Hello can anyone tell me anything about 706th General Construction Company Royal Engineers BEFORE they were sadly torpedoed on the SS Mohamed Ali El-Kebir on 7 Aug 1940 Mohamed Ali El-Kebir (British Troop transport) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net Researching SAPPER George Ironside Service Number: 1916663 Sapper George Ironside | War Casualty Details | CWGC Many thanks for any help George
Hi George 706th Gen Cons Coy RE Served with BEF 1940. Later 706th Artizan Works Coy RE. Hope this helps Gus
Cheers Gus. So we know Construction Companies were formed Jan to Apr 1940 in the UK and that they were sent to France in pretty short order for defensive construction tasks. I understand that a significant number of the 706th were from Aberdeenshire. I wonder if it's safe to assume they weren't with the BEF for long before they were withdrawn back to the UK, possibly with the rest of the BEF between 26 May and 4 June 1940. Again it's an assumption that after some quick refurbishment they were being sent to somewhere in the Med via Gib embarking at Avonmouth 5 Aug. They were sunk on 7th Aug by U-38 (Heinrich Liebe) Position 55° 22'N, 13° 18'W - Grid AM 4525
706 General Construction Company Royal Engineers | The National Archives ROYAL ENGINEERS: COMPANIES: 706 General Construction Company. | The National Archives
Hi I would also suggest you get someone to copy this for you. ADM 358/3726 - HM Transport Mohamed Ali El Kebir: 7 August 1940; sunk by enemy action, torpedoed west of Bloody Foreland, Ireland HM Transport Mohamed Ali El Kebir: 7 August 1940; sunk by enemy action, torpedoed west... | The National Archives Hope this helps Gus
