No.1 Telegraph Construction Company, 1917-18 Royal Engineers

[TJames]

Hello!!

For the past couple of weeks i have been trying to research the No.1 TCC, RE that my Great Grandfather Stanley Lyman was a dispatch rider in. I can't seem to find any records for what Division or Expeditionary Force they would of been attached too. Some paths i have taken have pointed towards him and the Company being involved in Italy although i know that he certainly served in France. Could anybody help??

Many Thanks!!!

TJames

Pioneer (Dispatch Rider) Stanley Lyman, 317152

PS: No.1 Telegraph Construction Company, General HQ, Line Of Communication, Signal Company, Royal Engineers. This is the information that i have at the moment from old re-written letters that where done a few years after the war by his sister.

Edited 1 May , 2015 by TJames

[Ron Clifton]

Hello TJames

This company, and a handful like it, formed part of "L" Signal Battalion on the Lines of Communication in France. At least one of the companies was probably sent to Italy in November 1917 but I don't know which one, and unfortunately there do not appear to be any relevant War Diaries in the WO95 series at the National Archives.

Ron

[TJames]

Hi Ron!

Cheers for that! I found a link to a website that has many different names of Battalions/Companies linked to the Royal Engineers, I found "L" Signal Battalion G.H.Q Detachment 04 Oct 1918 to 30 Nov 1918 and Jan 1919 to Mar 1919" is that possibly the one? Knowing me Iv'e probably missed the obvious hahah

Thanks!!

TJames

http://www.re-museum.co.uk/u/pages/War_Diaries_world_war_one-_Copy.pdf

PS: The photo is of my great grandfather Stan Lyman, i think in this picture he is wearing a two year good conduct badge with the signallers arm band if I'm not mistaken? The photo could of also been taken in 1919, but that's uncertain

Edited 2 May , 2015 by TJames

[Ron Clifton]

I've found a reference in my notes that half of No.1 TCC was sent to Italy in Nov 1917, and seems to have stayed there until the end of the war. The reference to the GHQ Detachment of L Signal Battalion is therefore possibly a red herring.

Yes, the photo shows a signaller's armband (white over blue) and a single good conduct badge.

Ron

[TJames]

Ron

Ah okay thanks for that, not sure where to go from there. Is there any War diaries available from the Italy Expeditionary Force?

Thanks!

Tom

[Ron Clifton]

Not for these companies, I'm afraid, but you might have some luck with the diaries of the Director of Signals:

PART II: ITALY
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
WO 95/4200 Assistant Director Signals 1918 May - 1919 Feb.
WO 95/4206 General Headquarters Signal Company 1917 Oct. - Dec.

I don't hold out much hope, though, and these diaries are not yet available online.

Ron

[TJames]

Ron

I have just actually looked on the main site and found what i was looking for! can't believe I did't look there first! I'm probable going to try and find out where the GHQ are as that's where he seems he was at.

Many thanks for the help!

Tom

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Battle_of_Vittorio_Veneto.jpg

http://www.1914-1918.net/italy.htm

PS: Here are some pictures of what my great grandfather took whilst he was there, not sure if anybody can identify the castle ruins (if its a well known place) kinda a long shot!

Edited 3 May , 2015 by TJames

[Ron Clifton]

On 6 Nov 1917 GHQ British Force in Italy opened at Pavia. On 8 Nov it moved to Mantua, on 13 Nov to Padua, on 20 Nov to Legnano, and on 30 Nov back to Padua until 16 Jan 1918.

On that date it moved to Noventa, 3 miles east of Padua, on 10 March it moved to Fanzolo, 15 miles WNW of Treviso, on 18 March back to Noventa, on 29 March to Lonedo, 4 miles NE of Thiene, and on 11 October to Villa Marcello, 4.5 miles south of Treviso, where it remained until the Armistice.

Ron

[TJames]

Thanks very much for that information! It's going to be very helpful!!

TJames