143 Field Park Squadron 1944 Normandy

Hi,
I am still researching my uncle Alex war time experiences. He started in Bomb Disposal but ended in Normandy 18 Aug 1944 when he was wounded, "Traumatic amputation of the right leg" as FDStation described it. Hardly seems right to call him just wounded. Thankfully he recovered very well. I am putting together his service, with his MOD records and would like help on the organisation of his unit.
I have read many of the online references to RE companies and have drawn what I hope is a block diagrame of 143 Fd Pk Sqdn's hirachy.
I have no knowledge of the RE so don't shoot me if this is off the track. I would also like to know the make up of the SECTION & TROOP at least of the ranks involved if possible. The signs on the units also, AoS I believe. Any info would be a great help.
See my diagrame attached. Bye neil

 

May I help?
In a military division there will be three Field companies RE. These are the sappers that take part in the actual actions. In our case, we had 17th field company. 246 Field company, and 253 Field company. These are all "Active" companies That is backed up by the field park company, they are the company that keeps the stores, everything the sappers may need. In our case it was the 15th Field park. because the Park companies are not "Actively engaged with the enemy" does not mean they are free of danger...Far from it

They are in a war zone where anything can, and does happen.

 

Is this helpful?

FIELD PARK COMPANY OR SQUADRON
War Establishment II/195/2. January 1944.
Personnel
Major
Captain
2 X Subaltern

Squadron Serjeant Major
squadron quartermaster serjeant
staff serjeant military mechanist
transport serjeant
2 X serjeant

lance serjeant
4 X corporal sapper class
2 X corporal driver class
6 X lance corporal sapper class
4 X lance corporal driver class
48 X sapper
36 X driver

Total 111

Trades
2 X blacksmith
bricklayer
4 X carpenter and joiner
4 X clerk
draughtsman, mechanical
4 X driver mechanic, driver class
3 X electrician, maintenance
3 X engine fitter, IC and pumps
engine fitter, mechanical equipment
2 X engine hand IC
equipment repairer
2 X fitter
8 X operator, excavator
2 X painter and decorator
2 X general dutyman
4 X motorcyclist
10 X storeman
2 X plumbers and pipe fitters
2 X sawyers
surveyor, engineering
2 X sheet metal worker
turner
2 X vehicle mechanic, driver class
welder acetylene
welder electric
Total 65

Drivers IC for duty as
4 X batman
29 X driver of vehicle
sanitary dutyman
2 X transport NCO
water dutyman
Total 37

Transport
1 X Bicycle
9 X Motorcycle
2 X Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility)
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
8 X Truck 15cwt GS
2 X 15cwt compressor
1 X machinery KL
10 X 3ton 4 X 4GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 winch
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 machinery RE
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 crane
3 X 4 X 4 tractor
3 X 18 ton trailer
1 X water trailer

Mechanical equipment
2 X Crawler Tractor Class II, Caterpillar D4 Angledozer
1 X Crawler Tractor Class IV, Caterpillar D7 Angledozer

Weapons
5 X Bren gun
4 X PIAT
4 X 20mm AA.


HEADQUARTERS
Major
Captain
Subaltern

Squadron Serjeant Major
squadron quartermaster serjeant
transport serjeant

lance serjeant
corporal sapper class
corporal driver class
lance corporal sapper class
lance corporal driver class
9 X sapper
13 X driver
Total 33

Tradesmen
4 X clerk
draughtsman, mechanical
driver mechanic, driver class
3 X motorcyclist
3 X storeman
surveyor, engineering
vehicle mechanic

Drivers IC for duty as
3 X batman
7 X driver of vehicle
sanitary dutyman
transport NCO
water dutyman

plus
4 X cook ACC


Bicycle
Motorcycle
transport serjeant
Motorcycle
motorcyclist
Motorcycle
motorcyclist
Motorcycle
motorcyclist

