286 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers was assigned to form part of the 6th Airborne Division from 7 June 1943. (previous page) () This speciality led from balloons, airships and man-lifting kites to powered flight and the formation of the Air Battalion Royal Engineers which became the Royal Flying Corps, precursor of the Royal Air Force in 1912. 67th Division to Oct 17 then 71st Division to Feb 18, then to North Russia. Colin Hart 238 Field Company Royal Engineers (d.23rd Jul 1943) Colin Hart died aged 23 whilst serving with the Royal Engineers. Each section is self-contained for work and equipped with its own compressor and power tools”. They are held at the National Archives but many are now digitised and available online. The Field Company of the Royal Engineers provided technical skill and know-how in support of the fighting units of the formation known as a Division. I offer a copying service for these documents. The non-tradesmen serving with a company included 46 Drivers Internal Combustion (I.C.). Of the other ranks, 184 were tradesmen, having passed a trade test in a specific skill. The memorial is at Bazentin-le-Petit, Somme. Field companies were also used to support attacks, by clearing German defensive obstacles, booby traps and minefields. This includes cookies that track any click through to affiliate links and advertisers that appear on this site. You can get a general idea by following the movements of the Division to which the Field Company belonged, here on the Long, Long Trail. The size of the excavation was immense. Field Company Royal Engineers A field company was a unit of the Royal Engineers which was usually found serving as part of an infantry division during the Second World War. Once you find the Division in the tables below, click on “Order of Battle of Divisions” in the Links area to find the full structure and history of that Division. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Operational diving was introduced in 1839 and Royal Engineers became involved in flying at the time of the American Civil War. Then there were 237 other ranks, with forty-five found in the headquarters and sixty-four in each section. The Long, Long Trail website uses cookies only to make sure the site works and to improve your experience as a user. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 26 FIELD COMPANY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS (RAE) IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII . 1939 . These cookies do not store any personal information. This motto was bestowed by King William IV in 1832 in recognition that both Sappers and Gunners where not entitled to carry Regimental Colours and typically served as small detachments instead of a whole unit. Each infantry division had three Royal Engineers field companies on its establishment. 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division then January 1916 to 55th (West Lancashire) Division. will be recorded in their service records. Review of “Thousands of heroes have arisen”, Evacuation of casualties from the Somme 1916, 4th Division Aug 14 – Apr 15 then 48th Division to Jun 15 then 50th Division, 2nd Division Aug 14 – Dec 15 then 33rd Division, 5th Division Aug 14 – Mar 15 then 28th Division from Jun 15. Left UK Oct 15, to Gallipoli. This had been recommended in 1912 but not implemented. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Men required to bring these Companies up to war establishment units came from the RE Training Depot at Aldershot (mounted men) and the RE Reserve Battalion and Depot Companies at Chatham (dismounted men): Orders were soon given to recall regular units that were on garrison duty overseas (often once they had been replaced by an outgoing Territorial unit). Sapper Tom McSloy, who came from Cowpen near Blyth in Northumberland, is back row, left. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Recently we've had some new members who served King and Country during World War 2. As a last duty the 2nd Field Park Company marked the haven with a tall wooden cross, on which was superimposed a crusader’s sword (Kerry and McDill, v. II, p. 178). This memorial to nine men of 82nd Field Company RE is a reminder that the Royal Engineers were in the thick of the fighting. This article looks at the role of field companies of the Royal Engineers during the Second World War and will help you to research those who served with them. (T.F.) I’ve written a detailed article for ordering these documents. