178th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
Introduction
It is usually the practice, in documenting the War Diaries of those Units associated with 70th Infantry Brigade, or part of the Brigade Group, to confine the period covered to that during which the supporting unit was indeed associated with the Brigade.
In the case of this particular unit, the War Diary gives an excellent opportunity to illustrate the process of establishing a military unit from its inception, with the relevant War Office authorities and the manning arrangements in particular.
It was therefore decided to document the War Diary from the establishment of the Regiment in January 1942, until December 1942, when the Regiment was reassigned to come under the command of 54th Division, rather than just from May 1942, when 178th Field Regiment came under the command of 49th Division.
In addition, as will be noted, there were earlier contacts with 70th Infantry Brigade, which are mentioned in the War Diary.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - January 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - February 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - March 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - April 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - May 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - June 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - July 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - August 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - September 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - October 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - November 1942.
178th Field Regiment War Diary - December 1942.
Personnel known to have served in 178th Field Regiment.
Astin S 2nd Lieutenant
Baird H A A Captain
Baxter John Lance Bombardier 911408
Bayne W H H 2nd Lieutenant
Bell John Thomas Gunner 946258
Bell K G A 2nd Lieutenant
Birkett R Lieutenant
Bivens Charles Gunner 1103503
Blake J D 2nd Lieutenant
Boryer H C Captain
Bradley David Gunner 888438
Brand William Gunner 1126095
Briggs George William Gunner 842016
Bryant M H 2nd Lieutenant
Cash-Reed Peter Alexander Major 77524
Challenger N E Captain RAMC
Clarke G F Captain
Coe William Gunner 14250960
Coleman Edward Joseph Gunner 14264722
Coller Henry Edward Gunner 14262565
Collins R A Major
Comber Dennis Charles Gunner 14710014
Cooke Lawrence David Gunner 14245417
Cooper Albert Edgar Gunner 14264822
Cooper Walter Henry Gunner 14253855
Corbett P F Captain
Costall Robert Gunner 14221709
Coulsey C W 2nd Lieutenant
Crichton-Brown R Captain
Cox Edwin Arthur Gunner 14245421
Dalgety G M 2nd Lieutenant
Dance Eric Lawrence Gunner 1134123
Dannreuther I A 2nd Lieutenant
Davidson 2nd Lieutenant
Davis Edward Charles William Gunner 6104689
Douglas H W 2nd Lieutenant
Douglas J R 2nd Lieutenant
Dunn C P R 2nd Lieutenant
Eaton 2nd Lieutenant
Elce M H 2nd Lieutenant
Fegg 2nd Lieutenant
Fitzgerald Captain I.G.
Frankenthal J Lieutenant RAMC
Ganderton J 2nd Lieutenant
Gardiner George Gunner 923060
Goldstone N Captain RAMC
Gostling Gordon Edward Bombardier 984498
Green Harry Gunner 14234689
Gurstenberg V Major
Hackett C T Major
Hallam William Gunner 4973230
Hamburger 2nd Lieutenant
Hill John Blundell Gunner 1156155
Hingston E P Lieutenant
Hopkins Hubert John Ainsleigh Gunner 14215132
Hughes John Ernest Gunner 968385
Ingham William Gunner 1087197
Jaine W H Temporary Captain 195921
James J A 2nd Lieutenant
James William Robert Gunner 5124665
Kays William Gunner 14443474
Keelan John Patrick Gunner 14389934
Lack Victor Ernest Gunner 975473
Lamb Francis John Gunner 14250707
Lanchbury Michael Edwin Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals 6299821
Lapidus 2nd Lieutenant
Law R Captain
Lloyd John Gunner 14831283
Mackenzie H D 2nd Lieutenant
Marsh B G Lieutenant (Quartermaster)
Martin Driver
McCarroll B B 2nd Lieutenant
McCulloch Peter Gunner 4698187
McInnes William Allen Lance Bombardier 1104895
McKenna 2nd Lieutenant
McLay Pilot Officer 16 Sqn RAF
Mossley John Gunner 1150181
Murphy Thomas McCusker Lance Bombardier 943339
Novis F H W Lieutenant
Nunney Alfred (Tim) Bombardier 1148236
Palmer F E H 2nd Lieutenant
Peters Lieutenant
Petley J D 2nd Lieutenant
Pheasey Philip Gunner 14264771
Phillips Anthony Bryan Lieutenant 346732
Pigg 2nd Lieutenant
Rice Ernest William Killick Gunner 1153956
Robinson Henry Gunner 940265
Rushworth-Ward L Lieutenant Colonel
Rutty Wilfred George Lance Bombardier 5258656
Saunders Bernard Victor Gunner 1157181
Selby S S 2nd Lieutenant RCS
Simpson R H Captain
Skipper R Captain
Smith B V Lieutenant
Smith John Edward Gunner 1090790
Smith J W Captain
Stobe A D Captain
Venn Corporal
Vipond R Lieutenant
Walker D E 2nd Lieutenant
Wallace A C 2nd Lieutenant
Wanham C H 2nd Lieutenant
Wells D F Major
Whaley Lieutenant RCS
Willard Captain RAMC
Willcocks Captain I.G.
Williams Jack Gunner 3607150
Wilson Norval Murray Captain 210475
Winn-Jones W T 2nd Lieutenant
Worthington John Bombardier 993805
Wright K M Lieutenant Colonel
For detailed and reliable information on British Artillery in World War Two, the interested reader is advised to consult Nigel Evans' Website at http://nigelef.tripod.com/
Sincere thanks are due to Nigel for his agreement to allowing this hyperlink to be put in place.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
