Hi All, I'm a serving pilot in the RAF and am currently attempting to research my late Grandfather's activities in WW2. I have his service records and they tell me which units he served with, it seems to be primarily with 15 Field Park Coy. He began with 209 as part of the BEF in France and was quickly posted to 15 and remained with them for the D-Day landings. My questions are these? How can I find out if a unit war diary exists, I've tried to trace one similar to the 246 Fd Coy one posted but alas no joy as yet. What does the 'Park' refer to in 15 Fd Park Coy. Are there any other sources of info? Eternally grateful, Matt
Matt Field Park Company normally held the supplies/equipment for use by the Field Companies/Squadrons Park I beleive means being in a staionary position behind the lines so being able to supply the Fld Coy/Fld Sqdn's, I am sure if its in error a member will let us know. Only unit diaries I have found are W167/911 -Sept 39 thru Jun 40 W166/3563 July 40 thru Dec 41
Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. I believe these are the diaries you are after but I would always check first as the National Archives don't always use the correct names on files. I found a 1945 15 Field Park Company war diary in Middle East series of diaries which doesn't appear to fit (The last file I listed below). WO 167/966 209 Field Company Apr-May 1940 WO 166/3563 15 Field Park Company. 1940 July - 1941 Dec. WO 166/8054 15 Field Park Company. 1942 Jan.-Dec. WO 166/12014 15 Field Park Company. 1943 Jan.-Dec. WO 171/1516 15 Coy. 1944 Jan.-Dec. WO 171/5428 15 Coy. 1945 Jan.- Sept. WO 169/20207 15 Field Park Company. 1945 Feb., Nov., Dec. Cheers Andy
209 Field Company were part of 2 Division in May 1940. By the 20th May they had moved to 44 Div and were part of 132 Infantry Brigade (which makes more sense looking at the units War Diary dates). The company's actual strenth on the 10th May 1940 was 7 Officers and 253 Other Ranks. The war diary will have more details. Cheers Andy Info sourced from Philson's BEF Orbat.
A Field Park Company did indeed hold heavier stores and equipment than the Field Companies and there was one per division. They also provided a reserve or extra resources where necessary. 15th Field Park are listed as remaining allocated to 3rd Infantry Division from September 1939 - August 1945.
Matt Field Park Company normally held the supplies/equipment for use by the Field Companies/Squadrons Park I beleive means being in a staionary position behind the lines so being able to supply the Fld Coy/Fld Sqdn's, I am sure if its in error a member will let us know. Only unit diaries I have found are W167/911 -Sept 39 thru Jun 40 W166/3563 July 40 thru Dec 41 My father firstly served in a Field Coy in 15 div then post war a Fld Park sqn in 7 arm div. . Each Div normally had 3 Fld Coys/sqn, plus one Fld Park coy/sqn. The park was mobile just the same as the rest of the div. when they moved it moved; although it would normally be sited a bit back from the front. Divisional Fld Parks ( I believe 15 was that of 3 Div) held resources that both the Divisional Fld Coys and the Div bridging troop could call upon, Have a Look at TRUXs 21 Army group establishments a good description of roles and kit held. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/engineers/28502-field-engineers.html TED-- W. O. RAF retired !!
Thanks for your time and comments everyone, I shall look into the leads you've given me. Andy, those files you refernced for me - are they available online? Do you think it will be possible to follow his routing through N.Europe, possibly even when and where h boarded ships for D-Day? Thanks Matt
Hi Matt, The WW2 War Diaries are not online, I doubt they never will be, and can only be viewed in person at the National Archives or copied. Ref following his career, you never know until you look. Diaries vary greatly and there doesn't really seem to be any set standard-In my opinion a lot of the content is down to who was writing them.
Drew, I think you're exactly right. It was job to write our Sqn diary for a year or so. You get no training as such and it really depends on your writing style and how much effort and time you're able/willing to give it. Matt
I'll second that: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-documents/22521-service-records-regimental-personal-diaries.html
Hello Matt, I missed this thread when it first appeared but I don't think a few days will make much difference to your research. I see that Ted has already given you a link to my War Establishment table for 15 Field Park Company in 21 Army Group. I can send you a similar table for the BEF plus an account of the Company's involvement on D day. They were the Field Park Company for 3 Division and were early arrivals. They provided armoured dozers for Field Companies early in the day and almost all the company were ashore by the end of the day. For the rest I am afraid you will need the War Diaries. Mike
Hello Mike, I'd be very interested to see the rable and account of D-Day involvement. My Grandad, like so many others didn't talk a great deal about the War. I intend to get to the War Diaries in the not oo distant future. Thanks Matt
I've just read the link Ted posted, fascinating and very informative. A question though, from my Grandads training record I can see that he was a painter/decorator, of which it seems there were two. Am I correct in thinking though that these trade allocations were secondary to the more generic role/rank of Sapper. By this I mean would the majority of his time been spent doing generic Field Park daily duties or would he have been solely employed as painter/decorator? Thanks Matt
Yes quite right. All field sappers were trained combat troops, engineers and tradesmen. Field Companies also had painters and decorators. In the Field Park Company he would have more scope to use his skill. He would probably have to paint equipment and also paint signs. I dont think wall papering figured much. Mike
Hello all, I have a special interest in researching the history of 15 Field Park Company RE and read with interest the previous posts. New to these forums (joined today) can anyone provide me with any advice on where to look to find out more information? Just for your interest, 15 Company Royal Engineers still exists in the form of 15 Field Squadron (Search) Royal Engineers based in Ripon, N Yorkshire. If anyone is interested in knowing about the current Squadron please feel free to message me directly.
Xenophon Welcome to the forum The information you seek is all here in the post, for the day to day running of the Company you need the actual war diaries refered to in Drews post from the National Archieve they will give you full details. I thought Ripon was on a Care and Maintenance basis at present, just used for training and TA camps
Oldman, thanks for the reply. Have viewed the thread but wondered if there was anything else. I will try the National Archives and see if I can view the war diaries. Ripon, aka Claro Barracks, is alive and kicking last time I looked. Deverell Barracks (TA training camp) next door is a bit quiet though! PS If anyone has any information concerning the history of 15 Company Royal Engineers I would be grateful to receive anything as I am currently researching its history. If anyone already had a summary of activity for WW2 then I would greatly appreciate a copy.
Xenophon, Just To Add To Your Info Above, Sorry To Say But 15 Field (Search) Sqnadron Is Disbanding On The 21st Nov 2013. Yet a Loss Of Another Great Unit Of The Royal Engineers. I Have No War Time History On 15 Sqn, But Did Serve With The Sqn In The Late 70's / Early 80's, And Again In The Mid 80's, If That Is Any Help. As You Said, Claro Barracks Is Still Open That Is Until 2017. Then It Will Close, And The Regiment Will Move Up To Catterick.
Matt The more cynical reason they are called "park" is the fact that they needed a park to hold all their stuff... Cheers