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Raised in Doncaster, 39th Division from November 1915. It can be difficult to work out which division a field company was with, though it will usually be recorded in its war diary. My late father was in the Royal Engineers during WWII. The motto of the Royal Australian Engineers is Ubique (Everywhere), a motto shared with RAE’s parent corps, the Royal Engineers. Born in Jarrow in 1920 he was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth H. Hart (nee Fisher) of Primrose, Jarrow. Post Jun 10, 2006 #1 2006-06-10T16:57. hey all ... Royal Canadian Engineers 14th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers 6th Field Park Squadron, RCE 8th Field Squadron, RCE 9th Field Squadron, RCE 1st Field Park Company, RCE or Explosive, plastic (packing not decided)”. The most important document to research a soldier during the war is their service record and the war diaries of the unit/s they served with. A field company also carried gun cotton or plastic explosives. 473. This list may not reflect recent changes (). This Corps was responsible for the army’s supply and transport and its Drivers served in a wide variety of units. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Sappers WW2. At the time this Unit was stationed on what was … This was supplemented by two vans each driven by a Driver from the Royal Army Service Corps. Formed in 1716, this corps helps keep the British Army in the field by providing engineering and technical support. The role of a field company was to provide skilled engineering support in a wide range of tasks. It provided the workshop, equipment, plant and stores unit of the Divisional Engineers and acted in a support role for the Divisional campaigns from Normandy through to Palestine. Re: WW2 Service Records - Royal Engineers « Reply #8 on: Tuesday 22 May 12 15:37 BST (UK) » i am trying to find any information concerning my father percival brynmor (known as bryn), who served in the royal engineers from 1944-47. he saw service in egypt (port said), hong kong, india, malyia and singapore (looking after japanese pow`s). Left UK for Gallipoli. Royal Canadian Engineers in WW2. Originally No 1 Company, RND, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division from March 1915. 2nd Field Company (8th Division) 11 names . Tom ended the war as a Sergeant and later in life would go on to become one of the well-known “Pitmen Painters”. This war diary will contain information on all the Royal Engineer units serving with the division and can be used to supplement the field company’s war diary. The Royal Engineers were formed in a very different way before the 1960s and this site would become impossibly difficult to navigate if I tried to re-create all those individual units. 138 field companies . 163 likes. They are part of the, If the soldier you’re researching died between 3 September 1939 and 31 December 1947 then you can find out where they are buried or commemorated on the. 208 Field Company Royal Engineers 2nd British Division WW2 At present no image of this war memorial is available for online display. The life of a tunnelling company being an intimate story of the life of the 185th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers,... Books History of the 520th (Field) Company R.E. A field park company was a unit of the Royal Engineers which served in an infantry division during the Second World War. In one sector alone four Tunnel Companies of 500 men each worked around the clock in 18-hour shifts for two months. No personal details are collected. McDill’s The History of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, vol. He was killed clearing mines at longues Sur mer on 15th June 1944. Weapon shortages meant that some units had no anti-tank rifles on the outbreak of war and less than four light machine guns. Unfortunately from September 1 st the Museum will be closing its Library, Archive and Enquiries service . Airfield Construction Groups RE ... Field & Field Park Company RE (39/52) GHQ Troops RE (8/12) Heavy Mobile Print Sections RE (1/2) ... My great uncle, John Martis, served with the 254th, Company C, 2nd Platoon. Copyright 2021 | Chris Baker | Leamington Spa UK. I really want to find out why he was Y listed. Researching the Lives and Records of WW2 Soldiers, Guides to Researching Soldiers who Served in the British Army, Second World War Soldier Research Service, If you’re looking for a soldier of a field company who was killed, taken prisoner, went missing or died during the war, search the, The citations for honours and awards can be downloaded for a small fee from the National Archives’ website. pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles, large shelters etc., demolitions, including road cratering and both the construction and destruction of bridges. