17th Field Company Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by StephenC, Mar 8, 2011.

  1. StephenC

    StephenC Junior Member

    Hello All,

    I am new to this forum,

    I am curently writing an article and need a bit of help. One of the soldiers I am writing about served in the 17th Field Company, Royal Engineers. I did a bit of googling but only found some of the information I need to do a write up for my man.

    Can anyone provide me with any more details on this unit? Did they land on Normandy beaches on the 6th?

    Any info most welcome,

    Thanks,

    Stephen
     
  2. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    They most certainly did. 17th was one of the three Div Field Companies they had a a proud record. We had 17... 246.... and 253 field Companies. RE

    I have a day by day record. here at my home. From D day until the end of hostilities.

    I dont know where you live ? but if you are near you would be more than welcome to have a gander,
    South Dorset....
    Sapper

    PS there is a wealth of information covering everything they did.13 A4 pages
     
  3. StephenC

    StephenC Junior Member

    Hi Sapper,

    Thanks for your reply. I am all the way in Dublin. A year too late I guess, as coincidently I was in South Dorset (Weymouth) this time last year.

    I am only really looking for some basic information about the 17th, as I have another 40 or so soldiers to write about, all from different periods in time and regiments.

    What beach did the 17th Land on? My guy I am currently researching (Lance Sergeant Richard Henry Johnson) unfortunately died on the 8th June. While building a bridge across a Canal in Caen I believe? Would your records have any mention of how L/Sgt Johnson died?

    Thanks again for your reply and willingness to share information,

    Stephen
     
  4. bibio

    bibio Junior Member

    Hi Sapper
    Saw your comments on 17 coy. We are trying to track down my wifes uncle who was in the unit and died on 22/6/44.We keep hitting brick walls and cant even find evidence the unit existed.Any pointers or information on James Herkes 2983221 would be appreciated.He was my wife`s uncle and we know where he is,we are just wondering what he did..

    Thank you for any information.

    Keith
     
  5. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Just for Sapper's information and to save him having to search, James Herkes lies at Hermanville :-

    HERKES, JAMES
    Initials: J
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Driver
    Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
    Unit Text: 17 Field Coy.
    Age: 23
    Date of Death: 22/06/1944
    Service No: 2983221
    Additional information: Husband of Betsy Kieth Herkes, of Carnoustie, Angus.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. P. 17.
    Cemetery: HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    (It's always handy to have a CWGC link on this sort of enquiry).:)
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Sapper
    Saw your comments on 17 coy. We are trying to track down my wifes uncle who was in the unit and died on 22/6/44.We keep hitting brick walls and cant even find evidence the unit existed.Any pointers or information on James Herkes 2983221 would be appreciated.He was my wife`s uncle and we know where he is,we are just wondering what he did..

    Thank you for any information.

    Keith

    The unit will have a war diary at the National Archives.
     
  7. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I have a full day to day resume covering 17th Field Companies RE all the actions they took part in.

    If Steve C is that interested he would be welcome to see the document here at my home. Just PM me with the E mail address.

    This document was given my by a kind friend that joined and served with 17th RE... our Sister company. He served in Palestine post war.

    It is a history from D day to the Victory in the Spring of 1945.
    Sapper
     
  8. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Bibio,

    17 Field Company is quite well documented, playing a key role on Sword beach on D Day. It landed from LCTs in three groups at H+2hours, H+4hours and H+6 hours. Its primary task was to establish a route to 6 Airborne Divisions area by:
    Clearing a two way wheeled vehicle route to the River Orne at Benouville.
    Constructing and operating Class 5 Ferries over the River Orne.
    Constructing and maintaining Class 40 Bailey Bridges over the River Orne and Caen Canal.

    I can supply full details of the unit and its work but only for D Day and the next few days. Not up to 22 June. I cant help with individuals.

    Mike
     
  9. bibio

    bibio Junior Member

    Thank you very much for that information Mike.We didnt really expect to find out much at this late date.I`ve been surprised by how many records much still exist..

    Thank you

    Keith
     
  10. bibio

    bibio Junior Member

    Thanks for taking the time to reply Rich but that information was basically all we had,except for the fact that his serial number is down as 2993221 on some sites.

    Thanks again

    Keith
     
  11. bibio

    bibio Junior Member

    Sorry Mike change of plan but would it be possible to get the details of the first few days.

    thanks

    Keith
     
  12. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Keith,

    I will put together some material for you. Give me a couple of days. I don't work quickly.

    Mike
     
  13. Anne Johnson

    Anne Johnson Junior Member

    They most certainly did. 17th was one of the three Div Field Companies they had a a proud record. We had 17... 246.... and 253 field Companies. RE

    I have a day by day record. here at my home. From D day until the end of hostilities.

    I dont know where you live ? but if you are near you would be more than welcome to have a gander,
    South Dorset....
    Sapper

    PS there is a wealth of information covering everything they did.13 A4 pages
    Hello Sapper,
    I'm trying to track the movements of 17 Field Company RE in early 1940, looking for any mention of a Leslie Parish. I don't suppose you have the ability to search the records you mention?
    Best wishes,
    Anne Johnson
    Journalist, South Australia
     
  14. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    HI Anne.
    In this case I cannot help as it was long before my time.I wish you well in your search... for 17th was a Fine Field Co RE
    Sapper
     
  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello Sapper,
    I'm trying to track the movements of 17 Field Company RE in early 1940, looking for any mention of a Leslie Parish. I don't suppose you have the ability to search the records you mention?
    Best wishes,
    Anne Johnson
    Journalist, South Australia


    The 17th was a Field Park Company in 1940 - I have the units war diary covering their time in France during 1939/40. I'll have a look for you if I ever find time.

    Andy
     
  16. ruairidh23

    ruairidh23 New Member

    I know this is an older thread but I was wondering if anyone had any information on my grandfather-

    WO 373/186

    GRAHAM, JAMES SERJEANT

    1896123

    17 FIELD COMPANY, ROYAL ENGINEERS

    FOREIGN TO BRITISH: FRANCE CROIX DE GUERRE (BRONZE STAR) - FOREIGN AWARDS TO BRITISH

    Many thanks
    Ruairidh
     
  17. AKhan

    AKhan New Member

    Hello Dear all, its a great feeling to hear about a talk aboit 17 Fd Coy. I am currently serving in the Coy as it was made part of Pakistan Army upon independace in 1947. We have preserved some history and images but it seems its a long way to go. Any help shall be very usefull to us. If anyone has any historic info or images please feel free to share and please do share your email ID so I can contact you individualy. Looking forward for a fruitful reply and help. Regards
     
  18. MickI2000

    MickI2000 New Member

    Hello
    Can you tell me where they were on 9 June please. It was on this day that my g/father was wounded and most of his section killed by mortar fire.

    Many thanks in advance.

     
  19. George Wilmoth

    George Wilmoth New Member

    Hello,

    I would very much like to see war diaries from June 10th 1944 until April 1945 I am trying to discover more about my grandfather, major-general Logan Scott-Bowden (then a captain i believe) who took command of the 17th Coy on the 10th June when their commander was seriously injured and led them for the next 10 months until he was injured.

    Please do get in touch if you know anything.

    Many thanks
     
  20. Martin Johnson

    Martin Johnson New Member

    Stephen,

    I am not sure if you're still in touch with this site???
    I came across your reference to Richard Johnson while doing some family research. You see he was my Uncle Dick who passed away before I was born.(1957)
    I would be most grateful if you could pass on any information you discovered.
    My email is kcfootballsec@gmail.com

    Many thanks, Martin Johnson (also resident in Dublin)
     

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