Car 4seater
Major, batman, driver IC

Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
Captain, driver IC
Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
Subaltern, driver IC

Truck 15cwt GS
2 X batman, cook ACC, driver IC
Carries officers mess equipment and baggage

3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
3 X cook ACC, water dutyman, driver IC
Carries cooking sets and rations
Tows water trailer
3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
4 X clerk, driver IC
For use as office
3ton 4 X 4 GS 3
Carries Quarter Master stores and anti gas stores
3ton 4 X 4 GS 4
Carries petrol and MT stores

Workshop troop
Subaltern
staff serjeant military mechanist
serjeant
2 X corporal sapper class
3 X lance corporal sapper class
lance corporal driver class
25 X sapper
6 X driver
Total 40

Tradesmen
2 X blacksmith
bricklayer
4 X carpenter and joiner
driver mechanic, driver class
3 X electrician, maintenance
3 X engine fitter, IC and pumps
engine fitter, mechanical equipment
2 X engine hand IC
equipment repairer
2 X fitter
2 X painter and decorator
storeman
2 X plumbers and pipe fitters
2 X sawyers
sheet metal worker
turner
welder acetylene
welder electric

Drivers IC for duty as
batman
5 X driver of vehicle

Transport Motorcycle
Subaltern
Motorcycle
serjeant

15 cwt machinery KL
2 X welder, driver IC

3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
electrician, driver IC
Carries electric light set
3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
driver IC
Carries all personnel not otherwise assigned
3ton 4 X 4 GS 3
storeman, driver IC
Carries technical stores

3ton 4 X 4winch
driver mechanic
3ton machinery
driver IC

Stores troop
serjeant
corporal sapper class
corporal driver class
2 X lance corporal sapper class
2 X lance corporal driver class
14 X sapper
17 X driver
Total 38

2 X driver mechanic, driver class
8 X operator, excavator
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
6 X storeman
Total 19

Drivers IC for duty as
17 X driver of vehicle
transport NCO
Total 18

Transport
2 X Motorcycle
7 X Truck 15cwt GS
2 X 15cwt compressor
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 3 ton 4 X 4 machinery RE
1 X 3 ton 6 X 4 crane
3 X 4 X 4 tractor
3 X 18 ton trailer

Mechanical equipment
2 X Crawler Tractor Class II, Caterpillar D4 Angledozer
1 X Crawler Tractor Class IV, Caterpillar D7 Angledozer

- The stores troop held 48 X No 75 grenades (mines) and 24 X mine detectors
- The divisional troops company RASC held four 3ton lorries carrying a total of 2,100 X No 75 grenades and 1,320 X MkV mine. There was an identical set of lorries in the corps troops company RASC.
- Explosives, like ammunition, were replenished automatically by staff and were not indented for.

The Field Park Company also held the divisional reserve of tools intended for use by units other than RE
38 X felling axe
38 X hand axe
515 X pick axe
12 X reaping hook
12 X maul
50 X shovel RE
860 X shovel GS
2 X spade
These tools would make two 3ton lorry loads according to the loading scales

Mike

 

WO 171/1556 143 Coy 1944 Feb., Apr.,June- Dec
WO 171/5749 143 Field Sqn.1945 Jan.- Dec.
WO 171/9523 143 Field Park Sqn 1946 Jan.- Mar.

 

Hi,
Thanks for your help, as always Sapper the information is key, I have modified my sketch to include the units listed in 21 AG and can only see two other Sqdns. 4th & 621st Fd Eng. but there is the 7th. Bridging Troop which I have added I am not sure of this at all.
I have read your details here & now on the 21AG postings a great help. The numbers of men and equipment is staggering, If a Troop is made up of a L/Sgt. or Cpl. would the 11 other men / sappers, be made up dependant on the requirements of that Troop? I have attached a modified sketch, not a Rembrandt but.

