tonyt1914 Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Hello,Please can someone advise me about the activities of the Royal Engineers field companies please? I found Leonard's record on FMP. He enlisted on 20th Jan 1915 as #1954 / #477157 with the 10th provisional FC RE. He transferred to an HS unit WRD RE in Grimsby in Sept 1915. I think HS is a hospital ship. In Oct 1916 he transferred to an OC unit in Herne Bay. I am not certain what OC unit means. He was promoted to 2nd Corporal and remained in Herne Bay until he was discharged in Dec 1918 on medical grounds. He was discharged from the 649th (West Riding) FC RE. I understand that the 10th provisional FC RE became the 649h FC RE in Jan 1917. I understand that WR (part of WRD on the record) could mean RE's specialist transportation units. I would like to understand how I can find out more precisely what he was doing in Herne Bay for more than two years. Leonard was a bricklayer and a miner so it's likely he was using these skills. He was part of the 649th FC RE during this timeGiven his 20% disability, I am also curious whether he would have undertaken front-line or support activities before he was discharged.I would be very grateful for any insights, pleaseThank you, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Hi Tony - Welcome to the Forum; This page from the Forum's mother site will give you background on the RE Foeld Companies. http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-corps-of-royal-engineers-in-the-first-world-war/field-companies-of-the-royal-engineers/ Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 11 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Thank you Dave Unfortunatelly 649th FC RE is missing. The list stops at 648th Kind regards Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 (edited) Tony It would appear he never served overseas. HS stands for Home Service. Can you post the from images from his service record please? TR Edited 11 November , 2022 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 11 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Thank you Terry I hope these are sufficiently clear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 11 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2022 https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F7265908%2F40%2F470 This is the FMP link to Leonard His wife was my wife's grandmother Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 (edited) Tony He was transferred from 3/1st Company of the West Riding Division RE to a Home Service, unit 649 West Riding Field Company. On 2.10.18 To Class W (T) of the Territorial Reserve for the purposes of resuming employment on 2.10.18. The Class W Reserve was introduced to allow men to be released for essential work at home, but by keeping them in this class of Reserve they could be recalled to the army at any time. He was medically classified Class B1 by a travelling medical board at Herne Bay, Kent (Eastern Command). His civilian appointment according to his papers, was that of a Dataller. This was a word for a labourer who was paid daily as required. In this case he was allocated for work as a coal examiner. TR Edited 11 November , 2022 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Hi Tony, The RE museum/library appear to have some kind of 'summary' diary for 649 FC. I suspect that it wouldn't be very detailed or comprehensive though. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 11 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2022 1 hour ago, Terry_Reeves said: Tony He was transferred from 3/1st Company of the West Riding Division RE to a Home Service, unit 649 West Riding Field Company. On 2.10.18 To Class W (T) of the Territorial Reserve for the purposes of resuming employment on 2.10.18. The Class W Reserve was introduced to allow men to be released for essential work at home, but by keeping them in this class of Reserve they could be recalled to the army at any time. He was medically classified Class B1 by a travelling medical board at Herne Bay, Kent (Eastern Command). His civilian appointment according to his papers, was that of a Dataller. This was a word for a labourer who was paid daily as required. In this case he was allocated for work as a coal examiner. TR Thank you very much Terry. What does "OC Unit" mean please in Herne Bay? (page 482) 11 minutes ago, clk said: Hi Tony, The RE museum/library appear to have some kind of 'summary' diary for 649 FC. I suspect that it wouldn't be very detailed or comprehensive though. Regards Chris Thank you Chris - I will go looking for this summary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 11 November , 2022 Share Posted 11 November , 2022 Tony It stands for Officer Commanding. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 12 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2022 11 hours ago, clk said: Hi Tony, The RE museum/library appear to have some kind of 'summary' diary for 649 FC. I suspect that it wouldn't be very detailed or comprehensive though. Regards Chris Chris, Is it just me but locating the record on the RE Museum website but neither the email, print or download options dont work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 12 November , 2022 Share Posted 12 November , 2022 Hi Tony, I don't think that the diary is available as a download, and I'm not sure if they provide a copying service. It might need a personal visit. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 12 November , 2022 Share Posted 12 November , 2022 (edited) This will give you https://www.re-museum.co.uk/collections/#research TR Edited 12 November , 2022 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyt1914 Posted 12 November , 2022 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2022 Thanks Terry and Chris I have messaged them to ask if anything is possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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