Royal Engineer War Diaries and Unit movements

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by PaulHistoryGuy, Jan 1, 2015.

  1. PaulHistoryGuy

    PaulHistoryGuy Junior Member

    I have recently gained my late Grandfather's Service records. He was a Captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers from 1940-46. From 1940 to mid-1944 he joined and left various units and training units undertaking chemical warfare, bridging and bomb disposal courses (I have lists of all the units and dates). From what I can see, his service in Europe was with 277 Corps Field Park Company Royal Engineers:

    18.6.44 - Taken on Strength 277 Corps Field Park Company Royal Engineers
    28.6.44 - Embarked UK
    28.6.44 - Embarked for France
    18.9.45 - SOS 277 Corps
    18.9.45 - TOS 508 Corps Field Park Company
    23.2.46 - SOS BAOR

    I believe (from what I remember him telling me as a child) that he was involved in Bailey Bridge construction.

    I've managed to find some of his old photos which show an officer inspecting a Bailey Bridge - with a bit of badge and internet searches I have concluded that it is Lt Gen Miles Dempsey. Having cross referenced the background of the photo - the bridge appears to be in Venlo.

    I am trying to piece together his unit movements (my grandfather, not Dempsey!), which I believe I may be able to do through searching Unit War Diaries at ?Chatham (has anyone done this?).

    But before I do this, is it reasonable to presume that an officer stayed with the same unit as per his service records? Or, could he have been detached/attached to different units outside of what was written in his records? I guess I may never know this certainty unless his name features in the diaries themselves.

    Regards

    Paul
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The service records are as accurate as you will get. You should be able to confirm this via the unit war diaries. Nearly all diaries contain a list of officers in a 'Field Return' every week to every month.
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  3. Red Goblin

    Red Goblin Senior Member

    If Chatham is more convenient than Kew for you then don't sweat it but just to point out that TNA's top copy is just that wee bit more likely to include key appendices that have a greater tendency to have gone missing from regimental museums' carbon copies. This tip, FWIW, was originally given to me by one of the archivists at The Tank Museum (Bovington).

    :twocents: Steve
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  4. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Officers and men of the Sappers were moved about all over the place. So do not be surprised if he turns up somewhere unexpected,The Field Park Company RE. is the company that carried the stores for everything Royal Engineers needed.

    Sappers of all grades were much in demand, and so they often were sent outside their normal area of action. I know I did... miles away from my Companies area of action.
    Happy new year Drew
     
  5. PaulHistoryGuy

    PaulHistoryGuy Junior Member

    Drew, Steve, Sapper. Very much appreciated. Having now looked at the Chatham website it seems as though they don't have the diaries there anyway. So TNA it is!

    I serve myself and I can already see my record of service doesn't show everywhere I've been. So I guessed WW2 wouldn't be dissimilar.

    Many thanks.
    Paul
     
  6. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    I would totally agree with the above.

    My father-in-law was an Officer with 966 Inland Water Transport and when he was moved to another unit or came back from that unit it was always shown against his name in the weekly field returns. So what are you waiting for-get the war diaries from Kew, you never know :wink:

    Lesley
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Here's the diary refs you'll need when you go

    WO 171/1616 277 Company 1944 Jan-Dec
    WO 171/5538 277 Company 1945 Jan.- Nov

    WO 171/5553 508 Company 1945 Jan.- Dec
    WO 171/9422 508 Company 1946 Jan.- May

    Happy Hunting :)
     

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