War Diary for 80th Brigade R.F.A. July 1915 to August 1916.

On arrival in Liverpool from Buenos Aires on 22 October 1914, Christopher Charles Waller volunteered for the Army and was posted to the 80^th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, one of four RFA Brigades (along with 78^th, 79^th and 81^st (Howitzer) Brigades forming part of the Divisional Artillery of the 17^th (Northern) Division.

The Brigade were based in Swanage for training. In early March 1915, Gunner C. Waller wrote a letter from there requesting that his younger brother, Edward Ansell Waller, a Driver, be transferred from 59^th Brigade based in Sheffield to his unit (“A” Battery of 80^th Brigade), and Edward joined his brother on 19 April.

The 18 pounder QF guns began to arrive in April, and at the end of May the Brigades moved to a practice camp on Salisbury Plain. On 12 June they moved to Winchester by train, where 17^th Division were assembled. These photographs of the Officers and NCOs, published in July 1915, were likely taken at Winchester.

On 14 July at 0345, 80^th Brigade marched to Southampton and boarded the S.S. Manchester Importer at Berth 38, arriving at Le Havre at 0430 on 15 July. At this point he had the rank of Acting Bombardier, the equivalent of Lance Corporal. They arrived at their billets in Flêtre, France, on 19 July, where they were inspected by General Sir Herbert Plumer, commanding Second Army. After a period of further training, they moved to the south of Dickebusch (Dikkebus) Lake south-west of Ypres, Belgium, and the guns were in position by 0400 on 5 August.

5 August to 30 September 1915, in action at Dickebusch and Kemmel.

80^th Brigade were assigned to Group “A” Artillery commanded by Lt. Colonel Cardew, counter-firing on the enemy artillery near Hooge. From 5 to 27 August they were behind a ridge in square N.4. From 27 August to 22 September “A” Battery were at reference N.10.c.7.1. From 22 to 30 September, 80^th Brigade were at unspecified points in squares N.9, N.15 and N.16 near Kemmel. “A” Battery fired at an enemy working party at O.19.c.7.8 on 29 September.

On 30 September the Brigade withdrew to Boeschepe and then St. Sylvestre-Cappel for a period of rest until 21 October.

22 October 1915 to 12 January 1916, in action south-east of Ypres in the vicinity of Zillebeke Lake.

The Brigade was situated somewhere in the area between Zillebeke Lake and Ypres, south-east of the town. They took over the guns of 3rd Division, which were in poor condition. They were relieved on 11 and 12 January and were driven by motor bus 30 miles west to Arneke, where they rested for the night, marching a further 22 miles to Bonningues-les-Ardres for a period of further training and rest, until 8 February 1916.

10 February to 11 March 1916, in action at Dickebusch.

From 10 February 80th Brigade were part of Centre Group and were positioned to the east of Dickebusch Lake. Their firing zone was from a point south-east of St. Eloi (O.2.d.7.6) to the Canal. They were supporting 52^nd Infantry Brigade in their attacks in the region of The Bluff. They were relieved on 12 March and relocated to Le Kreul, Wormhout, about 21 miles east, and spent 5 days there cleaning and overhauling.

18 March to 17 May, in action at Armentières.

The Brigade marched 26 miles to Armentieres and took up positions to the south-east of the town, supporting 51^st Infantry Brigade.

On 17 May, they marched 6 miles to La Bleue, the next day 26 miles to Renescure, and on 19 May 17 miles to Acquin, where they remained until 10 June, taking part in tactical training exercises.

Between 10 and 15 June, they marched 80 miles south to Bonnay (about 12 miles east of Bray-sur-Somme) and camped there.

15 June to 23 July, in action in “Happy Valley,” Carnoy and near Montauban, on the Somme.

From 15 June to 3 July, the Brigade were situated near a location named Gibraltar in “Happy Valley” north of Bray-sur-Somme, attacking enemy targets at Fricourt and Mametz. 80^th Brigade were temporarily attached to 7^th Division, along with 81^st Brigade, while 78^th and 79^th were attached to 21^st Division. There is scant detail in the War Diary regarding this period, possibly due to Brigade HQ’s papers being destroyed in an attack on 19 July. In the week up to 7 July, casualties were 1 killed, 99 wounded. They moved to Carnoy on 3 July, and to the ridge north-east of Montauban on 15 July, attacking Bazentin-le-Grand (Battle of Bazentin Ridge). Longueval was attacked on 20 July. On 23 July they withdrew to Dernancourt about 12 miles west, for rest and refitting.

1 to 20 August, in action south of Montauban, again part of the Battle of the Somme.

The Brigade were again attacking enemy trenches near Longueval. On 20 August they withdrew to Bonnay, where they were thanked by Major-General Horne, commanding XV Corps.

From 22 to 24 August they made their way 20 miles north to Hénu. On 31 August at Gaudiempré, 80^th Brigade was broken up, with personnel and guns going to 78^th and 79^th Brigades, increasing the gun complement of their batteries from four to six. He was now in 79^th Brigade.