25pdr gun crews help

Rob, it seems that the term gun crew is gaining favour, you hear Gunners using it these days, but us old and bold still cringe.

Phil

 

I think the term 'detachment' is quite right , my error , long time since I 'took post' all be it in a part time employement , 1968ish and the command of "Detachment Rear" seems to filter through the memory blockege
although not WW2 era the drill was nearly the same only without someone shooting back at you

 

Good photo Groundhugger, and yes you are right, "detachment Rear" is a valid instruction for the detachment to fall in at the rear of the equipment, it could be varied to fall in to the right, left or front depending on the space available and the requirements, although rear was/is the most common.

Phil

 

I think the term 'detachment' is quite right , my error , long time since I 'took post' all be it in a part time employement , 1968ish and the command of "Detachment Rear" seems to filter through the memory blockege
although not WW2 era the drill was nearly the same only without someone shooting back at you





This is a post war photo. I think it was for the Queen's coronation in 1953 or the death of the King in 1952. The photo was taken in Hong Kong

 

Thanks for the photos, the numbered positions are great guidance for anyone wanting to know about the detachment and how it functioned.

 

the gun above the stripes signifies a "full" sergeant.

I hope that's clear, trouble is, I know what I mean, but I am not always very good at explaining it!

Hi Phil

Thats great thanks, helps a lot and its clear now (ish). Still not getting the gun significance (sorry I'm a result of the Barnsley education system and ex infantry...I usually get things if they're shouted at me).

What do you mean by 'full' Sergeant? Infantry wise that is three bar chevrons. Is a RA Sergeant the gun badge over three chevrons? Would the BQMS therefore have a kings crown over gun over three chevrons (its just I'm using Davies uniforms and insignia of WW2 and he suggests otherwise but in all fairness that book is like wading through treacle)? Did the RA use chevrons without the gun badge or is the gun badge signify an appointment rather than rank?

Any pics of the badge in use especially the BQMS then I promise I'll stop pestering you LOL

Martyn

 

Hi Phil

Thats great thanks, helps a lot and its clear now (ish). Still not getting the gun significance (sorry I'm a result of the Barnsley education system and ex infantry...I usually get things if they're shouted at me).

What do you mean by 'full' Sergeant? Infantry wise that is three bar chevrons. Is a RA Sergeant the gun badge over three chevrons? Would the BQMS therefore have a kings crown over gun over three chevrons (its just I'm using Davies uniforms and insignia of WW2 and he suggests otherwise but in all fairness that book is like wading through treacle)? Did the RA use chevrons without the gun badge or is the gun badge signify an appointment rather than rank?

Any pics of the badge in use especially the BQMS then I promise I'll stop pestering you LOL

Martyn

Can I assume the gun badge was worn on both sleeves...with the gun pointing forwards on each?

Ta

Martyn

 

Martyn, the RA had a rank of Lance Sgt which was just the 3 chevrons. A "Full" Sgt also wore the gun. Yes, you a right about the BQMS badge. I have some pages on the various rank, trade and qualification badges on my site. You can find them here:
RA 1939-45 Badges & Insignia

Derek

 

Just to add slightly more to Derek's post (great website by the way Derek), the following is from my book on the RA.

Lance Sergeant - Introduced into the Royal Artillery in May 1920 at the same time as the rank of Corporal was abolished within the Regiment. Falling in the rank structure between Bombardier and Sergeant, the Lance Sergeant was identified by wearing three stripes, whereas full Sergeants wore three stripes with a gun above the stripes. The rank was itself abolished in 1946. On being promoted from Lance Sergeant to "Full" Sergeant, you were said to have "Got your gun".

And yes, the gun badges on each arm face forward.

Regarding the BQMS, remember that in effect this appointment is held by a Staff Sergeant, hence the crown above the gun and stripes.


Phil

 

It's threads like this that makes me realise how much I miss my dear late brother Mick: BBC - WW2 People's War - Sgt.Major Mick Goldstein, Royal Fusiliers and Jewish Brigade

This would have been just up his alley

You might like to go to YouTube: 25 Pounder guns firing, 8th Army, colour footage - YouTube

Quite a few related videos worth watching here.

Ron

 

I did wonder as I read somewhere that 25 pounders with muzzle brakes and counterweights were not used in the desert, but only later in Italy! Also the Tamiya gunshields looked a little thick. A well done simulation though.

Chris

 

Hi guys

Thanks once again.

Cheers

Smudge

 

Hi, Smudge. My only experience on 25 pndr was one or two days in a Training Reg't out of 14months from being a civilian and D-Day.I recall being a loader, I made sure I made friends with the Breechman .I didn't want to be called “ Lefty" as everything was done so energetically.
In regard to Insignia: The 7thField Reg't wore the Red Triangle inside the inverted Black Triangle of the 3rd British Infantry Division.
Sorry, I can't be of any help in confirming what is already in the postings from the more knowledgeable members.
Keep well,
Al,

 

Admittedly it is 1953. But there are 7 in this crew

Cheers
Kevin

 

My Grandfather worked with 25 pounders during his service with the 12th Field Regiment; I know that he sat on the left so presumably he would have been a 'No.3'. Were they set positions or would the members of the gun detachment (I got it right!) rotate with each shoot, taking turns in different positions (except No.1 of course)? Also, what ranks would No's 2 - 5 be?

I know he ended up as a Bombardier in the 17th Medium Regt; I appreciate this is slightly off topic but I'd be interested to hear about the set up on the larger 5.5's.

 

All members of a gun detachment would now each others jobs, although they tended to keep the same one as a matter of course. No. 3 is the layer so he would actually be laying (aiming) the gun.

Gun No.s 2 - 5 would normally be Gunners (RA equivalent of a Private).

Phil

 

[/QUOTE]


BL 4.5 & 5.5 - 10 man detachment.

No1 Sergeant
No2 Limber Gnr
No3 Gun Layer
No's 4&5 Loaders (tray)
No6 Charger
No's 7,8,9 Ammo Fusers
No10 Coverer (Bdr) 2i/c

Best
Rob

 

Thanks guys; really appreciate your responses, which, as always, are extremely useful and very interesting.

Phil - as well as laying the gun was the No.3 actually responsible for pulling the trigger (so to speak!) and sending the shell off on its way?!

 

Thanks guys; really appreciate your responses, which, as always, are extremely useful and very interesting.

Phil - as well as laying the gun was the No.3 actually responsible for pulling the trigger (so to speak!) and sending the shell off on its way?!

Yes, that's correct. He still is on the L118 Light Gun today.

Phil

 

Thanks Phil; I'm learning!

All the best,

Mark