3rd Division Ammunition Column

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

Brief History

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.

Formed in February 1916 in Egypt, assembly of men and materials began in March before the unit moved to England in July 1916. At that time a Division Ammunition Column comprised 16 officers and 800 men. 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). Forty one men lost their life while posted to this unit.

Unit Personnel

• James Candish 26 Oct - 20 Nov 1916
• 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 2 Section - 29 May 1916 - 30 Jan 1919
• † Edward Price Motor Transport Company - 3 Jun 1916 - 28 Mar 1918
• Frank Sugden 2 Section - 1 Jun 1916 - 5 May 1919
• William George Tait 18 Jan - 15 May 1916
• John Hickson Tomlinson 1 Section 26 Aug 1916 - 16 Jun 1919
• Lennart Birger Wilander - 29 Aug 1916 - 19 Aug 1918

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