Royal Artillery
One Battery of Royal Field Artillery comprised six 15 pound guns and limbers weighing about 1.75 tons and pulled by 6 horses. With ammunition, other wagons and riding horses the total compliment of horses would have been 138. The normal manning for a Battery was a Major, Captain, 3 Subalterns and 170 other Ranks.
94120 sergeant Harry Hobley was born in a small Warwickshire village in January 1875 and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in November 1892. He became a Sergeant Major in 1899 and was wounded at the battle of Colenso. He was discharged from the army in 1911 after over 18 years service. He married Beatrice Villers in 1894, had seven children and died in 1927.
13th Battery under Major Dawkins with a compliment of 5 officers, 174 men, 140 horses, 28 mules and 9 attendants were in Natal by September 1899. They were with the besieged force and positioned on the Helpmekaar road by Tunnel hill and Devons Post and, in addition to the defences, they were at Dundee and their casualties were listed as 1 man died of disease.
14th Battery was despatched during October and November and arrived at Mooi River on 19th November 1899. With the relief force they fought at Colenso where they lost all their guns. The casualties are listed as 10 killed, 30 wounded and 69 men missing, presumed prisoner.
16th Southern Division Royal garrison Artillery was with Buller’s relief force. They were on the ‘side-lines’ at the battle of Spionkop but were in time to take part in the battle of Vallkranz. From 17th February 1900, the 16th moved from Colenso, through Hlangane, finally ending up south of the Tugela River on Fuzzy Hill opposite Railway Hill on the northern side.
19th Battery was with the relief forces at Colenso, Spioenkop, Vaalkranz and The Breakthrough.
20th Battery was with the 5th Division, arriving with General Warren.
21st Battery served with the besieged force under Captain W.E. Blewitt with a compliment of 5 officers and 167 men. They also fought at Elandslaagte. Casualties to the end of the siege are listed as 8 died of wounds and 4 wounded. 53rd Battery served with the besieged force under Major A.J. Abdy assisted by Captain Thwaites with 5 officers and 162 men. They also played a vital role during the battle of Platrand.
28th Battery served with the relief force and were at Spioenkop, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough.
42nd Battery served with the besieged force under Major C.E. Goulburn with 4 officers, 165 men, 55 attendants and 153 horses, 172 mules, 112 oxen. They were moved to Caesar’s Camp on the 12th November 1899 where they played a vital role in the defence of Caesar’s Camp. They fought at Elandslaagte, Rietfontein and the battle of Ladysmith with casualties to the end of the siege listed as 1 wounded and 6 died of disease.
61st Battery (Howitzers) were despatched during October and November 1899 and served with the relief force at Spioenkop, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough
63rd Battery were despatched during October and November 1899 and served with the relief force at Colenso, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough.
64th Battery were despatched during October and November 1899 and served with the relief force fighting at Colenso, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough.
66th Battery arrived to Estcourt on the 25th November 1899 and were sited at Frere Bridge until 14th December 1899. They fought at the battle of Colenso losing 4 of their 6 guns.
67th Battery arrived in Natal in September 1899 and served with the besieged force under Captain J.F. Manifold with 5 officers, 165 men and 7 attendants. Their casualties to the end of the siege are listed as 2 wounded and 4 died of disease.
69th Battery arrived in Natal in September 1899 and served with the besieged force under Major F.D.V. Wing with 5 officers, 166 men and 7 attendants and were sited at Leicester Post. Two of their guns were sent to Rifleman’s Post on the 14th February 1900. Casualties to the end of the siege are listed as 3 wounded and 7 died of disease.
7th Battery under Major C.G. Henshaw arrived at Estcourt on 18th November 1899. They were with the relief force and fought at Colenso, Spioenkop, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough.
73rd Battery were despatched during October and November 1899 and served were with the relief force at Colenso under Lieutenant Colonel Parsons and covered the west flank overlooking the “loop”. The battery also saw action at Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough.
78th Battery served with the relief force at Spioenkop, Vaalkranz and the Breakthrough under Captain Hanwell (Lancashire Fusiliers seconded).
See Eyewitness account of Longs artillery: