BEF Movement and Maintenance.

Discussion in '1940' started by Trux, Sep 22, 2022.

  1. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Wouldn't it be handy if the MoS ledgers were digitalised and available on-line...I predict numerous transcription errors though.
     
  2. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    A considerable number of the bakers died on the Lancastria 1i June 1940 when she was bombed off St Nazaire.
     
  3. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    PETROL.

    It was originally intended that petrol would be shipped in cans carried across to France in small coasters. It was soon found that although this method was necessary until bulk facilities could be established it was in fact wasteful in the labour required for loading and unloading at ports. It was also dangerous since the cans were prone to damage and leaks which could cause fire and explosion. Some cased petrol continued to be sent in cans throughout the BEFs time in France but increasingly empty cans were sent from the UK to be filled with petrol in France. Bulk petrol was carried by ocean going tankers to the terminals at Le Havre and Donges/St Nazaire.

    There was a Petrol Filling Centre at Donges but the petrol discharged at Le Havre was sent by barge and coastal tanker to Honfleur and Rouen.

    The Anglo Iranian Oil Company had a refinery at Donges, together with a terminal for oil tankers and storage facilities. It was planned pre war that this refinery would provide an alternative method of supply in case there was a shortage of cased petrol. It was agreed that the installation would provide 5,000 tons of bulk storage for petrol together with 200,000 civilian pattern two gallon cans and facilities for filling 25,000 cans, 50,000 gallons, per day.

    Petrol cans were either two gallon or four gallon types. The two gallon can was a standard commercial returnable can. It was robust and it remained in production until the 1960’s. In the British army it was part of motor vehicles equipment, usually one for petrol and one for water, with a similar 1 gallon can for lubricants. The four gallon can was not returnable but was intended only for shipping in a wooden case containing two cans. It was very easily damaged and there was a significant loss of petrol in transit due to leaking cans. Not surprisingly it was called a ‘flimsy’.


    Flimsy 1.jpg
    Four gallon flimsy.
    Genuine flimsies are understandably very rare and the survivors in poor condition. This is a reproduction. To open it one should lever off the cap. Making a hole with any sharp item was quicker and easier.

    upload_2022-10-22_9-7-15.png
    Military two gallon cans.

    Petrol which the BEF bases areas handled for the RAF was delivered in drums holding 35 Imperial gallons.


    One of the few uses for inland water transport in the BEF was the carriage of petrol. Petrol barges carried bulk petrol on the River Seine, from Le Havre to Honfleur and Rouen and from Honfleur to Rouen. Empty two gallon cans from the UK were delivered to Rouen by cargo ship. Later bulk petrol barges carried petrol from Dunkirk to the Douai area to supply forward can filling stations. Britain was to provide twelve powered barges and twenty four dumb barges but these did not arrive before the evacuation.


    French coastal tankers occasionally carried petrol from Donges and Brest to the Seine.




    BASE PETROL FILLING CENTRE
    War Establishment IV/1931/39B/1

    This unit consisted of a headquarters and three sections. Two sections were for filling and one section for maintenance and repair of tins.

    The unit was organised to handle 100,000 gallons of petrol per day in two gallon returnable tins.

    Major
    2 X Captain
    4 X Subaltern
    Quartermaster
    Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant

    company quartermaster serjeant
    7 X serjeant
    mechanist staff serjeant
    serjeant fitter
    serjeant clerk
    33 X corporal
    3 X corporal artificer
    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    4 X driver IC
    3 X clerk, technical , MT
    3 X clerk
    12 X artificer
    175 X private

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain for pay and administrative duties
    Quartermaster
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    5 X corporal
    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    4 X driver IC
    3 X clerk
    43 X private

    Section 1
    Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    10 X corporal
    50 X private
    Organised as a headquarters and five sections each of two corporals and ten privates.

    Section 2
    Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    10 X corporal
    50 X private
    Organised as a headquarters and five sections each of two corporals and ten privates.

    Section 3
    Captain, Workshop Officer
    2 X Subaltern
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant
    2 X serjeant
    mechanist staff serjeant
    serjeant fitter
    8 X corporal
    3 X corporal artificer
    3 X clerk, technical , MT
    3 X clerk
    12 X artificer
    32 X private

    In company headquarters and in each section one man is trained in first aid and at least one NCO and three men in anti gas and decontamination work.

    Weapons
    8 X pistol for officers
    50 X rifle as a pool. Each rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition.
    2 X Bren lmg

    upload_2022-10-22_9-12-27.png
    Base Petrol Filling Centre.
    The bulk storage tanks are below ground level, partly for concealment and partly to prevent petrol from flooding the area in case of damage. Pipes carry petrol to filling points where flexible hoses are used to fill cans. A stack of cans can be seen on the left.


    HEADQUARTERS BULK PETROL STORAGE COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/ 38C/1
    This headquarters is designed to control up to eight Bulk Petrol Storage Sections.

    Major
    Captain for accounts
    Captain for safety
    Captain for development of depots and bulk distribution.
    Subaltern as petrol engineer
    Subaltern as quality control chemist
    Staff Quartermaster Serjeant
    Staff Serjeant Clerk
    4 X corporal clerk
    4 X clerk
    corporal driver
    2 X batman driver
    2 X driver IC
    2 X motorcyclist
    2 X cook
    batman
    general dutyman
    2 X fire dutyman

    2 X motorcycle
    2 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    2 X 15cwt truck

    8 X pistol
    21 X rifle


    BULK PETROL STORAGE SECTION
    War Establishment IV/1931/38D/1
    This section was to operate as supervisory and accounting staff for a port installation of up to 25,000 tons storage oras an inland depot of up to 3,000 tons storage with a filling capacity or bulk distribution of 100 tons a day.

    Subaltern
    serjeant clerk
    corporal clerk
    clerk
    driver
    cook
    general dutyman
    batman
    1 X motorcycle

    2 X pistol
    6 X rifle


    PETROL DEPOT RASC
    WE IV/1931/29C/1
    Petrol demand could be predicted and provided for fairly easily. It was not envisaged that this would be a war of movement and no great strategic moves were planned until the happy day that the German front collapsed and mobile units would rush forward to seize and cross the Rhine. Supply vehicles would move a fixed distance each day, from advanced depots and railheads to the forward units.

    A Petro Depot consists of a headquarters and a variable number of sections each holding 6,500 tons. It may be used as
    - a Base Petrol Depot
    - an Advanced Base Petrol Depot
    - a Field Petrol Depot

    The basic organisation assumes a rail served petrol depot in which each ‘whisker’ is a section of 6,500 tons plus a percentage of lubricants. Each section consists of 25 stacks each of 260 tons of petrol.

    Labour is provided on a scale of one man handling eight tons in an eight hour day, or five tons if mechanical handling devices are not available.


    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Quartermaster
    2 X quartermaster serjeant
    3 X staff serjeant
    2 X serjeant clerk
    3 X serjeant
    2 X corporal
    carpenter
    coppersmith
    2 X clerk
    fitter
    2 X driver
    15 X private

    plus attached RAF
    Officer
    serjeant
    3 X rank and file

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater

    5 X pistol
    32 X rifle
    1 X Bren lmg
    1 X AT rifle

    Section
    Subaltern
    3 X staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant
    corporal
    carpenter
    coppersmith
    2 X clerk
    12 X driver
    31 X private

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X 15cwt van
    6 X tractor
    12 X trailer

    The six tractors and 12 trailers are interesting. These will be Scammel MH3 3 X 2 with semi trailer ‘Mechanical Horse’. They were widely used by railway companies, and by the army in depots. With a ‘tricycle’ arrangement of wheels they were very manoeuvrable and could rapidly unhitch a loaded semi trailer, hitch up an empty one and set off again.

    upload_2022-10-22_9-19-36.png
    A model Mechanical Horse. Make of model unknown.

    upload_2022-10-22_9-21-38.png
    Petrol in a standard 12 foot, 10 ton railway wagon.
    This was widely used in European countries for goods not requiring an enclosed wagon.

    upload_2022-10-22_9-24-45.png
    Petrol being transferred from railway wagon to an open air dump using a roller conveyor.

    The roller conveyor was versatile and could be rapidly erected or dismantled and moved. A great improvement over manual labour.

    upload_2022-10-22_9-28-23.png
    Petrol stacked in a petrol depot and covered with a camouflage net.

    The scenes in the above photographs could be found in almost any depot, handling any fairly light goods.

    Mike

    The attached photo below was posted in error. It is a later 4 gallon can with a screw cap. I do not know how to delete it.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 23, 2022
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  4. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    RASC VEHICLE SUPPLY and MAINTENANCE.



    MOTOR TRANSPORT VEHICLE RECEPTION DEPOT
    War Establishment IV/1931/35/2

    The RASC was responsible for supplying and maintaining its own vehicles. The Motor Transport Vehicle Reception Depot was organised to hold a reserve of approximately 1,530 RASC vehicles and 750 motorcycles. This would serve a force of two Corps plus GHQ and LoC troops. Casualty vehicles and motorcycles would be replaced from these stocks.

    The Depot consisted of a Headquarters and three parks. Each park was self contained and could be separately located at:
    A place convenient to the port in a base area and close to the Heavy Repair Shop (MT) RASC
    In an advanced position suitable for meeting the requirements of a Corps.

    Each park is identical and contains three sub parks each designed to hold 150 to 170 assorted vehicles and 84 motorcycles. Each sub park is further divided into three sections.

    The number of parks and sub parks can be increased to meet the demands of the theatre.

    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major
    3 X Major or Captain
    3 X Mechanist Officer
    9 X Subaltern
    3 X Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    3 X company quartermaster serjeant
    4 X mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant artificer
    13 X serjeant clerk
    43 X serjeant driver
    54 X corporal
    64 X tradesman
    579 X driver IC

    73 X motorcycle
    9 X car 2 seater
    4 X car 4 seater
    10 X 30cwt lorry for cook
    10 X 30cwt lorry for baggage
    3 X 3ton lorry stores
    3 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry workshop
    3 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry stores
    3 X tractor 6 X 4 breakdown
    3 X fire tender lorry
    3 X fire pump trailer
    9 X water trailer

    Note: the 30cwt lorries are not specifically provided but are borrowed from the reserve vehicles as required.

    90 X pistol
    694 X rifle
    9 X Bren lmg
    12 X AT rifle (provided as a pool and usually distributed two to each sub park in an advanced position)

    Headquarters
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major
    Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant drive
    3 X corporal
    4 X tradesman
    12 X driver IC

    4 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry for cooks
    1 X 30cwt lorry for baggage

    Park Headquarters
    Major or Captain
    Mechanist Officer
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant artificer
    serjeant clerk
    2 X serjeant driver
    5 X corporal
    17 X tradesman
    21 X driver IC

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 3 ton lorry stores
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry workshop
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry stores
    1 X tractor 6 X 4 breakdown
    1 X fire tender lorry
    1 X fire pump trailer

    Sub Park Headquarters
    Subaltern
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant driver
    corporal
    tradesman
    11 X driver IC

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry for cooks
    1 X 30cwt lorry for baggage
    1 X water trailer

    3 X Section each:
    serjeant driver
    corporal
    15 X driver IC
    2 X motorcycle

    Note;
    Drivers IC are provided for delivering replacement vehicles to units.

    Two men in each park are trained in first aid.

    Six men in depot headquarters and at least one officer and twelve men in each park will be trained in anti gas and decontamination work.

    Replacement vehicles other than for RASC were handled by RAOC.


    MOTOR TRANSPORT HEAVY REPAIR SHOP
    War Establishment IV/1931/37/2

    This establishment is devised for a force comprising a total of 4,000 RASC lorries. It is based on a weekly output of 18 lorries at 700 man hours per overhaul at 50 hours a week per man.

    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major, Works Manager
    Adjutant
    3 X Captain
    3 X Mechanist Officer
    3 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major, Artificer
    Mechanist Serjeant Major, Technical Clerk (MT)
    company quartermaster serjeant
    3 X mechanist quartermaster serjeant
    4 X mechanist staff serjeant
    21 X serjeant
    29 X corporal
    227 X tradesman
    30 X driver IC

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 12cwt van
    8 X 3ton lorry for technical stores and equipment
    5 X 3ton lorry for heavy lathe, plant and machinery
    2 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry workshop
    3 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry stores
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry breakdown
    1 X fire tender lorry
    1 X fire pump trailer

    16 X pistol
    314 X rifle
    3 X Bren lmg

    Tradesmen.
    12 X blacksmith
    4 X blacksmith trained as spring smiths
    25 X carpenter and joine
    20 X clerk technical MT including
    mechanist staff serjeant for clerical duties
    2 X serjeant for clerical duties
    2 X corporal for clerical duties
    2 X lance corporal for clerical duties
    mechanist staff serjeant for stores duties
    2 X serjeant for stores duties
    2 X corporal for stores duties
    2 X lance corporal for stores duties
    8 X coach trimmer
    8 X coach and spray painters
    6 X coppersmith trained as tinsmiths
    4 X coppersmith
    staff serjeant draughtsman
    corporal draughtsman
    12 X electrician
    82 X fitter including
    55 X motor mechanic
    4 X millwright
    2 X wood machinist
    3 X moulder
    2 X pattern maker
    2 X precision grinder
    2 X tool make
    16 X turner
    5 X welder

    5 X driver IC for vehicles
    2 X corporal for administrative duties
    5 X batman
    batman driver
    officers mess cook
    serjeants mess cook
    corporal cook
    4 X cook
    general dutyman for officers mess
    2 X general dutyman for serjeants mess
    2 X motorcyclist
    corporal police man
    3 X policeman
    3 X sanitary dutyman
    storeman
    water dutyman

    For every additional 500 lorries in the force the following increment is authorised
    2 X serjeant
    2 X corporal
    2 X blacksmith
    4 X blacksmith trained as spring smiths
    3 X carpenter and joiner
    2 X clerk technical MT including
    coach trimmer
    coach and spray painters
    2 X electrician
    11 X fitter including
    7 X motor mechanic

    2 X turner
    welder
    general dutyman

    34 X rifle

    The functions of a Heavy Repair Shop (MT) are
    The overhaul and repair of all types of MT vehicles for which the Quarter Master Generals branch is responsible.
    The salvaging and reconditioning of worn or damaged parts and the manufacture of spare and replacement parts for vehicles.

    The layout of the repair shop will be a large erecting shop with other workshops arranged around it. There will also be parking for 50 or 60 vehicles.

    On entering the works vehicles will go to the stripping section where the body, electrical equipment and instruments will be removed. The body will go to the body shop. The electrical equipment and instruments will go the electricians shop. The chassis will go to the chassis stripping section

    The chassis will be dismantled. The main units will be engine, gear box, steering and axles. All parts go through the washing tank before checking. The chassis frame, springs and front axle go to the blacksmiths shop. The radiator and pipe work go to the coppersmiths shop.

    All parts from the various assemblies are viewed and repairs ordered or replacement parts obtained. All the serviceable units are stored on racks on trolleys. When a complete set of parts is assembled the engines, gear boxes, steering and axles are sent to their respective assembly lines.

    All the parts for a complete vehicle go to the chassis erecting shop and are added to the chassis on an assembly line. The chassis is tested and after washing and painting goes to the body mounting shop where the body and electrical equipment are fitted. The vehicle will be sent to the vehicle reception depot for re issue.

    The standard workshop building is constructed from standard parts which produce a building 36 foot wide and any length required. In this case three spans are used to produce a building 108 foot wide.


    MOTOR TRANSPORT STORES DEPOT
    War Establishment IV/1931/38/2

    This consists of a main depot for location in a base sub area and an advanced sub depot for location in a relatively advanced position on the Lines of Communication.

    The establishment is designed to serve a force of one corps with a proportion of GHQ and LoC Troops and provides for an increment to serve a second corp.

    It will seldom be possible to find existing buildings suitable for conversion to a Motor Transport Stores Depot. It is usually best to select an open plot of ground and build shedding designed and equipped to facilitate the systematic and rapid handling of stores. The following are suggested:

    Based on standard sheds each 72 by 120 foot.
    Spare parts. 8 sheds
    Tyres. 6 sheds.
    Miscellaneous stores. 6 Sheds.
    Paint store. 1 shed 36 by 120 foot.
    A separate paint store is necessary to avoid the risk of fire.

    The interiors would be recognisable to anyone who has visited a big garage workshop. They had racks and bins designed to hold the individual items.

    The following would also be needed:
    Workshop. 3 sheds.
    Receipt and issue. 2 sheds.
    Office and administration. 3 sheds 28 by 120 foot.

    Because of the high value of the stores, and the serious consequences which would follow their destruction it was desirable for these sheds to be steel framed and clad with corrugated iron.


    Main Depot
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major
    Adjutant
    6 X Captain
    Mechanist Officer
    2 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major, Artificer
    6 X Mechanist Serjeant Major, Technical Clerk (MT)
    company quartermaster serjeant
    14 X mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    mechanist staff serjeant
    29 X serjeant
    31 X corporal
    169 X tradesman
    46 X driver IC

    In addition 50 men from the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corp are required

    6 X motorcycle
    3 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    2 X 12 cwt van
    6 X 30cwt low loader lorry
    2 X 3ton low loader lorry
    1 X fire tender lorry
    1 X fire pump trailer

    25 X pistol (plus four for increment)
    286 X rifle (plus 52 for increment)
    5 X Bren lmg

    Headquarters
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Adjutant
    Captain, Administrative Officer
    Company Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Serjeant Major, Technical Clerk (MT)
    company quartermaster serjeant
    2 X serjeant
    4 X corporal
    7 X tradesman
    27 X driver IC

    Central Stores Office
    Major, Chief Stores Officer
    Captain
    Mechanist Serjeant Major, Technical Clerk (MT)
    5 X serjeant
    7 X tradesman

    Records Office
    Subaltern
    Mechanist Staff Serjeant Clerk
    serjeant
    4 X tradesman

    Central Receipts
    Subaltern
    Mechanist Staff Serjeant Clerk
    2 X serjean
    corporal
    9 X tradesman

    Central Despatch Section
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    Mechanist Staff Serjeant Clerk
    2 X serjeant
    corporal
    10 X tradesman

    A Group
    Headquarters
    Captain
    Mechanist Serjeant Major Clerk
    2 X mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    3 X serjeant
    2 X corporal
    14 X tradesman

    4 X Section (1 to 4) each:
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    corporal
    6 X tradesman

    2 X Section (5 and 6) each:
    corporal
    2 X tradesman


    B Group
    Headquarters
    Captain
    Mechanist Serjeant Major Clerk
    serjeant
    corporal
    10 X tradesman

    7 Section
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    corporal
    8 X tradesman

    8 Section
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant
    4 X tradesman


    C Group
    Headquarters
    Captain
    Mechanist Serjeant Major Clerk
    mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    corporal
    10 X tradesman

    3 X Section (9 to 11) each:
    serjeant
    corporal
    5 X tradesman


    D Group
    Headquarters
    Captain
    Mechanist Serjeant Major Clerk
    2 X mechanist staff serjeant clerk
    serjeant
    corporal
    12 X tradesman

    5 X Section (12 to 16) each:
    serjeant
    corporal
    3 X tradesman

    Transport and Workshop Section
    Subaltern Mechanist Officer
    Mechanist staff serjeant
    serjeant
    5 X corporal
    18 X tradesman
    19 X driver IC

    Two men will be trained in first aid
    6 Men will be trained in anti gas and decontamination work.