 

Hi Drew,
I did get the 143 Fd Pk Sqdn. War diary from you thanks. WO 171/1556 143 Coy 1944 Feb., Apr.,June- Dec.
And it covers the relevant period which includes 18 Aug 1944, unfortunately the entry only notes "A heavey calibre shell killed or injured 10 men...... vehicles...... " The information we had from other sources was he was blown up in a jeep running over a mine, loosing his right leg.
I do need more diaries for his early war period but his MOD records do not show his time with No.64 BD Section there is a period of no entry of about 3yrs. and no mention of his promotion to L/Cpl. - Cpl. - Spr. which is unusual even if it's just to get his pay right at the time! I do have other notes of BD sections he was linked to but I am waiting for some information on my posting here on Bombs at Brodsworth which I have had help with but promised more. I will put some info together and ask you to advise on what Diaries would help but I have quite a lot on at the moment, have promised help and am struggling.
Thanks Drew will be intouch
Neil

 

Neil,

I am afraid that my post was confusing. Personnel are listed several times, first as a total number of each rank for the squadron and then as a list of trades in the squadron. They are then listed by ranks and again by trades for each of the three components.

A Field Park Squadron had a total of 111 personnel.
Headquarters had 33 men.
Workshop Troop had 40 men.
Stores Troop had 38 men.

As sapper said the role of the Field Park Squadron was to provide a reserve of equipment and material for the Field. It would also administer any additional equipment or material provided by higher formations, usually mechanical equipment or bridging material.

Mike

 

Hi,
Thanks again Trux I will study your notes later when a group of small sub humans, possibly grand children have left the planet or are heading south, luv them realy. I have attached a drawing I did for my father's Normandy Artillery Units and this is what I would like to do for my uncles RE units but I have not been able to track down the AoS / TAC / , not sure of the correct descriptor for these vehicle markings for 143 Fd. Pk. Sqdn., 4th. Fd Sqdn., 621st. Fd. Sqdn. or the 7th. Bidging troop. Can you point me in the right direction. Many of the units in 21AG / 7th. Armoured I have found but the important ones, to me at the momment are those closely associated with Alex.
Thanks again Trux & Sapper my knowledge is growing but dreadfully slowly.
Bye Neil

 

Arm of Service markings for RE in 7 armoured division.

Blue square.
Headquarters CRE. 40.
4 Field Squadron. 41.
621 Field Squadron. 46.
143 Field Park Squadron. 42.
7 Bridging Troop. 52.

Mike

 

Hi Mike,
That's just what I needed, I will study your detail on ranks and numbers, at length. I quoted earlier from 143 Fd. Pk. Sqdn. war diary that "10 men were killed or injured" on the 18th Aug 44 those killed, that I have found, are listed on the CWGC site as;
Cpl. Charles Pursglove 33yrs., Drvr. James Taylor 36yrs., Drvr. Laurence Crummay 24yrs., Spr. Robert Brooke 32yrs. & Spr. William Henry Cook 26yrs.
The single heavey calibre shell landed in the "Bridging Troop leaguer" as this is 143's war diary this would be refering to one of their three Troops and not the 7th. Bridging troop or would it? and as ten men were involved would this indicate a single section or likely? I have attached the relevant page from the war diary.
Thanks again Neil

 

Neil,

This is getting complicated. I shall take a few steps back and have a go at explaining.

The Field Company (or Squadron in armoured divisions – the same except for the name) has the skill and training to carry out almost all engineer tasks. It can build bridges of any type or size, it can lay or clear minefields, it can blow things up, make roads, erect buildings etc.

Field Park Squadrons hold and supply the means to do many of the tasks. Field Squadrons have basic tools but the Field Park Squadron holds tools and mechanical equipment for issue to Field Squadrons as required. In divisions there is a fairly steady demand for bridging so a Bridging Troop is attached. This is not strictly a part of the establishment of the Field Park Squadron but is administered by it. The Bridging Troop is only to transport the bridging equipment.

