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Ross & Cromarty Mountain Battery, RGA (TF)

 
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CSMMo



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oceanside, California, USA

PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:40 am    Post subject: Ross & Cromarty Mountain Battery, RGA (TF) Reply with quote



First guns ashore at 'W' Beach 25 April 1915 and first guns ashore at Suvla Bay, this TF Battery, along with the Argyll Mountain Battery provided the only Mountain guns and the only TF Batteries in the 29th Division on 25 April. Once the Division learned how to use them, they became a valuable, but extremely scarce resource, able to position guns at the front trench lines and atop cliffs to provide enfilading fires other artillery could not. This monument is in the yard of their drill hall in Stornoway which is still a TF and Cadet drill hall today.
Mike Morrison
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Researching the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF), Argyll, Bute and Ross & Cromarty Mountain Batteries - Gallipoli, Egypt & Salonika
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alexmaclennan



Joined: 24 Jul 2007
Posts: 151
Location: Just West of Glasgow

PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:19 am    Post subject: Ross Battery Memorial Inscription Reply with quote

What I recorded for UKNIWM:

The memorial is a rough dressed stone mound/cairn that stands some 3m, high on a square low base. There are two plaques on the face of the cairn and above the WW1 plaque is the crest of the Royal Artillery.

The memorial is in the grounds of the Drill Hall, which was the training centre for this unit. The memorial faces the crossroads of Church and Lewis Streets, Stornoway, HS1 2LS.


TO THE UNDYING MEMORY OF
OFFICERS NCOS AND MEN
OF THE 1ST ROSS-SHIRE
MOUNTAIN BATTERY RGA (T)
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 – 1919
EGYPT – GALLIPOLI - BALKANS


ALSO IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
THE MEMBERS OF THE ABOVE BATTERY
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
1939 - 45



alex
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alex maclennan
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CSMMo



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oceanside, California, USA

PostPosted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for that description Alex. When I was taken into the drill hall it was alive with the younger cadet folks, but I had an opportunity to see the same place that was home to the left section of the Ross Battery and was appropriately impressed. That the cairn is there at the drill hall is quite fitting and adds to the historical significance of the hall.

Mike Morrison
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Researching the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF), Argyll, Bute and Ross & Cromarty Mountain Batteries - Gallipoli, Egypt & Salonika
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MKMacdonald



Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Posts: 34
Location: Stornoway

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm a little mesmerised by the Ross & Cromarty Mountain Battery. Surely this is a misnomer as it is undoubtedly the Ross Mountain Battery or Ross-shire Mountain Battery.

The memorial and books on the history of the unit such as - 'The Last Warrior Band' by Colin Scott Mackenzie, do not have Cromarty in the title of the unit. Photos show the doors of the Drill Hall in Stornoway with Ross-shire and no Cromarty.

Can anyone explain where the subtitle on this site, Ross & Cromarty Mounted Battery cames from. I remember the centenary of the unit in Stornoway in 1960 and this is the first time I have seen Cromarty used in a title before.

Regards
Malcolm Macdonald
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CSMMo



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oceanside, California, USA

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Malcolm,
Officially, they were called the Ross & Cromarty (Mountain) Battery, part of the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF) which was a part of the Highland Division. That was before March 1915, when they were t ransferred to the 29th Division. Each of the three batteries of the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade were named after their sponsoring county association; The Argyll, the Bute and the Ross & Cromarty. They retained their county names throughout the war with no numbering, which is, as far as I have seen, unique.
The Ross Battery (as it was more commonly known) had a section in Stornoway at the present TA drill hall there and a section in Lochcarron. The Battery HQ was in Lochcarron.
Although officially called the Ross & Cromarty Mountain Battery, they were called the Ross Battery frequently and early. Why? I don't know. Perhaps Sheriff Mackenzie does, but unless he knows differently, I believe he would agree that it was just more convenient and easier to say.
I'm still researching that Battery (and Brigade), Malcolm. I have 44 Macdonalds listed in my nominal roll of the Brigade. Any relations of yours?

Mike Morrison
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Researching the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF), Argyll, Bute and Ross & Cromarty Mountain Batteries - Gallipoli, Egypt & Salonika
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MKMacdonald



Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Posts: 34
Location: Stornoway

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Mike

No I am not aware of being related to any of the 44.

Interestingly one of the lads lost (from Lewis) was born in Lochcarron as his father was a police sergeant stationed there. The family returned to Lewis after his retirement, around 1903.

Bdr Kenneth Maciver (4394) - 18 September 1916 aged 25 - 9 North Shawbost.

His brother Evander (also born at Lochcarron)was killed serving with the Canadians on 9 July 1916 aged 22.

Thanks for the clarification regarding Cromarty.

Malcolm
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CSMMo



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oceanside, California, USA

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maciver, Kenneth #4349 Bdr – A student at the outbreak of war, he was known as "Barvas". He died of wounds on18 Sep 1916, age 25, at Minora Hospital and was buried at Lahana Military Cemetery, Greece. He was the son of John and Isabella Maciver of Carnan House, Shawbost, Stornoway and was born at Lochcarron (Poss. #4394)

Malcolm, this is from my Brigade nominal roll. A good deal of what's here regarding Ross Battery men was gained from Sheriff Mackenzie for whose assistance (and friendship) I am grateful.

Mike Morrison
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Researching the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF), Argyll, Bute and Ross & Cromarty Mountain Batteries - Gallipoli, Egypt & Salonika
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MKMacdonald



Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Posts: 34
Location: Stornoway

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Mike

I would appear to have rearranged his service number inadvertently, the story of my weekend!

I have more details about Kenneth Maciver should you require them. I do take it that you have received just about everything on him from Colin in any case.

Regards
Malcolm
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CSMMo



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 33
Location: Oceanside, California, USA

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Malcolm,
All I have is what I got from Colin and the CWGC. When I compiled my nominal roll (now at about 1500 members of the Brigade and it's stepchild, the 51st Division Ammunition Column) I decided to include some biographical data on those for whom I could find it. I gratefully accept any information on these men. I have been able to find some information out by scouring the local newspapers and through some folks who have retained letters, journals, etc. I know that there is a great deal I have missed and I always welcome contributions to the story.
Regards,

Mike
p.s. you can email me using the button below.
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Researching the 4th Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RGA (TF), Argyll, Bute and Ross & Cromarty Mountain Batteries - Gallipoli, Egypt & Salonika
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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is now WMR, ex UKNIWM, memorial 57912
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