    Increments were added for a second corps.

    Mike.

    Apologies for the long lists in the above section but I do like the small detail. You have probably already noticed.

    There will be a short break now so that I can absorb newly arrived information.
     
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  5. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    BEF RAILWAY OPERATIONS.

    Rail transport would play a vital role in supplying the BEF. The ports and depots were several hundred miles from the front line and at that time road transport could not cope with the demand. In 1939 there was only one railway unit in the Regular Army. That was 8 Railway Company, a composite construction and operating company which was based at the Longmoor Military Railway training area. However there were a number of volunteer units of the Supplementary Reserve which were intended to provide specialist skills and were subject to mobilisation in the event of war being declared. They had minimal military training but they had the necessary experience and skills to construct and operate a railway system since they were railwaymen recruited from the ‘big four’ railway companies. LNER, LMS, GWR and SR.

    By the end of September the following had arrived in France:

    8 Railway Construction and Operating Company.
    150 Railway Construction Company.
    151 Railway Construction Company.
    29 Railway Survey Company.
    1 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group.
    2 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group.
    156 Transportation Stores Company.

    At this time there was little need for railway operating personnel since there were no British locomotives in France and British personnel could not operate French locomotives. For some time there would be no demand for operating personnel except in docks and depots. Docks were operated by Royal Engineer Docks Groups with their own locomotive drivers.

    By the end of the year the railway personnel had been augmented by:
    152 Railway Construction Company.
    156 Transportation Construction Company with heavy plant.
    154 Railway Operating Company.
    1 Railway Operating Group.

    Eventually there would also be:
    157 Railway Construction Company.
    158 Railway Construction Company
    159 Railway Construction Compan.
    161 Railway Construction Compan.
    3 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group.
    153 Railway Operating Company.
    190 Railway Operating Company.
    2 Railway Operating Group.
    165 Railway Survey Company.
    155 Railway Workshop Company.


    Headquarters Railway Construction and Maintenance Group controlled a number of units and were responsible for liaison between units, between the British army and the French railway company, SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer). They coordinated the work of units under their command to achieve maximum efficiency.

    Between September 1939 and May 1940 the organisation laid 141 miles of standard gauge track with 665 turnouts. This large number of turnouts was necessary since most of the rail track was laid in dumps, depots and ports with many sidings. The French laid rail track to link the dumps and depots to the French rail network.

    The Railway Construction Companies provided specialist personnel with civil engineering skills from their pre war employment on the British railways. Labour was supplied by the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, by Territorial Army infantry units which were employed as labour while finishing their training and awaiting their equipment and by civilian labour from France, Italy and Palestine. This labour force far outnumbered the Royal Engineer specialists. 151 Railway Construction Company employed some 1200 men in February while constructing rail facilities around Savenay in Brittany. SNCF also constructed some 30% of the railways needed by the BEF.

    Railway operations were not dependant on new lines being constructed or British locomotives arriving. War Department trains were running almost immediately between the ports of St. Malo, St Nazaire and Brest and the depot areas around Nantes and Rennes. Daily supply trains also ran from the base areas to the forward railheads in the north of France. The trains used British and French wagons loaded by British labour but the locomotives and train crews were French employees of the SNCF. British railway operating personnel were limited to operating in the ports and depots and coordinating the movement of trains in co operation with Movement Control personnel.

    SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer) was only formed in 1938 when it was decided that all the major French railway companies should be nationalised. There was no great change in the operating of the railway system since all the railway companies had necessarily cooperated in operating over each others lines and the new SNCF was divided into regions, each having their own interpretation of operating rules. The west region would be more willing to allow British locomotives and crews to operate on their lines than would the north region.

    French railway locomotives were fitted with Westinghouse air brakes and until British locomotives were similarly equipped they were not allowed to operate on French railway lines. Similarly French signals and operating procedures differed from those used in the UK and until British crews were fully trained and competent they could not operate trains on SNCF lines. The west region of SNCF was somewhat more flexible than was the north region. The latter required a French conductor/guard to travel on trains operated by British personnel.

    By the end of October it was agreed that the British should provide locomotives, rolling stock and train crews to operate British army traffic between the ports and depots. This was provisional on the locomotives being fitted with Westinghouse brakes and the personnel being trained in the operating rules and regulations in the Ouest Region of SNCF. This took time to achieve but by the end of April the British operated main line trains between St Malo and Rennes and all British depots and marshalling yards in the Rennes and Nantes base areas.

    It was also agreed that Britain should provide:

    100 0-6-0 shunting locomotives.

    300 0-8-0 mainline freight locomotives. These were to have been newly constructed LMS 8F locomotives. None had been delivered before the Fall of France.

    10,000 French type covered railway wagons to be built in the UK. Problems with production meant that none were delivered before the Fall of France.

    It was agreed that British Ambulance Trains and mainline Line of Communication trains between the Base Area and the forward railheads would be operated by French personnel and French locomotives.


    From the base to the front.
    Rail wagons were loaded in the various depots and formed into bulk trains. They were then despatched to a base marshalling yard where the bulk train was split up and the wagons shunted into pack trains. The pack train was made up of several sections, each one containing the various commodities for one formation at the front. The pack train then moved on to a regulating station near the front. Here the ammunition and petrol wagons are detached and sent to separate railheads.

    The movement of the wagons was controlled, logically enough, by Movement Control personnel. In order to ensure that the wagons were shunted onto the correct trains and despatched to the right destination they had to be labelled with a series of codes. These labels enabled Movement Control to identify the exact loads each wagon was carrying and arrange trains for despatch forwards. It also enabled staff to locate any particular wagon or items.

    In the early days Movement Control had to refuse to accept many wagons which were incorrectly labelled. This happened for several reasons:
    Inexperienced personnel, although civilian rail goods traffic operated in much the same way.
    Failure to notify depots of changes in location of units or of codes.
    Excessive secrecy and security which prevented depots obtaining information. It was thought that the enemy could find the location of units and predict operations from information obtained from civilian agents. This was commonly done by Allied forces in WW1 when Dutch and Belgian civilians reported rail movements.


    Sailings of railway units to France.
    Units sailing for France in the first five weeks, before 10 October, are not recorded in the weekly record of sailings but it is known that the following were in France before that date. The numbers of personnel and vehicles were similar to those sailing later.

    150 Railway Construction Company
    Sailing 13 September.

    8 Railway Construction and Operating Company.
    Sailing 13 September.

    151 Railway Construction Company.
    Sailing 14 September.

    156 Transportation Stores Company.
    Sailing 14 September.

    Headquarters 2 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group.
    Sailing 15 September.

    Headquarters 1 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group.
    Sailing 16 September.

    29 Railway Survey Company.
    Sailing ? September.


    152 Railway Construction Company from Longmoor.
    7 Other Ranks and 6 vehicles. Road Party. Sailing 6 October.
    6 Officers and 266 Other ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    21 Line Section (Railway Signals and Maintenance Section) from Farnborough.
    15 Other Ranks, 11 vehicles and 2 motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 7 October.
    1 Officer and 33 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    71 Railway Telephone Operating and Maintenance Section Farnborough.
    4 Other Ranks, 1 vehicle and 2 motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 7 October.
    1 Officer and 35 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    72 Railway Telephone Operating and Maintenance Section from Farnborough.
    4 Other Ranks, 1 vehicle and 2 motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 7 October.
    1 Officer and 35 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    Headquarters 7 Railway Labour Company and Nos 115 to 133 sections from Southampton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 516 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    Headquarters 8 Railway Labour Company and Nos 134 to 152 sections from Southampton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 516 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    Headquarters Railway Construction and Maintenance Group from Longmoor.
    1 Officer, 9 Other Ranks and 8 vehicles. Road Party sailing 20 November.
    1 Officer and 13 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 23 November.

    Headquarters 1 Railway Operating Group from Longmoor.
    4 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 16 December.
    2 Officers and 19 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 18 December.

    154 Railway Operating Company from Longmoor
    1 Officer, 4 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 16 December.
    3 Officers and 297 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 18 December.

    Headquarters 1 Railway Workshop Group from Longmoor.
    3 other ranks and 2 vehicles. Road Party sailing 10 January.
    5 Officers and 32 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.

    1 Ambulance Train Maintenance Section from Longmoor.
    3 other ranks, 1 vehicle and 1 motorcycle. Road Party sailing 10 January.
    1 Officer and 30 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.

    155 Railway Workshop Company from Longmoor.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 22 January.
    5 Officers and 387 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.

    158 Railway Construction Company from Longmoor.
    1 Officer, 7 other ranks and 6 vehicles. Road Party sailing 2 February.
    5 Officers and 266 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 4 February.

    153 Railway Operating Company from Derby.
    5 other ranks and 4 vehicles. Road Party sailing 5 March.
    6 Officers and 305 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 8 March.

    159 Railway Construction Company from Longmoor.
    1 Officer, 7 other ranks and 6 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    5 Officers and 266 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    165 Railway Survey Company from Longmoor.
    1 Officer, 7 other ranks, 5 vehicles and 1 motorcycle. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Offices and 38 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    196 Transportation Stores Company from Longmoor.
    1 Officer, 5 other ranks and 4 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 252 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    186 Transportation Construction Company RE from Longmoor. Rear party.
    1 Officer, 38 other ranks and 6 vehicles. Road Party sailing 28 January.

    161 Railway Construction Company from Longmoor.
    7 other ranks, 4 vehicles and 2 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 13 April.
    6 Officers and 266 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 April.

    Headquarters 2 Railway Operating Group from Longmoor.
    5 other ranks, 2 vehicles and 2 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 13 April.
    3 Officers and 19 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 April.

    190 Railway Operating Company from Longmoor.
    5 other ranks and 4 vehicles. Road Party sailing 13 April.
    5 Officers and 362 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 April.

    1 Railway Mobile Workshop from Longmoor.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 13 April.
    1 Officer and 23 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 April.

    2 Railway Mobile Workshop from Longmoor.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 13 April.
    1 Officer and 23 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 April.

    Note.
    Longmoor was the Longmoor Military Railway whose main function was the training of personnel in rail construction and operation.



    Railway Construction.

    upload_2022-10-26_8-15-24.png


    Standard British rail was, and still is, bullhead shaped. Most of the world used a flat bottomed line which is nailed or bolted to the sleepers. British railways typically carried more traffic than many others and the bullhead rail was thought to be more secure. There is a chair which is bolted to the sleeper. It is shaped to accept the base of the rail and has sturdy uprights on either side. These uprights do not directly hold the rail but a wooden wedge is inserted on either side.

    Rails were of steel and in 1939 were typically produced in 45 foot and 60 foot lengths. The lengths of rail were fastened together with fishplates, which were lengths of steel which were bolted onto the two lengths of rail. Fishplates were 2 foot long and having four bolt holes. They are placed on either side of the rail and bolts passed through them and the rail. A short space is left between the ends of the rail to avoid wear and to provide room for expansion in very hot weather.

    A roadbed was required to prevent the sleepers from moving. The roadbed was usually of rough, sharp edged stone.

    Sleepers were of hardwood and soaked in creosote. The rail is bolted onto the sleeper to provide a firm support and to maintain the correct distance apart.

    On curves, and sidings need a great many of them, the sleepers and chairs are positioned first and then one end of the rail is firmly fixed to the sleepers. The other end of the rail is gently bent to the correct shape and the whole rail fixed in place. Steel rails of the length used in 1939 could be bent within reason without any difficulty.


    upload_2022-10-26_8-18-13.png

    A nice original piece of track. Note:
    The roadbed of small sharp edged stones.
    The hardwood sleepers.
    The rail chair bolted onto the sleeper.
    The wooden chock between chair and rail.
    The expansion gap.
    The fishplate with nuts on the outside and signs of lubrication to allow some movement.

    The transport of rails caused some problems. Long lengths of rail needed a special bolster wagon to carry them and such wagons were in short supply.

    At first railway construction was naturally focussed on the docks, depots and other facilities of the Southern Base Area around Nantes and Rennes. As these were works were completed attention was transferred to the construction of rail sidings and connections for the developing Northern Base Area around Rouen.

    The construction of points, or turnouts, accounted for a great deal of the rail construction effort. Not only were they time consuming to instal but there were a great many of them in depots, sidings, regulating stations and marshalling yards. Each point consisted of lengths of curved and tapered rail which could be moved a few inches to allow a train to move straight ahead or turn into a siding. They were operated by man power via a lever at the trackside.

    upload_2022-10-26_8-20-11.png

    A simple set of points. Note:
    The tapered sections of rail. In this case the right hand section is clear of the main rail while the lefthand one is close up to the rail. The train will go straight ahead. When the right hand section is against the rail and the left hand one is clear then the trail will turn into the siding.

    The lever on the left hand side of the photo. This operates a series of rods which will operate the linkage between the tracks and move the rails.

    upload_2022-10-26_8-21-41.png

    Heavy plant of the Transportation Construction Company preparing the site for a new rail track.

    Mike.
     
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  6. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    THE LOCOMOTIVES.

    LMS 0-6-0 Diesel Electric.
    Eight Diesel Electric shunters were requisitioned from LMS. They were especially useful for operating in docks and depots handling ammunition or petrol since they did not have fires and did not emit sparks.

    Five arrived on 12 January 1940. These were WD numbers 3,4,5,6 and 7. These were deployed as follows:

    One at the Petrol Depot at Verton, Nantes.

    One at Rouen.

    One at 2 Docks Group, Brest.

    One at Romesamps Base Marshalling Yard.

    One at the Petrol Depot at Faye de Bretagne, Nantes.

    Three arrived on 6 May 1940. These were WD numbers 16,17 and 18. These were deployed as follows.
    One at the Petrol Depot at Faye de Bretagne, Nantes.

    One at Rennes Arsenal.

    One with 1 Super Heavy Battery RA.

    1 Super Heavy Battery had two 9.2” rail mounted guns. They arrived in mid March and were based at Fouquereuil Sandpit sidings near Bethune on 25 April. After the German attack started they were moved to St Pierre Brouk near Calais.


    LMS 3F 0-6-0 ‘Jinty’.
    Eight 3F shunters, WD numbers 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 and15, arrived at Calais in the first week of March. They were deployed as follows.

    Two at Romescamps Base Marshalling Yard.

    Four at Rennes, working in the depots nearby.

    Two with 1 Docks Group, St Nazaire.

    upload_2022-10-27_8-13-13.png

    LMS 3F 0-6-0 Jinty. In service with LMS.


    GWR Dean Goods 0-6-0.
    These steam locomotives had been the standard WD locomotives in WW1 and were recalled to serve again.

    Dean Goods were sent in regular batches from October 1939 to May 1940.

    Five were sent via Calais to Brittany 19 October. WD 101,102,103,104 and 105.

    Three were sent via Calais to Brittany 22 October. WD 106,107 and 108.

    Fourteen were sent via Calais to Brittany 9 November. WD109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118, and 181,182,183 and 184.

    Eight were sent to via Calais to Frevent 11 January. WD 119,120,121,122,123,124,125 and 126.

    Nine were sent via Calais to Brittany (Rennes) 3 February. WD 127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134 and 135.

    Eleven were sent via Calais to Brittany 28 February. WD 136,137,138,139,140,141 and 185,186,187,188,189.

    Twelve were sent via Calais to Frevent 16 March. WD 142,143,144,145,146,147,148 and 190,191,192,193 and 194. 148 was damaged in transit and retained at Calais for repairs.

    Eight were despatched via Calais 23 March. Three were for Staple near Frevent and five for Brittany. WD 149,150, 151,152,153, 154,157 and 158.

    Four were despatched via Calais to Brittany 28 March and were joined by 148 which had been repaired. WD 155,159,160 and 161.

    Five were despatched via Calais for Romescamps Marshalling Yard 4 May. WD 162,163,164,165,166.

    Although British Railway Operating personnel were sent from Brittany to collect the locomotives they were not allowed to operate the train. British locomotives were not allowed to operate on the French railways until fitted with Westinghouse brakes and even when British crews were allowed to operate on French lines they had to be supervised by SNCF personnel. Health and Safety is nothing new.


    upload_2022-10-27_8-17-25.png

    A Dean Goods locomotive in France.


    Advanced Air Striking Force airfields.
    An additional task for the Railway Construction Companies was to build connections and sidings to serve the airfields in Northern France for the use of the Advanced Air Striking Force of the RAF. This force was not a part of the BEF but a part of Bomber Command whose aircraft had insufficient range to allow them to operate from the UK. Initially their airfields were as near to strategic German targets as possible. A change in policy gave the Advanced Air Striking Force a tactical role in support of the BEF. It would now need airfields close to the BEFs area of operation. These airfields would eventually need to be supplied with ammunition, fuel, stores and supplies which would all be delivered by rail.

    There were six airfield sites.
    Nuncq Hautecote, two miles north of St Pol, to be served from the Frevent to St. Pol line.

    Beavoir Wavrans to be served from the Doullens to Conchil le Temple line.

    Dieval, five miles north east of St Pol, to be served from the St. Polto Bethune line.

    Monchy Breton, five miles east of St Pol, to be served from the St. Pol to Arras line.

    Grevillers, three miles west of Baupaume, to be served from the Albert to Arras line.

    Staple, five miles west of Hazebrouk, th be served from the Hazebrouk to Dunkirk line.

    8 Railway Company, the Regular Army unit with rail construction and rail operating personnel, moved to Frevent 28 December 1939 to start work. The large amount of ballast for the railway tracks was a problem. Several quarries were used and worked by personnel from army Quarry Companies. A light railway was sent to help work the quarries. In addition permission was given to move three hundred tons of gravel per day from gravel pit sidings at Couchil le Temple, on the coast.

    Mike
     
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  7. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    BEF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION UNITS.

    HEADQUARTERS RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION and MAINTENANCE GROUP
    War Establishment IV/1931/15/1

    This was a small headquarters to direct and coordinate the work of railway construction. It could include survey units, construction units and labour units as required and available.

    1 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group arrived at Rennes on 16 September 1939.

    2 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group arrived at Nantes on 15 September 1939. Moved to Arras on 14 January 1940.

    3 Railway Construction and Maintenance Group arrived at Rouen/Le Manoir in April 1940.

    Lieutenant Colonel
    Captain, Adjutant
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant draughtsman
    corporal clerk
    corporal draughtsman
    clerk
    2 X batman
    cook
    3 X driver
    5 X motorcyclist
    Medical Officer RAMC
    6 X orderly

    5 X motorcycle combination
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS


    RAILWAY SURVEY COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/13/2

    A unit to survey and lay out new railway lines in depots, and later to airfields. The three sections were intended to work independently in conjunction with Railway Construction Companies.

