Overoptimist

Hi there. Just found this link and was eager to reply. I'm the grandson of the other Gunner Graham who served with 154 Siege Battery and I would appreciate some help or some pointers. My Granddad (William Graham, 55851) was awarded the DCM at Voormezele in August 1917 and is also mentioned in Capt Walkers book.

I have all available War Diary accounts of 154 SB activities from April 1917 to January 1918, however, my granddad was transferred to 188 SB as Battery Quartermaster Sergeant in April 1918 and there the leads run dry.

I have a couple of questions...

Does anyone know if anybody else was transferred at that time?

In the absence of any War Diaries, where is the next best source of information?

I went to Ypes in May last year and visited some sites where 154 SB were positioned. I'd be more than happy to share any info I have with anyone else researching "The Sailly Boys".

Best regards

Hi Graham,

I am thinking of doing a tour of Ypes soon and would like to receive any information you may have on 154SB (or 184SB if you have any).

Many thanks,

Nick

If anyone can send me any photos/Information of 154 Siege Battery outside what is in the book on the subject that would be great. My grandfather John Rochford was a gunner with the 154 under Capt Goldstein and used to go on a daily basis past the Cloth Hall to the gun positions (which I am presuming was between Swan Chateau and Manor Farm/Halt from September 1917).

Kind regards,

Nick Rochford

(Yorkshire)

I should have said that he was in154 siege battery.

Hi there, does anyone have any information on Gunner John Rochford? His C.O was Capt Goldstein. My grandfather served from September 1917 until the end of the war. All I know was that he was on the 9.2 Howitzers, got trench feaver in December 1917 and treated in Bologne, given leave to Ireland, then was sent to support Gen Goughs 5th Army BEF which was overun by the German Stormtroopers. Any information gratefully received. On the day of armistice after the siezefire he was receiving Catholic mass on the front when a shell landed meters away killing the man next to him, my grandfather receiving shrapnel wounds to his back but luckily survived to be 82.

Nick Rochford

Yorkshire