My Father bequeathed an Album of his travels through North Africa, Sicily and Italy. For much of that time he was a Lieutenant in the RE. The material includes a number of Field Notes written and signed by him, for example To: OC 237 FD CoY From: OC 3 Section with his signature. Can I assume that he was indeed the OC 3 Section or might he have written them on behalf of the OC? I would be happy to compare notes with anyone else interested in this particular RE Field Company in the period Oct 42 to July 44. Regards, Tuffer
As a Lieutenant he would have been the OC of a section. Field Coys were noramally commanded by a Captain or Major and according to all of the RE Company war diaries I've copied a Company would only contain around 4 to 6 officers. Have you consider getting the Company war diaries. I suspect he should be documented in them being that he was an officer. Cheers Andy
Tuffer Why not scan one of the pages of his notes and post it on this thread for some of the RE researchers to see ? Ron (an ex 78 Div man but LAA and not RE)
These are the files you should check going by the date range you have given: WO 175/652 237 Company 1942 Sept.- Nov., 1943 Jan.- June WO 169/10665 237 Field Company (Fd Coy) 1943 July- Dec. WO 169/16424 237 Field Company (Fd Coy) 1944 Aug. WO 170/1677 Companies: 237 Company 1944 Jan.- Dec.
Hi Tuffer, I would be interested in learning about your Father's experiences as my Grandad was with 237th Field Coy RE and was a driver. I am going to try and get the war diaries for the regiment as I only recently gained confirmation that he was with them from obtaining the war records. I would be happy to share the diaries (if I am able to get them) with yourself and others researching this regiment. You may be interested in some photographs I have posted on this forum which feature the 78th division in Alexandria - http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/north-africa-med/50541-photos-78th-division-others-alexandria.html Kindest regards, Rosegold21
Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but thought I might add a bit of pertinent info for any others searching for 237 Fd Coy, especially for this period over 1942 - 43. The first ever operational, Bailey bridge was constructed during the night of November 26th 1942, it was a 100ft triple/single,and was built across the River Medjerda at Medjez el Bab in Tunisia. The honour of erecting the first Bailey built in contact with the enemy fell to 237 Field Company of 78th Division. If your Dad was serving with them at this time then he may well have notes on this Bailey bridge which would make them of significant worth to the RE Museum and the IWM. Pete