    29 Railway Survey Company arrived at Nantes in September 1939.

    165 Railway Survey Company arrived at Savenay in January 1940.

    Headquarters
    Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant
    corporal clerk
    2 X draughtsman
    driver mechanic
    cook
    storeman
    batman
    2 X driver

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater

    3 X Survey Section each:
    Captain
    Subaltern
    serjeant surveyor
    corporal surveyor
    corporal draughtsman
    draughtsman
    5 X surveyor
    cook
    4 X pioneer
    batman
    2 X driver

    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 30cwt 6 X 4 lorry GS


    RAIL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/16/1

    Rail Construction Company were intended to construct access lines and sidings for base depots and feeder lines to airfields. Some 140 miles of new track were laid. SNCF also constructed lines for the BEF, accounting for some 30% of the total.

    150 Rail Construction Company arrived at Rennes on 13 September 1939. It moved to Rouen on 25 May 1940

    151 Rail Construction Company arrived at Nantes on 14 September 1939. It moved to Staple on 4 April 1940 and from 2 May its sections were deployed at:
    HQ. Frevent.
    No 1. Molteville.
    No 2. Staples.
    No 3. Farbus.
    No 4. Etaple.


    152 Rail Construction Company arrived in France on 12 October. It went to Betton on 19 October and to Frevent on 11 May.

    157 Rail Construction Company arrived at Nantes on 21 January 1940 and moved to L’Hermitage on 28 March.

    158 Rail Construction Company arrived on 6 February and went to Blain. It moved to Romescamps on 13 May.

    159 Rail Construction Company. arrived on 31 March and went to Blain/Foret de Gavre.

    161 Rail Construction Company arrived in April and went to Rouen/Le Manoir.

    Major
    Captain
    4 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    8 X serjean
    8 X lance serjeant
    12 X corporal
    14 X lance corporal
    221 X sapper

    Trades include:
    16 X blacksmith
    16 X blacksmiths strikers
    bricklayer
    20 X carpenter and joiner
    3 X clerk
    4 X draughtsman, railway
    5 X driver, plant
    3 X engine hands
    2 X fitter driver
    2 X fitter railway signal
    mason
    painter and decorator
    107 X platelayer
    2 X plumber
    20 X rigger
    8 X riveter
    3 X storeman, technical railway
    8 X stoker, stationary engine
    4 X surveyor, railway
    4 X welder

    6 X cook
    4 X fitter’s mates
    2 X motorcyclist
    6 X driver IC
    3 X batman
    2 X general duties

    Transport
    2 X motorcycle combination
    4 X 30cwt lorry GS

    Weapons
    8 X Pistol .38”
    263 X rifle .303”


    Railway Labour Companies.
    Railway Labour Companies were raised from the UK rail companies and were experienced in rail construction and maintenance work.

    7 and 8 Railway Labour Companies arrived in France on 20 October.

    7 Railway Labour Company consisted of headquarters and 115 to 133 sections.

    8 Railway Labour Company consisted of headquarters and 134 to 152 sections.

    Each company had 3 officers and 518 other ranks plus 1 vehicle.
    A section was usually 26 men plus a corporal.



    BEF RAILWAY OPERATING UNITS.

    HEADQUARTERS RAILWAY OPERATING GROUP
    War Establishment VI/1931/17/2

    As with the Railway Construction Group the headquarters controlled a variable number of companies according to need.

    1 Railway Operating Group arrived on 18 December 1939 and the headquarters was established at Rennes. It was responsible for all railway operations in Brittany and for the allocation of locomotives within that area.

    2 Railway Operating Group arrived on 18 April 1940. It was intended that it should be responsible for rail operations in the northern base area. The headquarters was established at Romescamps on 10 May 1940. It did not have time to undertake any duties before it was withdrawn to Rennes on 19 May.

    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major
    Captain, Adjutant
    Subaltern, traffic officer
    Subaltern, locomotive officer
    Regimental Serjeant Major, Chief Inspector
    company quartermaster serjeant
    company quartermaster serjeant, chief controller
    3 X serjeant traffic controller
    serjeant clerk
    3 X corporal traffic operator
    corporal clerk
    corporal railway clerk
    sapper for wagon control
    sapper for technical statistics
    2 X clerk
    cook
    driver IC
    5 X batman

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater

    6 X pistol
    20 X rifle
    1 X Bren lmg
    1 X AT rifle



    RAILWAY OPERATING COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/18/2

    8 Railway Construction and Operating Company arrived in France on 13 September 1939 and worked in the Rennes area until 28 December when it moved to Frevent. It was withdrawn to UK in April 1940 when it was intended for Norway.

    154 Railway Operating Company arrived in France on 18 December and worked in the Southern Base Area based on Rennes.

    153 Railway Operating Company arrived in France on 10 March 1940 and moved to the Northern Base area with detachments at Romescamps, Frevent and Rouen.

    190 Railway Operating Company arrived in France on 19 April. It was at Romescamp from 18 to 22 May. They then returned to Rennes before going to Rouen on 27 May.

    Major
    Captain
    3 X Subaltern
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    6 X company quartermaster serjeant
    15 X serjeant
    75 X corporal
    250 X sapper
    8 X driver IC

    Trades include:
    blacksmith
    blacksmiths striker
    3 X boilermaker
    74 X brakesman and shunter
    carpenter and joiner
    14 X checkers
    12 X railway clerk
    coppersmith
    54 X driver, railway engine
    2 X driver, plant
    2 X driver IC
    2 X driver as batman driver
    3 X driver as batman
    6 X engine hand, stationary
    54 X locomotive fireman
    fitter driver
    9 X fitter
    20 X machinist
    6 X millwright
    30 X moulder
    4 X painter and decorator
    12 X pattern maker
    2 X plumber and pipefitter
    2 X rigger
    12 X riveter
    2 X sawyer
    4 X storeman, technical railway
    tinsmith and whitesmith
    14 X traffic operator
    7 X wagon erector
    32 X pioneer

    2 X car 4 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS

    6 X pistol
    354 X rifle
    2 X Bren lmg
    2 X AT rifle



    BEF RAILWAY SIGNALS UNITS.

    RAILWAY TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

    There is a Company Headquarters to which Railway Telegraph Operating Sections and Railway Signals Line Maintenance Sections are assigned as required.

    21 Railway Line Maintenance Section

    71 Railway Telegraph Operating Section

    72 Railway Telegraph Operating Section
    Arrived in France 11 October.


    Headquarters Railway Telegraph Company
    War Establishment IV/1931/23A/1

    Captain
    Company Serjeant Majo
    company quartermaster serjean
    corporal signalman
    3 X signalman
    4 X driver
    batman driver
    1 motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS
    1 X 3ton lorry 6 X 4

    3 X pistol
    6 X rifle
    1 X AT rifle


    Railway Telegraph Operating Section
    War Establishment IV/1931/25A/1
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    electrician
    4 X instrument mechanic
    27 X operator
    cook
    3 X general dutyman
    batman driver

    Four of the tradesmen are corporals.

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater

    3 X pistol
    36 X rifle
    1 X AT rifle


    Railway Signals Line Maintenance Section
    War Establishment IV/1931/27/2

    This section is designed to maintain 120 route miles of line, and provide eight lineman patrols and two breakdown parties. It also provides indoor linemen for two control point signal offices.

    Subaltern
    2 X serjeantdraughtsman
    44 X lineman
    cook
    2 X driver
    batman driver
    Two of the tradesmen are corporals.

    2 X motorcycle
    9 X car 2 seater
    2 X 3ton 6 X 4 lorry GS

    3 X pistol
    49 X rifle
    1 X AT rifle


    BEF RAILWAY REPAIR UNITS.

    HEADQUARTERS RAILWAY WORKSHOP GROUP
    War Establishment IV/1931/20B/1

    Lieutenant Colonel, Chief Mechanical Engineer
    Major, Assistant Chief Engineer
    Captain in charge of drawing office
    Captain in charge of machinery
    Adjutant
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    2 X Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeants, Warrant Officer Class III, technical inspectors
    2 X mechanist staff serjeants, technical inspectors
    drawing office serjeant
    orderly room serjeant
    2 X clerk
    8 X railway clerk
    8 X draughtsman
    cook
    4 X batman
    2 X driver for vehicle
    3 X general dutyman
    Note: Four tradesmen are corporals)

    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater

    10 X pistol
    30 X rifle


    RAILWAY WORKSHOP COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/21/2

    155 Railway Workshop Company arrived at Rennes on 29 January 1940. It was responsible for 1 and 2 Mobile Railway Workshops.

    Major
    2 X Captain
    2 X Subaltern
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    company quartermaster serjeant
    10 X serjeant
    84 X corporal
    276 X sapper
    5 X driver

    Trades include:
    12 X blacksmith
    16 X blacksmiths striker
    20 X boilermaker
    2 X brakesman and shunter
    12 X carpenter and joiner
    6 X clerk
    4 X railway clerk
    5 X coppersmith
    9 X draughtsman, mechanical
    2 X driver, railway engine
    4 X driver, plant
    2 X driver, crane
    driver IC
    4 X driver as batman
    6 X electrician
    4 X engine hand, stationary engine
    2 X locomotive fireman
    fitter drive
    38 X fitter
    20 X machinist
    6 X millwright
    30 X moulder
    4 X painter and decorator
    12 X pattern maker
    2 X plumber and pipefitter
    2 X rigger
    12 X riveter
    2 X sawyer
    4 X storeman, technical railway
    11 X tinsmith and whitesmith
    4 X toolmaker
    16 X turner
    8 X wagon erector
    6 X welder
    75 X pioneer

    1 X car 4 seater

    6 X pistol
    377 X rifle
    2 X Bren lmg
    2 X AT rifle

    Notes:
    28 corporals may be lance serjeants
    11 rank and file may be lance corporal
    Six men will be trained in the use of the lmg.
    Two men will be trained in first aid.


    RAILWAY MOBILE WORKSHOP
    War Establishment IV/1931/18A/1

    A railway mobile workshop consisted of a small number of tradesmen working from converted railway wagons. There were three closed vans from Southern Railway which were converted in Southern Railway workshops. The workshop van was fitted with lathes, drills, grinders, workbenches and hand tools. There was also a stores van with racks and bins for parts and a van with a diesel generator for electrical power. Extra vans for living accommodation and offices were added on arrival in France.

    1 Mobile Railway Workshop was based at St Nazaire.

    2 Mobile Railway Workshop was based at Rennes/Baud.

    Subaltern
    serjeant
    3 X corporal
    19 X sapper
    2 X driver

    blacksmith
    blacksmiths striker
    2 X boilermaker
    carpenter and joiner
    2 X clerk
    cook
    draughtsman
    2 X electrician
    engine artificer
    2 X fitter
    machinist
    painter and decorator
    plumber and pipefitter
    storeman
    tinsmith and whitesmith
    2 X turner
    welder

    batman driver
    driver IC
    Three of the tradesmen are corporals

    1 X 15cwt truck GS

    1 X pistol
    25 X rifle


    AMBULANCE TRAIN MAINTENANCE SECTION
    War Establishment IV/1931/16A/2

    1 Ambulance Train Maintenance Section arrived in France 15 January 1940.

    Subaltern
    serjeant
    3 X corporal
    24 X sapper
    5 X driver

    Trades include:
    blacksmith
    blacksmiths striker
    2 X carpenter and joiner
    3 X carriage and wagon repairers
    clerk
    cook
    6 X electricia
    engine artificer
    5 X fitter
    2 X fitters mate
    painter and decorator
    plumber and pipefitter
    storeman
    tinsmith and whitesmith

    batman driver
    driver IC
    motorcyclist
    2 X general dutyman
    Three of the tradesmen are corporals

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X 15cwt truck GS

    2 X pistol
    32 X rifle

    Ambulance trains will be described later together with other medical units and organisation.

    Mike.
     
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  8. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    LINE of COMMUNICATION.

    I have called this section ‘Line of Communication’ which is of course correct, but almost everything on this thread refers to the Lines of Communication.

    This section will include:
    Line of Communication Headquarters.
    Line of Communication Signals.
    Works, including accommodation, roads, forestry and labour.
    Personnel, including leave, reinforcements/drafts, prisons and POW camps.
    Medical.
    AA and garrison troops.



    LINE of COMMUNICATIONS AREA.
    The Line of Communication area is all the area behind the front line, GHQ, Army, Corps and Division. It is a purely administrative organisation designed to remove the responsibility for all maintenance, supply and support from GHQ. In the BEF the Line of Communication Area stretched from the Base Areas of Rennes and Nantes to the area of Arras in the north. The headquarters of the Line of Communication was at Le Mans which was an important rail junction on the road and rail routes from the base areas to the field army.

    There is no set organisation or order of battle for the Line of Communication. It controls whatever units are from time to time assigned to it to operate and secure the rear areas. The various Base Areas and Base Sub Areas are semi independent, with Line of Communication coordinating the various functions.


    Line of Communication Headquarters

    Headquarters LoC Area.
    Commanded by a Major General the headquarters staff included representatives of all the branches included in the Line of Communication, signals, medical, supply and transport, provost, adjutant general and quartermaster general.

    The Headquarters was accommodated in a number of buildings in and around Le Mans.

    Note that there is a Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies responsible for local purchasing. It was planned that some supplies would be purchased in France. Included were fresh vegetables and commodities such as bulk sugar, jam, butter etc.

    Major General. Commander.
    Aide de Camp.

    General Staff Officer Grade 1.
    Staff Officer (Air Defence). Captain
    Deputy Adjutant and Quarter Master General. Brigadier.
    Assistant Adjutant General.
    Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General.
    Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General. Movement.
    Staff Captain (A).
    Staff Captain (Q).
    Deputy Assistant Adjutant General. Legal Staff.
    Staff Captain. Legal Staff.
    Deputy Judge Advocate. Major.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RASC. For General Staff.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC. For General Staff.
    3 X Clerk RASC for General Staff.
    2 X Warrant Officer Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.
    2 X Sergeant Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.
    9 X Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.

    Chief Signal Officer. Colonel
    Assistant to Chief Signal Officer. Major.
    Assistant to Chief Signal Officer. Captain.
    Warrant Officer Clerk.
    Sergeant Clerk.
    Clerk.
    Draughtsman.

    Deputy Director of Medical Services.
    Assistant Director of Medical Services.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services.
    Assistant Director of Hygiene.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RAMC.
    Sergeant Clerk RAMC.
    3 X Clerk RAMC.
    Assistant Director of Dental Services.
    Serjeant Orderly Clerk Army Dental Corps.
    Orderly Clerk Army Dental Corps.

    Deputy Director of Supply and Transport.
    Assistant Director of Supply and Transport.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies. Petrol.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies. Local Purchasing Duties.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RASC.
    3 X Sergeant Clerk RASC.
    9 X Clerk RASC.
    Warrant Officer Clerk, Technical MT.
    Sergeant Clerk, Technical MT.
    4 X Clerk, Technical MT.
    2 X Motorcyclist.

    Deputy Provost Marshal.
    Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal.

    2 X Clerk RASC.

    Camp Commandant. Captain.
    Company Sergeant Major.

    Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
    2 X clerk RASC.
    Storeman.

    7 X Town Major.
    7 X Corporal Clerk.

    Sergeant Driver RASC.
    25 X Driver RASC.
    5 X Orderlies.
    19 X Batmen.
    6 X Cook.
    5 X General Dutymen.
    Water Duty Man.
    Sanitary Duty Man.

    4 X Bicycle for Orderlies.
    2 X Motorcycle.
    Lorry 30cwt GS.
    2 X Car, 2 seat. Pool.
    12 X Car, 4 seat. Pool.
    Car 6 seat. Commander.


    Headquarters LoC District.
    There were two LoC Districts:
    The South District centred on the base areas of Brittany.
    The North District centred on the base area of Rouen and northern France.

    Brigadier. Commander.
    Camp Commandant.
    General Staff Officer Grade 2.
    Staff Officer (Air Defence). Captain

    Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General.
    Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General.
    Staff Captain.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC. For General Staff.
    3 X Clerk RASC for General Staff.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.
    2 X Sergeant Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.
    5 X Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.

    Deputy Director of Medical Services.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RAMC.
    3 X Clerk RAMC.
    Assistant Director of Dental Services.
    Serjeant Orderly Clerk Army Dental Corps.

    Assistant Director of Supply and Transport.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Transport.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RASC.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC.
    4 X Clerk RASC.
    Warrant Officer Clerk, Technical MT.
    Sergeant Clerk, Technical MT.
    4 X Clerk, Technical MT
    2 X Motorcyclist.

    Assistant Provost Marshal.
    Clerk RASC.

    Company Sergeant Major.
    Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
    Clerk RASC. For Camp Commandant.
    4 X Batman Driver.
    Sergeant Driver RASC.
    18 X Driver RASC.
    4 X Orderlies.
    4 X Batmen.
    4 X Cook.
    4 X General Dutymen.
    Water Duty Man.
    Sanitary Duty Man.

    4 X Bicycle for Orderlies.
    2 X Motorcycle.
    Lorry 30cwt GS.
    2 X Car, 2 seat. Pool.
    8 X Car, 4 seat. Pool.
    Car 6 seat. Commander.

    Attached from Headquarters Ordnance Services.
    Deputy Director of Ordnance Services. Colonel.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services. Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class.
    Ordnance Executive Officer.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RAOC.
    2 X Serjeant Clerk RAOC.
    4 X Clerk RAOC.


    Headquarters LoC Sub Area.
    Sub areas varied greatly in size and in the number of units which they contained.
    Rennes LoC Sub Area.
    Nantes LoC Sub Area.
    Le Mans LoC Sub Area.
    Marseilles LoC Sub Area.
    Cherbourg LoC Sub Area.
    Rouen LoC Sub Area.
    Dieppe LoC Sub Area.
    Boulogne LoC Sub Area.

    Brigadier. Commander.
    General Staff Officer Grade 3.
    Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General.
    Staff Captain.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC for General Staff.
    Clerk RASC for General Staff.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.
    3 X Clerk RASC for Adjutant and Quarter Master General Staff.

    Assistant Director of Medical Services. Lieutenant Colonel.
    Deputy Assistant Director of Hygiene. Major.
    Medical Officer.
    Medical Orderly.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RAMC.
    3 X Clerk RAMC.
    2 X Batmen RAMC.

    Officer Commanding RASC. Lieutenant Colonel.
    Captain. Supply Duties.
    Captain. Transport Duties.
    Warrant Officer Clerk RASC.
    Sergeant Clerk RASC.
    4 X Clerk RASC.
    2 X Batman RASC.

    Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal.
    Clerk RASC.

    Commander RE. Lieutenant Colonel.
    Adjutant.
    3 X Garrison Engineers. Major or Captain.
    Warrant Officer Military Foreman of Works.
    2 X Sergeant Military Foreman of Works.
    Warrant Officer Military Mechanist.
    Sergeant Military Mechanist.
    2 X Sergeant Engineer Clerks
    2 X Engineer Clerk.
    Engineer Draughtsman.
    3 X Batman RE.
    Pioneer RE.

