Dvr George Charles W Hornsby 154th (Hampshire) Heavy Battery RGA
George Charles W Hornsby was born on 21 April 1898 in Shirley; his birth was registered in South Stoneham, both near Southampton.
In 1911, aged 12, George lived at No 4 Bond Street, Northam, Southampton with George, his father, a railway yard foreman, and mother Mary Jane and siblings. In civilian life, immediately before he joined the army he was an apprentice turbine fitter.
As shown on his Certificate of Enployment, George joined the Territorial Royal Garrison Artillery on 18 November 1914, probably the 2/1st Wessex (Hampshire) Heavy Battery, which remained in the UK after the Wessex Division proceeded to India on Garrison duties. Employed as a Driver, he may have been incorporated into 154th (Hants) Heavy Battery when it was formed circa October 1915. However, that battery went overseas to France on 30 April 1916 and the fact that Dvr Hornsby's medals only show his January 1917 'renumbering of the Territorial RGA' number of 352653 might suggest that he was sent overseas separately as a reinforcement after this date, joining the battery whilst in France. At this latter time the battery was part of 60 Heavy Artillery Group, having joined this group on 3 October 1916 and remaining with it (for the most part) until July 1917.
Heavy Batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising enemy artillery, as well as shelling strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines. Opponents included (on the Western Front) German 5.9" and 4.2" Howitzers fulfilling equivalent roles. Unlike siege batteries, the 60pdr guns of the heavy batteries were mainly horse-drawn. His Certificate of Employment shows that Hornsby was a First Class Driver, RGA.
From November 1917 to November 1918, with minor exceptions the battery was serving with 87 Heavy Artillery Group (later 87 Brigade) Royal Garrison Artillery. In November 1917 the HAG was part of the Third Army Corps Artillery at Cambrai. On 21 March 1918, the date of the commencement of the German Spring Offensive, it was at Beaumetz on the Bapaume to Cambrai road where it was shelled, taking some casualties before withdrawing that evening. By the Armistice 87th Brigade was with Second Army. It seems possible that Dvr Hornsby remained with the battery throughout his active service, seemingly being demobilised sometime after 25 January 1919. Under 'Special Remarks' on his Certificate of Employment he is described as "A good driver with a thorough knowledge of horses. Is a very reliable man & I can confidently recommend him as a good worker. His conduct has been very good throughout his service."
Once demobilized, Dvr Hornsby would have received his medals some time in 1920. He married Winifred M Broomfield in June 1923, and the 1939 Census Register shows him as a marine engineer. He died in January 1982 in Southampton, Hampshire.
