INTRODUCTION

The 138th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, was formed in Autumn 1915 from volunteers many of whom lived in the Borough of Hampstead, north west London. Most of the Battery's initial training from October 1915 to March 1916 took place on Hampstead Heath and it soon became known as "The Hampstead Heavies".

The Heavies, equipped with 60-pounder field guns, served in France and Belgium during the First World War, being on active service from April 1916 until November 1918. During 1916 the Battery was based mainly in the vicinity of Bully les Mines, south of Bèthune, and the following year was engaged in heavy fighting around Ypres and, later, on the Belgian coast near Nieuport Bains. In the last year of the war the Battery faced the final German offensive, from March 1918 onwards, and was then involved in the Allied offensive which lasted from 8 August until the Armistice on 11 November 1918.

The Battery on completion of training in 1916

During the conflict and its aftermath the Battery suffered a total of 38 fatalities and a number of other losses through medical discharges and transfers to other units. A Roll of Honour for those who died is given HERE

The creation of the Hampstead Heavies website was begun over twenty years ago by John Ridler whose father. Gunner Sydney W.H. Ridler, Driver C Sub-Section, Regimental Number 293142, was fortunate to return to Hampstead after the war. John's personal view of his father's service appears HERE