    Deputy Assistant Director of Hiring. Major.
    Sergeant Engineer Clerk.
    Engineer Draughtsman.

    Camp Commandant.
    Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
    Clerk RASC. For Camp Commandant.
    11 X Driver RASC.
    2 X Orderlies.
    3 X Batmen.
    3 X Cook.
    2 X General Dutymen.
    Sanitary Duty Man.

    5 X Bicycle.
    6 X Motorcycle.
    5 X Car, 2 seat. Pool.
    4 X Car, 4 seat. Pool.
    Car 6 seat. Commander.

    Mike.
     
    Aixman likes this.
  9. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    LINE of COMMUNICATION SIGNALS.

    Headquarters LoC Signals.
    Naturally signal communications were essential to the Line of Communications. The establishment provided for a Headquarters and three companies, each of which had a variable number of sections depending on requirements.

    Signals were very largely telephone and telegraph, both using lines. Wireless was relatively little used and radio hardly at all. Wireless is taken to be messages transmitted in Morse code while radio is speech. Some teleprinters were also used. (See Wireless No5 below). Despatch riders on motorcycles were widely used both for carrying written communications locally and for bulky documents.

    At first some use had to be made of the French civil telephone and telegraph systems. This was particularly the case with road and rail services. The French had a very good signals system on the Routes National and railways had SNCF communications.

    Headquarters.
    Lieutenant Colonel.
    Major.
    Adjutant.
    Quartermaster.
    Regimental Sergeant Major.
    Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.
    Quartermaster Sergeant.
    Sergeant.
    2 X Corporal.
    11 X Signalmen.
    14 X Drivers.

    Motorcycle.
    2 X 2 seater car.
    4 seater car.
    30cwt lorry GS.
    3 ton lorry GS.

    No1 Company Headquarters. Construction and Maintenance.
    Captain.
    Company Sergeant Major.
    Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
    Corporal.
    Signalman.
    5 X Driver.

    Motorcycle.
    2 seater car.
    3 ton lorry GS.
    3 ton 6 wheel lorry GS.


    No 2 and No 3 Companies. Operating. Each:
    Major.
    Captain.
    Subaltern.
    Company Sergeant Major.
    Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
    Corporal.
    2 X Signalman.
    4 X Driver.

    Motorcycle.
    2 X 2 seater car.
    30 cwt lorry GS.


    Telephone Switchboard Operating Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/25B/1

    serjeant
    4 X corporal (one may be a lance serjeant)
    15 X signalman (four may be lance corporals)
    All Switchboard operators are bilingual.


    Technical Maintenance Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/37A/1
    Company Quartermaster Serjeant
    Serjeant
    3 X carpenter
    6 X fitter
    6 X instrument mechanic
    cook
    storeman
    driver
    Two tradesmen are corporals

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS


    Line Maintenance Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/27A/1
    This section is designed to maintain 150 route miles of line, and provide three lineman patrols and three breakdown partie. It also provides linesmen for nine repeater stations and indoor linemen for one large and two small signal offices.

    Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    draughtsman
    55 X lineman
    cook
    3 X driver
    batman driver
    Three of the tradesmen are corporals.

    2 X motorcycle
    4 X car 2 seater
    3 X 30 cwt lorry GS


    Signals Construction Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/25/1
    Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    fitter
    44 X lineman
    cook
    10 X driver
    batman driver
    four of the tradesmen are corporals.

    2 X motorcycle
    4 X car 2 seater
    3 X 30 cwt lorry GS
    4 X 3ton lorry GS
    4 X 15cwt pole trailer


    Telegraph Operating Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/24/2
    Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    3 X despatch rider
    electrician
    instrument mechanic
    23 X operator
    cook
    4 X general dutyman
    batman driver

    Four of the tradesmen are corporals.
    Attached: 6 X orderly provided by the formation which the signal office is serving

    4 X bicycle
    1 X car 2 seater


    Despatch Rider Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/24A/2
    serjeant
    corporal
    21 X despatch rider
    fitter
    cook

    23 X motorcycle


    Wireless Section (LoC Signals)
    War Establishment IV/1931/26/3
    This section consists of a headquarters and four wireless detachments.

    Headquarters
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    cook
    batman driver

    4 X Detachment
    serjeant or corporal
    instrument mechanic
    electrician
    6 X operator

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater

    The following wireless sets are known to have been used by the BEF Line of Communications Signals. Data and photos from Meulstee’s splendid and comprehensive set ‘Wireless for the Warrior’.

    Wireless Set No 3.
    This was a medium range mobile set for communication between corps and division and line of communication.

    Range:
    On the move with a roof aerial 50 miles Morse 25 miles voice
    Stationary with horizontal aerial 1000 miles Morse
    Weight 18cwt.

    This set was carried in a 3ton 6 X 4 lorry with a house type body and a chassis mounted power take off for a generator. Leyland Retriever and Guy FBAX were both used.

    Wireless set No 3 was a versatile and reliable set.
    - It could be used as Low Power with a range of 8 miles in which case it used batteries.
    - It could be used as High Power in which case it required a Dorman 10hp engine and a Newton generator.
    - High speed Morse equipment could be used. This used punched tape and could send 120 words a minute.
    - Remote control and link to a telephone was possible using Wireless Remote Control Unit B.
    - The set could be removed from the vehicle and operated from a dug out or building. In this case a remote aerial could be used. The aerial control unit included two 100 foot cables.

    A variety of aerials could be used but on the Line of Communication it would normally use a horizontal aerial slung between two 70 foot masts. The mast sections were carried on the vehicle body sides.

    upload_2022-10-30_8-35-24.png

    Wireless set No 3.

    Wireless Set No5
    This was a powerful static set for use on the Line of Communication. It consisted of three units plus ancillary equipment and could be transported in 3ton lorries. Several lorries were needed since the Low Power version weighed a total of 10tons. The High Power version, which may not have been used in the BEF, weighed a total of 20 tons. One similar Wireless Set ‘S’ (India) was used in the BEF.

    Range
    Low Power Morse: 700 miles Voice: 200 miles
    High Power Morse: 2000 miles

    Aerials were 300 foot T type between two 70 foot masts.

    A Voice Frequency Keying Unit could be used with a Remote Control Unit to operate the set from a distance of 12 miles for voice or Morse. Usually Creed Wheatstone High Speed Morse Equipment was used to send Morse at up to 600 words a minute. Messages were typed onto perforated tape which was fed into the transmitter. Messages were received and printed onto tape.

    upload_2022-10-30_8-37-43.png

    Wireless set No 5.

    Mike.
     
    Aixman, Osborne2 and morrisc8 like this.
  10. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    BEF WORKS.

    Apart from the units concerned with the provision and maintenance of stores and the provision of supplies there were a number of units which were either concerned with constructing the infrastructure without which the base could not for long operate efficiently.

    Artisan Works Company. RE.
    For building work in the Lines of Communication Area.

    Army Troops Company. RE.
    For general engineering work in the Lines of Communication Area.

    Forestry Company. RE.
    To fell trees and operate a sawmill.

    Road Construction Company. RE.
    To construct and maintain roads in the Lines of Communication Area.

    Transportation Construction Company. RE
    For construction work on Docks, Railways and Canals.

    MT Works Company. RASC.
    To support construction work with tipper lorries.


    Accommodation.
    From Military Engineering Volume VII. Accommodation and Installations.

    Office Accommodation.
    Depots and headquarters will require a considerable amount of office accommodation. It is not very practicable to carry out administrative work in tented accommodation and efficient administration is considered essential in base areas. Existing buildings can be hired and adapted to military needs and this will be necessary in the first instance but eventually hutted office accommodation designed for the specific needs of the user organisation. Heating, lighting, telephones and toilet facilities will be necessary.

    Store accommodation.
    Many types of stores and supplies can be stacked in the open but others will need some degree of protection and some will need to be secure and have heating and lighting. As a general guide the following percentages of stores needing hutted accommodation were suggested:
    Supplies, including petrol, 20%.
    Ordnance stores, 70%.
    Ammunition, 10%.
    Engineer stores, 10%.
    Transportation stores, 8%.
    NAAFI stores, 20%.

    Standard shedding.
    To help planning shed dimensions and components were standardised. Stores sheds were 36 foot wide and could be of any length. Width could be increased by adding two or three standard spans for a maximum width of 108 foot. Working drawings , specifications and lists of quantities were issued.

    Where depots require large sheds there are usually railway sidings. These sidings should run along either side of the shed, one for delivery and one for despatch. There should be a covered platform area on each side of the shed to protect stores when being loaded and unloaded. The platforms should not be raised since this would mean also raising the floor level of the shed, a considerable task. Sliding or roller doors should be installed every 50 foot and at the ends of sheds. Transparent panels should be installed in the roof to admit daylight.


    ARTISAN WORKS COMPANY
    WE IV/1931/9B/1

    This company contains a headquarters and four work sections. It is organised for building work on the lines of communication. There was a large demand for accommodation for stores, personnel accommodation and offices.

    Accommodation was built to standard designs. Some were built of timber and some were based on the WW1 design for corrugated iron Nissen huts. The Nissen huts were in short supply.

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant
    corporal
    transport corporal
    2 X lance corporal
    5 X sapper
    9 X driver IC

    Trades include.
    3 X clerk
    2 X draughtsman
    2 X pioneer
    cook
    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    2 X batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman

    2 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 12cwt van
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS
    1 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    3 X Pistol .38”
    20 X rifle .303”

    4 X Section each:
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    2 X corporal
    4 X lance corporal
    45 X sapper
    5 X driver IC

    Trades.
    8 X bricklayer
    15 X carpenter and joiner
    5 X concretor
    6 X electrician
    2 X mason
    3 X painter and decorator
    3 X plumber
    10 X pioneer
    cook
    4 X driver IC for vehicles
    batman

    Transport
    1 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    2 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    2 X Pistol .38”
    58 X rifle .303”
    1 X Bren lmg


    ARMY TROOPS COMPANY
    WE IV/1931/16/2

    This company consists of a headquarters, an electrical and mechanical section capable of division into two sub sections, and four works sections for general engineer work. It is organised for engineer work on the Lines of Communication.

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    transport serjeant
    serjeant
    corporal
    2 X lance corporal
    17 X sapper
    14 X driver IC

    Trades.
    blacksmith
    carpenter and joiner
    3 X clerk
    draughtsman, architectural
    draughtsman, mechanical
    electrician
    engine artifice
    2 X fitter and turner
    painter and decorator
    sawyer
    surveyor, engineering
    2 X welder
    2 X pioneer
    cook
    10 X driver IC
    batman driver
    batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman

    Transport
    3 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    1 X 15cwt GS
    3 X 3ton lorry GS
    1 X 3 ton lorry machinery
    1 X 15cwt water trailer
    1 X air compressor trailer

    Weapons
    3 X Pistol .38”
    37 X rifle .303”
    1 X AT rifle
    1 X Bren lmg

    Electrical and Mechanical Section
    Subaltern
    2 X mechanist staff serjeant
    serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    2 X corporal
    4 X lance corporal
    36 X sapper
    transport corporal
    15 X driver IC

    Trades.
    2 X blacksmith
    2 X carpenter and joiner
    2 X concretor
    8 X electrician
    2 X engine artificer
    10 X fitter and turner
    2 X plumber
    2 X tinsmith
    3 X pioneer
    8 X engine hands IC
    cook
    2 X stoker, stationary engine
    15 X driver IC
    batman driver

    Transport
    1 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    2 X 15cwt GS
    4 X 3ton lorry GS
    2 X 3ton lorry machinery E&M

    Weapons
    4 X Pistol .38”
    60 X rifle .303”
    1 X AT rifle
    1 X Bren lmg

    4 X Work Sections each:
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    2 X corporal
    4 X lance corporal
    5 X driver IC

    Trades included:
    2 X blacksmith
    3 X bricklayer
    10 X carpenter and joiner
    2 X concretor
    4 X electrician
    4 X fitter and turner
    2 X mason
    painter and decorator
    2 X plumber
    sawyer
    tinsmith
    3 X pioneer
    2 X engine hands IC
    cook
    stoker, stationary engine
    4 X driver IC
    batman driver

    Transport
    1 X bicycle
    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    2 X 15cwt GS
    1 X 3ton lorry GS

    Weapons
    2 X Pistol .38”
    44 X rifle .303”
    1 X AT rifle
    1 X Bren lmg



    FORESTRY COMPANY RE
    War Establishment IV/1931/12A/1

    There was a very considerable demand for timber for a wide variety of purposes. Since there were heavy demands on shipping it was only sensible to make as much use as possible of local sources. Some timber could be purchased locally but gradually Forestry Companies RE were deployed to fell suitable trees and operate saw mills to produce timber to standard dimensions.

    Timber was needed for a number of purposes. In the base area there was a great demand for accommodation. Some stores and supplies needed to be kept in covered accommodation and they were given priority. Gradually the demand for personnel accommodation increased as the number of men in the base areas increased and the approach of winter made tented accommodation unsuitable.

    Outside the scope of this study timber was also needed for revetting trenches and weapon pits etc in the forward areas.

    The trimmings from timber felling and sawmills provided a useful source of firewood. With the onset of winter this became more necessary, if only to prevent troops from scavenging timber from other sources.

    Railway sleepers still had to be imported since they needed to be of oak or more exotic hardwoods. The softwoods produced by forestry companies were not heavy enough or durable enough.

    129 Forestry Company. One Section. From Shorncliffe.
    2 Officer, 7 Other Ranks and 4 vehicles. Road Party sailing 16 December.
    1 Officer and 27 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 18 December.

    129 Forestry Company from Shorncliffe.
    1 Officer, 8 other ranks, 6 vehicles and 1 motorcycle. Road Party sailing 4 January.
    3 Officers and 105 men. Rail Party sailing 7 January.

    Headquarters
    Captain, qualified forestry officer with a degree or adequate experience in forestry
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    2 X corporal
    15 X sapper
    19 X driver

    Trades:
    axeman
    2 X blacksmith
    2 X clerk
    electrician
    2 X engine artificer
    draughtsman
    3 X millwright
    wheeler
    cook
    2 X engine hand
    15 X driver IC
    3 X batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman

    1 X motorcycle
    2 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    2 X 3ton lorry GS
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    4 X Section each:
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    2 X corporal
    24 X sapper
    19 X driver

    Trades.
    14 X axeman
    carpenter
    fitter
    4 X sawyer
    saw doctor
    2 X pioneer
    cook
    engine hand
    stoker

    2 X bicycle
    1 X 3ton lorry GS


    ROAD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
    WE IV/1931/12/2

    Military road construction was required for several purposes:
    The various depots and dumps needed considerable areas of road and hard standing for vehicles.
    Roads were required between depots and their sub depots.
    Roads were required for the forward movement of vehicles.
    Existing roads needed maintenance and improvement.

    For completely new roads or major improvements the route had to be prepared by removing topsoil using scrapers, by grading and levelling and by installing drainage along the road edges. A road bed of crushed stone was then laid and levelled before a binding layer of concrete was spread to provide an even, waterproof surface.

    Such exacting standards were not required for internal roads and hard standings in depots but the technique and materials were similar.

    113 Road Construction Company from Gosport.
    1 Officer, 20 Other Ranks, 21 Vehicles and 4 Motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 7 October.
    4 Officers and 102 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    117 Road Construction Company from Preston
    1 Officer, 16 Other Ranks, 17 vehicles and 4 motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 28 October.
    3 Officers and 85 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 30 October.

    116 Road Construction Company from Catterick.
    1 Officer, 16 Other Ranks, 18 vehicles and 4 motorcycles. Road Party. Sailing 6 November.
    3 Officers and 85 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 8 November.

    118 Road Construction Company from Chester.
    1 Officer, 16 other ranks, 12 vehicles and 3 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 4 April.
    3 Officers and 85 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 7 April.

    119 Road Construction Company from Hamilton.
    1 Officer, 16 other ranks, 11 vehicles and 3 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 4 April.
    3 Officers and 85 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 7 April.

    Personnel.
    Major
    Captain
    2 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    mechanist serjeant
    5 X serjeant
    14 X corporal
    55 X sapper
    24 X driver IC

    Trades.
    4 X blacksmith
    2 X bricklayer
    4 X carpenter and joiner
    2 X clerk
    2 X concretor
    2 X driver, plant
    draughtsman
    4 X driver mechanic
    2 X fitter
    2 X mason
    painter
    plumber
    surveyor
    tinsmith
    13 X miscellaneous
    16 X pioneer
    10 X engine hands IC
    21 X driver IC
    4 X batman

    Attached labour
    250 X Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corp personnel.
    These were not armed.
    A labour squad was 30 men under the command of a corporal RE

    Vehicles
    4 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    Additional transport, tipping lorries and supply vehicles are provided by the RASC Works Company and RASC Works Services Company.

    Weapons
    7 X Pistol .38”
    98 X rifle .303”



    TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/17A/1

    Transportation in military terms refers to railways, docks and canals, the operation of which was controlled by the Transportation Directorate although the units were provided by Royal Engineers. Transportation does not include roads although the Transportation Construction Company would be capable of constructing them if necessary.

    The Transportation Construction Company has a considerable amount of engineering plant on its establishment. This was in short supply.

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    Company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant fitter
    transport serjeant
    5 X corporal
    3 X lance corporal
    25 X sapper
    2 X lance corporal driver
    17 X driver

    Trades include:
    2 X blacksmith
    carpenter and joiner
    2 X clerk
    2 X driver, excavator
    3 X driver, transportation plant
    7 X fitter
    storeman
    tinsmith
    welder
    2 X hammerman
    carpenters mate
    7 X fitters mate
    welders labourers
    2 X cook
    transport corporal
    11 X driver IC for vehicles
    2 X batman
    batman driver
    water dutyman
    sanitary dutyman
    2 X motorcyclist

    3 X bicycle
    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    2 X 15cwt GS
    3 X 3ton lorry GS
    2 X 3ton lorry tipper
    1 X 3ton lorry machinery
    3 X Fordson tractor
    3 X 15 ton low load trailer
    2 X heavy tractor
    2 X 25 ton low load trailer
    1 X 15cwt compressor truck
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    2 X D8 tractors
    2 X D7 Tractors
    2 X No66 Blade Graders
    2 X D8 angle dozer
    2 X heavy duty rooter
    2 X 8 yard scraper
    2 X 6 yard scraper
    4 X dumper
    2 X excavator (Ruston Bucyrus or Newton Chambers)
    2 X No112 Motor Grader

    5 X pistol
    54 rifles

    4 X Section each:
    Captain
    2 X Subaltern
    2 X serjeant
    4 X corporal
    47 X sapper
    22 X driver

    Trades:
    blacksmith
    2 X carpenter and joiner
    clerk
    26 X driver, excavator
    6 X driver, transportation plant
    3 X fitter
    storeman
    tinsmith
    welder
    hammerman
    2 X carpenters mate
    3 X fitters mate
    welders labourer
    2 X cook
    8 X driver IC for vehicles
    batman
    batman driver
    water dutyman
    sanitary dutyman
    10 X piloting tractor drivers and manoeuvring ground mates

    1 X bicycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    12 X 15cwt GS
    3 X 3ton lorry GS
    4 X 3ton lorry tipper
    1 X 3ton lorry machinery
    1 X Fordson tractor
    1 X 15ton low load trailer
    1 X 15cwt compressor truck
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    2 X D8 tractors
    3 X D7 Tractors
    1 X No66 Blade Graders
    1 X D7 angle dozer
    2 X 8 yard scraper
    2 X 6 yard scraper
    8 X dumper
    2 X excavator (Ruston Bucyrus or Newton Chambers)

    3 X pistol
    75 rifles


    MT WORKS COMPANY RASC
    WE III/1931/44A/1

    A MT Works Company consisted of a company headquarters, five works sections a supply section and a workshop section.

