3rd Division Ammunition Column

An ammunition dump with vehicles of an Ammunition Column attending to collect. AWM

Brief History

Formed in February 1916 in Egypt, assembly of men and materials began in March before the unit moved to England in July 1916. Following further training they moved to France in December 1916. The unit supported the 3rd Division artillery units until after hostilities had ceased, participating in the Battles of Messines (7-10 Jun 1917); Broodseinde (4 Oct 1917), 1st Passchendaele (12 Oct 1917); Avre (4 Apr 1918); Hamel (4 Jul 1918); Amiens (8-11 Aug); Albert (21 - 23 Aug 1918); 2nd Bapaume (31 Aug - 3 Sep 1918); and St Quentin Canal (29 Sep - 2 Oct 1918).

Each Division had an Ammunition Column to keep ammunition up to the guns by moving it from "Third line" storage up to the Front ("First Line"). It was a mammoth task involving motor and horse drawn transport, heavy and light rail and tramways. Ammunition dumps and transport near the Front Line were high priority targets of the enemy's guns , and later, aircraft. Horse drawn transport laden with ammunition is a doubly risky business. Horses are vulnerable to all forms of small arms and artillery and the cargo is such that a hit is generally catastrophic. It is not for nothing that many drivers received bravery awards.

Forty one men lost their life while posted to this unit.

Unit Personnel

• Stanley Victor Coney 1 Section - 1 Jun 1916 - 13 Nov 1917
• Bruce Leslie Logan 2 Section - 1 Jun 1916 - 17 Apr 1919
• Lewis George Martin
• Edward Price
• Frank Sugden
• John Hickson Tomlinson
• Lennart Birger Wilander

Individual Honours

• 4 x Military Cross
• 2 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 16 x Military Medal
• 3 x Meritorious Service Medal
• 8 x Mentioned in Despatches
• 3 x Belgium Croix de Guerre