64 Bomb Disposal Sect RE

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by 3mileSnipper, Jan 28, 2013.

  1. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    I am just starting to research my uncles war. (I am still doing research on my father but in for a penny... as they say.:D) I dont have a lot of data on my uncle as yet we are waiting for his Service Records. A number of photographs are labled with places and this one has group/section reference so someone may help even with this small amount of info. "64 Bomb disposal Sect R E London Blitz 27 Oct 1940". The man far right I believe is Ivor Thomas and next to him is my uncle, Alex Wainwright. He ended the war as a casualty from 143 Field Park Sqn RE. in Aug 1944 Army No.1888659 more picts to follow.
     
  2. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi,
    Another interesting picture from Alex on the left, I don't know his Opo but this was taken while serving in the RE bomb disposal squad. He described this as a little one, only 1000Lbs/kgs. (my error I don't know if Lbs. or Kgs. his notes quote both units during training) This was Removed from the area of the East India Dock Rd., Mile End, London. 25 Oct 1940
     
  3. ChrisR

    ChrisR Senior Member

    Hi there,
    No 64 Section came under 5 BD Company. Below are a couple of 5 Company's war diary pages that show where the section was based. You'll notice that command was transferred from Lt Dixon to Lt Hunt. You might want to get hold of a book published in the 1980's 'Bombs and Boobytraps' as it is Hunt's memoirs. Though your uncle isn't mentioned by name in the book, it does cover bombs recovered by 64 Section (and his other section no33).
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  4. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Thanks for the WAR diary extracts I will look at diaries once I get his records from MOD. Just had confirmation that they received my request and a note that due to the current high demand for their services 9 to 12 months, as expected. I will post a wedding attended by Wm A Dixon & Alec in 1942 Chelsea possibly tomorrow now. Thanks again for the info.
    Neil
     
  5. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    This is the marriage of Gerald Clifford Padgett to Gladys L. Reeves in Chelsea Mar qtr 1942 attending the wedding are;Front right Paul Berry (Author), Clifford, Gladys then behind Clifford, Alec and Capt. Wm. A. Dixon MC. GM. What unit/section would Dixon have been in charge of at this time.
    Neil
     
  6. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi,
    Still waiting for my uncles Alex W Wainwright service records from MOD
    This attached is a group stationed at the Isolation Hospital, Roman Rd., East Ham 30 Sep 1940 Alex is back row 2nd. from right don't know much about his photographs or his activities yet until I get the stuff from MOD.
    I am still struggling with the not so new site not finding my way round as before, must try harder.
     
  7. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi,
    Received my uncle's service history from MOD and will post as soon as I can.
    A little disapointed that some period(s) of his service are not included. He was in 64 B.D with Capt. W.A. Dixon see previous but no details in MOD, photographs of him show him as a L/Cpl but no promoted / demoted notes.
    I have two exercise books partly used on his entry training course, 2 questions; where was 2nd. TBRE situated and a map on the back page of one shows "The Pontefract area of 63 - 64 B.D. Sect" is this where training was. Part of my confusion is I believed 64 BD was in & around the London Area?
    Thanks any help will be most appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi,
    My uncle's MOD records I hope these are of interest to others I will post more of them as I can scan them etc.
    The 1st. 2 are cards from what I believe is C.C.I. (Central Card Indexing) I wondered if there is an explanation somewhere of the information entered into the sections lettered A. to G which would help.
    Face of Card No.1
    His service No. is 1888659 so does the number 1223400 on the card at 3. have any significance?
    4. Regt. or Corps: RE 270 I have not been able to find any thing on this formation.
    5. Nature of Engagement:TAW I don't know this abreviation, I have seen "For the Duration of Hostilities" and words like that but not TAW?
    19. Location:H what does this entry mean?
    Card No. 1 The reverse of this card has a number of postings;
    Part 1 Order [ Postings ]
    62 BD Sec. 99/40 [ 62 BD on 26.6.40 ], the next entry I am not clear on
    N. Roll 1.9.41 [ No 1 B.Dis Groups ] I think? next
    50/43 24 B D Coy [ 24 BD Coy 31.5.43 ] next
    24BD/92/43 A/23/346F [ 507 Field Coy. 29/10/43 ] next
    507/23/44 A/77/6837 [ 143 Field Park Sqd. 27/3/44 ] next
    6862/44 021st. AG [ Embarked UK 4/7/44 ]
    At this point he was blown up in a jeep "Traumatic amputation of right leg" telegram words.
    9705/44 02E 21AG [ X (II) list 28/8/44 ] Under Part II Orders an entry I don't understand A&S ROLL/Y/53 next
    X list 02E 21AG/896/44 [ SOS. 21AG UK EVAC to Hosp: U/K 1.9.44 ]
    The stamp in the bottom right corner appears on a number of items A, B, H, C, U, with figures entered are these of interest or just part of the wonderful Army filing system.
    Face of Card No.2 This is a copy of the 1st. card (Not posted)
    Card No.2 The reverse
    Part II Orders [ Postings ]
    507/23/44 A1/77/6837 [ 143 Fld PK Sqd 27.3.44 ] next
    6862/44 02E 21AG [ Embkd UK 4.7.44 ] next
    02E 21AG 9705/44 [ SOS 21AG on evac to UK (hosp) 1.9.44 ] next
    C/293/44 [ Evac to UK ex N.W.E. Y List (I) 1.9.44 ]
    Any feed back would be very welcome
    Bye Neil
     
