and 10 Heavy Btys from 53rd Heavy Rgt.<ref name = Frederick723/><ref>Frederick, pp. 537, 557, 738.</ref> It then joined [[76th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|76th Infantry (Reserve) Division]] on 25 January 1943.<ref name = Joslen41>Joslen, remainingpp. 41 & 99.</ref> The attached field and heavy batteries were transferred to 60th Heavy Rgt on 20 July, but 7 Hvy Bty returned on 22 October. 95 Medium Bty was disbanded on 10 November 1943.<ref name = Frederick723/> The regiment remained with it76th Division until 1 September 1944, when the division was disbanded, andwhen the regimentit joined [[47th (London) Infantry Division|47th Infantry (Reserve) Division]] until the end of the war.<ref name = Nigel/><ref name = RA56/><ref>Joslen, pp.name="Joslen41" 41 & 99.</ref>
 
As the war in Europe was ending in early 1945 the regiment underwent further reorganisation: on 15 February 7 Hvy Bty joined a newly formed [[171st Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery|171st Heavy Rgt]], and new 95 and 122 Medium Btys were formed on 12 May while the regiment was headquartered at the Colne House Hotel in [[Cromer]], [[Norfolk]]. On 25 March 1946 56th (Highland) Medium Regiment with 95, 96, 122, 174 and 221 Medium Batteries began entering suspended animation at [[RAF Bodney]], Norfolk, the process being completed on 17 May.<ref name = Frederick723/><ref name = Litchfield/>
56th Medium Regiment was placed in suspended animation in 1946.<ref name = Litchfield/>
 
===65th (Highland) Medium Regiment===
When the regiment mobilised in September 1939, its 6-inch howitzers apparently still had wooden wheels from its horse-drawn days.<ref name=RA65>[httphttps://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/medunits/page28.htmlmedium-regiments/65-highland-medium-regiment-rata 65 Med Rgt at RA 39–45.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215852/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/med/page28.html |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> It too joined the BEF, arriving in April 1940 and coming directly under General Headquarters (GHQ). It also lost its guns in France and became part of [[Northern Command (United Kingdom)|Northern Command]] in Home Forces after the evacuation from Dunkirk.<ref name = BMH39/><ref name = Ellis/><ref name = Joslen/> The regiment was authorised to use its parent unit's 'Highland' subtitle on 17 February 1942.<ref name = Frederick723/>
 
In May 1944, the regiment joined [[Second Army (United Kingdom)|Second Army]] preparing for [[Operation Overlord]] and went to Normandy as part of [[4th Army Group Royal Artillery]].<ref name = BMH39/><ref name = Nigel/><ref name = RA65/><ref name="Joslen, p. 463">Joslen, p. 463.</ref> The regiment landed on 8 June and proceeded to [[Colleville-Montgomery|Colleville-sur-Orne]], where it initially gave fire support to [[1st Special Service Brigade]], [[6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom)|6th Airborne]] and 51st Highland Divisions.<ref>[http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_65regt.htm 65 Med Rgt at Pegasus Archives.]</ref>
 
The regiment (less one battery) was in 4th AGRA on 8 February 1945 supporting [[XXX Corps (United Kingdom)|XXX Corps]] for the opening of [[Operation Veritable]] to clear the [[Klever Reichswald|Reichswald]].<ref>Anon, ''Operation Veritable'', pp. 14–6, Appendix A.</ref>
 
The regiment continued to serve in North West Europe until the end of the war.<ref name = BMH39/><ref name = Nigel/><ref name = RA65/><ref name="Joslen, p. 463"/>
 
65th Medium Regiment was placed in suspended animation inon 1946,4 andFebruary disbanded1946.<ref inname 1947.= Frederick723/><ref name = Litchfield/>
 
==Postwar==
When the TA was reconstituted inon 1 January 1947, 56th Regiment was reformed as '''356th356 (Highland) Medium Regiment, RA''', and 65th Regiment was formally disbanded. 356 Regiment initially forming part of 84 (Field) [[Army Group Royal Artillery]], though that group was disbanded in 1950.<ref name = Frederick723/><ref name = Litchfield/><ref>Frederick, p. 1007.</ref><ref>[http://www.orbat.com/site/history/library-new/1946-1990/britishempire/ta47.html Watson.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/2016030300000020160303170054/http://www.orbat.com/site/history/library-new/1946-1990/britishempire/ta47.html |date=3 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 326.</ref> On 31 October 1956, it was converted into '''278th (Buchan & Banff Artillery) Field Squadron''', [[Royal Engineers]], as part of 117 Field Engineer Regiment.<ref name = Litchfield/> In 1961, the squadron was assigned to 51sth (Highland) Division/District RE, but was disbanded in 1967.<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-engineers/squadrons-256-to-300.html 256–300 RE Sqns at British Army 1945 on.]</ref>
 
