A little help

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Manta, Jun 4, 2012.

  1. Manta

    Manta Junior Member

    Hi

    I'm trying to find out about my Father in Laws service, I know very little as he died in 1969 before I met my wife and apparently spoke very little about his service. We have requested his service records but await the arrival !!.

    I have a photo of his armband and we know he was in the R.E. in Germany in 46 as per back of photo. Can anyone shed light as to unit and where he may have been

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    any help would be much appreciated

    Kev
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Kev

    i am sure forum members will be able assist.


    regards
    Clive
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I have the units war diaries-It's a Royal Engineers Company (Maybe 89 or 90 Coy I'll check later) that fought in North West Europe.
     
  4. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Hi Kev and welcome to the forum.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The emblem is in 90 Field Coy RE's war diaries - I'd check with Mike (Trux) just to make sure its not used by a higher formation-I'm thinking 104 Beach Sub Area or 8 GHQ Troops Engineers.
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  7. MSGrover1

    MSGrover1 Member

    As Drew has rightly pointed out the badge is the “fouled anchor” which was the unit badge for Beach Groups and 8th GHQ Troops Engineers which was made up of 89/90 & 91 RE. So could be any of the Beach Groups I believe. Although 8th GHQ Troops Engineers was formed in 1943 by the conversion of 8th Chemical Warfare Group RE. As GHQ Troops Engineers they formed part of the Normandy Beach Group and when they transferred to normal GHQ Troops duties they continued to wear the badge. So to be in Germany in 1946 could make him part of 8th GHQ which would then make him 89/90 or 91 RE although most of 89 returned July 1945 with 90 remaining not sure on 91.

    Drew has given the link to “Blare” news paper.

    Would you confirm for me the name of your father in law? I will scan through the war diaries of 8th/89/90
     
  8. Manta

    Manta Junior Member

    Thank you gentleman your answers have certainly helped an immense amount.I have had a look at the Blare newspaper it makes interesting reading. I noted your Avatar was the same as my father in laws armband. His name was Sgt Samuel Harry Briggs. any further help would be very much appreciated.

    Kev
     
  9. MSGrover1

    MSGrover1 Member

    I will have a scan through the diaries I have, it will be a slim chance but still possible as Sgt might be named but he could be any of the beach groups.....There are good people in the forum that can advise you on where/who to go to, to get service records. Do post any photos you may find, I would also recommend posting the whole original picture just in case someone notices something...which happened with one of my pics....

    Good Luck and i'll come back if I have anything in 89/90 RE or 8th GHQ

    M
     
  10. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Anyone have any idea what that dark horizontal mark is, below the unit symbol?
    I can see the "..ineers" part of the shoulder flash, but puzzled by the size and position of the dark mark (it looks too defined to be a photo blemish?)
     
  11. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Anyone have any idea what that dark horizontal mark is, below the unit symbol?
    I can see the "..ineers" part of the shoulder flash, but puzzled by the size and position of the dark mark (it looks too defined to be a photo blemish?)

    The attached might help.

    Cheers
    Kevin
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Manta

    Manta Junior Member

    Here are the few photo's I have available. brother in Law may have more but he's not local and is away at the moment.
    This is the photo that has the writing on the back. Harry is on the right.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    On the back friends in the Sgt mess no date.(noticable the other guy was with him in Germany
    [​IMG]

    and finaly the one with the fouled anchor looking younger and no stripes
    [​IMG]

    hope these help.

    Thanks
    Kev
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Anyone have any idea what that dark horizontal mark is, below the unit symbol?
    I can see the "..ineers" part of the shoulder flash, but puzzled by the size and position of the dark mark (it looks too defined to be a photo blemish?)

    Its a Royal Engineers TRF. KevinT has post some excellent examples above. :)
     
  14. PeterG

    PeterG Senior Member

    Anyone have any idea what that dark horizontal mark is, below the unit symbol?
    I can see the "..ineers" part of the shoulder flash, but puzzled by the size and position of the dark mark (it looks too defined to be a photo blemish?)
    Just to add t Kevin's post, here is my webpage on arm of service strips: Arm of Service Strips
     

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