Yarnold66 Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 I am researching a soldier who served with the Royal Engineers where he was initially given the regimental number 551857, then ultimately WR/194750 - the WR prefix indicating ‘Waterways and Railways’. It is known that he served in Palestine and Egypt.Is there any way of gleaning from his numbers as what type of unit within WR he might have served in?Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 551587 was allocated to 517 Field Company RE, a TF unit originally from Chelsea. WR/194750 was issued in March 1918 and belongs to a railway unit. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarnold66 Posted 10 March , 2015 Author Share Posted 10 March , 2015 Dear Terry, Many thanks for the quick response. May I ask how you went about getting this information? Is it readily available?All the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangoman Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 I am also researching a member of my family who served in the Waterways & Railways, Royal Engineers. His MIC shows him as Pte 307196 Royal Engineers before being transferred to the WR as Pte 22897. Is it possible to identify which Field Company/Unit he would have served in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 Yarnold66 The first number was issued in March 1917 when the TF had a number change, these are all in Army Council Instructions for 1916/1917. Given that he had no RE number prior to 551587 suggests he transferred directly from the London Regimen per his MIC on or after March 1917. The railway number is the result of checking numbers against available service records. WR numbers were issued in March 1917 when there was a number change for those men designated as Transportation Troops, TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 DeeBumbleBee 307196 suggests he joined in 1917. WR/22897 issued in March 1918 indicates he was serving with a quarrying company or a road construction company. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangoman Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 Many thanks for your help Terry. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 10 March , 2015 Share Posted 10 March , 2015 Many thanks for your help Terry. Much appreciated. DeeBumbleBee You man served with 315 Road Construction Company RE. He had previous service with the Royal Berkshire and Royal Hampshire Regiments and transferred to the RE on 9.3.17 TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now