Private Harry Pearson

[GW Billington]

Hi Folks

I'm researching Private Harry Pearson 266601 Royal Engineers and am struggling given his Service Record does not appear to have survived. Through other kind members on this forum I have the following information but would like to find out which unit or Battalion of the RE he was in so I can then access War Diaries and, next Spring, 'walk in his footsteps'. He was born in Shifnal, Shropshire in 1884

Info I have is:

His Medal Index Card (VM, BWM and Silver War Badge) RE/101 B232 Page 57804

SWB Ref RE/1381 which states:

266601 Pte (or Pnr) Pearson, Harry RD Trps DEP

Badge No 302351

Enlisted 10.1.17

Discharged 1.1.18

Gassed Aged 33

I can't find out what 'RD Trps Dep' means - is this from where he was discharged?

He was with the BEF overseas from 12.4 17 to 20.10 17 . This is from what I assume is his discharge papers (Army Form B. 2067). I also have form B. 2079

I'm quite a trip from Kew but will go if I know what I'm asking for when I'm there will help

Any help greatly appreciated.

Andy

[johndavidswarbrick]

Hi,

I may well be wrong but could "RD Trps DEP" be Royal Defence Corps Troop Depot - The RDC were the WW1 equivalent of the Home Guard and, like the Labour Corps, took men who had been injured or sick.

Dave Swarbrick

[kenf48]

Most soldiers who were awarded the SWB were on the strength of the Depot or HQ Company of the Corps as an administrative convenience for non combatants.

I suggest the Road Transportation Depot (i.e. they looked after the vehicles)...but I don't know! There were many specialist units in the RE. If you search through the Rolls you will see many references to 'Rd Trps Dep' if I were you in the absence of a definitive answer I'd cast around for their service records.

I do know it was almost certainly nothing to do with the Royal Defence Corps as he is on the RE Roll.

Ken