    This company is designed to support Royal Engineers employed on engineering works. It provides a pool of tipping lorries plus a pool of supply vehicles for the delivery of supplies and RAOC stores for twenty Royal Engineer and Auxiliary Military Pioneer Companies employed on engineering works.

    For each additional Royal Engineer or Auxiliary Military Pioneer Companies provided for RE works a further subsection of five 30cwt lorries may be attached.

    Company Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    2 X serjeant
    5 X corporal
    10 X driver IC for vehicles (including driver mechanic
    19 X driver IC

    3 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X car 4 seater
    2 X 1ton lorry for lmg detachments
    1 X 30cwt lorry
    2 X 3ton lorry
    2 X 3ton 6 X 4 breakdown
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    5 X Section (A-E) each
    Headquarters
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    6 X driver IC

    3 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 1ton lorry
    1 X 30cwt lorry
    1 X 3ton lorry
    2 X tipper, spare
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    4 X subsection (1 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12. 13 to 16, 17 to 20) each
    corporal
    driver mechanic
    9 X driver IC
    5 X tipper lorry

    F Section
    Headquarters
    Subaltern
    Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant
    serjeant
    6 X driver IC for vehicles
    16 X driver IC

    3 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    1 X 1ton lorry
    1 X 30cwt lorry
    2 X 30cwt lorry, spare
    1 X 3ton lorry
    2 X tipper, spare
    1 X 15cwt water trailer

    4 X subsection (21 to 24) each
    corporal
    driver mechanic
    9 X driver IC
    5 X 30cwt lorry

    Workshop Section
    Headquarters
    Subaltern
    Mechanist Serjeant Major
    corporal
    corporal technical clerk MT
    driver IC
    artificer
    technical clerk MT

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 2 seater

    25 Subsection (Workshop)
    serjeant artificer
    corporal artificer
    3 X driver IC for vehicles (including driver mechanic)
    20 X artificer
    technical clerk MT

    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 workshop
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 stores

    26 Subsection (Workshop)
    as for 25 Subsection except for one extra artificer and one extra technical clerk.


    Quarry work
    A great deal of stone was required for construction work. It was needed for roadbed, for railway ballast and for concrete. No mention of quarrying companies has been found although they existed in WW1. It is thought that all the stone needed was obtained from existing commercial quarries under Royal Engineer supervision. The stone was carried from the quarry either by SNCF trains or by Royal Engineer trains. It is known that there was a commercial quarry in Northern France which supplied stone to RE for airfield work. This was carried on Royal Engineer trains.
     
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  11. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    LABOUR.

    There was a huge demand for labour in the base and line and communication areas. There were very few mechanical aids available so manpower was used. For example on the supply line ships were unloaded by stevedores who were trained, skilled and experienced but then goods had to be moved from the dockside and loaded onto trains to be taken to depots. At the depots goods arriving had to be unloaded and moved to stores. Goods leaving had to be moved and loaded. At advanced depots or railheads the same tasks had to be performed. There may be roller conveyors to ease the task but these were comparatively rare. Heavy manual labour was also needed for work on railways, roads, quarries and accommodation.

    In WW1 the labour was supplied by Labour Companies. This was re introduced in WW2 but since labour had political connotations the new companies were retitled Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps in October 1939. Later they formed the Pioneer Corps.


    Personnel were found from a number of sources.

    The peacetime regular army worked on a system of so many years with the colours followed by a further period in reserve, when they could be recalled if needed. There were more reservists than were required to bring units up to strength so the surplus from infantry and cavalry units were formed into labour companies. At that time reservists could only be recalled to their own regiment so a flexible system was introduced whereby personnel would serve in AMPC Companies until their regiment needed them. The standard AMPC Company had 3 officers and 277 other ranks.

    Three companies were raised from enemy aliens (German and Austrian) in the UK. Their establishment was as for the standard AMPC Company.

    Some Prestataire (contracted labour) labour companies were formed from foreign persons domiciled in France. Under French law such persons were liable to be conscripted for non combatant roles. Some were assigned to the BEF with British officers but being paid at French Army rates. The company had a headquarters and four sections, each of a serjeant, 3 corporals and 66 labourers. Total strength 307. Only British personnel were armed.

    Some companies were recruited from the civilian populations of other countries. There was a Palestinian company and three Italian companies. In these cases the officers were British. The Palestinian Company was twice as large as the standard company, having 6 British Officers and 659 other ranks. The Italian companies were similar to the Prestataire companies at 3 British officers and 304 other ranks.

    Eventually there were some 110 companies in France, totalling some 30,000 men.

    Later some Territorial Army divisions were sent to France as labour and to continue training. These divisions did not have engineers or other supporting arms and services.

    When the Germany invaded Belgium and started the shooting war some battalions of infantry were formed from the infantry reservists serving in the Auxiliary Army Pioneer Corps.


    The following is given at some length as a tribute to this much neglected area. The title was changed from Labour Company to Auxiliary Army Pioneer Corps, and later simply Pioneer Corps.

    19 Works Labour Company from Farnborough.
    3 Officers and 275 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 10 October.

    Headquarters 2 Labour Company and 8 sections from Folkestone.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 15 October.
    3 Officers and 228 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 15 October.

    Headquarters 21 Labour Company and 8 sections from Folkestone.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 15 October.
    3 Officers and 228 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 15 October.

    Headquarters 8 Works Labour Company and Nos 36 to 40 sections from Blackpool
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 273 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    Headquarters 9 Works Labour Company and Nos 41 to 45 sections from Blackpool.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 273 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    Headquarters 10 Works Labour Company and Nos 46 to 50 sections from Blackpool.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 273 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    Headquarters 11 Works Labour Company and Nos 51 to 55 sections from Blackpool.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party. Sailing 18 October.
    3 Officers and 273 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 19 October.

    11 Labour Group from York.
    12 Officers and 841 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 11 November.

    12 Labour Group from York.
    12 Officers and 841 Other Ranks. Rail Party. Sailing 11 Novemember.

    61 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, Headquarters and 10 sections from Caister on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 20 November.
    4 Officers and 245 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 23 November.

    62 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, Headquarters and 10 sections from Manchester.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 20 November.
    4 Officers and 245 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 23 November.

    59 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Dovercourt.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    60 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Dovercourt.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    63 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    64 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    65 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    66 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    Headquarters 5 Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November
    3 Officers and 10 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    Headquarters 6 Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 November.
    3 Officers and 10 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 2 December.

    55 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Manchester.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 5 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 8 December.

    67 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 5 December
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 8 December

    68 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister on Sea.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 5 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 8 December

    150 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 Other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 12 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 16 December.

    51 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 16 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail party sailing 18 December.

    49 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 9 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks sailing 11 December.

    52 Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 20 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 23 December.

    53 Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 Other Ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 29 December.
    3 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Rail Party sailing 29 December.

    Headquarters 8 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 10 January.
    3 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.

    Headquarters 9 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Clacton.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 10 January.
    3 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.

    Headquarters 56 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Liverpool.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 10 January.
    3 Officers and 16 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Liverpool.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 January.

    Headquarters 69 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 22 January.
    3 Officers and 16 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.

    Headquarters 70 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 22 January
    3 Officers and 16 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.


    Headquarters 13 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    2 Other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 28 January.
    3 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.

    Headquarters 10 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 28 January.
    3 Officers and 16 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.
    Ten Sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 26 January.


    Headquarters 10 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 28 January.
    3 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 31 January.

    Headquarters 73 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 28 January.
    3 Officers and 18 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 31 January.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 31 January.

    Headquarters 74 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 28 January.
    3 Officers and 18 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 31 January.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 31 January.

    Headquarters 75 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    4 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 1 February.
    3 Officers and 16 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 4 February.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Caister.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 4 February.

    Headquarters 15 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Westcliffe.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    3 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    76 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Westcliffe.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    58 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    78 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    81 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Dovercourt.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    82 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Dovercourt.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.

    83 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 26 March.
    4 Officers and 277 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 28 March.


    Headquarters 14 Group Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Folkestone.
    2 other ranks and 1 vehicle. Road Party sailing 2 March.
    2 Officers and 10 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 5 March.

    Headquarters and ten sections 87 Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    4 other ranks and 2 vehicles. Road Party sailing 11 March.
    3 Officers and 275 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 17 March.

    Headquarters 90 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Skegness.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 25 April.
    4 Officers and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 29 April.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Skegness.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 29 April.

    Headquarters 88 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    1 Officer, 4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 22 April.
    3 Officers and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 25 April.
    Ten sections 88 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 25 April.

    Headquarters 79 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    1 Officer, 4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 16 April.
    3 Officers and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 21 April.
    Ten sections 79 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Huyton.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 21 April.

    Headquarters 88 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    1 Officer, 4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 22 April.
    3 Officers and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 25 April.
    Ten sections 88 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Richborough.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 25 April.

    Headquarters 90 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Skegness.
    4 other ranks and 3 vehicles. Road Party sailing 25 April.
    4 Officers and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 29 April.
    Ten sections Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps from Skegness.
    260 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 29 April.


    PRESTATAIRE LABOUR COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/72C/1

    These companies consisted of aliens domiciled in France and liable for enrolment for no combatant duties under French law. They were administered by British personnel and paid at French Army rates. There was a headquarters and four sections.

    British personnel
    Major
    Captain
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    2 X serjeant
    3 X driver RASC

    Prestataire personnel
    Company Serjeant Major
    serjeant clerk
    corporal clerk
    serjeant cook
    corporal cook
    6 X cook
    4 X sanitary and first aid man
    2 X batman
    4 X section serjeant
    276 X labourer

    2 X bicycle
    1 X car 2 seater
    2 X 12cwt van

    3 X pistol
    6 X rifle

    Headquarters
    Major
    Captain
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    2 X serjeant
    3 X driver RASC
    Company Serjeant Major
    serjeant clerk
    corporal clerk
    serjeant cook
    corporal cook
    6 X cook
    4 X sanitary and first aid man
    2 X batman

    4 X section
    serjeant

    3 X labour gang each:
    23 X labourer



    HEADQUARTERS PALESTINIAN COMPANY AMPC
    War Establishment IV/1931/82/1

    British personnel
    Major
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant

    Palestinian personnel
    Captain
    2 X Subaltern
    4 X serjeant
    2 X corporal clerk
    2 X storeman
    corporal cook
    12 X cook
    7 X sanitary dutyman
    2 X batman
    batman driver
    4 X orderly
    medical orderly

    4 X bicycle
    1 X car 2 seater

    6 X pistol
    11 X rifle

    PALESTINIAN SECTION AMPC
    War Establishment IV/1931/81/1

    serjeant
    2 X corporal
    23 X private
    6 X rifle

    Mike
     
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  12. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Some random AMPC images that I've downloaded over the years. Mostly railway construction scenes. Quite a mixture of cap badges, presumably men seconded from other units, or perhaps the captions are wrong and these are Territorials on labour duties. I hope not inappropriate here.
    AMPC Nissen Hut.jpg
    AMPC Rails.jpg
    AMPC Balaclava.jpg
    AMPC Rails 2.jpg
     
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  13. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Thank you Rich,

    I did not find any photos of AAPC personnel. The early companies were formed from 'spare' reservists. They still 'belonged' to the regiment they were in when a Regular and could be recalled when needed. They would wear their own uniform and badges.

    Interesting.

    Mike.
     
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  14. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    A couple more AMPC images then...This old chap being evacuated has a fair old set of medal ribbons and is wearing an AMPC slip-on title. It's quite unusual to see them being worn in May 1940.

    AMPC 2b.jpg

    ...and one that I failed to use Fireshot very competently for when taking a screenshot...a lot of news archive sites have some basic anti-download protection and I only end up with half a photo. It does show some mixed units doing dock work though.

    AMPC Docks b.jpg
     
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  15. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    MOVEMENT CONTROL.

    See Posts 6 to 13 for examples of the movement of formations to and through France.

    Movement Control was a vital part of the movement of the BEF to France and the subsequent movement of stores and personnel. In the UK Movement Control from a headquarters at Salisbury was responsible for:

    - Preparing movement plans for formations, units, stores and equipment to the ports of embarkation.

    - Communicating the movement plans for units from their home areas to concentration areas in the south. This involved rail timetables and road movement timetables.

    - Instructing unit officers on the movement to the docks and for embarkation of personnel and vehicles onto shipping.

    - Supervising and escorting road and rail parties from concentration areas to the docks. Provost units under Movement Control provided road signs, pointsmen and motorcycle guides.

    - Supervising the loading of personnel, vehicles and stores onto shipping.

    In France Movement Control was initially responsible for organising the movement of two corps, each of two divisions, to Assembly Areas around Le Mans. Personnel would be carried by rail and vehicles would travel by road. As formations were completely assembled they were transported north to the area around Amiens and Arras. Thereafter their movement to the front line was the responsibility of GHQ and Corps. At the same time Movement Control was organising the transportation of the necessary stores and equipment for the BEF plus extra amounts to build up a reserve in the base areas.

    The Movement Control personnel in France was provided by five Movement Control Groups:
    1, 2 and 4 Groups were responsible for coordinating the work of the ports and movement from the ports to Assembly Areas, or in the case of stores to depots in the base area. 1 and 2 Groups were responsible for the South Base Area including Marseilles, Nantes, Le Mans, Rennes, Brest and Cherbourg. 4 Group was later responsible for the North Base Area including Le Havre, Rouen, Dieppe and Boulogne.

    3 Group provided personnel for the Movement Control Regulating Sub Area at Abancourt. This area controlled the flow of personnel, vehicles and stores to the field formations.

    5 Group were responsible for the operating of two Movement Control Railhead Sub Areas where personnel, vehicles and stores were delivered to field formations.

    The Advanced Air Striking Force had a separate Movement Control Group.



    The first Movement Control officers were early arrivals in France. Four officers arrived by air on 3 September. On 4 September advanced parties of formations, including Movement Control officers, were shipped to Cherbourg on the RN destroyers Venomous and Wren. On 5 September the Movement Control officers dispersed to various locations to prepare for the arrival of the BEF.

    The movement of formations from the ports to the forward area required a great deal of road transport. Three major roads were designated as being for BEF use. These were identified as Routes A, B and C. All three roads ran north east from the ports. The shortest route, route ‘A’, was that from Le Havre. Route ‘B’ ran from Cherbourg and Route ‘C’ from the Brittany ports of Brest and St Nazaire. The journeys were too long to be done in one day so staging areas were provided at intervals of 70 to 100 miles. The staging areas were planned to accommodate a brigade group, which was the usual unit for transportation. Each division was divided into four groups, three brigade groups and a headquarters group. The brigade group usually contained three infantry battalions, a field artillery regiment, an anti tank regiment, an engineer field company and a field ambulance. The ideal location was in a group of small villages, reasonably close together, with sufficient billeting for the brigade group. Each staging area had a staff under a Movement Control officer which provided petrol, water and rations, plus parking areas for the vehicles, plus traffic control and signing.

    Route ‘A’ required only one staging area, south of Abbeville. Route ‘C’ required two staging areas, one near Le Mans and one south of Amiens.

    The French provided very efficient Regulatrice Routiere traffic control groups on the routes. These could scrutinise movement tables and report any possible bottlenecks and other potential problems.

    upload_2022-11-2_8-22-30.png

    Movement Control armband.

    The Movement Control Group was organised to perform all necessary movement control tasks on a line of communication from a base area to forward railheads. It was divided into two echelons. Echelon ‘A’ was intended for the regulating area dispatching personnel, vehicles and stores from the ports and base depots. It also served as the administrative headquarters for he group. Echelon ‘B’ was intended for the railhead area which received from the regulating area and handed over to corps. They were flexible enough to operate in a different mode. A whole group could be used to control movement within a large base area.

    The group contained four Movement Control Sections. Sections 1 and 2 were intended for Echelon ‘A’ and Sections 3 and 4 were intended for Echelon ‘B’. However the sections could be used more flexibly and there was a surplus of personnel to allow for such events as a large troop movement or a surge in demand for stores.

    ‘A’ Echelon.
    Administrative Headquarters.
    Captain.
    Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
    4 rank and file.

    Staff Officers.
    Embarkation Staff Officers, Railway Traffic Officers and Military Forwarding Officers.
    Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General (Movement).
    Deputy Assistant Director of Transportation.
    Captain, Transportation.

    Movement Control Officers.
    As Embarkation Staff Officers, Railway Traffic Officers and Military Forwarding Officers
    3 Captains.
    13 Lieutenants.

    Movement Control Section 1.
    4 sergeant clerks.
    4 corporals.
    37 rank and file.

    Movement Control Section 2.
    4 sergeant clerks.
    4 corporals.
    37 rank and file.


    ‘B’ Echelon.
    Headquarters.
    Lieutenant.
    sergeant clerk
    4 rank and file.

    Staff.
    Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General (Movement).
    Staff Captain (Quartermaster).

    Movement Control Officers.
    As Embarkation Staff Officers, Railway Traffic Officers and Military Forwarding Officers
    6 Captains.
    13 Lieutenants.

    Movement Control Section 3.
    4 sergeant clerks.
    4 corporals.
    37 rank and file.

    Movement Control Section 4.
    4 sergeant clerks.
    4 corporals.
    37 rank and file.
    Batmen and orderlies were assigned as required.




    PROVOSTS.

    The main function of provosts on the Line of Communication was that of traffic control. We saw in the early posts that the movement of 51 Division from the port to the GHQ area required a great deal of planning and a great deal of control and supervision. The Line of Communication Provost Section was intended to provide traffic control for a town or a stretch of the main forward route. In either case there were pointsmen who were taken to their post, a road junction or diversion, where they would remain until the last vehicle had safely passed them. They were supplemented, but not replaced, by road signs which were also supplied and erected by the provosts. Motorcyclists patrolled the route so that they could spot any problems, real or potential, any broken down vehicles or other causes of delay.

    All pointsmen and motorcyclists had a copy of the order of march, the timings and the vehicle markings. They were to deny access to the route to any vehicle not on their lists. All provosts had authority over all personnel up to the rank of Brigadier. All were at least lance corporals.

    On point duty provosts wore white sleeves from the wrist to the elbow to increase their visibility, and the visibility of their hand signals. Motorcyclists wore an armlet with the letters TC on it.


