Guest Eugbug Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 My Grandfather served as a fitter in the 4th heavy repair shop , Army Service Corp (ASC) in France circa 1917. I know it's a long shot, but I have always wondered whether any photographs exist of the members of this corp , possibly group photographs.
Sepoy Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 If you can get to the National Archives, there are some wonderful photos of the 4th Repair Shop ASC included in the war diary WO95 4167. I was surprised at the number of German Pows who can be seen working at the unit! Sepoy
Guest Eugbug Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 If you can get to the National Archives, there are some wonderful photos of the 4th Repair Shop ASC included in the war diary WO95 4167. I was surprised at the number of German Pows who can be seen working at the unit! Sepoy Thanks, I have since discovered there are some photos here: 4th Heavy Repairshop, Rouen
tipperary Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 Some interesting pictures i am very surprised at the amount of prisoner labour.john
David_Underdown Posted 23 December , 2011 Posted 23 December , 2011 Glad to see my photos are well enough labelled to be easily found! 4th Heavy Repair shop - according to the narrative which goes with the photos - was staffed entirely by skilled POW labour, there were a few British NCOs and so on to keep order and run the place. The workshop was run for much of the unit's existence by Major John Harley Bridges Hesse who was a noted bellringer. Before the war he ran a garage in Teddington, they were also involved in making boat and aero engines. He had originally been articled as a mechanical engineer at Harland and Wolf in Belfast (he was the son of an Indian Army colonel), later in the war he was released from the army to work for Thorneycroft
David_Underdown Posted 28 December , 2011 Posted 28 December , 2011 Everything was tested (by British personnel) prior to being released for service. As I recall from the narrative there was only one incident of sabotage, sand in a gear box or similar. The POWs were paid for their work, and I think there may have been enhanced rations too. It was made known that these privileges would be withdrawn if sabotage was repeated
StephenJohnRoberts1958 Posted 5 January , 2019 Posted 5 January , 2019 Excellent stuff thank you. Has anyone ever researched Number 3 Heavy Repair Shop?
Marilyne Posted 6 January , 2019 Posted 6 January , 2019 Good stuff !! Shows the importance of logistics!! Judging from the photographs, the guys don't seem to be too sad tp be there... M.
David_Underdown Posted 6 January , 2019 Posted 6 January , 2019 18 hours ago, StephenJohnRoberts1958 said: Excellent stuff thank you. Has anyone ever researched Number 3 Heavy Repair Shop? I tink their war diary also had photos in it.
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