Pioneer battalions

[Muerrisch]

Please does anyone know of [or, even better, have evidence of] a pioneer battalion that systematically did not wear the crossed rifle and pickaxe collar dog?

I did start such a thread but it has seemingly perished in cyberspace.

[dycer]

Grumpy,

Pure speculation on my part but the 8th Royal Scots were badly cut up in March 1918 and received new drafts of men.

Would the issue of Pioneer Collar dogs been seen as high priority?

George

[FROGSMILE]

I recommend this site as a start point and in particular Lt Col John Starling and Ivor Lee (the latter a member of the GWF). I know that the former has extensive records and war diaries of pioneer battalions and also has some published works on the subject:

http://www.royalpion...ory_records.htm

[Graham Stewart]

Please does anyone know of [or, even better, have evidence of] a pioneer battalion that systematically did not wear the crossed rifle and pickaxe collar dog?

I did start such a thread but it has seemingly perished in cyberspace.

As for the 14th, 17th, 18th & 19th N.F., I'm afraid even as late as 1918/19 they were still wearing their unique 'pioneer' collar badges. As for the 1/7th Bn, which were converted to 'pioneers' in February 1918 I have no photographic evidence to go on.

[Muerrisch]

thanks to all: working on it!