    HEADQUARTERS LINE of COMMUNICATION PROVOST COMPANY
    War Establishment IV/1931/65A/1

    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    cook
    clerk
    driver

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X 12cwt van

    4 X pistol
    1 X rifle


    LINE of COMMUNICATION PROVOST SECTION
    War Establishment IV/1931/66/3

    serjeant
    2 X corporal
    13 X lance corporal
    cook
    clerk
    driver

    7 X motorcycle
    1 X 15cwt truck GS

    16 X pistol

    No officers are listed. These are staff appointments, Provost Marshal, Deputy Provost Marshal, Assistant Deputy Provost Marshal.

    For those who wish for more information there is a fifty page 'Field Service Pocket Book. Pamphlet No.6, 1939. Mechanised Movement by Road'.
     
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  16. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    MEDICAL and CASUALTY EVACUATION.

    Casualty Evacuation.

    Casualty evacuation followed the general pattern for supply and maintenance, only in reverse. Battalion sized units had a Regimental Aid Post manned by the unit Medical Officer and stretcher bearers. It could do little more than collect casualties, carry out first aid and then send them back to an Advanced Dressing Station for more advanced treatment. The Advanced Dressing Station sent casualties back to the Main Dressing Station where the casualty was recorded as being off the unit strength and passed further down the line. Casualties requiring further treatment and evacuation were sent back the Casualty Clearing Station. The Casualty Clearing Station was equipped to perform operations, blood transfusions, X rays and most other medical procedures.

    Up to this point evacuation was by motor ambulance but any further evacuation was by ambulance train. Less serious cases were sent to an advanced convalescent depot from which they would be returned to their unit. At this early stage of the war discharged casualties were usually returned to their unit whenever possible.

    Ambulance trains operated from the medical railhead, fairly close to the Casualty Clearing Station, to General Hospitals in the base area. Here they would be treated until sent to a base convalescent camp or returned to the UK by hospital ship via Dieppe.

    Ambulance train consisted of ward carriages which had three tiers of folding beds along each side. There was a ward sister and nurses. In between wards there were dispensaries and sterilising areas. There were also a kitchen and a store. Ambulance rains were converted in the UK using LMS or LNER passenger coaches which were stripped out and re equipped. There were also ordinary passenger coaches for walking wounded.

    upload_2022-11-3_8-10-47.png

    Interior of a ward carriage of an ambulance train.


    Dieppe (Medical) Base Sub Area.

    Dieppe was developed as the Medical Base Sub Area since it was sufficiently far from the supposed front line but provided a short cross Channel route to the UK. Many peacetime ferry craft were converted for use as hospital ships.

    No 1 General Hospital.
    No 2 General Hospital.
    No 3 General Hospital.
    No 5 General Hospital.
    No 6 General Hospital.
    No 10 General Hospital.

    No 1 Convalescent Depot.
    No 2 Convalescent Depot.

    No 1 Ambulance Train.
    No 2 Ambulance Train.
    No 3 Ambulance Train.
    No 4 Ambulance Train.
    No 5 Ambulance Train.
    No 6 Ambulance Train.
    No 7 Ambulance Train.
    No 8 Ambulance Train.
    No 336 Ambulance Train.
    No 368 Ambulance Train.

    No 1 Ambulance Train Maintenance Section. RE.
    No 2 Ambulance Train Maintenance Section. RE.

    No 1 Base Depot Medical Stores.

    Army Blood Transfusion and Surgical Research Laboratory.

    ‘A’ Section No 2 Railhead Company. RASC.
    ‘B’ Section No 3 Reserve MT Company. RASC.
    7 Section No 1 Supply Personnel Company. RASC.
    17 Section No 2 Supply Personnel Company. RASC.
    ‘C’ and ‘E’ Sections No 3 Ambulance Car Company. RASC.

    218 Army troops Company. RE.
    672 Artisan Works Company. RE.
    685 Artisan Works Company (two sections). RE.
    No 3 Detachment No 3 Docks Group. RE.


    GENERAL HOSPITAL
    War Establishment IV/1931/43/2

    The basic establishment is for a hospital with up to 600 beds, including 60 beds for officers. Increments are added for each extra hundred beds.

    A General Hospital is located in a base area or other sub area of the lines of communication. General Hospitals are usually in permanent buildings, requisitioned buildings or huts. Ward huts are designed to hold 35 beds, this being the most that can be conveniently looked after by one orderly. Less than 24 beds is uneconomical. Officers have separate, and smaller, wards. As well as the bed area there should be a nurses duty room, a scullery, a linen store and a sanitary annexe.

    Ideally a General Hospital is located on or near a railway so that casualties from a Casualty Clearing Station can be transported to it by an Ambulance Train. Ideally it should also be near a port or near a railway connection to a port so that serious cases can be transferred to the UK by Hospital Ship.

    General hospitals in base areas or elsewhere in the Line of Communication zone will generally be static and unlikely to move during the campaign. They will therefor need to be hutted. There were standard designs for hutted wards, operating theatres and administrative buildings.

    The site will need to meet the following requirements:

    It should be healthy with good drainage, suitable soil and be sunny and well ventilated.

    It should be close to a railway from which sidings can be laid.

    It should have good roads to accommodate ambulances.

    It should be large enough to accommodate the required number of wards with a clear 25 foot space round each, and to allow for future expansion.

    Colonel
    2 X Lieutenant Colonel in charge of divisions (Medial and Surgical).
    Major, Registrar
    15 X Major, Captain or Subaltern
    Quartermaster
    3 X Chaplain
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Quarter Master Serjeant
    5 X staff serjeant
    10 X serjeant
    14 X corporal
    dental mechanic
    dental clerk orderly
    electrician RE
    engine hand RE
    109 X private
    chaplains batman
    carpenter and joiner
    staff serjeant clerk
    3 X serjeant clerk
    2 X corporal clerk
    6 X clerk
    staff serjeant dispenser
    2 X serjeant dispenser
    serjeant hospital cook
    corporal hospital cook
    6 X hospital cook
    laboratory assistant
    masseur
    2 X serjeant nursing orderly
    2 X corporal nursing orderly
    24 X nursing orderly
    3 X nursing orderly, mental
    3 X operating assistant
    radiographer
    5 X special treatment orderly
    13 X batman (including five for nursing sisters)
    corporal cook
    5 X cook
    serjeant general duties
    3 X corporal general duties
    11 X general duty man
    corporal sanitary dutyman
    2 X sanitary dutyman
    corporal clothing storeman
    2 X clothing storeman
    corporal linen storeman
    linen storeman
    serjeant pack storeman
    2 X pack storeman
    quartermaster serjeant stores steward
    2 X corporal stores steward
    2 X stores steward
    2 X staff serjeant wardmaster
    20 X ward orderly

    Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service
    Matron
    Assistant to the Matron
    3 X theatre sister
    45 X sister and staff nurse

    For each additional 100 beds over 600 the following increment may be added
    2 X Officer
    serjeant
    corporal
    9 X private
    5 X sister and staff nurse.

    Headquarters
    Colonel
    Major, Registrar
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Quarter Master Serjeant
    2 X staff serjeant
    6 X serjeant
    5 X lance serjeant
    7 X corporal
    2 X lance corporal
    51 X private

    The specialists are divided into two divisions (Medical and Surgical).
    2 X Lieutenant Colonel
    14 X Major, Captain or Subaltern including
    specialist in medicine
    2 X specialist in surgery
    radiologist
    pathologist
    otologist
    ophthalmologist
    anaesthetist
    company officer
    3 X staff serjeant
    3 X serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    5 X lance corporal
    53 X private

    Attached
    Major. Captain or Subaltern Dentist
    serjeant dental mechanic
    serjeant dental clerk orderly
    3 X Chaplain, one each Church of England, Catholic and non Conformist
    chaplains batman
    electrician RE
    engine hand RE


    BASE DEPOT MEDICAL STORES
    War Establishment IV/1931/45/1

    Major, Quartermaster
    Captain or Subaltern, Quartermaster
    Quartermaster Serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant surgical instrument mechanic
    serjeant pharmacist
    corporal clerk
    corporal storeman
    carpenter
    batman
    cook
    10 X storeman
    surgical instrument mechanic


    AMBULANCE TRAIN
    War Establishment IV/1931/46/2

    For 360 lying down cases.

    Lieutenant Colonel or Major
    2 X Major, Captain or Subaltern
    1 X Quartermaster Serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant dispenser
    corporal cook
    corporal storekeeper
    corporal
    clerk
    4 X cook
    20 X nursing orderly
    batman
    6 X general dutyman
    7 X ward dutyman
    3 X nursing sister Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service.


    ARMY BLOOD TRANSFUSION and SURGICAL REASEARCH LABORATORY
    War Establishment IV/1931/45A/1

    This unit will be attached to a General Hospital for accommodation and mesing.
    Colonel, Director
    Lieutenant Colonel, unit commander
    Major Medical Officer
    9 X Captain or Subaltern
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    corporal clerk
    2 X clerk
    3 X staff serjeant laboratory assistant
    3 X serjeant laboratory assistant
    3 X corporal laboratory assistant
    7 X batman
    31 X nursing orderly

    Attached for delivery of blood and operating/maintaining refrigeration units
    Captain RE
    serjeant RE
    3 X sapper RE
    corporal RASC
    11 X driver RASC
    2 X 4 seat cars
    10 X 15cwt truck, blood transfusion

    This establishment is designed to work with
    Seven Casualty Clearing Station
    Thirteen General Hospital
    Six Ambulance Train

    The following increments are allowed for additional units
    For each additional Casualty Clearing Station add
    nursing orderly
    driver RASC
    1 X 15cwt truck, blood transfusion

    For each additional General Hospital add
    nursing orderly

    For each additional Ambulance Train add
    nursing orderly

    Royal Engineer personnel are responsible for operating and maintaining refrigerators and the following increments are allowed
    For every additional forty refrigerators add one Subaltern RE
    For every additional ten refrigerators add one corporal RE.

    Hospital Carriers.
    Ten cross Channel ferries were converted for service as Hospital Carriers. In peacetime the ferries had large open public areas for lounges and buffets. These were readily converted into wards for patients. Accommodation varied with the size and layout of the ship. All the Hospital Carriers carried both stretcher patients, put into cots onboard ship, and walking wounded. Dinard carried had 62 cots and could carry 146 walking wounded. Prague had 194 cots, some double decker, and accommodation for 228 walking wounded. The personnel establishment did not vary. The standard establishment was 5 officers, 5 nurses and 49 other ranks with a variety of roles.

    The Hospital Carriers ran between Newhaven and Dieppe. Patients for evacuation were transferred from base hospitals to the ferry terminal at Dieppe where they were loaded onto the Hospital Carriers. At Newhaven ambulance trains were waiting to transfer patients to UK hospitals.

    The following Hospital Carriers were available in 1939/40.

    Brighton. Hospital Carrier from January 1940.
    Dinard. Hospital Carrier from November 1939
    Isle of Thanet. Hospital Carrier from September 1939.
    Isle of Guernsey. Hospital Carrier from October 1939.
    Maid of Kent. Hospital Carrier from September 1939.
    Paris. Hospital Carrier from January 1940.
    Prague. Hospital Carrier from ?
    St, Andrew. Hospital Carrier from October 1939.
    St. Julien. Hospital Carrier from November 1939.
    Worthing. Hospital Carrier No 30 from January 1940.

    upload_2022-11-3_8-25-42.png

    Hospital Carrier Isle of Thanet.


    LEAVE.

    There was a steady flow of personnel returning to the UK for a variety of reasons including:
    Regular Army reservists who had been assigned to labour companies until needed by their units.
    Personnel returning to the UK for training courses.
    Personnel recalled to UK depots for administrative duties.

    Starting in December there was a steady flow of personnel returning to the UK on leave. At first leave ships sailed to Southampton but Dover was used increasingly in January. Folkestone also ran leave ships.

    Along with mail and fresh bread leave was thought to be a great morale booster.

    Cherbourg to Southampton.
    558 on 18 December.
    491 on 19 December.
    757 on 20 December.
    609 on 21 December.
    2306 on 22 December.
    617 on 25 December.
    1247 on 26 December.
    1000 on 27 December.
    502 on 28 December.
    551 on 29 December.
    673 on 30 December.
    649 on 31 December.

    Boulogne to Dover.
    976 on 28 December.
    972 on 29 December.
    1053 on 31 December.
    1046 on 1 January.
    1065 on 2 January.
    1030 on 3 January.
    1055 on 5 January.
    1035 on 6 January.
    This level was maintained thereafter.

    There were seven cross Channel ferries used for leave sailings.

    Biarritz.
    Canterbury.
    King George V.
    Maid of Orleans.
    Mona’s Queen.
    Princess Maud.
    Queen of the Channel.

    Mike
     
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  17. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    POST.

    The Army Postal Service was a Royal Engineer responsibility. The personnel were largely volunteer Royal Mail workers and they performed much the same tasks as in civilian life. It was realised that mail was a great morale booster and the service was efficient and speedy.

    Mobilised on the outbreak of war by mid September the basic organisation was in place. Mail from the UK was initially sorted by the Postal Service in London. It was then sent to Southampton to be loaded onto a personnel ship to be delivered to the Base Army Post Office at Cherbourg. From Cherbourg it was sent to the Regulating Section at Le Mans where it was loaded onto pack trains for carriage to railheads. It then became the responsibility of GHQ and Corps to distribute it to units along with rations etc.

    Mail from units to the UK followed the same route in reverse. Divisional postal units collected mail and also sold stationary and stamps. This mail was often slower since all letters were censored by unit officers before being forwarded. This was to prevent any information of use to an enemy being included.

    Initially post took three to four days for mail to travel from London to units and the service was handling some nine thousand bags of mail a day.

    Later, when the Northern Base Area was opened, the Base Postal Office moved to Le Havre and a section was opened at Boulogne to handle mail from Folkestone. Presumably the latter was carried on the leave ships which used this route. Transit time was then reduced to two or three days.


    BASE POSTAL OFFICE
    War Establishment IV/1931/65/1

    Major
    Captain
    Subaltern
    Quartermaster Serjeant
    2 X serjeant
    6 X corporal
    40 X sapper
    cook
    batman
    8 X general dutyman

    2 X bicycle

    3 X pistol
    59 X rifle
    1 X AT rifle


    LINE of COMMUNICATION POSTAL UNIT
    War Establishment IV/1931/64/2

    This is intended for use on a single, short, line of communication from a single base. Where the lines of communication are divided and more than one port is used additional units may be allotted. Personnel may be distributed as follows:
    Headquarters Line of Communication Area
    Headquarters Line of Communication Sub Area
    Port
    Regulating Area and Railheads
    Headquarters Line of Communication Infantry Brigade

    Captain
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    4 X serjeant
    6 X corporal
    23 X sapper
    3 X driver
    cook
    batman
    sanitary dutyman
    water dutyman
    4 X orderly

    3 X 12cwt van

    2 X pistol
    46 X rifle
    1 X AT rifle


    FOREIGN LABOUR TRAINING CENTRE
    War Establishment III/1931/80/1

    The Training Centre consisted of a headquarters, a headquarters company and four training companies. The unit was designed to produce two labour companies a week, each with three British officers, three British NCOs and 296 labour personnel.

    Recruits are held in the headquarters company for the first week followed by two weeks training is a training company.

    Lieutenant Colonel
    6 X Major
    Adjutant
    5 X Subaltern
    12 X Officers for companies being formed
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    4 X Company Serjeant Major
    7 X company quartermaster serjeant
    53 X serjeant
    45 X corporl
    118 X private
    18 X British other ranks for companies being formed
    1,776 X recruits under instruction

    Attached
    2 X Medical Officer
    4 X driver RASC

    3 X bicycle
    1 X car 4 seater
    3 X 30cwt lorry GS

    5 X pistol
    50 X rifle

    Headquarters
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Major
    Adjutant
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    2 X serjeant
    3 X corporal
    15 X private

    Attached
    2 X Medical Officer

    Headquarters Company
    Major
    Subaltern
    4 X Officers for companies being formed
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    3 X company quartermaster serjeant
    11 X serjeant
    2 X corporal
    83 X private
    6 X British other ranks for companies being formed
    592 X recruits under instruction

    Attached
    4 X driver RASC

    Note:
    Serjeant instructors in the headquarters company consist of
    Two speaking English, French and German
    Two speaking English, French and Spanish
    Two speaking English, French and Italian

    4 X Training Company
    Major
    Subaltern
    2 X Officers for companies being formed
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    10 X serjeant
    10 X corporal
    5 X private
    3 X British other ranks for companies being formed
    296 X recruits under instruction


    MILITARY PRISON
    War Establishment IV/1931/70/2

    A military prison will normally hold 300 men. There should be three living enclosures each holding 100 men. There will be 44 cells in two straight blocks 15 foot apart. There should be an inner and outer fence with the outer one having corrugated iron fastened to the inside. The inner fence will have a 5 foot wide area of coiled barbed wire onthe inside of it. There should be only one gateway to the compound.

    Captain, Commandant
    Serjeant Major
    quartermaster serjeant
    clerk
    8 X staff serjeant
    9 X serjeant

    Attached
    4 X cook and general dutyman
    batman

    One additional cook is attached when the number of prisoners is between 51 and 100
    One additional cook is attached when the number of prisoners is between 101 and 150
    One additional cook is attached for every 75 prisoners thereafter.


    FIELD PUNISHMENTCAMP GROUP HEADQUARTERS
    War Establishment IV/1931/70D/1

    Lieutenant Colonel, Commandant
    Captain, Assistant Commandant
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    clerk
    2 X batman
    2 X general dutyman
    cook

    5 X pistol
    6 X rifle


    FIELD PUNISHMENT CAMP
    War Establishment IV/1931/70E/1

    For up to 150 soldiers under sentence
    Quartermaster Serjeant
    4 X staff serjeant
    8 X serjeant
    2 X cook
    2 X general dutyman
    13 X pistol
    4 X rifle


    PRISONER OF WAR CAMP
    War Establishment IV/1931/70C/1

    Prisoner of War camps will be designed for 500 men and laid out as follows:
    The site should be level.
    The boundaries should be straight and the area rectangular to allow sentries a clear view.
    There should be an outer and an inner fence constructed using 8 foot 6 inches posts 8 foot apart.
    Between posts there should be barbed wires 6 inches apart and with 2 vertical wires in each bay.
    The area between the two fences should be filled with loosely coiled barbed wire.
    There should be at least two raised sentry posts equipped with spotlights.
    Accommodation should be hutted.

