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
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
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.
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