seaforth Posted 14 June , 2006 Share Posted 14 June , 2006 Hello all! Could someone help me to find info on Special Bn's in the Royal Engineers? I am researching a Ww1 casualty from 1st Special Bn, RE who died on 16-10-1916 and who's buried in Pas De Calais, France. Any info greatly appreciated as I don't know a bloody thing about special Bn's Cheers Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 14 June , 2006 Share Posted 14 June , 2006 The Royal Engineer Special Companies & later Special Brigade were concerned with deployment of Gas weapons,recommended reading "Gas" published 1930s,their story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth Posted 14 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2006 Hi Harry, That is great info Many thanks for your FAST responce! Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 14 June , 2006 Share Posted 14 June , 2006 Have a read of this: http://www.1914-1918.net/specialcoyre.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royal Posted 14 June , 2006 Share Posted 14 June , 2006 Hello all! Could someone help me to find info on Special Bn's in the Royal Engineers? I am researching a Ww1 casualty from 1st Special Bn, RE who died on 16-10-1916 and who's buried in Pas De Calais, France. Any info greatly appreciated as I don't know a bloody thing about special Bn's Cheers Patrick Casualty Details Name: CLIFFORD Initials: F W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers Unit Text: Motor Air Line Sect Date of Death: 16/10/1916 Service No: 24369 Awards: DCM Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 2. Cemetery: DODOMA CEMETERY Home | Site Map | Contact Us | Useful Links | Debt of Honour | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Credits Hi Patrick Is this the lad you are looking for John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 14 June , 2006 Share Posted 14 June , 2006 As he is not in a Special Battalion RE or buried in Pas de Calais, I doubt it. A Motor Air Line Section RE was a signals unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth Posted 14 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2006 WOW! I am really impressed by all the responces! The casualty is Pioneer Norcutt F.E KIA 05-10-1916 (I was wrong with the date) I am making a write up for his family and am hoping to find out what he was doing and in what battle he was slain THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP SO FAR GUYS!!!! pATRICK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 15 June , 2006 Share Posted 15 June , 2006 Patrick Frederick Norcutt was killed during a very large gas attack carried out by his unit of gas troops, C Special Company, RE, (part of 1st Battalion, Special Brigade, RE) with 2,500 cylinders of phosgene on the Hulloch front on 5 October 1916. Five of their personnel were killed and at least one (Pnr Sam Naylor) was killed accompanying a raiding party by 2nd Devons. The War Diary might have more details. Regards Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth Posted 15 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 15 June , 2006 Hi Simon, That is stunning info! I cannot believe my luck as I have only started this research yesterday. I know a thing or two about WW1 history but never heared about special Bns I do this on behalve of an old lady I know who's uncle (F. Norcutt) died in WW1. She thought he was MIA but I was able to tell her he was buried in Pas de Calais which was good news. Now I will be able to make a little write up about what happened to him. THANKS VERY MUCH! It's highhly appreciated! PS. I live in Holland, should you guys need any info on airwar crashes in WW2 I might be able to help. Cheers and thanks! Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 15 June , 2006 Share Posted 15 June , 2006 Martin Sidney Fox served as a Sgt and 2Lt with C Coy, Special Brigade. This is his narrative and relevant personal diary entry from his privately from his book "Corporals All - With the Special Brigade RE 1915 -1919. The book was published for Special Brigade old comrades in 1965, although there was an earlier 1950's publication: "Diary records I find, were more often most brief on those occasions when somthing when something really big happened.Unless there was some respite from labour immediately, the chance was missed,very often, too, our only desire after an attack was to sleep off the extreme fatigue, and forget. Thus, for the three wave operation, the reference is brief : Oct. 5th...trenches for strafe at 12.45 pm ...preparations...emplacements. 35,37,38, ...3 srtafes...8.0 pm, 8.45 pm., 10.30 pm. Five killed, 20 slightly gassed...raiding parties at 1. am...German retaliation practicaly nil...back to billets about 7.30 am. " Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 15 June , 2006 Share Posted 15 June , 2006 Terry You will see that the preceeding passages on pages 58 & 59 give the details of the 5 October 1916 attack, if you are in the mood for transcribing... Regards Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 16 June , 2006 Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Simon thanks Not in that much of a mood for transcribing at the minute. Grins. Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth Posted 16 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Hi Terry/ Simon, Do I understand correctly that there is some more info on that attack in taht book you described? Is F. Norcutt also mentioned in that book? Cheers Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 16 June , 2006 Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Patrick Sorry if Terry & I are tantalising you. Here are the two pages 58-59 that deal with the attack (over several posts). The book is as described by Terry in post #10. It was privately published and very few copies are around. Regards Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 16 June , 2006 Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Jones Posted 16 June , 2006 Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforth Posted 16 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Simon, this is stunning I cannot thank you guys enough. I think the relative of Pioneer Norcutt will be very pleased to read this stuff Cheers Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 16 June , 2006 Share Posted 16 June , 2006 Simon, well done. Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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