    Staff.
    Major, Commandant
    Adjutant
    Captain interpreter
    Medical Officer
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    2 X provost serjeant
    3 X clerk
    2 X batman
    2 X electrician

    The following will be provided initially by the RAMC but as soon as possible they will be replaced by suitable prisoners.
    serjeant dispenser
    4 X nursing orderly
    hospital cook
    sanitary assistant

    If the number of prisoners is over 500 but under 1000 then the following changes will be made
    The Commandant will be a Lieutenant Colonel
    One additional Captain Interpreter
    One additional batman

    Camp Guards.
    Captain
    2 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    6 X serjeant
    6 X corporal
    78 X private

    If the number of prisoners is over 500 but under 1000 then the following changes will be made
    Two additional serjeant
    Two additional corporals
    Fifty Four additional privates

    Officers carry pistols.
    Other ranks carry rifles. Unusually the RSM is shown as carrying a rifle
    Medical personnel are not armed

    All ranks may be found from personnel unfit for service with fighting units.

    Mike.
     
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  18. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    LINE of COMMUNICATION and BASE DEFENCE UNITS.



    The extensive Line of Communication areas and Base areas needed some troops to defend them against enemy action. There were some normal infantry battalions, although sometimes short of equipment, and even infantry brigades but no supporting artillery etc. Some garrison battalions were formed, largely from personnel below the medical standards for front line combat troops.


    Base areas, including depots, ports and rail centres, had anti aircraft units for defence against bombing aircraft. It was thought that air attacks against base areas would almost certainly happen and would cause disruption to the supply system. There were a number of different types of anti aircraft unit, some more mobile and generally with lighter guns for Forward Defence in the GHQ area, some relatively immobile and with heavier guns for Base Defence. Some were even classed as Base and Forward Defence. Below we consider only the Base Defence Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment.




    HEAVY ANTI AIRCRAFT REGIMENT. BASE DEFENCE.



    This was a less mobile unit than the Base and Forward Defence Regiment. More of the administrative, supply and fire control functions were centralised and there was less transport. This organisation assumes 3.7” AA guns although some units had 3” AA guns or even a mixture. Batteries had only one type of gun however.

    Regimental Headquarters
    Command and administration
    4 seater car
    Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Orderly Officer, driver IC

    2 seater car
    Regimental Serjeant Major, driver batman

    Motorcycle
    commanding officers orderly

    Motorcycle
    Adjutants orderly

    4 X Motorcycle
    motorcyclists

    15cwt truck GS
    Medical Officer, medical orderly, batman and Driver IC.
    Carries medical supplies.

    15cwt office
    3 X clerk, driver IC
    Carries office equipment

    30cwt lorry GS 1
    cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Tows water trailer.

    30cwt lorry GS 2
    battery quartermaster serjeant, storeman, artificer, driver IC
    Carries stores, instruments and petrol

    30cwt lorry GS 3
    driver IC
    Carries personnel

    30cwt lorry GS 4
    driver IC
    Carries baggage and blankets..

    Echelon for supply to the batteries
    30cwt lorry GS
    water dutyman, driver IC
    Tows a water trailer

    7 X 30cwt lorry GS each with driver IC

    4 X 3ton lorry GS each with 2 X driver IC

    4 X 3ton lorry GS for ammunition. 2 X driver IC


    The Battery
    4 seater car
    Major (commanding officer), batman, driver IC

    2 seater car
    Captain (second in command), driver batman

    motorcycle 1
    commanding officer’s orderly
    motorcycle 2
    second in command’s orderly

    4 X 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS, 2 X driver IC
    Each carries 88 rounds of ammunition

    3ton lorry 6 X 4 GS, 2 X driver IC
    Carries instruments and stores
    Tows a two wheel AA instrument trailer

    3ton lorry 6 X 4 GS, 2 X driver IC
    Carries instruments and stores
    Tows a two wheel fire control trailer

    3ton lorry 6 X 4 GS, 2 X driver IC
    Carries instruments and stores
    Tows a four wheel fire control trailer

    3ton lorry 6 X 4 GS, 2 X driver IC
    Carries instruments and stores
    Tows a four wheel fire control trailer

    4 X Heavy Artillery Tractor each with 2 X driver IC
    Each tows a 3.7” AA gun

    Note that in a 3.7” unit there were 88 rounds per gun dumped at the gun site and a further 88 rounds carried on the four battery 3ton 4 X 2 lorries.

    The gun section had no transport of its own since it was intended to operate from semi permanent positions.

    The battery had only half the number of vehicles required to move the guns and trailers. This was usual for all rear area units which moved in two echelons. The battery would move one complete section and associated equipment and the transport would then return to move the second section.


    3.7” Anti Aircraft Gun
    This was a very advanced weapon, its only drawback being its weight. It was designed to be capable of being brought into action in 15 minutes and be towed at 25mph (actually in excess of the speed limit for this class of vehicle). The first guns were delivered early in 1938.

    The gun in service in 1939 was the MkI or MkII which were virtually identical. The differences lay in the breech mechanism. This was carried on mounting MkI which was mobile. Early guns had rocking bar open sights with Magslip data dials. The trunnions were at the extreme rear end and the gun needed spring balancing gear. This gave the gun a high elevation without having an excessively high mounting. Gunlayers faced forward on this mounting. A loading tray was fitted to allow for rapid loading.

    The gun could rotate on its platform which was fitted with stabilising arms with levelling jacks at the ends. In action the front axle and wheels were removed but the rear wheels were lifted clear of the platform on davits.

    Elevation was from -5 degrees to + 80 degrees.
    Traverse was 360 degrees.
    Rate of fire was ten rounds per minute.
    Maximum horizontal range – 20,600 yards
    Maximum ceiling - 41,000 feet

    Ammunition.
    All ammunition was fixed, with the charge in a brass case attached to the shell.

    Shell HE MkIC. A 28lb shell fitted with a time fuze set by hand.
    Shell Shrapnel Mk2C. A 28lb shell with a filling of 332 bullets for use against low flying aircraft.

    upload_2022-11-5_9-29-36.png

    3.7” AA Gun. Model from Accurate Armour.

    Radar.
    There were some early radar sets with the BEF. These were not very mobile and were not to be risked in forward areas. When available they were issued one per battery in Base Defence Regiments. Radar No1 Mk1 or Radar GL (gun laying) provided early warning of approaching aircraft and gave the bearing plus approximate range. This enabled AA defences to be alerted and pointed in roughly the right direction. Targets still had to be acquired and tracked optically. These early radars were a two trailer set housed in cabins mounted on four wheel trailers. The transmitter was a mounted on a large fixed wooden frame which had to be dismantled for travelling. The receiver was a smaller directional aerial on a rotating cabin.

    upload_2022-11-5_9-31-16.png
    Radar GL No1 MkI Transmitter.

    As a gun laying radar it was not a success but it was useful as a warning set.

    Interestingly when the Germans examined sets captured in France they formed a very low opinion of the state of British radar in general. They were to learn differently in the Battle of Britiain.

    Anti Aircraft Artillery Methods.
    Anti aircraft firing presented many technical problems. Gunner officers were well versed in mathematics and could do trigonometry in their heads. They also had books of tables and trained personnel to maintain plotting tables etc. However all of this was too elementary and too slow for anti aircraft work. Field artillery needed to know only the bearing and range of a target to fire accurately. Anti aircraft artillery also needed to know the altitude since overcoming gravity plays a large part in determining anti aircraft performance. Further the anti aircraft gunner must fire at a target where the range and bearing are constantly changing, and perform all the calculations before the target disappears. As aircraft flew ever faster it became impossible to perform all the calculations using paper and tables, far less transmit the answers to the guns in time.

    The predictor was a machine, either mechanical or electronic which was fed the basic information regarding height, range and bearing, added in temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, and then calculated the aircrafts speed and course before predicting where the target would be when a shell arrived. This information was continuously updated as the predictor crew tracked the target. A constant problem however was getting this information to the guns. The original telephone or megaphone left much to be desired and the information could be out of date by the time it had been used to lay the gun. Cables were laid from the predictor to bearing and elevation dials on the gun. The dial had two pointers, one for information from the predictor and one for the gun. When the two pointers coincided the bearing and elevation were correct.

    Although the range was not required to aim the gun it was essential for setting the fuse. There was such a negligible chance of actually hitting an aircraft with a shell that contact fuses were not used. The shell had a time fuse which needed to be set immediately before firing so that it would explode close to the target. This information was also constantly changing and could also be calculated by the predictor and transmitted directly to the gun. The greatest cause of variation and therefore error was in the time taken for the crew to set the fuse, load the shell and fire the gun. This had to be built into the calculation but tended to vary from crew to crew, and over time in a long action. This would not be solved until automatic fuse setting, power loading and central firing were introduced later in the war.

    In reality the best that the guns could hope for was that they could put a barrage of shell fragments in the path of an aircraft hoping it would fly into them. Of course the anti aircraft fire forced aircraft to fly higher than they might have wished and spoilt the concentration of the crew.

    SEARCHLIGHT REGIMENT
    Searchlights were an essential part of AA defence at night. Radar when it existed at all was only for early warning and could not track individual aircraft. Searchlights might be warned by radar and their own sound locators would then pick up aircraft and track them. This more precise location was passed to the lights who then located and tracked the target so that the AA batteries could use their optical equipment to engage in the same way as they would in daylight. Even in cloud the searchlight was of great value since they could illuminate the position given by the sound locators so that guns could be brought to bear.

    Most searchlights were the smaller 90cm type on a small tracked carriage. These were carried on a 6 X 4 3ton portee which also carried the crew and was equipped with a power take off and generator. The light was loaded and unloaded by detachable ramps stowed under the body. The light was operated by means of a long handle which allowed the operator to stand far enough away to avoid being dazzled (or burnt). There were larger 150cm lights which were mounted on 2 ton trailers and towed by lorries equipped with generators.

    Sound locators were MkVIII or MKIX. Each of these had four large parabolic sound trumpets. Three were mounted in a row vertically with the fourth to on side. This allowed an accurate direction and a fairly accurate indication of range. It should be remembered that these were not accurate enough to train guns by. The Mk VIII sent information to the searchlight which tracked the target manually. The MkIX however could be linked with the light by cable so that the light could automatically follow the sound locator and thus the target. Both sound locators were mounted on 2 ton four wheeled trailers which were towed by a searchlight lorry.

    upload_2022-11-5_9-33-59.png
    A Milicast model of the 150cm searchlight.

    upload_2022-11-5_9-35-6.png

    3ton 6X4, Searchlight on Crossley IGL8 chassis.

    Organisation

    Regimental headquarters
    The regimental headquarters was administrative only. It was not intended that the regiment should operate together but the batteries were dispersed in support of AA brigades. To allow this the batteries were self sufficient and included a RAOC maintenance section.

    4 seater car
    Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Orderly Officer, driver IC

    2 seater car
    Regimental Serjeant Major, driver batman

    Motorcycle 1
    commanding officers orderly

    Motorcycle 2
    Adjutants orderly

    Motorcycle 3
    motorcyclist

    Motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist

    Motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist

    Motorcycle 6
    motorcyclist

    15cwt truck GS
    Medical Officer, medical orderly, batman and Driver IC.
    Carries medical supplies.

    15cwt office
    3 X clerk, driver IC
    Carries office equipment

    30cwt lorry GS 1
    cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Tows water trailer.

    30cwt lorry GS 2
    battery quartermaster serjeant, storeman, artificer, driver IC
    Carries stores, instruments and petrol

    30cwt lorry GS 3
    driver IC
    Carries personnel

    30cwt lorry GS 4
    driver IC
    Carries baggage and blankets.

    Royal Signals are not included on the War establishment. Presumably since searchlight batteries operated independently communications down to each battery was the responsibility of the AA brigade Headquarters. One would expect to find that telephone lines were laid to each battery and that a 8cwt FFW was allocated. The latter would be essential before lines were laid and in case of the line being cut.


    Batteries
    Batteries were intended to operate independently.

    Total battery personnel – 348 all ranks
    Major (Commanding Officer)
    Captain (Second in Command)
    4 X Subaltern (troop commanders)
    Battery Serjeant Major
    4 X troop serjeant major
    battery quartermaster serjeant
    5 X serjeant
    30 X bombardier
    300 X gunners and drivers.
    trumpeter

    4 seater car
    Major (commanding officer), clerk, trumpeter, driver IC

    2 seater car
    Captain (second in command), driver batman

    motorcycle 1
    Battery Serjeant Major

    motorcycle 2
    commanding officers orderly

    motorcycle 3
    second in commands orderly

    30cwt lorry 4 X 2 GS 1
    4 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Tows a water trailer

    30cwt lorry 4 X 2 GS 2
    technical storeman, equipment repairer, 2 X telephonist, driver IC
    Carries stores and petrol

    30cwt lorry 4 X 2 GS 3
    serjeant, 4 X visual plotters, 2 X driver IC
    Carries anto gas capes and clothing

    30cwt lorry 4 X 2 GS 4
    battery quartermaster serjeant, storeman, clerk, draughtsman, 2 X sanitary
    dutyman, 2 X driver IC
    Carries stores and baggage

    Searchlight lorry (spare) 1
    2 X driver IC

    Searchlight lorry (spare) 1
    2 X driver IC


    A Maintenance Section RAOC is attached to each Searchlight battery
    Motorcycle 1
    ` staff serjeant armament artificer

    Motorcycle 2
    fitter motor vehicle

    12cwt van 1
    WOII armament artificer, fitter, driver IC

    12cwt van 2
    electrician, instrument mechanic, driver mechanic

    Breakdown lorry
    fitter, motor mechanic, driver mechanic, driver IC

    Machinery lorry
    electrician, instrument mechanic, 2 X driver IC

    Store lorry
    storeman, driver IC

    Each of the four troops was identical and had 1 officer and 76 other ranks.

    2 seater car 1
    subaltern, batman driver

    2 seater car 2
    troop serjeant major, driver IC

    motorcycle 1
    artificer

    motorcycle 2
    motorcyclist

    motorcycle 3
    motorcyclist

    motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist

    motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist

    30cwt lorry GS
    serjeant, bombardier, 5 X visual spotters, driver IC
    Carries baggage

    Searchlight portee 1
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle
    Tows a sound locator trailer

    Searchlight portee 2
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle

    Searchlight portee 3
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle
    Tows a sound locator trailer

    Searchlight portee 4
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle

    Searchlight portee 5
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle
    Tows a sound locator trailer

    Searchlight portee 6
    bombardier, searchlight operator, 6 X gunner, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 90cm searchlight
    Carries Bren lmg, AT rifle, 7 X rifle and a bicycle

    Total Battery vehicles
    25 X bicycle
    23 X motocycle
    9 X car 2 seater
    4 X car 4 seater
    8 X 30cwt lorry
    26 X searchlight portee
    12 X sound locator trailer
    1 X water tank trailer

    Plus attached
    RAOC
    2 X motorcycle
    2 X 12 cwt van
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 machinery
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 store

    Royal Signals
    1 X 8cwt FFW

    The notes to the War establishment contain the following, many of which are common to other RA units.

    In addition to their normal duties
    Three men in each detachment were to be trained in the use of the Bren lmg for defence
    One officer and twelve men in the battery were to be trained in anti gas and de contamination duties.
    Two men at battery headquarters, two men at troop headquarters and two men in each detachment were to be trained in first aid duties.
    One man at battery headquarters was to be trained in water duties.
    One man in each detachment was to be trained in sanitary duties.


    35 pistols are provided and issued on the basis of one per officer, one per Battery Serjeant Major and Troop Serjeant Major and one per man riding motorcycles.

    All other men at battery and troop headquarters are armed with rifles.
    Only seven rifles per detachment are provided.

    Bren lmg are provided on the basis of two at battery headquarters and one per detachment.
    Anti tank rifles are provided on the basis of two at battery headquarters and one per detachment, except that in batteries attached to base defence brigades no anti tank rifles are issued but there is a pool available at regimental headquarters. (all of which is theoretical since there were not enough anyway).

    Ammunition is provided on the basis of
    .38” Pistol. 12 rounds per man plus a reserve of 156 rounds.
    .303” rifle. 50 rounds per gun.
    .303” Bren lmg. 1000 rounds (in magazines) per gun plus 1300 (boxed) in reserve
    .55” AT rifle. 200 rounds per gun plus 1040 in reserve.


    INFANTRY GARRISON BATTALION
    War Establishment III/1931/32F/1

    Garrison Battalions are on a lower establishment and lack much of the heavy weaponry and transport of a battalion on higher establishment. There are also far fewer officers. Many of the personnel are over 35 years old or of a lower medical category than required for general service in front line units.

    Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer
    Major, Second in Command
    4 X Major (could be Captain if insufficient Majors)
    Captain
    Captain, Adjutant
    4 X Subaltern
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    5 X Company Serjeant Major
    10 X Platoon Serjeant Major (Warrant Officer Class III)
    5 X company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    provost serjeant
    transport serjeant
    serjeant cook
    13 X serjeant
    52 X corporal
    577 rank and file
    Total 681

    Tradesmen
    clerk
    bricklayer
    6 X carpenter
    blacksmith
    mason
    2 X motor mechanic

    Non tradesmen
    12 X batman
    19 X cook
    8 X clerk
    17 X driver IC
    butcher
    postman
    6 X sanitary duties
    water duties
    2 X rangetaker
    officers mess cook
    serjeants mess cook
    6 X storeman
    31 X orderlies
    3 X regimental police
    10 X medical officers orderly
    34 X mortar detachment
    10 X pioneer
    490 X gun numbers and rifleman

    Attached
    Medical Officer RAMC
    serjeant armourer RAOC
    shoemaker RAOC
    Chaplain RAChD
    batman
    Total 686

    Detail left at base
    orderly room serjeant

    First reinforcements
    Officer
    Warrant Officer Class II
    serjeant
    30 X rank and file

    Ten platoons are commanded by Warrant Officers Class III who are equipped as officers.

    Transport
    19 X bicycle
    8 X motorcycle
    9 X car 2 seater
    1 X 4 seater car
    6 X 8cwt truck, utility
    1 X 30cwt lorry GS

    Weapons
    31 X pistol
    640 X rifle
    4 X anti tank rifle
    16 X bren gun

    Battalion Headquarters
    Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer
    Major, Second in Command
    Captain, Adjutant
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    serjeant clerk
    provost serjeant
    2 X corporal
    16 rank and file

    2 X bicycle
    1 X car 4 seater

    Headquarters Company
    Company Headquarters
    Captain
    Company Serjeant Major
    serjeant
    9 X rank and file

    No1 Platoon AA
    Platoon Serjeant Major
    2 X corporal
    13 X rank and file

    No2 Platoon Pioneer
    Platoon Serjeant Major
    2 X corporal
    17 X rank and file

    No3 Platoon Administrative
    Quartermaster
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    transport serjeant
    serjeant cook
    3 X corporal
    30 X rank and file

    3 X Rifle Company. Each:
    Company Headquarters.
    Captain.
    Company Serjeant Major.
    Company Quarter Master Serjeant.
    2 X corporal.
    12 X rank and file.

    2 X batman.
    4 X cook.
    Clerk
    Sanitary dutyman
    Storeman
    3 X orderly
    2 X rifleman

    3 X platoon each:
    Subaltern in one platoon.
    Warrant Officer Class III in two platoons.
    Orderly.
    39 riflemen.


    Mike.
     
