Hezzi29 Posted 18 May , 2020 Share Posted 18 May , 2020 I am very new to researching so hope my questions aren't too basic! I've been tracing my grandfather's war - he served in the 217th Fortress (later to become Army Troop) Royal Engineers. In his papers is a certificate of completion of a modified cookery course he undertook in Edinburgh, which I understand would indicate he was one of the cooks in the company. I've been trying to find out a little more about his role - as a cook, would he also have helped with bridge repair, trench digging, etc? Would there have been other cooks in the company? And I understand there was no catering corp, so would he just have accompanied the unit wherever they went? Another question was why would his rank be a pioneer, rather than a sapper? Any information greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 18 May , 2020 Share Posted 18 May , 2020 Hi and welcome to the forum If you haven't looked yet, click the Long Long Trail tab at the top of the page for research info also have a look at the excellent book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bully-Beef-Biscuits-Food-Great/dp/1473827450 regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 18 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 18 May , 2020 18 minutes ago, jonbem said: Hi and welcome to the forum If you haven't looked yet, click the Long Long Trail tab at the top of the page for research info also have a look at the excellent book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bully-Beef-Biscuits-Food-Great/dp/1473827450 regards Jon Thanks Jon... I've just ordered the book! Looks fascinating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 18 May , 2020 Share Posted 18 May , 2020 He would have been called a Pioneer rather than a Sapper because he had not passed any of the specialist trade tests within the RE. He would probably not have been involved in bridging, trench digging etc. There is a book With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper by James Sambrook (based on a diary kept by his father) which describes the training and subsequent work in France of another AT Company - actually 216 Company. It is listed on Amazon but unfortunately it is not currently available. Your local library may have a copy. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 18 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 18 May , 2020 Ah... that explains the rank. Thanks. His 'civilian trade' was an upholsterer. Maybe not much need for this in the Royal Engineers! Thanks for the tip about the book - will look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 18 June , 2020 Author Share Posted 18 June , 2020 A few more questions.... In my grandfathers Casualty Form - Active Service, other than his name, rank, number and regiment, the other sections relating to his service, transfers, etc are all blank. Is this usual for some soldiers records or particular as he was a cook? And as I had no information about his service I found his company war diary - is it likely he would have been present with the company's movements? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 18 June , 2020 Admin Share Posted 18 June , 2020 14 minutes ago, Hezzi29 said: In my grandfathers Casualty Form - Active Service, other than his name, rank, number and regiment, the other sections relating to his service, transfers, etc are all blank. Is this usual for some soldiers records or particular as he was a cook? The form records injuries, sickness transfers, leave and other movements. We have to accept the forms are over 100 years old and have been microfilmed, copied over the years, ink fades. Your grandfather's form has a stamp top right which shows he arrived in France on the 8th March 1916 (top right) There is a faded entry in the top line of the main body which cannot be read but shows 12/26 3 18 (15) This indicated he was granted a period of leave. Sottish soldiers were often granted longer periods of leave due to the travelling required in the U.K. We could argue it was long overdue. The next entry records his return to the UK. They were Army Troops usually deployed behind the front line and it seems he remained healthy, got on with his job, stayed with the same unit and granted one period of leave which luckily for him coincided with the German Spring Offensive. There was nothing of note to record, therefore there are no entries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 18 June , 2020 Author Share Posted 18 June , 2020 Thanks kenf48. Even though there is not much on it, (possibly as a cook he was well behind the Lines) I had no idea that he was granted leave! Many thanks for detecting this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 27 December , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2020 This is a photograph of Donald McCallum (second row 2nd from right) with an unknown group, though I think all the cap badges are the same. The mystery lies with the person in the centre of the photograph - the only one to be wearing a coat and hat, is noticeably shorter and appears to be a woman, though the hat seems to be in a man's style. I didn't think women served with men, or at least would have their own uniform. My only thought would be as none of the men have overseas stripes on their sleeves, this photo might have been taken before leaving the UK and the person involved in their basic training or at cookery school? Has anyone any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 27 December , 2020 Share Posted 27 December , 2020 (edited) I agree it’s a woman. The houses behind are almost certainly for civilian habitation and my guess is that the soldiers have been billeted there, which happened on a widespread basis for the winters of 1914 and 1915 (on an even greater scale for the latter, which I suspect might be the time of the photo). It’s apparent that the lady has civilian clothing under her coat and my interpretation is that the soldiers dressed her up with just a coat and hat so that she could be discreetly smuggled into the photo. She is probably either, the landlady, or perhaps more likely a cook, or maid who’s developed a relationship with the soldiers shown so that she is valued and considered ‘one-of-the-boys’. They clearly wanted to include her and the serious faces suggest this was a profoundly deliberate act rather than a jolly jape. Edited 27 December , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezzi29 Posted 27 December , 2020 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2020 Thanks Frogsmile!. I think he enlisted in june 1915, his cookery training ended in November 1915, then I assume basic training somewhere (where the photo was taken), then posted overseas March 1916, so the photo I think will be between these dates - maybe winter given theres no leaves on the trees? Or possibly before they were due to leave? I agree that the lady is clearly important to them - even the way she has her hand on top of the soldiers' demonstrates affection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 27 December , 2020 Share Posted 27 December , 2020 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Hezzi29 said: Thanks Frogsmile!. I think he enlisted in june 1915, his cookery training ended in November 1915, then I assume basic training somewhere (where the photo was taken), then posted overseas March 1916, so the photo I think will be between these dates - maybe winter given theres no leaves on the trees? Or possibly before they were due to leave? I agree that the lady is clearly important to them - even the way she has her hand on top of the soldiers' demonstrates affection. Yes, I think your surmising is likely correct, I too had estimated the photo as likely winter 1915. Edited 27 December , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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