295112 Pte Thomas William Francom

[abbrover]

Thomas William Francom (shown as William on his MIC),enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 30 Sept 1915, his rank is shown as Pnr. A newspaper article in March 1916 states he was in the Pioneer Bn R.E (his number was 123692). He went overseas on 13th October 1915. On the AVL he is shown as a Pnr in the 193rd Labour Co. although his MIC shows him as Pte. He came from Birkenhead Cheshire. Is it possible to tell from any of this information which unit of the RE he served with? According to the Book No Labour No Battle, his LC number suggests he joined between June and Sept 1917 although this doesn't tie in with the numbers given to the 193rd when it was formed in May 1917 although this was a Co formed from PB and Bantams which does make some sense if he was originally with a Pioneer Bn of the RE.

He was discharged due to sickness in April 1919 and SWB rolls shows hima s L.C.C.O.ex R.E

As you can probably gather I am a little confused! Can anyone help?

Thanks