Smith H A, 71823, R.E. "S" Corps Signals Company

[hoogerbooger]

I've done a little searching for my maternal grandfathers WW1 war record. My mother says all she knew was he was a motorcycle despatch rider in the Royal Engineers and was "mentioned in dispatches".

 

His name was Herbert Arthur Smith and from my searches so far the following record seems the best fit:

 

H A Smith 71823,  "Mech. Elec Staff Sargeant, Royal Engineers......"S" corp sig.coy.

Gazette Issue 31080. Mentioned in Despatches. From Sir D. Haig's Despatch of 8th
November. His name was submitted as deserving of special mention

 

I also found online a pdf with a catalogue of archived WW1 diaries in the Royal Engineers library ( which includes one for " "S" Corp Signals Company 18 Corp  25 Apr 1916 - 31 Oct 1918) [pdf attached - see pg 2]

 

The R.E .library & Archive is closed until August 2020. I tried contacting them last year to see if I could find out what sort of information these diaries would contain, but had no reply.  So I'm left thinking this diary may be worth going to see and  probably the best chance of getting some insight into what my grandfather/his corps did during the war. But it's a long way to go if they are not actually relevant, plus can't do this until after August. Currently  I have no clear information that "S" corps had motorcycle despatch riders or who they were attached to for their signalling duties ?

 

So my questions:

1) anyone heard of "s" Corp Signals company and know what their role was ? e.g. did it include motorcycles, which Division/part of the army did they do signal duties for ?

2) Anyone know what the role of these diaries were and what sort of information would be included ?

 

I would be very grateful should anyone have answers on the above or can point me in any other useful direction.

 

S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library-War-Diaries-WW1.pdf

[Martin D]

Hi,

Without a doubt the signal Corps had motorcycles for transfer of messages.  Do you know what division he was attached to? The war dairies esp the signals dairy mainly concerns its self to the work being carried out, what, were and the number of signals being passed each month.  There are references to wounded, killed and awards but I found these to depend upon who was writing the dairy at the time.  Any mention of the motorcycle riders mainly cover the cleaning and caring for the bikes!  I found a ref to my grandfathers MM award but no mention of him being wounded, which he was!  There is very little personal detail in the Dairy (8th Div Signal Company)  

[WhiteStarLine]

Hi S,

 

Welcome to the forum and sorry we all missed your initial post. To take 1916, there were 23 motor cyclists in the Corps Signal Company and in 1917 there were 15 in HQ and 4 motor cycle despatch riders, increasing to 6 in 1918.  The Corps Signal Company (think battalion -> brigade -> division -> corps) were allocated to and stayed with their Army Corps and each letter was associated with a specific Corps.  "A" Corps Signal Company was attached to I Corps (or 1) and by the time you get to the letter "S", you are with XVIII Corps (or 18).

 

In the chaotic conditions during the German Offensive of 1918, many signallers and surveyors became caught up in fighting and despatch riders did the dangerous work of riding on hellish roads under fire delivering messages.  So it would not surprise me if he was mentioned in Haig's despatches.

[Terry_Reeves]

All Corps Signal Companies changed from a alphabetical to a numerical title in  1916, S Corps Sigs changing to 18 Corps Signal Company. They have a war diary here for free download from December 1916.

 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=18+Corps+Signal+company+AND+WO95&_sd=&_ed=&_hb=

 

Also try the Adjutant and Quartermaster war diaries, recipients of awards are often mentioned:

 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4554105

 

His rank meant that he was responsible for for electro-mechanical equipment.  A Corps signal company in 1918 had a Wireless Section which had a Lorry, accumulator charging and two motorcycles. and the HQ and a  PEL lorry (Petrol Electric Light) ie a generator with lighting kit. I can't be sure that that was is role but it is food for thought.

 

TR

Edited 25 May , 2020 by Terry_Reeves

[hoogerbooger]

Thank you very much for the comment  and pointers. Have just been downloading the diary at the National Archive. Looks like  hours of fun deciphering the handwriting ! Excellent ( I'll put the coffee on)

 

Any further insight, of course, most welcome. But I'll get on with the leads provided.

[Ron Clifton]

Hello hoogerbooger, and welcome to the Forum!

 

The Signal Service (France) by Major R E Priestley is available online and contains much information on Divisional, Corps and Army Signal Companies, especially in its appendices. It is written in a style accessible to the ordinary non-specialist reader and although it contains very little which is relevant to Salonika, I recommend it to you.

 

Ron

Edit: sorry, the reference to Salonika is a red herring. I was answering another post at the time!

Edited 26 May , 2020 by Ron Clifton

[hoogerbooger]

Major Priestley's account of the signal service was an interesting read. No specific mention in the diaries  & only one mention of "despatch rider", but at least we have the HQ locations for the 18th Corps, which he presumably followed around/.

 

Shame there wasn't more,  and a question left as to whether despatch riding was his role or not.

 

Thanks for the help.  If anyone does think of any more leads/pointers, I'll be happy to hear.