Artisan Works coy Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by 281664, Dec 10, 2015.

  1. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    Hi,

    Like most, i am researching family history. I've read through my great grandfathers service record and he was with 654 AW Coy in the BEF, MEF and BNAF from 1940 to 1944.

    Can anyone give a description of the role artisan works played as part of the royal engineers? If my understanding is correct, they were just general labourers with no special trade. ( my g-grandfather was a carpenter/joiner). But how were they deployed?

    The confusion of the matter is that he received several mention in dispatches whilst part of this coy (two other men recieved the military medal around the same time). If they are just general craftsmen, how did they end up so close to the action?

    If there are any sources with information, i'd be grateful if you could send them my way.

    Cheers,

    Will
     
  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Will,

    Rather more than labourers. Artisans are craftsmen. See the War Establishment below. This was changed very little over the war years.

    ARTISAN WORKS COMPANY
    WE IV/1931/9B/1
    This company contains a headquarters and four work sections. It is organised for building work on the lines of communication.
    Major
    Captain
    4 X Subaltern

    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    5 X serjeant
    18 X corporal
    203 X sapper
    29 X driver IC

    32 X bricklayer
    60 X carpenter and joiner
    3 X clerk
    20 X concretor
    2 X draughtsman
    24 X electrician
    8 X mason
    12 X painter and decorator
    12 X plumber
    47 X pioneer

    22 X driver IC for vehicles
    6 X batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman

    Transport
    6 X bicycle
    5 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 12cwt van
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS
    9 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    11 X Pistol .38”
    252 X rifle .303”
    4 X Bren lmg

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain

    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant
    corporal
    transport corporal
    2 X lance corporal
    5 X sapper
    9 X driver IC

    3 X clerk
    2 X draughtsman
    2 X pioneer
    cook

    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    2 X batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman

    2 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 12cwt van
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS
    1 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    3 X Pistol .38”
    20 X rifle .303”


    4 X Section
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    2 X corporal
    4 X lance corporal
    45 X sapper
    5 X driver IC

    8 X bricklayer
    15 X carpenter and joiner
    5 X concretor
    6 X electrician
    2 X mason
    3 X painter and decorator
    3 X plumber
    10 X pioneer
    cook

    4 X driver IC for vehicles
    batman

    Transport
    1 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    2 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    2 X Pistol .38”
    58 X rifle .303”
    1 X Bren lmg

    It would be useful to have a date for the awards. In the BEF and in North Africa all sorts of unlikely units found themselves having to fight.

    Mike
     
  3. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    Hi Mike, that's fantastic.

    His dates are:
    Pal 15.1.42-30.6.42
    Italy 9.19.43

    Cheers,

    Will
     
  4. JohnS

    JohnS Senior Member

    I have the 654th AW Coy. as part of 101st Beach Sub-Area as part of the force that landed with the 3rd British Division on D-day. That would explain the MMs.
     
  5. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Mike

    According to a RE Order of Battle (OOB) document I found on the internet a while ago, but seems to have since disappeared:

    654th General Construction Company, served with Lines of Communication (L of C) Troops BEF 1940.

    Egypt by 1942 on the Alamein Line. Then renamed 654th AWC. Sent to CMF (probably Italy).

    Served with 21st Army Group 1944-45 (Normandy Landings - 101 Beach Sub Area).

    Disbanded Sep 1945.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     

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