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WW1 role of Army Gunner

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Nicola

Nicola Report 12 Oct 2010 13:33

Hi. I have no knowledge of Army positions and wondered if someone could help me.
I've recently found out that my Great Grand father was an Army Gunner in WW1, who sadly died of Flu in Belgium. I would like know what he would've done.
Can anyone shed some light onto what role he would've played?
Regards, Nicky

Mark

Mark Report 12 Oct 2010 13:45

Army gunners provide fire support to front line troops with guns, or very low level air defence missiles. They can be trained in a number of specialist gunner branches, such as command post operator gunner, air defence gunner or signaller.

Bobtanian

Bobtanian Report 12 Oct 2010 19:33

Also,

"Gunner" in the artillery regiments is the equivalent of "private" in other arms of the forces.
as is aircraftman in the RAF.

Bob

Researching:
me and my darling wife at our wedding in 1960

Eddieisagrandad

Eddieisagrandad Report 12 Oct 2010 19:37

My late son was a gunner in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. His main job was flying those "drone", remote control spotter aircraft.

Nicola

Nicola Report 16 Oct 2010 11:25

Many thanks for input, it's been really helpful.
My great g'father was in the Royal Garrison Artillery and died in Nov 1918, in Belgium of the Flu, apparantly. I believe Flu was very bad, at that time, and took quite a few lives.

ChrisofWessex

ChrisofWessex Report 16 Oct 2010 11:33

Nicola, the forces brought the 'spanish flu' back to uk and it has been said that the toll of deaths from flu was greater than that of lives lost in WW1. Horrendous it was.