pjdgm Posted 10 July , 2008 Share Posted 10 July , 2008 can anyone tell what they would have done during the war ? many thanks peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 10 July , 2008 Share Posted 10 July , 2008 Peter I assume you're talking about the 18th, 19th & 26th Battalions Middlesex Regiment who were designated 1st, 2nd & 3rd Public Works Pioneers respectively? Quoted verbatim from LLT mothersite...... "An early solution to the vast demand for labour was to create in each infantry Division a battalion that would be trained and capable of fighting as infantry, but that would normally be engaged on labouring work. They were given the name of Pioneers. They differed from normal infantry in that they would be composed of a mixture of men who were experienced with picks and shovels (i.e. miners, road men, etc) and some who had skilled trades (smiths, carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, masons, tinsmiths, engine drivers and fitters). A Pioneer battalion would also carry a range of technical stores that infantry would not. This type of battalion came into being with an Army Order in December 1914." Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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