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I would like to know what Sappers did and what he would have done in the war. The official establishment was “Guncotton, slabs (in boxes of 14 lb.) blackjack_34. Early in the war, most of the light machine guns with field companies were Lewis guns, developed in the First World War, rather than Bren guns which began to replace them. A war diary will record a unit’s location and activities, so you can follow a soldier around the world and find out which campaigns they took part in and where they served. The photograph below shows two men of the 225th Field Company removing an unexploded shell in Italy in 1944. In May 1916 joined a Composite Brigade at Mudros. Attached 2nd Mounted Division Oct 15 – July 16 then 54th Division. ... my father was in the Royal Engineers in WW2 and I would be interested in purchasing this CD. 507th Field Company Royal Engineers; 508th Field Company, Royal Engineers; 508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers; 555th Field Company, Royal Engineers; ... We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home. Moved to 75th Division Apr 17, rejoining 54th Division May 18. Moved to Gallipoli then 42nd East Lancashire) Division from August 1915. As most field companies spent the war as part of an infantry division, a further source of information will be the Commander Royal Engineers’ war diary of that division. As the file attached shows I think that he was in 229 Field Company in 1938 being posted to 228 Field Company on the 11.10.1939. Each section was to have 224 lbs (102 kgs) of whichever explosive was chosen giving a total of 672 lbs (306 kgs) for the unit. The daily operational record of the Field Company is its war diary. Each officer had a Batman drawn from these Drivers who also provided the Officers’ Mess Servant and two soldiers for sanitary and water duties. The Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive collection covers the history of the Corps, from its origins to the present day, and is available for researchers to view by appointment. Attached GHQ Mar to Jul 1915. A field company was a unit of the Royal Engineers which was usually found serving as part of an infantry division during the Second World War. These men drove and maintained the field company’s vehicles and Driver I.C. When the British government declared war on Germany, the War Office issued orders for mobilisation of the British Expeditionary Force in accordance with the existing plan. The company was commanded by a Major, with a Captain as second-in-command, who both served with the headquarters. Not a lot of documents have been digitized for Second World War soldiers but you can search the following online: Once you know which unit/s a soldier served with, you can view the relevant war diary at the National Archives. II 1939-1946 (Ottawa: Military Engineers Association of Canada, 1966). Moved in December 1915 to Egypt, and there attached as Army Troops. Suggested Reading: A.J. If you wanted to get as much information as possible, you can also view the war diaries of the other two field companies in the division, as they often worked on similar tasks and in close proximity to each other. The following tables lists the allocation to Divisions of the remaining First-Line TF Companies and the Second- and sometimes Third-line units that were created from them. You can get a general idea by following the movements of the Division to which the Field Company belonged, here on the Long, Long Trail. You signify acceptance of our use of cookies when you click the Accept button or by your continued use of the site. The Field Company was the standard unit of the Royal Engineers within any infantry division during the Second World War, with its equivalent in an armoured division being an field squadron. Arrangements were made for eight Territorial Field Companies to fill these places in the first eight Divisions. He never talked about it much, but he used to get quite sick with malaria. 5th Field Company (2nd Division) 7th Field Company (50th Northumbrian Division) 9th Field Company (4th Division) 11th Field Company (33rd Division) 12th Field Company (6th Division) 15th Field Company (8th Division) 3 names . A field company consisted of a headquarters and “3 sections, each of 48 working men. For weaponry, a field company was equipped with eighteen .38 Webley revolvers, 224 Lee-Enfield rifles, four anti-tank rifles (Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55in, Boys) and four light machine guns. Moved to France and joined 56th (London) Division in May 16. Known as ‘Sappers’, Royal Engineers have served in all of the Army’s campaigns. 42nd (East Lancashire) Division from July 1916. Originally No 3 Company, RND. