Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 978

BERKSHIRE R.H.A. DINNER.

HAPPY RE-UNION AT READING.

[photo, group, interior] The Berks R.H.A. Regimental Dinner was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, July 30th, when several speakers urged the old Terri­torials to rejoin their units. At the table in the rear are seated Lieut.-Colonel C. Gosset Mayall, who presided, Colonel Leslie O. Wilson, C.M.G.,
D.S.O., M.P., the Mayor of Reading, Major H. V. Landsberg, D.S.O., Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Ewen, Mr. L. G. Sutton, Canon R. P. Newhouse, Major S. G. Evans, Major M. L. Porter, Mr. W. J. Henman, Captain George Mayall, Colonel S. du Burgh, Lieut.-Colonel A. Roberts, Major Tennant, Captain J. St. L. Wheble, Captain E. J. Wheen and Lieut. S. Chalker. [Flashlight photo by C. E. & A. May.]

SPLENDID RECORD OF THE 2/1st BERKS R.H.A.

As showing the severity of the fighting that the 2/1st Berks R.H.A. experienced in France, there were only five in the cadre which returned who went out with them, viz., Gunner Harper, Driver Cope, Shoeing-smith Turner, Shoeing-smith Gear and Bomb. Love. The unit was largely recruited from Reading and Wallingford. They went into training at Bear Wood in September, 1914, remaining there about seven months. About Easter, 1915, they left Bear Wood to take part in the East Coast defence of England - in Norfolk and Suffolk - carrying out these duties till April, 1917. They then went to Salisbury Plain for the usual course of firing, and were passed for active service in France. They reached France on May 24th, 1917, and formed part of the 158th Flying Column, Colonel Hanson commanding the brigade.

The men speak in the highest praise of Major Goodchild, M.C., who raised the unit and was with the battery the whole time. He received the M.O. for his good work at Arras. Captain Hetheringham was the only other officer who served throughout with the battery; of the others who went out originally, Captain Davidson was seriously gassed, Lieut. Godwin wounded, and Lieut. (afterwards Major) Langton was wounded, and afterwards went to another battery in the same brigade. The 2/1st Battery was only 44 strong when the armistice was signed -€” it went out 203 strong, and had many reinforcements. It is estimated that it had 50 killed alone.

Bomb. Ilsley, of Reading, won the Military Medal on the first night they were in action. Within a week of their reaching France they were in the highly successful British attack at Messines, where the immense mines were exploded, and took part in the terrible fighting at the third battle of Ypres and Passchendaele. The casualties of the second line were very heavy. In less than a month from landing they lost a quarter of the brigade. Later the battery did excellent work at Nieuport, where some honours were won.

The battery were at Monchy at the time of the great German offensive in March and April, 1918, and they gallantly played their part in stemming the German tide. They were the last battery to move, and retreated on Arras, where, with the other British Forces, they made such a powerful stand that the enemy could not advance further, a fact which had a notable influence on the subsequent operations. In 28 days the Berks R.H.A. had 24 guns smashed up by enemy fire.

The battery did excellent work in following up the enemy in the British offensive, being the first battery of 18-pounders to cross the canal. It was near Mons when the armistice was signed, and later proceeded near Brussels.

Amongst the many honours won were the following: -€” Lieut. Wilcocks, M.C. (a t Arras[)], Sergt.-Major Stroud, Croix de Guerre and French Legion of Honour; Sergt. Hedges and Gunner Holder won the Military Medal at Nieuport. The widow of Bomb. H. Smith, of Reading, received her husband's decoration, he having at Passchendaele saved a wounded comrade. Farrier-Sergt. Hearn was awarded the M.M.