4th South Midland (Howitzer) Brigade

Royal Field Artillery

The men and horses of the 4th South Midland Brigade, from Rugby and Coventry, Warwickshire, trained together in the Territorial Army prior to 1914 and served together until their Brigade was dispersed in the artillery reorganisation of 18 May 1916.

This page commemorates the 4^th South Midland Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery who were led by my grandfather, Francis West 1883-1916 (right). It was composed of the 4th Warwickshire Howitzer Battery (based in Coventry), the 5th Warwickshire Howitzer Battery (based in Rugby) and its ammunition column.

In May 1916 Brigades in the British Artillery were renumbered. The 4th South Midland became 243 Brigade but its men were scattered. The Howitzer Brigades were split up and their guns, officers, men and support staff redistributed to Brigades previously armed with 18 pounder guns.

Howitzer Batteries from the 4th South Midland were allocated to 240 Brigade (previously 1st South Midland, Gloucester), 241 Brigade (previously 2nd South Midland, Worcester) and 242 Brigade (previously 3rd South Midland, Warwickshire).

Two Howitzer batteries remained in the 243 Brigade, in effect a new unit, comprising the 18 pounders transferred from the above three South Midlands brigades to make way for the incoming Howitzers.

243 Brigade existed for only five months. Once the battle of the Somme was over, artillery Batteries were enlarged from four to six guns and on 18 October 1916 the survivors of 243 Brigade were distributed back to 240 and 241 Brigades. 

The 240 and 241 Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery are well chronicled by other researchers. Their records include some members of the 4th South Midland Howitzer Brigade, like Reginald Pridmore, 1887-1918, (left) who were transferred in 1916.

My grandfather was not among them. Like many of his friends and men, he fought and was killed in a unit which went out of existence and became a footnote in the histories of successor units.

Site for 1st South Midland / 240 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery

researched by Derek J. Driscoll http://www.bristolgunners.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm

Commemorative Site for 241 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery

researched by Dennis Corbett http://www.denniscorbett.com/241.html

This page is based on the war papers of Frank West which were preserved by his widow. They include diaries of his command, his letters home, the diary of his friend Reginald Pridmore, and various unidentified photographs together with lists of the 4th Battery and 5th Batteries providing their home addresses for purposes of welfare and support.

Any information about the 4th South Midland Howitzer Brigade would be gratefully received.

Please contact EandCW@aol.com

A full explanation of a British Artillery brigade in World War One is provided by Chris Baker on the extensive The British Army in the Great War web site.

site and images copyright

Evelyn Wilcock

2003