14th Field Artillery Brigade

Loading ammunition wagons of the 14th Brigade from a dump near Hargicourt. AWM E03509

6 Sep 1918. 14th Field Artillery Brigade crossing the Somme on a road leading into Péronne. AWM E03233

Brief History

In size, a Field Artillery Brigade was equivalent to an Infantry Battalion. The 14th FAB was raised to support the 5th Division, and was drawn mainly from NSW. The structure of the 14th Field Artillery Brigade February 1916 – to November 1918 was as follows:

53rd Field Artillery Battery

• George Bett
• Frank Grundy
• George Wales McGillivray 15 Mar - 24 May 1916
• Josiah James Skinner

54th Field Artillery Battery

• Terry de Bohun Helm

55th Field Artillery Battery

114th Field Artillery (Howitzer) Battery

14th Brigade Ammunition Column

Each Brigade generally comprised three Batteries of four 18 Pounder Mk 1 or II guns. With a range of about 6,500 yards (almost 6km) they fired a range of ammuntion natures including High Explosive fragmentation, Shrapnel, Smoke, Gas, Star (illumination) and Armour Piercing projectiles. In March 1916 a fourth battery of four 18 pounder field guns was added. In January 1917, batteries were increased in size to 6 guns each in order to economise on headquarters structures and the number of Field Artillery Brigades in each division was reduced to two. One hundred and fifty seven men lost their life while posted to this unit.

Individual Honours

• 1 x Distinguished Service Order
• 4 x Military Cross
• 1 x Bar to Military Cross
• 2 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 31 x Military Medal
• 3 x Bar to Military Medal
• 8 x Meritorious Service Medal
• 21 x Mentioned in Despatches
• 2 x Belgium Croix de Guerre
• 1 x French Croix de Guerre
• 1 x French Medal of Honour with Swords, Silver