I'm wondering if anyone knows what happened to the unit on this date, as they lost over 30 men when the Tunisia campaign had finished the previous month. As some of the men who aren't buried in Tunisia and have no known grave are commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial, I'm wondering if there may have been an air crash or ship sunk while they were moving on from Tunisia? Would also be interested in more general information about the unit. Many Thanks. Cheers, Carole.
A bit about this chap here- Sapper Fred Waddington, aged 25, of 238 Field Company, died in Tunisia, on 18 June 1943, some time after the surrender of the Axis forces in North Africa which took place on 11 May, but before the start of the invasion of Sicily in July. During this period the Royal Engineers would have been involved in clearing minefields and other highly-dangerous work. Info taken from this website: Clayton-le-Moors War Memorial - John Cassidy, Sculptor Lesley
During this period the Royal Engineers would have been involved in clearing minefields and other highly-dangerous work. Lesley That had crossed my mind, but the fact they lost 30+ men in one day, rather than in twos or threes or whatever over a period of days/weeks made me wonder if it was something more dramatic...
War Diary - WO 175/653 238 Field Company, RE 1943 Feb.- June Thanks for the file reference - that's what I'll need if no one on here happens to know the answer
Found something here. page 111 Grampy's War - Colin Simmons - Google Books chap says he was in 238 Fd Coy. They had just been involved in operations on Pantelleria
Brilliant Owen, thanks for that. Will need the diary at some stage for more details, but know what happened now.
Have you been able to obtain any further information about 238 Field Coy RE. My father was in this unit and apart from his tales I have found out very little. Trevor
My Dad, Tom Paterson, and his brother, William Paterson both served in the 238th. Uncle Billy was one of the the 32 who died on this day. They were on a landing craft returning from Pantelleria when it struck a mine. 32 dead in a single day when they only lost 77 in the whole war. I would also like any information about the Company as Dad told me very little Regards Bob
Done a bit of research (all from internet) On the 7 Feb 1920, the Territorial Force was redesignated as the Territorial Army, with 51st and 52nd Div based in Scotland. In 1920, the 406th Field Company was redesignated as the 238th Highland (Coy. of Renfrew) Field Coy RE, a 1st line TA Unit based in Paisley. They were part of the 51st (Highland) Divisional Engineers that were reconstituted as part of the changes. The HQRE and 236th Field Company was based in Aberdeen. The 237th Field Company was based in Dundee with the 238th Field Company at the Drill Hall, Whitehaugh Avenue, Paisley. On 29 Mar 1939, the TA doubled in size by forming 2nd line units (9th and 15th Div in Scotland). 238th Highland (Coy. of Renfrew) Field Company RE On 3 Sep 1939 it was embodied with 51st (Highland) Divisional Engineers and served with the BEF in 1940 where most of the division was lost in France on 12 Jun 1940. 238 Fd Coy had been replaced by 26th Fd Coy on 28 Feb 1940, several months earlier and went onto serve with 1st Infantry Division, I Corps from 29 Feb 1940 till 31 Apr 1945. They served with 1 Div in France and Belgium until 2 Jun 1940 before returning to operate in the UK until 27 Feb 1943. They sailed to North Africa and served until 10 Jun 1943. 238 Fd Coy were the first troops to enter Tripoli in January 1943 and captured the Governors standard, which is now in the RE Museum. Between April and May 1943, the Division was involved in the battle for Mediez Plain and the battle for Tunis. In June they served in Pantelleria before returning to serve in North Africa from 15 Jun - 4 Dec 1943. On the 18 Jun, as 238 Fd Coy was returning back to their ship from ops on Pantelleria, their landing craft was hit by a large sea mine, killing up to 30 from the Coy. After North Africa, they sailed to Italy and served from 7 Dec 43 - 27 Jan 1945. During this time, between 22 Jan - 22 May 1944, 1 Div was involved in Battle at Anzio, South of Rome. 238 Fd Coy was the vanguard (forward element) during the landings at Peter Beach, Anzio on 22 Jan 1944 to clear mines. On the 8 Feb, 238 reinforced 6 Gordon Highlanders in the infantry role From 22 May - 4 Jun 1944, 1 Div was then involved in the battle for Rome before being involved in the battle for Gothic Line from 25 Aug - 22 Sep. They then sailed to Palestine and served from 2 Feb 1945 to 31 Apr 1945. After the war, 51st (Highland) Division Engineers were reformed in 1947 as the 117th Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, but the Paisley Sqn would reform in 20 Engr Bde in Renfrew as 238 Construction Squadron RE (TA). In 1961,the Sqn became an independent Sqn. On 1 Apr 1967 the Sqn was disbanded. (In name only) In 1967, personnel from 102 deployed to Aden on operations as part of the 'ever-readies', a high readiness contract. Unfortunately those who served on Ops missed out on a campaign medal by 1 day. Find attached a pic of the drill hall shared with A&SH Regards, Dave
My father Ralph Kilmartin Conlon died by drowning on this day 18 June 1943. I have gathered two other Sappers who died with him, Sapper Fred Waddington and William Patterson these three plus another twenty nine souls lost that day. When 238 coy RE lost only 77 during the whole war. A memory from the past, The coy was part of the Expeditionary Force and left Dunkirk on the day, my Father said on landing they only had one rifle between five men an told to pick up rifles from the fallen. He returned from Dunkirk, telling my Mother he did not expect to survive the war, the Panzers were fanatics. In North Africa, he told of a time they laid a mine field, lost their way back and the company lost men. Any others stories I will be grateful, even just the names of men who died with him. Let us not forget those who fell and the futility, may all rest in peace. reply direct to malnucee@gmail.com
My Uncle also died on this day 18 June 1943 age 24. Son of William and Lilly. I know very little other than my other uncle saying they were ambushed. He is buried in a well kept cemetery in Tunisia. This was tended by 2 old Tunisians back in 2007. My late cousin also a Frank ( we were both named after him) visited the cemetery. They were delighted too see him. Frank had just qualified as a Bricklayer before his call up.