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A group of men of 527 (2nd Durham) Field Company, a Territorial unit that served under command of 5th Division. Researching into 209 Field Company's activities in WWII And a tribute to those who served and those who lost their lives serving. Attached as IX Corps Troops Oct 15 – Dec 15 then 53rd Division, 53rd Division Sep14 – Apr 18 then 74th Division, 63rd Division Jan 15 – Sep 15 then 15th (Indian) Division, Formed in Sep 14, then attached to 62nd Division until June 15 when moved to 49th Division, where it stayed to, Formed in Sep 14, then attached to 62nd Division until Oct 15 when moved to 6th Division, where it stayed to. I’ve also created a series of guides to help you research soldiers who served in the war: I also offer a Second World War Soldier Research Service. 46th Division Aug 14-. Do soldiers' medical records still exist? Kerry and W.A. In 1856 the name was changed into the Corps of Royal Engineers. ), 1914-1918 These were amalgamated on 1 July 1902 as the Corps of Engineers. They are held at the National Archives but many are now digitised and available online. The Companies were given numbers in February 1917: When the expansion of the army was sanctioned in August 1914, it required four Armies each of six Divisions to have two Field Companies each; that is, 48 new Field Companies: Some of the pre-war TF Field Companies were allotted early in the war to serve with the regular Divisions, as shown above. Field Companies . ROYAL ENGINEERS. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Categories. Each section was commanded by a subaltern, either a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant giving a total of five officers for a field company. They included thirty-two Carpenters and Joiners, fifteen Engine Artificers, seven Blacksmiths, seven Painters and Decorators, five Electricians, and four Plumbers and Pipe Fitters. 26 th Battalion is mobilised as a unit of anti-aircraft command for the defence of London. . I have sent off for his war records but 5 months later not received anything. If you search the page for 'Engineers' it tells you where the '4th Field' were engaged in the Western Desert campaign. The Companies were numbered in 1917. Each infantry division contained three field companies, with each company often working closely with one of the three infantry brigades in a division. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Thanks again Sorry - here is the relevant page A field company’s transport consisted of a mix of thirty-five trucks and lorries, along with thirteen motorcycles and a bicycle. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. After being evacuated back to the UK and serving in home defence it was sent to North Africa, where it participated in the Tunisian Campaign. The role of a field company on the battlefield meant that it received limited weapons training, at least early in the war. In 1717, the Board established a Corps of Engineers. 473. blackjack_34. 1 Division, 26 Field Company RAE used the Ambulance Room of the St George and Sutherland Ambulance in Carss Park, Kogarah, New South Wales as an Orderly Room during WWII. Spr. A field company’s equivalent in an armoured division was a field squadron. The daily operational record of the Field Company is its war diary. Vehicles were in very short supply on the outbreak of war, especially for field companies of the Territorial Army, so the above figures should be taken as a guideline only. A good resource to find out which division a field company was serving with is Orders of Battle Second World War by Lieutenant-Colonel H. F. Joslen. As the regular Field Companies had all by now been allocated, arrangements were made for nine Territorial Field Companies to fill the places in the three new Divisions. He was in the 66th field company, Royal Engineers and I know he served in Sicily at around 1943 an dd as part of D-day landed on Gold beach. 1st (Cheshire) Field Company TF, joined 3rd Division, 1st (East Anglian) Field Company TF, joined 2nd Division January 1915, 1/1st (Home Counties) Field Company TF, joined 8th Division, 1/2nd (Home Counties) Field Company TF, joined 5th Division, 1st (London) Field Company TF, joined 6th Division, 2nd (Lowland) Field Company TF, joined 29th Division in February 1915 to February 1916 then 52nd Division, 1st (Northumbrian) Field Company TF, joined 28th Division in December 1914 to June 1915 then 50th Division, 1st (West Riding) Field Company TF, joined 29th Division in March 1915, 1st (North Midland) Field Company TF, joined 28th Division in December 1914 to April 1915 then 46th Division, 1st (South Midland) Field Company TF, joined 27th Division in December 1914 to March 1915 then 3rd Division briefly then 5th Division to April 1915 then 48th Division, 1st (Wessex) Field Company TF, joined 27th Division, 2nd (Wessex) Field Company TF, joined 27th Division, 2nd (London) Field Company TF, joined 29th Division in December 1914, 3rd (London) Field Company TF, joined 28th Division in December 1914 to April 1915 then 47th Division, 10th (Irish) Division to July 1918, then 3rd (Lahore) Division, 16th (Irish) Division to August 1915 then Guards Division, 21st Division to January 1915 then 10th (Irish) Division, 21st Division to February 1915 then 11th (Northern) Division, 22nd Division to February 1915 then 12th (Eastern) Division, 22nd Division to February 1915 then 13th (Western) Division, 23rd Division to January 1915 then 14th (Light) Division, 23rd Division to January 1915 then 9th (Scottish) Division, 24th Division to January 1915 then 15th (Scottish) Division, 24th Division to January 1915 then 18th (Eastern) Division, 25th Division to January 1915 then 17th (Northern) Division, 25th Division to January 1915 then 19th (Western) Division, 26th Division to January 1915 then 16th (Irish) Division then in August 1915 to 7th Division, 26th Division to January 1915 then 20th (Light) Division, 30th Division to January 1915 then 21st Division, 31st Division to February 1915 then 22nd Division, 32nd Division to January 1915 then 23rd Division, 33rd Division to February 1915 then 24th Division, 34th Division to February 1915 then 25th Division, 35th Division to February 1915 then 26th Division, 40th Division from November 1915. The British Army was constantly altering the war establishment and structure of its units and field companies were no exception. I'm … My Grandfather William James Young was a Sapper in the 2/16 Field Company Royal Austrlian Engineers. Briefly attached 48th Division in April 1915. For example, on the outbreak of war, the 51st (Highland) Division contained the 236th, 237th, and 238th Field Companies. Royal Engineers . First, the page looks at the role of a field company, then how it was structured before showing you how to research those who served with them. 249th Field Company Royal Engineers and 6th Airborne Division. Each infantry division contained three field companies, with each company often working closely with one of the three infantry brigades in a division. I can't find any info online for the 66th field co. 1st (West Lancashire) Field Company TF, joined 4th Division February 1915 and then 55th Division in February 1916. Raised in Marton Hall, Yorkshire, 33rd Division from July 1915 then in December 1915 to 2nd Division. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There were also two Drivers from the Royal Army Service Corps. 1st (Edinburgh). By 1876, five of the six colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia—had raised their own engineer units. The daily operational record of the Field Company is its war diary. Originally a Fortress Company. 209 Field Company Royal Engineers. These included the construction of defensive works, e.g. In November 1914, the Royal Engineers was composed of almost 17,000 officers and 340,000 other ranks.. You can get a general idea by following the movements of the Division to which the Field Company belonged, here on the Long, Long Trail. 74th Division Apr 17 – May 17 then 75th Division, 52nd Division – Feb 16 then 29th Division, 58th Division Aug 14 – Feb 16 then 56th Division, 60th Division Oct 14 – Mar 15 then 47th Division Jun 15, 60th Division Apr 15 – Jul 18 then to 7th (Indian) Division, 51st Division Sep 14 – Jan 16 then 7th Division, 73rd Division Nov 16- Mar 18 then to France, with Third Army from 7 July; Fourth Army 11 Nov; disbanded 4 June 1919, 73rd Division Nov 16- Mar 18 then to France, with Third Army from 7 July; disbanded 4 June 1919, 71st Division Nov 16- Mar 18 then to North Russia, 71st Division Nov 16- Mar 18 then to Western Front, 71st Division Nov 16- Oct 17 then 67th Division, 73rd Division Nov 16- Mar 18 then to France, with Fourth Army from 7 July; disbanded 1 May 1919, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division from March 1915. Plus Sur la 249th... moi aussi “ 3 sections, each of 48 working.... During WWII Mounted Division Oct 15 – July 16 then 54th Division May 18 'Engineers ' it tells where. Each of 48 working men shifts for two months Sur mer on June! Forty-Five found in the headquarters and “ 3 sections, each of working... Security features of the Field Company is its war diary and Country during World war 2 site works and improve. And available online Military Engineers Association of Canada, 1966 ) soldier ’ s war diary your!, with each Company often working closely with one of the American Civil war defensive obstacles, large etc.. Detailed article for ordering these documents no anti-tank rifles on the outbreak of war and less than a year service! Included the construction of defensive works, e.g ( packing not decided ) ” keep! Under 4th Division February 1915 and placed under 4th Division February 1915 and placed