==Honorary Colonels==
Line 154 ⟶ 163:
* [[Victor Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin|9th Earl of Elgin and Kincardine]], KG, GCSI, GCIE, appointed 26 March 1902<ref name = Burke/>
* Col A.W. McPherson, appointed (to 56th (Highland) Medium Regiment) 7 May 1935
 
==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}
 
==Notes==
Line 159 ⟶ 171:
 
==References==
{{refbegin|2}}
* Anon, ''British Army of the Rhine Battlefield Tour: Operation Veritable'', Germany: BAOR, 1947/Uckfield: Naval and Military Press, 2021, ISBN 978-1-78331-813-1.
* Ian F. W. Beckett, ''Riflemen Form: A study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908'', Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, {{ISBN|0-85936-271-X}}.
* Maj A. F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, {{ISBN|1-84734-739-8}}.
Line 165 ⟶ 179:
* ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage,'' 100th Edn, London, 1953.
* Gregory Blaxland, ''Amiens: 1918'', London: Frederick Muller, 1968/Star, 1981, {{ISBN|0-352-30833-8}}.
* Maj C.H. Dudley Ward, ''The Fifty Sixth Division, 1st London Territorial Division, 1914–1918'', London: John Murray, 1921/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-843421-11-5.
* Brig-Gen Sir [[James Edward Edmonds|James E. Edmonds]], ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1915'', Vol II, London: Macmillan, 1928/Imperial War Museum & Battery Press, 1995, {{ISBN|0-89839-219-5}}.
* Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol II, ''March–April: Continuation of the German Offensives'', London: Macmillan, 1937/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1995, ISBN 1-87042394-1/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84574-726-8.
* Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds & Lt-Col R. Maxwell-Hyslop, ''History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918'', Vol V, ''26th September–11th November, The Advance to Victory'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1947/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1993, {{ISBN|1-870423-06-2}}.
* [[Lionel Ellis|Major L. F. Ellis]], ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series'': [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/index.html ''The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940''], London: HM Stationery Office, 1954.
* [[Martin Farndale|GeneralGen Sir [[Martin Farndale]], ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Western Front 1914–18'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1986, {{ISBN|1-870114-00-0}}.
* Gen Sir Martin Farndale, ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base 1914–18'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988, {{ISBN|1-870114-05-1}}.
* J.B.M. Frederick, ''Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978'', Vol II, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, ISBN 1-85117-009-X.
* Maj-Gen [[James Grierson (British Army officer)|James Grierson]], [https://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotreg/recordsofscottis00grierich.pdf ''Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force 1859–1908'', Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1909.]
* Norman E. H. Litchfield, ''The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, {{ISBN|0-9508205-2-0}}.
* Norman Litchfield & Ray Westlake, ''The Volunteer Artillery 1859–1908 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1982, {{ISBN|0-9508205-0-4}}.
Line 176 ⟶ 193:
* Osborne, Mike, 2006. Always Ready: The Drill Halls of Britain's Volunteer Forces, Partizan Press, Essex. {{ISBN|1-85818-509-2}}
* Edward M. Spiers, ''The Army and Society 1815–1914'', London: Longmans, 1980, {{ISBN|0-582-48565-7}}.
* War Office, ''Titles and Designations of Formations and Units of the Territorial Army'', London: War Office, 7 November 1927 (RA sections also summarised in Litchfield, Appendix IV).
* Lt D.J. Walters & Lt C.R. Hurle Hobbs, ''The History of the 135th Siege Battery R.G.A.'', 1921/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2004, ISBN 978-1-84342-983-8.
* Leon Wolff, ''In Flanders Fields: The 1917 Campaign'', London: Longmans, 1959/Corgi, 1966.
 
===External links===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150829181242/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/ British Army units from 1945 on]
* [http://nigelef.tripod.com/regtsumm.htm British Artillery in World War 2]
Line 187 ⟶ 205:
* [http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=listarticles&secid=17 Orders of Battle at Patriot Files]
* [http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/frames.htm Pegasus Archive: The 6th Airborne Division in Normandy]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090322060614/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html The Royal Artillery 1939–45]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170054/http://www.orbat.com/site/history/library-new/1946-1990/britishempire/ta47.html Graham Watson, ''The Territorial Army 1947'']
{{refend}}
 
[[Category:Artillery Volunteer Corps of the British Army|Fifeshire]]
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