Motor Airline Sect. R.E.

[Chris Noble]

Buried in Harehills Cemetery, Leeds.

Spr. John Richard Hoyle 72239

According to the CWWG register i have, he is listed as having served in the 12th Motor Airline Sect. Royal Engineers.

Can any Pals shed any light on the function of this unit?

Regards, Chris.

[Guest stevebec]

I don't know what was in a UK unit in France but Australian members of the Airline sections in Egypt and Palestine were Signalers.

There were a number of signal units named "airline" incliding Wireless and motor.

These Australian units were attached to the two Mounted Division HQ's.

S.B

[Jock Bruce]

Chris,

this a signals unit.

I think 'airlines' were communications cables that were strung on poles i.e. in the air but I'm sure somebody on here can do better than that.

Jock

[Terry_Reeves]

They were units of the Royal Engineers Signal Service. As Jock has said they were poled signal cables often referred to as "Comic Airline". Originally the airline sections were issued with neat black and white painted telegraph poles with proper insulators. As can be imagined, these quicky ran out and all sorts of improvisations were made. To the signallers these looked comical, hence the name.

Poled cable was used up to brigade headqurters but beyond that it was strung on short stakes.

Airline sections should not be confused with cable sections who were responsible for ground laid or buried cable.

Terry Reeves

[Chris Noble]

Thanks for the information guys.

Regards, Chris.