2nd Field Artillery Brigade

26 Apr 1915. Gun and wagons on one pontoon, Horses on the other, landing at Gallipoli. (Horses were not landed, but returned to the ship) AWM J03269

A gun from 4th Battery 2nd FAB, in its pit at ANZAC. The embrasure was only large enough to permit sweep required and protective shield is hiding the embrasure. AWM J03272

Brief History

The 2nd Field Artillery Brigade was formed in Australia prior to embarkation in late 1914 to support the newly raised 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division> The men came in the main from Victoria. It remained as part of the 1st Division Artillery from August 1914 – past November 1918. The Brigade comprised:

• 4th Field Artillery Battery

• 5th Field Artillery Battery

• 6th Field Artillery Battery

• 102nd Field Artillery (Howitzer) Battery
• William John Martin (1893) 15 Feb 1918 - ?? Apr 1919
• 2nd Brigade Ammunition Column

In March 1916 a fourth battery of four 18 pounder field guns was added and men were drawn from new reinforcement drafts and even the Light Horse during the 'doubling of the AIF' in Egypt prior to departure for France. At the same time a Howitzer Brigade was raised for each division with 12 x 4.5 inch howitzers each. This was subsequently abandoned because there were not enough Howitzers to fill the proposed Establishment, so the Artillery Brigades were given a Howitzer Battery each, equipped with 4 x 4.5 inch howitzers. 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.

Two hundred and forty six men lost their lives while posted to these units.

Unit Personnel

Battery unknown

• William George Tait 11 Jan 1917 - 22 Jan 1919

Individual Honours

• 2 x Distinguished Service Order
• 15 x Military Cross
• 3 x Bar to Military Cross
• 11 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 42 x Military Medal
• 3 x Bar to Military Medal
• 3 x Meritorious Service medal
• 24 x Mentioned in Despatches
• 2 x Belgium Croix d Guerre
• 2 x French Croix de Guerre
• 1 x French Medaille Militaire