1st Reserve Batt. H.A.C.

[Guest argus]

G'day from down under.I'm doing the usual "Family Tree" bit and came across what remains of my Grandfathers (No 7212 L/Cpl Witt T.H.L) WW1 army paperwork(2 leave passes and a certificate of "Instruction in Anti-Gas Measures for Instructors" dated 30/8/17).

He served in No.5 Company, 1st Reserve Batt. H.A.C. What sort of Army unit was this?And is there any more information about what they got up to in the War?

Guys, you must get this alot but any threads/leads would be greatly appreciated

[Wienand Drenth]

Argus,

The only reserve batteries of the HAC I know are A (Res) and B (Res) Btys. They were formed in 1915 as reserve unit for A and B Btys, and for the 2nd line 2/A and 2/B Btys which were serving overseas. I think they stayed in the UK during the war, and were training drafts for the overseas batteries.

Regards,

Wienand

[Guest Ian Bowbrick]

A Res Battery was also a useful source of officer material. Lt Eric Poole being an example of a soldier commissioned in 1915 from this unit.

Ian

[Robert Dunlop]

Argus

Welcome to the forum.

HAC refers to the Honourable Artillery Company, which has a long regimental tradition. During the First World War, it comprised artillery and infantry (see http://www.1914-1918.net/hac.htm and http://www.hac.uk.com/history_hac.htm). Batt may refer to Battalion, in which case your Grandfather was in the infantry. Others more knowledgeable will give you the lowdown.

Robert