3rd Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers

[Guest]

I am researching my grandfather's exploits in WW1. Any information provided would be greatly appreciated. I am particularly interested in what the 3rd Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers did in the Great War and what battles they were active in.

Herbert Jagger enlisted in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Pontefract on 3/1/1915. At some time he must have transferred to the Royal Engineers as Sergeant and his number was 147178. He was discharged from the 3rd Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers after serving for 3yrs 362 days with the Colours and 165 days Class P Army Reserve. He was discharged from the army on the 30/12/1918. His discharge was described as "being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service Para (392) (XV1a) H.R.". His transfer to the army reserve states that his conduct while serving with the colours has been "Very satisfactory in every respect - He is entitled to wear one gold braid - wound distinction"

Herbert's injury was caused by shrapnel being lodged behind his ear. The injury caused him hearing problems for the rest of his life although this did not stop him being musically proficient on the cello. He received a pension for his disability which was described as "GAN? Head with Deafness and Subluxation of Right Lower Jaw". A little unusual but I still have the piece of shrapnel which must have been presented to him following an operation.

The above information comes from Herbert Jagger's discharge papers, transfer to army reserve paper and War pension paper which are in my possession. Attached photo of Herbert Jagger.

[Terry_Reeves]

Chris

3rd Battalion of the Special Brigade was formed in January, 1916. It consisted of four companies, J to M. These were cylinder companies, which dispensed gas. From 1917 they were equipped with the Livens Projector, a crude, but very effective, mortar type weapon which fired chemical ammunition and oil bombs. Herbert's transfer is likely to have taken place in the first quarter of 1916 when thousands of men were transferred to the SB, mainly from the infantry. 3rd battalion has a war diary at the National Archives reference numbers WO 95/121 and WO 95/40. From March 1917, individual companies within the Brigade kept their own war diaries. You may also want to get hold go a copy of Chemical Soldiers by Donald Richter which can easily be found on the internet.

TR

[Guest]

Hi Terry,

Thank you very much for the information. It gives me valuable ammunition to continue my research which I will share with this forum.

Regards

Chris Jagger

[Terry_Reeves]

Chis

You are welcome. I will be interested to see the fruits of your research.

Happy new year

TR

[guntersp1]

hi chris, i have no info for you, sorry, but you might have some for me. i have recently discovered my great uncle was with "Z" coy RE and was involved with the Livens projector he died at the Somme . that is pretty much all the info i have on him, if you have any more i would be very grateful

regards Dave Rutter

[Guest]

On 30/12/2013 at 19:35, Guest said:

I am researching my grandfather's exploits in WW1. Any information provided would be greatly appreciated. I am particularly interested in what the 3rd Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers did in the Great War and what battles they were active in.

Herbert Jagger enlisted in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Pontefract on 3/1/1915. At some time he must have transferred to the Royal Engineers as Sergeant and his number was 147178. He was discharged from the 3rd Battalion Special Brigade Royal Engineers after serving for 3yrs 362 days with the Colours and 165 days Class P Army Reserve. He was discharged from the army on the 30/12/1918. His discharge was described as "being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service Para (392) (XV1a) H.R.". His transfer to the army reserve states that his conduct while serving with the colours has been "Very satisfactory in every respect - He is entitled to wear one gold braid - wound distinction"

Herbert's injury was caused by shrapnel being lodged behind his ear. The injury caused him hearing problems for the rest of his life although this did not stop him being musically proficient on the cello. He received a pension for his disability which was described as "GAN? Head with Deafness and Subluxation of Right Lower Jaw". A little unusual but I still have the piece of shrapnel which must have been presented to him following an operation.

The above information comes from Herbert Jagger's discharge papers, transfer to army reserve paper and War pension paper which are in my possession. Attached photo of Herbert Jagger.

 

 

On 30/12/2013 at 20:48, Terry_Reeves said:

Chris

3rd Battalion of the Special Brigade was formed in January, 1916. It consisted of four companies, J to M. These were cylinder companies, which dispensed gas. From 1917 they were equipped with the Livens Projector, a crude, but very effective, mortar type weapon which fired chemical ammunition and oil bombs. Herbert's transfer is likely to have taken place in the first quarter of 1916 when thousands of men were transferred to the SB, mainly from the infantry. 3rd battalion has a war diary at the National Archives reference numbers WO 95/121 and WO 95/40. From March 1917, individual companies within the Brigade kept their own war diaries. You may also want to get hold go a copy of Chemical Soldiers by Donald Richter which can easily be found on the internet.

TR

 

On 01/01/2014 at 16:36, Guest said:

Hi Terry,

Thank you very much for the information. It gives me valuable ammunition to continue my research which I will share with this forum.

Regards

Chris Jagger

Hi Terry,

I've been busy with my research and I said I would share it with the forum, so here goes. Initially I discovered which company my grandfather, Sergeant H. Jagger, was in. By chance I was re-reading some of his letters, one of which was from a WW1 comrade (Andy Adam). I noticed the closing sentiment - quote "I remain, the same old Special (J Coy) Andy". I immediately took your advise regarding company war diaries and purchased those for 'J' Special Company R.E.

 

I was staggered to read the following entry for 5th April 1917 under 'RECOMMENDATIONS'. 

 

"No 147178 Sergeant HERBERT JAGGER R.E. J Special Company R.E. for the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL.
The NCO has shown the greatest coolness and his work was especially conspicuous in this attack. By
his energy, courage, and personal example, he has always been a focal help to his juniors, and his
good work contributed to the absolute success of the operation. On several occasions including the
battle of LOOS, Sept 25 1915 at HOHERNZOLLERN he brought back wounded by day under heavy fire
from NO MAN'S LAND, though this was not a part of his normal duties."

 

I have also discovered that my cousin has his 'King's Certificate of Discharge' awarded to servicemen and women who were disabled while serving in the war.

 

The problem with the war diaries from the National Archive is that they are just photocopies of the original documents. They are faded, hand written and difficult to read. So I have transposed them, both on a website and downloadable in pdf format. This means that searches can be performed on them. The archives are WO 95/401/3, WO 95/401/4, WO 95/401/5, WO 95/401/6 covering 'J' Company from March 1917 to July 1919. The website is http://jcoyre.orgfree.com

If you have problems accessing the website I can email them. Just let me know. Anybody is welcome to them.

Edited 9 February , 2020 by Guest
Added Letter

[Terry_Reeves]

Chris

 

Many thanks for your efforts once again.

 

TR