Royal Engineers (587 Army Field Coy.)

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by spconnolly007, Aug 16, 2013.

  1. spconnolly007

    spconnolly007 The 'Shiny Seventh'

    Can anyone help with the above man who died at home 10th April 1941, aged 41. He is buried at Barking (Rippleside) Cemetery.
    As some of you may remember, I had completed my research on the Rainham War Memorial but since doing so, a large number of individuals have been found that we are trying to convince the local council to add to it. This is the first, of what will probably be a few, that I will require some expert knowledge on!
    Could someone enlighten me as to whether this particular company (587) had any specific purpose, or any details of his death?
    Any help or pointers would be much appreciated.
    Regards,
    Sean.
     
  2. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Sean,

    The 587th Army Field Coy, RE, was formed in approximately September 1940, from the Edinburgh Fortress RE, as part of Edinburgh CTRE (CTRE = Corps Troops RE).

    I believe it served in Home Forces, until Edinburgh CTRE was converted in July 1942 to 1st ARTE (ARTE = Army Troops, RE) - composition: 585th, 586th and 587th Army Field Coys, RE. ‘Home Service’ is why your man would be buried in the UK. You may have to obtain the Coy’s applicable War Diary and/or his service record to ascertain exactly how he died.

    1st ARTE served with the British First Army in NW Africa, until redesignated in July 1943 as 8th ARTE - composition now 561st, 586th and 587th Field Coys, RE and 585th Field Park Coy RE.

    8th ARTE served in the Italian campaign (1943-45) with Eighth Army [but under V Corps in 1945].

    It was disbanded in September 1945.

    If, as I believe, your man’s initials are ASM, then it will be of interest to you that his service number is from the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry block i.e. 5373001 – 5429000; meaning he attested in the Ox & Bucks and will have had prior service with them.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  3. spconnolly007

    spconnolly007 The 'Shiny Seventh'

    Steve, thanks for your help. The Ox & Bucks attestation is also very interesting. Would that mean service before war broke out or that he most likely served with the O&B in 1939/40?
    Regards,
    Sean.
     
  4. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Sean,

    He must have been born in the 1899 or 1900 and may have served at the very end of WWI. More likely his service was inter-war years, possibly moving to 'reserve' status sometime prior to WWII. As he would have been circa 39 years of age when WWII started and as an 'Other Ranks', it is likely he would not have been accepted back into the Infantry and this may be why he found himself in the RE. The only way to really get any sort of certainty is to obtain his service records.

    An interesting 'subject'...

    Have you got his CWGC certificate?

    Edit: His army/service number is in the block that started in 1920 and ran until 1950. This does not mean that he wasn't in service prior to 1920 and was given a new number in 1920.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  5. spconnolly007

    spconnolly007 The 'Shiny Seventh'

    Thanks again Steve. I will check Ancestry again as there was a man with the same name(s) with GW service but I ignored it because the age looked wrong, but he could have been fibbing!! Will check and get back.
    Regards,
    Sean.
     
  6. spconnolly007

    spconnolly007 The 'Shiny Seventh'

    Steve, Im so glad we had this conversation. He enlisted in May 1915 at the age of 15/16, saying that he was 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Discharged in December of that year for being underage, then re-enlisted in 1924 to the Royal Engineers, supplementary reserve category 'B'. I cant believe I didn't check him at the time!! At least we know how he came by his service number.
    Many thanks,
    Sean.
     
  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Sean,

    Making progress...

    That doesn't explain how his service number is from the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry block i.e. 5373001 – 5429000. There's still more to this man's service history. He must have served with the Ox & Bucks for at least sometime between 1920 and joining the RE in 1924. For example, it could be that he enlisted in the Ox & Bucks but wasn't suitable for service in the Infantry and was transferred to the RE

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  8. spconnolly007

    spconnolly007 The 'Shiny Seventh'

    Thanks Steve, I will keep looking.
    Cheers,
    Sean.
     

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