RE 11th Field COY

[gdawson]

Does anyone have a digital copy of the war diary for Royal Engineers 11th Field COY that they would be willing to share? I'm looking for WO 95/1331, which covers 1914 through November 1915. Even partial copies would be much appreciated. We live overseas and so it is proving difficult to continue research into my Grandfather's service.

[gdawson]

I was able to get a digital copy of this through a researcher at the Archives - task successfully completed.

Regards,

Greg

[BigTed]

I am interested in the mention of the 11th Field Company as my grandfather, Sapper Edward Merchant, served in it from August 1914 until, as far as I can make out, its involvement in the Battle of the Aisne when he was badly wounded by shrapnel, left for dead for three days, and never fully recovered his health. He originally enlisted as a 16 year old in 1905.

I used to live near the PRO at Kew so copied the diary myself along with the medal roll which had the entire company listed for 1914 which I also copied. As far as I could see there was a book for each R.E. Field Company as my grandfather's brother, who served with the 5th Field Company in 1914, also appeared in a book just for that unit. I would be interested to know the name of your ancestor(?) as I could look him up - if it would not be too intrusive.

[BigTed]

Further to my earlier message, I have just dug out the various copies I made at Kew and ascertained that there is one book for the recipients of the 1914 Star which, as I mentioned earlier, lists the whole company including the dates on which the casualties died. There is also a separate book for the officers. As far as I can recall, there is mention of at least one officer who was killed at the Aisne, perhaps with a photo of him, in the book 'Cross Of Sacrifice'. Also, I do hope when you received your copy of the diary it included a copy of the hand-drawn map of the Aisne at Bourg and Pont d'Arcy, plus a copy of a blue coloured 'Feuille De Train Militaire' (all in French) which details the train journey from - as far as I can make out - Rouen to Wassigny. Both of these documents were in the original diary as I looked through it - about fifteen years ago - so I hope they are still there. I also hope your diary arrived as a handwritten and not typed version as it is nice to see the handwriting (all in pencil) of the officer who wrote it. That's all.

[gdawson]

BigTed,

Thanks for the mention of your Grandfather, the objective for my search is to trace the service of my own Grandfather William Dawson who was a 2nd Corporal with 11th Field COY.

When you mention a book for each company is that referring to a medal roll for the 1914 Star? I would be very interested in seeing it if that is the case - I'll have to figure out a way to get a copy of it as well The officer killed at the Aisne was Lieutenant Godfrey Miller who was only 21 at the time, killed along with Lt. Miller were Sapper Gregory and Driver Coffin.

The map of the Aisne is still there! There are many other notes with hand-drawn sketches on them as well regarding their time on the Aisne. And the French train journey description is also stil there.

Overall I was amazed at the level of detail in the diary, all hand-written (some a little difficult to read) with many hand-drawn sketches.

Best regards,

Greg

[Paul D Kendall]

Dear Big Ted,

I am currently writing a book about the Battle of the Asine 1914 which includes a narrative of the battle and the photos and brief biographies, accounts etc of the men who took part. I am making contact with many of the descendants of these brave men who have kindly offered photos of their ancestors to include in my book as a tribute to their deeds. Do you have an image of Sapper Edward Merchant and if yes would you like me to include him in my book?

If you are interested please contact me at paul.kendall193@btinternet.com

I look forward to your response.

Kind regards

Paul Kendall

[BigTed]

Dear Greg,

Thank you very much for your reply. I am glad your diary arrived with all the bits and pieces.

I looked at my photocopies of the pages of "Cross Of Sacrifice" and unfortunately there was no photo to go with Lt Miller's entry. Actually, I am sure that was the day my grandfather was wounded. Even years later my father recalled how my grandfather "Big Ted" (my username - real one is below) used to pick little pieces of shrapnel from the back of his head. I believe it was the first time the Germans used their heavy artillery on the B.E.F. (Paul Kendall will correct me if I am wrong). He died in 1943, before I was born, his lungs never recovering from the double pneumonia resulting from being left for three days following the shellfire.

Now, the reference for the medal roll for the 1914 Star for the 11th Field Company is WO 329/2415. There are about 16 pages with 12 names to a page. The details for your grandfather are: "3970 2nd (written as Roman numerals i.e. "11") Corpl Dawson W" - "enlisted 17.8.14" (the same date for all) - then "clasp & roses 300+5 IV 1986/ca. 30/12/20"

The book is headed "Roll Of Individuals Entitled To The Decoration Granted Under Army Order 350 Of 1917", and at the bottom of each page is "Chatham 21-3-1918"

The reference for the officers - which appears to be one book for all the R.E. - is WO329/2508. As I mentioned earlier, I copied these about 15 years ago but assume all the reference details are still the same.

I think that is all I have at present.

Kind regards,

Robert Merchant.

[BigTed]

Dear Paul,

I have been anxious to read a book on the Aisne so your reply was a pleasure to receive. Yes, I have in fact two photos of "Big Ted" or 14562 Sapper Merchant E., with one being a sepia picture which was improved to pristine clarity by a friend who specialises in restoring photos. I have it scanned to a high degree on my computer so can easily send it if that is the form you require. I am very flattered by the offer. I will contact you via the email address given. Also, I do believe the 5th Field Company were at the Aisne a mile or so away from the 11th, in which case I also have a very good photo of Ted's brother Claude Merchant, a very rugged looking individual, who served right through the whole war. He is pictured with his sergeant's stripes so you could take your pick. I am sure you would know whether the 5th were there. Claude then went up to Ypres and fought at the epic Nonne Bosschen battle.

Thank you for you reply and good luck with your book. I will send you my email address tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Robert Merchant.

[Paul D Kendall]

Dear Robert,

It is very important to ensure that the men who participated in World War One, who fought for the freedom and liberty of others are never forgotten. I am always delighted to make contact with the descendants of the soldiers who took part in the battles which I research, especially when they have a photo of their brave ancestor.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards

Paul