    Aixman and CL1 like this.
  19. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    1 CANADIAN DIVISION.
    THE LAST BEF UNITS SENT TO FRANCE.

    Thanks are due to forum member Temujin for the following remarkably comprehensive set of orders, instructions, diaries and reports.

    Movement Instruction.
    This instruction covers the movement of the 1 Canadian Division through Ports H and F.

    Sailings.
    MT sailings to Port 487 will be normally be every alternate day commencing 11 June from both Port H and Port F, two ships from each port. A four day turn round will be maintained for each block of four ships.

    A proportion of drivers, not exceeding 40, will sail in each ship. The remainder of the road party from Port F will be railed to Port H under Movement Control Port H arrangements to embark with the drivers at Port H in a driver ship and sail on the same day as the MT.

    Rail parties will normally sail two days after their MT, but, in certain cases, rail parties of fully mobile units will sail one day after their MT.

    Units required to move and dates of arrival of road parties at ports are shown in movement table A (see below).

    Road Movement.
    Movement Control Aldershot Command will arrange all road movements in consultation with Movement Control Southern Command in regard to the use of staging area at Exeter and Movement Control Port H in regard to arrival at the port. All road convoys will stage one night at Exeter and proceed to the port to arrive as soon as possible on the day shown in Table A. Owing to the limited accommodation at Exeter it is essential that strengths of road parties should not be materially increased nor should the arrival dates shown in Table A be altered. Road convoys will be timed to average 20 m.i.h.

    Port F. Plymouth.
    Port H. Falmouth.
    Port 487. Brest.
    m.i.h. Miles in the hour.


    Rail Movement.
    Movement Control Aldershot Command will arrange all rail movement in consultation with Movement Control Port H.

    Advance Parties.
    Except for units in Blocks DT1 and ET1 advance parties on the scale of 1 officer, 2 other ranks and 1 car per headquarters Battalion, Regiment RA, Company RE, Divisional Signals, Company RASC and Field Ambulance will move as road parties to sail in the MT block before that in which their unit road parties are to sail. They will be despatched with the corresponding road convoy for the block in which they are to sail. No allowances for these have been made in Table A.

    Liaison.
    During the move of the Division Liaison Officers, not below the rank of major, will be attached one to Movement Control Aldershot, one to Movement Control Port H and one to Movement Control Port F.

    Administration.
    Movement Control Aldershot will ensure that all units comply with the provisions of the pamphlet ‘Instructions for Officers Commanding units ordered overseas (War)’.

    Vehicles for D Blocks will carry white windscreen labels.
    Vehicles for E Blocks will carry blue windscreen labels.


    From Table A.
    June 11.
    MT. Port H. White label. Code DT1. 320 vehicles.
    MT. Port F. Blue label. Code ET1. 307 vehicles.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT11. 986 drivers. 3232 rail parties. For 52 Division.

    June 12.
    Port H – 487. Code XT12. 644 rail party.

    June 13.
    MT. Port H. White label. Code DT2. 226 vehicles.
    MT. Port F. Blue label. Code ET2. 283 vehicles.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT13. 938 drivers. 2999 rail parties.

    June 14.
    No sailings.

    June 15.
    MT. Port H. White label. Code DT3. 291 vehicles.
    MT. Port F. Blue label. Code ET3. 307 vehicles.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT15. 931 drivers. 1217 rail parties.

    June 16.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT16. 584 rail parties.

    June 17.
    MT. Port H. White label. Code DT4. 187 vehicles.
    MT. Port F. Blue label. Code ET4. 307 vehicles. Marked as incomplete.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT17. 756 drivers, marked as incomplete. 2999 rail parties.

    June 18.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT18. 359 rail parties.

    June 19.
    Personnel. Port H – 487. Code XT19. 2999 rail parties.

    Those sailings scheduled after June 14 did not take place.
    Port F. Plymouth.
    Port H. Falmouth.
    Port 487. Brest.



    ADVANCE PARTIES.
    Advance parties on the scale of one officer, two other ranks and one car for each of the undermentioned formations and units will proceed direct to Plymouth and report to the RTO or ESO on the afternoon of 14 June.

    Headquarters 3 Canadian Infantry Brigade.
    3 Field Regiment RCA.
    4 Field Company RCE.
    Royal 22e Regiment.
    West Nova Scotia Regiment.
    Carlton and York Regiment.
    9 Canadian Field Ambulance RCAMC.
    Saskatoon Light Infantry (MG).

    They will proceed overseas with the block which sails on 16 June.
    This sailing did not take place but the document shows the planning for advance parties.



    From the War Diary Advance Party Headquarter 1 Canadian Division.
    Additional notes in italics.

    11 June.
    0730 hours.
    1 Canadian Division Road Party i/c Captain H.B. McIntyre (Liaison Officer) assisted by Captain T.C. Sharp (Liaison Officer), Lieutenant D.P. Stewart ‘’ Branch and Lieutenant D.L. Matheson, ‘A’ Branch, also Lieutenant E.A. Chamberlain Field Security Officer.
    Left Divisional Headquarters Pinewood, Farnborough. Starting Point Clock House, Farnborough.
    1830 hours.
    Arrived Transit Camp, Exeter, Devon. Petrol was supplied to all vehicles at petrol station outside Exeter. N accidents en route. Minor engine trouble with two lorries caused by clogged fuel pipes. These were adjusted on the road.

    12 June.
    Weather clear and warm during early morning. Light rain fell between 0900 and 1100 hours. Remainder of day clear and warm.
    0815 hours.
    Left Exeter transit camp. 15cwt lorry no 4204251 ran into a wall at Bodmin and was damaged so that it could not proceed. The vehicle was left in temporary charge of local police at Bodmin.
    1410 hours.
    Arrived at Movement Control Office 2 miles outside Falmouth.
    1600 hours.
    Convoy proceeded under Movement Control supervision to Falmouth Docks where all the vehicles were loaded on steamers Port of Montreal and Euryades. After vehicles were loaded all ranks were taken to transit camp outside Falmouth by bus.

    Port Montreal was a motor ship of the Port Line. 5,800 tons. Built 1937.
    Euryades was a steam ship of the Holt Line. 5,800 tons. Built 1913.


    13 June.
    Weather clear and warm all day.
    1330 hours.
    All ranks embussed at transit camp and taken to train where they entrained immediately.
    1410 hours.
    Left Falmouth railway station.
    1630 hours.
    Arrived Plymouth Docks.
    1730 hours.
    Boarded French ship Ville D’Angers.
    1930 hours.
    Sailed under escort of two destroyers. One other troopship in convoy. Colonel Salmon, officer commanding Hastings and Port Edward Regiment was officer commanding the Ville D’Angers. Number of all ranks on board approximately 900. Life belts were issued to all ranks and boat stations or rafts allotted to each unit. Because of insufficient space majority of men of Divisional Headquarters were quarters on the open foredeck. Two duty officers, two NCOs and four other ranks were detailed from this unit during the voyage. Other units on board made similar provision. Various units posted AA Bren or Lewis guns to supplement ships AA and naval guns.
    0130 hours.
    Night 13/14 ships whistle sounded alarm for imminent danger. Ships crews manned Naval and AA guns. Sleeping men were warned. All clear signal was given about half hour later. Cause of alarm unknown but some men reported having heard an aeroplane. There was no sign of confusion during alarm.

    Ville D’Angers was a large passenger ship of the French Transatlantic line built in 1936. 10,200 tons. There should have been ample room for 900 men!

    The other personnel ship was El Mansour, a French passenger ship built in 1933 and usually employed in the Mediterranean. 5,800 tons.

    Also on this day two Mechanised Transport ships left Southampton for Brest carrying 1 Canadian Field Artillery.
    City of Christchurch. 6,009 tons. Built 1915.
    Yorkwood. 5,401 tons. Built 1936.


    14 June.
    Weather clear and warm all day.
    0615 hours.
    Arrived Brest Harbour and disembarked on pier at 1030 hours. After disembarkation troops were marched to a transit camp situated on high ground outside Brest about 3 miles from docks. Camp was administered by a British Commandant and his staff. Men were given a hot meal on arrival.
    1400 hours.
    Air Raid alarm sounded and a few minutes afterwards considerable AA fire was heard and bursts observed. Five or six enemy planes were reported over, flying very high. No bombs fell near the vicinity of the camp and no definite information was available as to whether or not the port was bombed. PAD (Passive Air Defence) discipline was almost non existent with all units in camp. The tents were well concealed from air observation in a large grove of trees but a great many men stood at the edge of the grove in bright sunlight in order to see the planes. The men moved back under cover when ordered to do so but some kept moving out as soon as they were left alone. All Clear signal was given about half an hour later.
    1700 hours.
    Air Raid Warning Red was communicated to the Camp Commandant by telephone. No AA fire or explosions were heard. Better PAD discipline was observed. All ranks were standing by in camp awaiting orders to go to the pier to collect the vehicles when at 1900 hours a warning order was given to all units to be ready to move immediately. Men were ordered to fall in with full kit at 2030 hours. An order was received to march all units to the docks to arrive there within ¾ of an hour. All units immediately marched to docks where the Headquarters party boarded cargo ship Port of Montreal at 2145 hours.
    2200 hours.
    Ship moved from dock as soon as troops on board and anchored in harbour for the night. No information was given as to destination. Major R.E. Bliss RCA officer commanding detachment of Anti Tank Regiment was officer commanding ship. Approximately 460 all ranks were on board together with ships crew of about 45. There being very few life belts and lifeboats and raft accommodation for only one third of those on board orders were given to note all planks and other suitable floating material for use in case of emergency. There being very little accommodation all men of the Divisional Headquarters party slept on the open deck.

    Port Montreal of course was a Mechanised Transport ship, a peacetime cargo ship with little passenger accommodation so not needing many lifeboats and rafts.

    On this day, 14 June, it was decided that no further reinforcements would be sent to France.


    15 June.
    Weather clear and warm.
    0600 hours.
    Sailed from Brest Harbour with one other freighter Cyclops used as a troop transport escorted by one British destroyer (D88). Uneventful crossing.
    1910 hours.
    Arrived at Falmouth harbour. Due to ebb tide remained outside docks until 2315 hours.
    2345 hours.
    Disembarked. All ranks taken to Falmouth transit camp by bus and provided with hot meal.

    Cyclops was a Holt Line ship built in 1906 and requisitioned as a Mechanical Transport ship. 9076 tons.
    The escort destroyer D88 was HMS Wakeful.


    16 June.
    Weather clear and warm.
    Drivers obtained vehicles at pier and drove them to car park. All vehicles parked by 1200 hours. 15cwt lorry no 4204257 which had been left in damaged condition at Bodmin on 12 June had been repaired and was recovered from Movement Control Office. Remained in rest camp Falmouth for remainder of day.

    17 June.
    Weather clear and warm.
    0830 hours.
    Left Start Point vehicle park Falmouth arriving Exeter staging camp 1515 hours. No incidents to report en route.

    18 June.
    0730 hours.
    Left Starting Point Exeter staging camp.
    1600 hours.
    Arrived 1 Canadian Division Headquarters Farnborough. No incidents to report en route.



    From the War Diary Headquarters 1 Canadian Division Aldershot.

    18 June.
    1805 hours.
    Captain Bright, Canadian Liaison Officer with Movement Control Plymouth telephoned to Colonel Turner that 9 officers and 240 other ranks 1 Canadian Field Regiment had arrived at Plymouth earlier in the afternoon; they brought back all their guns but all their other vehicles were smashed up by the unit wrecking party in accordance with orders received in France; vehicles in question were destroyed about 4 miles east of Brest. Captain Bright reported that 8 officers and 33 other ranks of 1 Canadian Field Regiment had arrived on another ship together with 1 officer and 33 other ranks 1 Canadian Division Supply Column, also I other rank with car of Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment. Captain Bright stated that the personnel of 1 Canadian Division Supply Column and Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment had no idea what happened to the vehicles of their respective units. Captain Bright went on to say that several ships had arrived from France and are lying out in the Sound but that it would be impossible to say who are on board until the ships dock.

    19 June.
    1015 hours.
    Commander 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade stated that all transport of his brigade group was left in France: most of his weapons were brought back.



    REPORT ON RECENT OPERATIONS in FRANCE.
    ROYAL REGIMENT OF CANADA.

    Battalion moved from Farnborough in two groups.

    1st Group.
    (2,3,5 and 6 platoons HQ Company. ‘C’ Company.)
    Left 0150 hours 13 June.
    Arrived at Port of Embarkation 1000 hours 13 June.


    2nd Group.
    (Battalion HQ. 1 and 4 platoons HQ Company, ‘A’ Company. ‘B’ Company and ‘D’ Company.)
    Left 0240 hours 13 June.
    Arrived at Port of Embarkation 1010 hours 13 June.

    Weapons.
    All light machine guns, sub machine guns and anti tank rifles were carried complete with filled magazines and extra ammunition.

    On arrival at Devonport breakfast was served to all ranks by the Women’s Auxiliary under Lady Astor. Subsequent events took place at times and dates as follows.

    13 June.
    1300 hours. Battalion completed embarkation on El Mansour.
    1400 hours. Ship left quay and anchored in Plymouth Sound.
    2000 hours. Sailed under escort of two destroyers.

    14 June.
    0730 hours. Docked at Brest.
    0800 hours. Completed disembarkation. Marched to collecting centre to await train.
    1100 hours. Battalion entrained. 1 Field Company RCE also on this train.
    1245 hours. Train left.
    2200 hours. Arrived Rennes.

    15 June.
    0215 hours. Arrived Laval.
    0345 hours. Arrived Chateau Briant. Train stopped and return journey started.
    0930 hours. Arrived Laval.
    1945 hours. Arrived Brest.
    2200 hours. Detrained.
    2215 hours. Embarked on SS Canterbury.

    16 June.
    0100 hours. Recce flight by enemy seaplane over Brest Harbour. Fired on by guns of French naval vessels and light machine guns on SS Canterbury by Royal Canadian Regiment and Hastings and Edwards Island Regiment. Plane believed to have been brought down.

    17 June.
    0645 hours. Arrived Plymouth Sound.
    1100 hours. Docked. No further incident.
    1445 hours. Disembarked.
    1600 hours. Marched to Mill Road Station.
    1705 hours. Train left Mill Road Station.

    18 June.
    0230 hours. Arrived Farnborough Station. Bus transportation to Maida Barracks for breakfast, thence to Tourney Barracks.

    There is then an account by the Commanding Officer Royal Canadian Regiment in which he says that at Brest the battalion was issued with a railway warrant for Laval. On arrival at Laval there was no one at the station. An NCO was eventually found and he said that the RTO was in bed. He was sent for and said that the destination of the train was Grez en Bouerre further eastwards. On arrival at Chateau Briant the French conductor of the train was told to return to Laval. A short way towards Laval the conductor received instructions to return the train to Brest. At no point did the Commanding Officer Royal Canadian Regiment receive any orders.

    In another document the Commanding Officers states that the French ship El Mansour was too small for the number of troops carried and that it was dirty and unhygienic below decks. On the French train other ranks travelled in box cars, 22 men to each. The men apparently liked this as there was room to stretch out and rest.



    1 Canadian Division sailings.

    1 Field Regiment RCA and LAD from Aldershot.
    7 Officers, 276 other ranks, 187 vehicles and 30 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    22 Officers and 295 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 12 June.

    1 Field Regiment RCA Signal Section from Aldershot.
    14 other ranks, 7 vehicles and 5 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    1 Officer and 13 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 12 June.

    Headquarters 1 Canadian Division RCASC from Aldershot.
    9 Officers, 35 other ranks, 10 vehicles and 3 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.

    1 Canadian Division Supply Column RCASC from Aldershot.
    6 Officers, 180 other ranks, 123 vehicles and 38 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    9 Officers and 263 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 12 June.

    Toronto Scottish and LAD from Aldershot.
    6 Officers, 192 other ranks, 126 vehicles and 41 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 13 June.

    Headquarters 1 Canadian Division from Aldershot.
    3 Officers, 37 other ranks, 23 vehicles and 4 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    10 Officers and 33 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    Brigade Signal Section from Aldershot.
    19 other ranks, 9 vehicles and 8 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    1 Officer and 17 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    1 Canadian Brigade Anti Tank Company from Aldershot.
    1 Officer, 22 other ranks, 16 vehicles and 4 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    3 Officers and 50 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    Royal Canadian Regiment from Aldershot.
    3 Officers, 97 other ranks, 65 vehicles and 14 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    19 Officers and 660 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    48 Highlanders from Aldershot.
    3 Officers, 97 other ranks, 65 vehicles and 14 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    19 Officers and 660 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment from Aldershot.
    3 Officers, 97 other ranks, 65 vehicles and 14 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    19 Officers and 660 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    1 Field Company RCE from Aldershot.
    3 Officers, 57 other ranks, 35 vehicles and 13 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    2 Officers and 181 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    4 Canadian Field Ambulance from Aldershot.
    1 Officer, 49 other ranks, 38 vehicles and 5 motorcycles. Road Party sailing 11 June.
    11 Officers and 183 other ranks. Rail Party sailing 13 June.

    Mike.

    THE END.

    As soon as possible I will add the following:
    A list of useful sources and references.
    Thanks and credit to the many who have kindly sent me information.
    Any additional information which comes to light. I have several documents as yet unread.

    In the meantime I feel sure that there are members who are itching to make additions, corrections or comments. Please feel free to do so.
     
    Temujin, Browno, JCB and 3 others like this.
  20. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Some useful sources.

    The War in France and Flanders 1939-1940. L.F.Ellis. IWM
    British Expeditionary Force. Organisation and Order of Battle Vol3. Alan Philson.
    History of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1920-1945. Fernhough.
    Military Engineering Vol V. Roads.
    Military Engineering Vol VII. Accommodation and Installations.
    The Royal Engineer Railway Units in France 1939-1940. William A.T.Aves.
    Wireless for the Warrior Vol 2. Standard sets of WW2. Louis Meulsee.
    Mechanised Movement by Road. Field Service Pocket Book. Pamphlet No6. 1939.
    Handbook of the British Army 1943. Ellis and Chamberlain. (An edited version of US Army TM 30-410).

    Merchant Ships 1943. E.C. Talbot Booth.
    Warships of WW2. Lenton and Colledge.
    BEF Ships. John de S Winter.
    Coasters go to War. John de S Winter.
    Convoyweb. Website.

    War Establishment Tables from Series IV. National Archive.


    Thanks to;
    Browno for the documents relating to the move of 51 Division to France.
    Morrisc8 for tables of units proceeding overseas, photos and much information from the series of red books.
    Temujin for the documents relating to the move of 1 Canadian Division to France.
    Rich Payne for photographs and useful snippets.
    Roy Martin for help with shipping.
    Aixman for his tireless support.
    Twinotterpilot for information on Baker Perkins bakery equipment.

    Thank you to all those who have given support and encouragement.

    I am still studying material kindly sent to me so I may post more one day. I am aware that there is much more to say about this neglected subject.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2022
    Temujin, Aixman, Browno and 1 other person like this.

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