Hello there This is my first post so I thought I'd better introduce myself and ask for a bit of help all in one go! My names Bill and I'm currently doing some family research. I've come across an uncle that apparently served with a unit of the Royal Engineers. I've tried to find some details about this unit, but so far have had little success! He served in Palestine - I'm guessing 1945-1948 in something called Royal Engineers 193 Railway Operation Company/squadron, apparently he was a Lance Corporal. They were based in a place called Assib? My questions are these: Was this unit formed specifically for Palestine or were they active during the 1939-45 war. What exactly did this unit do - I'm guessing, obviously something to do with trains!! Any assistance that you could offer would be greatly appreciated Thanks Bill
hello Bill welcome to the forum im sure forum members will be able to add info for you have you requested his service records link below Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel
Hello there CL1, thanks for the welcome I think that is going to have to be my next port of call in the ongoing search. I just wondered if any of the members knew anything about this particular unit, as its a complete mystery to me. regarding the service records? Is it pretty straightforward and is there much in the way of paperwork and documentation that I would need to provide. Thanks Bill
hello Bill have a look at the link below it gives more info it is straight forward but I believe there is a bit of a backlog at the moment so you might have to wait a few months or more.. Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel keep us updated as to your progress. regards Clive
Old Bill According to the Orbat (Order of Battle) RE there was no wartime 193 Railway Operating Company. But it appears that in 1946 there was a company in Palestine with that unit number how or why it was formed is unclear. I believe they would have operated the railway system doing the day to day running rather than construction, it could have included maintenance of signalling Etc. I suggest Old Bill that you look up the unit war diary on the National Archieves and get a copy Drew is down at Kew next and if you find the file number he will for a modest amount copy it for you if you want (PM Drew5233) Welecome to the forum
Gentlemen, many, many thanks for all your help and advice. I'll keep digging and will of course keep you updated if and when I find anything. You've all been very kind best regards Bill
Hi Bill, My Dad was in the Royal Engineers 193rd Railway Operating Company. I have his service record throughout 1940/1946. I discovered 150 photos of him and his unit, trains and unknown other people on these. The 193rd was attached to the 8th Army and he must have traveled along North Africa and into Palestine. There are a lot of photos of derailed trains and a few tourist type photos of prominent buildings in Egypt etc.I have been trying to find out as much as I can about the content of the photos.
I have a recollection that the Palestine Arab Revolt pre-WW2 involved trains being derailed. There are some references here: Palestine Railways - Wikipedia In post-WW2 Palestine there was a Jewish insurgency and I note Wike refers to: See: Jewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine - Wikipedia Good luck.
In 1946/7 trains running from Egypt to Jerusalem were under British Army Command. Often some hapless 2nd Lt who was travelling there anyway was given the responsibility for the train he was on - a pretty thankless task which meant upsetting lots of travellers many who would be senior officers, taking all the blame if something happened and getting no credit if nothing did. George MacDonald Fraser wrote an account of such a journey based on his own experience.
