187ME Coy RE

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Griff1959, Feb 5, 2017.

  1. Griff1959

    Griff1959 Member

    I am trying to research my husband's fathers army record but can find nothing on this company can anybody help please
     
  2. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Hi Griff1959
    Welcome to the forum.

    First of all, do you already hold your father's service records? If you do, could you post copies or at least provide transcripts of these?
    If not, you can apply for these - see the following link:
    Get a copy of military service records - GOV.UK
    Although MoD suggests that applications may take several months, recent experience shows that this can be a lot quicker (my own application took 4 weeks).

    If you require help in deciphering these, there are plenty of threads which will cover the abbreviations used but if you get stuck the members will also assist in translation etc. The records should give you a rounded view of your father's service e.g. enlistment details, units in which served (with dates), courses attended etc.

    Re 187 ME Company, the full title is 187 Mechanical Equipment (Tn) Company RE and was involved in Railway reconstruction in Italy. The following link (and document) gives some detailed information -
    Railway reconstruction Italy 1943-1946 - Chapter I Section II Subsection 2

    HTH
    Steve
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
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  3. Griff1959

    Griff1959 Member

    Thanks Steve we have got his service record and I will try to upload some of the pages. img011 (2).jpg img012.jpg img013.jpg img014.jpg
     
  4. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Griff
    Glad you have his records. Do you require help in deciphering?
    Steve
     
  5. Griff1959

    Griff1959 Member

    Yes please because I am totally lost.
     
  6. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Griff.
    Just having something to eat at the moment.
    Will download and get back to you later.
    Steve
     
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  7. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Griff

    I’m posting my reply over 3 parts. Where possible I have also provided a bit of background.

    Your second image (form B200a). (Unfortunately this sheet seems to have been cut off at the bottom.)

    Left hand side -

    2 May 1939 - enlists into the TA for 4 years and initially posted to the 4th Battalion.

    1 June 1939 he was “posted” to the 15th Battalion (Note – the 4th Battalion was renamed the 15th Battalion during the expansion of the TA in anticipation of mobilisation).

    13 August to 28 August 1939 - attended TA Annual camp (15 days).

    (The above entries are slightly out of order.)

    2 September 1939 - called up and embodied for wartime service.

    28 March 1940 - the 15th Battalion was posted to 113th Infantry Brigade, part of 38 (Welsh) Infantry Division. (The division was home based.)

    September 1941 - transferred to the Royal Engineers and posted to Depot Company, No 2 Training Battalion, RE in the rank of Sapper.

    29 September 1941 - Trade Tested (T.T.) and as a Provisional Operator Excavator, Class E, Band III.

    17 November 1941 - T.T. as Operator Excavator and re-classed as Class B, Band III.

    The final line is indistinct but appears to support the re-classification to BIII.

    Right hand side –

    First box down –

    This is self-explanatory, showing basic personal details (DoB, age, occupation, etc).

    Second box down –

    This shows that his rank was Sapper; medically he was passed fit A1; his Primary Trade was “Operator Excavator” and that his Secondary Trade was that of a “Field Engineer”.

    Third box down –

    Shows his record of training. In addition to the Trade Tests as above, he attended a course between 26 Feb and 25 March 1945 whilst in Italy.

    Fourth box down –

    Again fairly self-explanatory, showing his periods of service – home and abroad.
     
  8. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Griff

    Post 2 - your first image –

    21 February 1942 - posted to 187 M.E. (Mechanical Equipment) Coy, RE, based at Wolverton, Bucks.

    There follows two periods of leave between 10 and 18 March 1942 (looks to have been extended).

    25 November 1942 - embarks for North Africa, arriving on 6 December 1942.

    25 April 1943 – Trade Tested (by 46 Mechanical Equipment Section) and re-classed Operator Excavator, BII.

    27 August 1943 – ordered to forfeit 3 days pay (reason not shown).

    Then follows several periods in hospital –

    2 September 1943 – admitted to 15 L.F.A. (Light Field Ambulance) as a Non Battlefield Casualty (NBC) and Taken on Strength (TOS) under casualty group x2 (xii) (i.e. evacuated on medical grounds).

    7 September 1943 – discharged and Returned to Unit (RTU).

    25 January 1944 - admitted to 65 G.H. (General Hospital) again as a Non Battlefield Casualty (NBC) and TOS as x2.

    18 February 1944 - discharged and posted to R.E.T.D. (Royal Engineers Training Depot) as x4 (xiv) (i.e. to the unposted list).

    21 March 1944 – re- admitted to 65 General Hospital again as a Non Battlefield Casualty (NBC) and TOS as x2 (xii). (65 GH was based in Naples from Nov 1943 to Sept 1945.)

    29 March 1944 - discharged and posted to R.E.T.D. (NA) (Royal Engineers Training Depot North Africa) as x4 (xiv) (i.e. to the unposted list).

    15 April 1944 – posted from R.E.T.D. to 592 AT (Army Troops).

    8 May 1944 - admitted to 103 General Hospital, again as a Non Battlefield Casualty (NBC) and TOS as x2. (103 GH was based in Nocera (Italy) from Jan 1944 to Dec 1945.)

    30 June 1944 - discharged and posted to R.E.T.D. (NA) as x4.

    8 July 1944 - posted from R.E.T.D. to 592 AT (Army Troops).

    22 October – awarded 1st Army Clasp (to Africa Star).

    26 Feb to 25 March 1945 – attended No 10 Operator Excavator Course at ETE CMF (Central Mediterranean Forces). Result - BY(?) 2. (ETE - unsure what this is - Equipment Training ?.)

    5 June 1945 – passed T.T. – re-qualified as Operator Excavator and re-classed as Band II.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
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  9. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Griff

    Final post - Images 3 & 4

    a. Your Image 3 -

    7 September 1945 – medically examined (presumably as part of pre-discharge procedures).

    11 October 1945 – SOS CMF (Struck off Strength Central Mediterranean Forces) and this unit (i.e. 592 Army Troops Company) on entraining at Milan, and CTBE (Ceases to be entitled) to meal allce (allowance) wef (with effect from) same date.

    Rest of page –

    14 October 1945 – posted to “Y” List. (Unposted list awaiting discharge)

    15 January 1946 – released to Class Z (T). (Class Z (T) Reserve was for a previously TA enlsited soldier who would be available for re-call if under 45 years of age.)

    The above are both endorsed “Class ‘A’ Release” – as your father in law was one of the first to be called up he would be treated as a priority to be released from service at the earliest opportunity.

    17 February 1952 – discharged from Class Z (T) on enlisting into TA (REME).

    b. Your Image 4 -

    Notification of Release - this is self-explanatory, and issued following on from your father in law being posted to the “Y” List. He would have reported to No 8 Military Dispersal Unit prior to being de-kitted and de-mobbed. (No 8 Military Dispersal Unit was one of the Dispersal Units overseen by Western Command which included Wales.)

    Steve
     
  10. Griff1959

    Griff1959 Member

    Thanks Steve now I can understand what his service papers say. I can try to find out where he was and under which army command he was. Many thanks for your help.
     
  11. Griff1959

    Griff1959 Member

    Does anyone on the forum happen to know what trf was worn by 187ME Coy RE.
     

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