Field Park Squadrons cannot hold all the equipment and material that may be required and any extra is delivered to it for issue to the Field Squadrons. The Bridging Platoon mentioned in your extract will be from a RASC Bridging Company. Normally it would only deliver to the Field Park but in this case, being an emergency, it seems to be being used to deliver to the Field Squadrons.

Field Park Squadrons have only two troops. The Workshop Troop which can repair or manufacture items and the Stores Troop which receives, maintains and issues equipment and material.

The Light Aid Detachment mentioned is an attached REME unit which is also administered by the Field Park Squadron.

I am not sure I have made this clearer. I can see it could make your brain hurt. I expect more questions.

Mike.

 

Hi Mike,
Yes I am sure there will be more questions but with you info above I am re-reading the war diary and attempting to put names & ranks to the 2 Troops which is starting to make more sense. Will go back and read your 21AG words of wisdom.
Thanks again, all is going well.

 

Morning,

I have been researching Sapper 1905127 William Henry Cook who is from Walsall and one of the men killed as per the War Diary.

Would it be possible, please, to post the full War Diary for this period so I can understand what happened to him,

Many thanks,

Graeme

 

Hi Graeme,
The war diary was supplied by Drew5233 see post 4 above. There are 279 pages / images and as is the case usually, other ranks are not named, sometimes on promotions or demotions but not what they are doing as individuals. Spr. William H. Cook is not mentioned from Feb 1944 to his death on 18 Aug 44 or beyond. I copied the part of the diary that records the event but as you can see "10 men killed or injured...." and goes on to describe vehicle problems. The deaths I listed were direct from the CWGC site. I have since discovered two more, one died the next day and one noted in the diary "died of wounds 26 Sep 44" I will post their details tomorrow.
Sorry my uncle was one of the 10 men he was wounded but as I said not named in the diary throughout.
Bye Neil

 

Hi,
Still reading the War Diary which makes more sense with the details from Sapper & Trux but heavey going.
One question with the organisation of the Sqdn. with 2 troops, 1. W/shop & 2 Stores, would they each have 4 sections of 12 men lead by the L/sgt. or Cpl.?
I found two more casualities from 18 Aug 44 they are;
Spr. Emrys J. Matthews ?yrs. No. 14342365 died 19 Aug 44 & Drvr. Cyril John Lockyear 26yrs. died 26 Aug 44 his death is reported in Squadron Orders for Monday 18 Sep 1944 - 351. Caualities The O. C. regerets to announce that No. 2004851 Dvr. Lockyear died on the 26th. Aug 44 as a result of the wounds he received when with this unit.
Still working Neil

 

I have attached a block drawing based on I hope your information thanks I am still reading the 21AG Trux, I have read over the diary and I don't think there is anything more I can get from that. A little disapointment that I can not fix him into one or other of the two troops and off course that there is little detail of the 18 Aug 44 in the diary.
As you noted I am sure I will be asking more questions as I go on.
Thanks again Neil

 

I think your latest diagram has got it right. I cannot find that there were any subdivisions in the two troops.

Most of the personnel in the stores troop are drivers rather than sappers. Personnel in the workshop troop are mostly sappers. All are RE but sappers have general sapper skills plus a specialist trade. Drivers are mostly drivers of vehicles some are machinery operators or driver mechanics.

In the workshop troop are some trades connected with water supply and electrical supply.

Mike

 

Hi,
Thanks again Trux with that I am well pleased. I think I will indicate that he was most likley to be in the W/Shop Troop as he was a Plumber / Pipe Fitter.
I am very happy with the information I have on his time in the 143 Fd. Pk. Sqdn. and so I am going to concentrate on his time during the Blitz on Bobm Disposal work. I started these enquiries on another thread so I will post more of his MOD records there and as you expect questions.
Thanks Neil

 

I think you have it.

Field Park Squadron was responsible for water supply. Pumps and pipes, plus collapsible storage tanks were used.

A picture.

View attachment 114424

Mike

 

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