Early in the morning of the 26th August 1914, the British II Corps were ordered to stand fast to the west of Le Cateau. The 37th Howitzer Battery RFA in support of the 5th Division deployed either side of a road in a covered position, Their Battery Commander would control the fire from the crest of a nearby hill by flag and telephone. The guns were situated in the area of the 13th Infantry Brigade, a few hundred yards behind the firing line
At 06:00 the German
Artillery opened fire on 13th Infantry Brigade, the gunners responding by
engaging the enemy artillery with some success.
The Germans
dominated the high ground around Le Cateau and were able to enfilade the
British Artillery around Le Cateau, in particular the 28th Brigade RFA - 122 /
123 / 124 Batteries and 15th Brigade RFA - 11 / 52 / 80 batteries with the 37th
(Howitzer) Battery supporting.
The 15th and 18th
Brigades RFA in particular sustained heavy casualties. The Official History of
the Great War records they "caused
considerable losses: salvos of shells crashed down on gun after gun in
succession, but the gunners stood to their work, and the supply of
ammunition never failed".
The pressure on the
right flank continued all morning and despite the gallant fighting by 14th
Infantry Brigade to the right of the battery, it was becoming apparent that the
5th Division would need to give way. Orders were given to commence the general withdrawal
of II Corps, and the Gunners started to bring the guns out of action, often
under murderous fire.
The 37th (Howitzer)
Battery had withdrawn 4 guns, but there were insufficient horse teams to
withdraw the other two guns so they were disabled. Captain Douglas Reynolds
found two teams when he retired to Remount, and decided to rescue the two
howitzers.
He called for
volunteers to assist him and amongst
them were Driver Job Drain and Driver Fred Luke. |
| 37 (Howitzer) Battery RFA location |
Captain Reynolds
lead two horse teams back to the gun position, advancing through a volley of
shrapnel he ordered the two teams to gallop. The two howitzers were within a
hundred yards of the advancing German infantry and surrounded on three sides. Driver Luke skilfully brought the gun team
and limber over the eye of F sub, and two gunners limbered it up. As they left,
the centre driver was shot, Captain
Reynolds caught his whip, and galloped alongside the centre team and lead the
gun to safety. The remaining gun could
not be rescued.
 |
| Le Cateau - Saving the Guns 37th (Howitzer) Battery Royal Field Artillery |
For their bravery
Captain Reynolds, Driver Drain and Driver Luke were awarded the Victoria Cross.
 |
| Le Cateau - 37 (Howitzer) Battery RFA VC location |