  9. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    This is the rest of my uncle Alex MOD records. I have explored his time with 143 Fd. pk. Sqdn. into Normandy & Evac. wounded with help from Sapper & Trux and would like to continue with his earlier postings and operations mainly his bomb disposal period during the Blitz.

    On his 1st. record card, posted earlier, their is a reference to a Regt. or Corps: RE 270 I have not been able to find any thing on this unit so far, this appears to have been added when he signed up 30 Mar 1940

    On these AF B200B:
    After training at 2nd. TBRE he is posted to 62 Bomb Disposal Section. I can not find any information on their whereabouts so far.

    The next entry is difficult to read 13/40 2nd. B... R...followed by Drill Hall, Ilford Posted 14/9/40 this location I have found with respect to a number of BD Sections, two listed here; No. 7 Civil Defence Group, 5 B.D. Coy., No. 33 & 64 Sect. at the Drill Hall, Gordon Rd., Ilford. 6 Sept 1940 (Thanks to ChrisR) I know from photograph notes that he was with Capt. W.A. Dixon MC RE for some time but no reference to 64 Sect. in his records. There are no entries on his record between 14 Sep 1940 and 4 Jan 1944 When I see he is in 507 Fd. Coy., Sect 15aa A.W.O.L. etc. etc. moving on. Again I have not found where the 507 Fd. Coy., fits in to the scheme of things but the gap covers a period of great interest as he was a L/Cpl. - Cpl. - Spr. when he leaves the service, the MOD do not have any more details so stuck.

    Another couple of strange references are; one at my post here at #7 "The Pontefract area of 63 - 64 B.D. Sect" which seems along way from the London area of 64 Sect. and two my post on "Bombs at Brodsworth" dropped on the 28 Aug 1940 (actual date 24 Au 1940 Thanks to Trudy) no reference in his notes to which section was responding to this event.
    I hope the records are of interest and any comments will be most appreciated.
    Bye Neil
     
  10. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Just starting to read the War diary of No.5 Coy BD RE (Thanks again Drew) at the same time adding info to my data base of various incidents. Can anyone confirm the CWGC death of 2/Lt. John Stewart Simpson Hunter on 22 Sep 1940 as the same chap referenced in the War diary:- 22 Sep 1940 15.30hrs. 2/Lt. J. F. F. HUNTER (O. i/c No.38 BD Section) killed....... perhaps known only as John, when killed were his full initials spoken as SS and miss heard as FF sad really.
     
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  11. ChrisR

    ChrisR Senior Member

    Hi there,
    Only one man named Hunter in BD was killed on that date, so somehow those initials have been corrupted. Not sure what other details are in the war diary but I made a note that Lt John S. Hunter was holding a delayed action fuze at the Mill Hill HQ when it exploded. He was killed. Bill Carlton was permanently blinded, James Coucher had to have a leg amputated and an un-named Sergeant had his foot broken. An un-named Sapper was also wounded.
     
  12. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi ChrisR,
    Thanks for the detail of this event. 2/Lt. Hunter is only noted twice in the diary, both occasions recorded as JFF Hunter very strange. He had just transfered to this area from Northern command on the 14 Sep. 1940 and was killed on the 22 Sep 1940 I have edited the two entries in the diary in one image attached.
    I have not read much of the diary yet but the officers and sappers being killed is every few days and others being reassigned to take over their possisions is difficult to comprehend, how did any make it through. I know of course many did but how?
    Bye Neil
     

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