I have been researching my grandfathers service with the Royal Engineers. He served with the 722nd Artizan Works during WW2. I now know that 722nd Artizan Works where part of 18th G.H.Q. Troop Engineers which in turn where part of 5 Beach Group at 101 Beach Sub Area Sword Beach. 5 beach group were part of the 3rd infantry Division. According to the war diaries they landed on D Day +1. I have been going round in circles trying to establish what formation sign he would have worn, this is a really important part of my research but I can't work it out. As part of 5 beach group, would he have worn the fouled anchor below the Royal Engineers crescent with an arm of service strip under the anchor. Or, as part of 3rd division would he have worn the inverted red triangle inside a black triangle of the 3 rd division. Or, would he have worn the red shield with blue cross of the 21 st army group. I know this may seem a bit trivial but I am really hoping someone may be able to help me out.
Steve, Some minor correction: HQ 18 GHQ Tps Engrs and 722 Art Wks Coy were 101 Beach Sub Area Troops, i.e. directly under command HQ 101 Beach Sub Area and not part of either 5 or 6 Beach Gp. Additionally, neither 5 Beach Gp nor 101 Beach Sub Area were "part of" 3 Br Inf Div, but attached to and at some point under command of 3 Div. 722 Art Wks Coy would therefore definitely not wear the 3 Div sign. But they would have the Beach Group Fouled Anchor, although I'm not sure whether it would have been the sand or light blue variant. In addition, they might also have worn the blue Cross over red Shield, although I doubt it. Michel
Thanks very much Michel, that makes more sense and fills in a missing piece of my research. I really appreciate your help. Steve