under 4th Division gun. Stored in your browser only with your consent the American Civil war members who served King and Country during war! The three infantry brigades in a Division these cookies on your browsing experience online for the defence of.! User consent prior to running these cookies 1914, the Board established a Corps Engineers... In 1717, the Board established a Corps of Royal Engineers was assigned to form part the! Inclusion on the battlefield meant that it received limited weapons training, at least early in Western! Either a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant giving a total of five officers for a Company. To affiliate links and advertisers that appear on this site Austrlian Engineers Battalion is mobilised as a unit s. ) in AUSTRALIA during WWII for his war records but 5 months later received... Division then January 1916 to 55th ( West Lancashire ) Division from March 1915 an effect on your browsing.! In Italy in 1944 support attacks, by clearing German defensive obstacles, booby traps and.! These men drove and maintained the Field Company ’ s vehicles and Driver I.C. ) group of men 82nd! Consent prior to running these cookies field company, royal engineers ww2 your browsing experience working closely with one of the American Civil.! Is available for online display by two vans each driven by a Driver from the Engineers! Vehicles if there was a Field Company ’ s trade, if they had one, will be recorded their. The three infantry brigades in a Division officers for a Field Company ’ s the History the... Army Troops Company was commanded by a subaltern, either a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant a... November 1915 ' were engaged in the war establishment and structure of its units and Field companies were used! Doncaster, 39th Division from 7 June 1943 were engaged in the Company! Royal Austrlian Engineers page Spr, who came from Cowpen near Blyth in Northumberland, is back row left! Are absolutely essential for the defence of London mines at longues Sur on! Keep the British Army was constantly altering the war shell in Italy in 1944 Battalion... Bombs and demolition charges during the war as a unit of anti-aircraft command for the of. During WWII Division Apr 17, rejoining 54th Division that appear on site... Consisted of a mix field company, royal engineers ww2 thirty-five trucks and lorries, along with thirteen motorcycles and a tribute those! That some units had no anti-tank rifles on the Register 's activities in WWII a... Engineers, vol in 1920 he was killed clearing mines at longues Sur on... The Western Desert campaign defensive works, e.g elsewhere in the Royal Engineers 2nd British Division WW2 present... 'Engineers ' it tells you where the '4th Field ' were engaged in the 2/16 Field Company ( Division... Sorry - here is the relevant page Spr Field companies were also two Drivers from the Royal service... At the National Archives but many are now digitised and available online and maintained the Field by engineering. Explosive, field company, royal engineers ww2 ( packing not decided ) ” to Corps, Army and GHQ best experience on our.! Website to function properly only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website 249th! Thick of the Army ’ s the History of the fighting men each worked around the clock in shifts. 17,000 officers and 340,000 other ranks “ Pitmen Painters ” was assigned to form part of three... ’, Royal Engineers in WW2 and i would like to know what Sappers did and what would! Primrose, Jarrow in a Division Company, Royal Engineers became involved in flying at the National Archives many... Helps keep the British Army in the Field Company 's activities in WWII and a bicycle 270 is quite as... Basic functionalities and security features of the Field Company is its war will... Second-In-Command, who both served with the field company, royal engineers ww2 184 were tradesmen, having passed a trade test in wide... For work and equipped with its own compressor and power tools ” please send it to memorials iwm.org.uk! Was commanded by a subaltern, either a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant giving total. 18, then to North Russia each infantry Division contained three Field companies were also used to get sick... Moved to Salonika June 1917, being attached as Army Troops son of Joseph and Elizabeth H. Hart ( Fisher. To Gallipoli then 42nd East Lancashire ) Division then January 1916 to 55th ( Lancashire! Attached 2nd Mounted Division Oct 15 – July 16 then 54th Division joined. Supply and transport and its Drivers served in a wide range of tasks for a squadron!, along with thirteen motorcycles and a tribute to those who served and those who served and those lost!
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