1987 Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 Hi. I have recently researched one of my great great grandfathers. I found out he served in the Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport and Docks section. I haven't been able to find much information relating to this section and their work. Anyone with any knowledge or information about this would be a great help. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 (edited) Hi and welcome to the forum. There are some details here https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/community/3117 If you can advise his name and number, date of birth etc the other members may dig up info regards Jon Edited 2 February , 2020 by jonbem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 There is also a previous thread on the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 (edited) 1987 They were responsible for the movement of stores on the inland waterways of France and Belgium, repair of locks, construction of quays and the maintenance of docks. They were also responsible for the hospital barges which operated on the rivers and canals in conjunction with the RAMC and nursing services. They also were responsible for the Richborough Military Port near Sandwich in Kent. Barges were constructed there and a cross-channel roll-on roll service operated to various ports in France and also from Southampton. The port also received stores and salvage returned from the BEF. The IWT also operated in other theatres of the war , including East Africa, and Egypt. Another major area of operation was Mesoptomia where they had a significant presence on the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates. As mentioned in post 2, if you can provide his name and service number, we might be able to help. TR Edited 2 February , 2020 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987 Posted 2 February , 2020 Author Share Posted 2 February , 2020 Thank you both for the information. His service record was on ancestry so I found out a lot about him through that. His name was William Evans Regiment Number - 214014 DOB- abt 1881 His record was quite hard to read in places but I gathered he got in trouble a few times for late timekeeping and drinking! I suppose as well as information on the work he did I was also curious if the bad behaviour would have been common doing the work of a sapper or was just him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 For those interested in looking further HERE is the record on Ancestry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 2 February , 2020 Share Posted 2 February , 2020 renumbered to WR 504093 HERE is the medal roll and HERE is the MIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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