(Interesting group photograph) - Location Info please on 7th Training Battalion Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by kingarthur, Jul 10, 2011.

  1. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Can anybody tell about the group in this photograph. The picture itself belongs to my 2nd cousin and the man standing top left is her father. She knows nothing about her dad's war years and only has this photo but no details.

    Cheers
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Dave,

    That should be the 7th Training Battalion Royal Engineers!

    I can't get a close-up of the cap badges to confirm, but there again the personell could pay Pay Corps...

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  3. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Hello Dave,

    That's 7th Training Battalion, Royal Engineers!

    Best,

    Steve.

    Thanks Steve, can you tell me anything else about the battalion?
     
  4. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Thanks Steve, can you tell me anything else about the battalion?

    Not a lot, Dave. I know it was based at Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, Kent, in late 1942. But I don't know if it specialised in anything in particular.

    Once a recruit had done his basic training and was posted to the RE, where he would train in whatever branch of the engineers he was to specialise in at a TBRE. The 4th TBRE was originally in Colchester (I think you may have an inkling where this is), before relocating to Preston, Lancs, in 1940.

    Brian (our own 'Sapper') should be able to give you a real insight into what happened at TBRE's and just may have been at the 7th!?!? :) Why don't you PM him?!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  5. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Not a lot, Dave. I know it was based at Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, Kent, in late 1942. But I don't know if it specialised in anything in particular.

    Once a recruit had done his basic training and was posted to the RE, where he would train in whatever branch of the engineers he was to specialise in at a TBRE. The 4th TBRE was originally in Colchester (I think you may have an inkling where this is), before relocating to Preston, Lancs, in 1940.

    Brian (our own 'Sapper') should be able to give you a real insight into what happened at TBRE's and just may have been at the 7th!?!? :) Why don't you PM him?!

    Best,

    Steve.

    Thanks Steve, PM sent to Sapper
     
  6. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi.
    The trouble with RE training is the huge variety of different units contained in that general Corps of the Royal Engineers.....

    I trained at No 1 RE training battalion Clithero. The training covered a wide spectrum of subjects. Infantry training .Our CRE's motto was "You are fighting men..... soldiers first and Sappers after"

    The assault course was long and severe, crossing the river Ribble twice. We leaned bridging. bailey. assault crossings with floats. Mines of all descriptions, and a great deal about explosives. Of every type, and the coloured fuses that went with them.

    The different colours signify how long you get before the big bang!
    Shooting with brens and rifles long route marches and a seven mile run in boots before breakfast! Not nice !

    Grenade. Military discipline and trained on the parade ground by a Guards RSm.

    The training covered a whole heap of subjects.....

    mostly infantry warfare, mines, explosives, and bridging of all types.
    Hope this helps? anything else I can help...... YELL
    Sapper
     
  7. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Thanks Brian

    The gentleman standing back row is my 2nd cousins dad, his name id Henry George Byatt, later in life an MBE for his charity work. Apparently he was a driver to the officers and as far as my cousin knows he never saw action oversea's. Service record now ordered but its nice to get some background info from someone who's in the know, cheers
     
  8. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Would anyone know where the 7th Training Battalion Royal Engineers were based between 1944-1945.

    Thanks
     
  9. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Dave, a link here you may find of intrest as it has a Airborne slant and a connaction to this thread. Tom Carpenter
     
  10. Earthican

    Earthican Senior Member

    Not a lot, Dave. I know it was based at Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, Kent, in late 1942. But I don't know if it specialised in anything in particular.

    Once a recruit had done his basic training and was posted to the RE, where he would train in whatever branch of the engineers he was to specialise in at a TBRE. The 4th TBRE was originally in Colchester (I think you may have an inkling where this is), before relocating to Preston, Lancs, in 1940.

    Brian (our own 'Sapper') should be able to give you a real insight into what happened at TBRE's and just may have been at the 7th!?!? :) Why don't you PM him?!

    Best,

    Steve.


    A quick Google search for "Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, Kent" found this thread on another forum. It has a 1938 and 1953 map of the barracks.

    Kitchener Barracks, Chatham

    I still can't wrap my head around how military training was conducted near the center of town. I assume the British Army "acquired" some real estate outside town for rifle ranges and demolitions training? If so, then almost daily marches through town to the training areas?
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Dave I've merged your two threads and moved them to the R.E. sub-forum.
    Also added a bit to the title - you can always edit it to suit the direction it needs to go.
    Regards
    Diane
     
  12. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Dave, a link here you may find of intrest as it has a Airborne slant and a connaction to this thread. Tom Carpenter


    Interesting Link Jas,thanks.
     
  13. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Dave I've merged your two threads and moved them to the R.E. sub-forum.
    Also added a bit to the title - you can always edit it to suit the direction it needs to go.
    Regards
    Diane

    Thanks Diane, I should of thought of that myself:)
     
  14. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    A quick Google search for "Kitchener Barracks, Chatham, Kent" found this thread on another forum. It has a 1938 and 1953 map of the barracks.

    Kitchener Barracks, Chatham

    I still can't wrap my head around how military training was conducted near the center of town. I assume the British Army "acquired" some real estate outside town for rifle ranges and demolitions training? If so, then almost daily marches through town to the training areas?

    Thanks Earthican

    Out of my comfort zone with this one, but every little bit of info is putting a smile on my cousins face.:)
     

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