246 Field Company, Royal Engineers War Diary 1944

Hi Brian,

As promised I've copied your units war diary for you-Hope you enjoy seeing them.

Cheers
Andy

 

What Platoon were you in Brian?

 

Interesting material there - the number of casualties in mine clearing is staggering in October 1944.

 

Absolutely wonderful Drew. Great! oddly enough I do not have those papers, the ones I got were empty sheets.

I was in Two Platoon under Lt Reginald Chenivix-Trench. Who believe it or not is still around, and we write now and then. He would love to see those diaries, but is not computer wise.

If you look at the diary 9...10 August, it mentions when I got wounded, and lost my mates. I always though it was the 8 of August but according to that it was the 9th. I am now going to try to find if there is any mention of my final departure. Here I am not sure of the date... For they were bloody awful times and a bit hazy to say the least.

Wonderful ....Thank you so much Drew, made my day. Major Trench asked me to recall what we did! His memory failed him and his family kept asking him to record what he did.

Is it possible tio,photocopy the pages? If so I will be pleased to pay all expenses

 

Glad you're finding it of interest Brian and a big well done to Andy for getting these done for Brian.

 

Brian-There is much more-Too much to post. Weekly Officer Field Returns which show when Lt Heal was evacuated, Weekly OR Field Returns with the names of some Sappers in hospitals and or away from the unit and wanted back. (Sadly you are not mentioned), Situation Reports stating what the three platoons were doing and where when away from the HQ and much more. 178 Pages worth.

If you PM me your address I'll send you a copy on DVD courtesy of the forum.

Regards
Andy

 

One oddity about RE reports and diaries. They seldom mention casualties, very seldom. I dont know why. perhaps they think it is "Bad Form"

If I recall correctly... Lt Heal RE had a bad rupture? Necessitating hie removal from active service. I talked to him on the phone some years ago.

 

The disc arrived today Thanks Drew you Sir are a Gentleman.
Sapper

 

No worries Brian - Hopefully you can use it to help you jog your memory on the grey bits.

 

Hi Brian I noticed you wasn't sure of all the men who died in your Company during WW2.

Here is a complete list of all those who are remembered by CWGC and note that they were serving with 246 Field Company from 1940 to 1945.

001 ANDERSON J 3310035 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 - - 04/06/1940ROYAL ENGINEERS VI. D. 4.

002 BAKER E A S 1888180 246 FIELD COY 31/12/1943 ROYAL ENGINEERS ROW D. GRAVE 263.

003 BARNARD J K 314365 246 FIELD COY 14/10/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS III. C. 13.

004 BAWDEN H J 2655232 246 FIELD COY 30/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS VI. E. 6.

005 BILTCLIFFE D L 4699776 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 1. F. 22.

006 BOHLENWH2057831246 FIELD COY 15/07/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS SEC. B. GRAVE 442.

007 CAMPBELL R 1896382 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 59. E. 9.

008 COAKLEY B J 2042104 246 FIELD COY 14/04/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS PLOT 11. ROW A. GRAVE 17.

009 COX L W 2125338 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 1. J. 2.

010 DAVIESJH2069071246 FIELD COY 27/09/1944ROYAL ENGINEERS I. B. 7.

011 DAVIS H C 2065833 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS VI. G. 3.

012 DODD G W 2125204 246 FIELD COY 08/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 1. B. 2.

013 EDWARDS J T 1872611246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 - - 04/06/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS IV. M. 14.

014 ELDERS A 14574630 246 FIELD COY 17/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS IX. F. 6.

015 EVANS D A S J 77822 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS A. 3.

016 GALLAGHER P 1886347 246 FIELD COY 18/12/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS X. 26. 34.

017 GALLAGHER T E 14355254 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS PANEL 11, COLUMN 3.

018 GILES J L 2077067 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS PLOT 2. ROW A. GRAVE 8.

019 HAMILL P 1896173 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 59. E. 7.

020 HEPPLE T 14728865 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 13. D. 10.

021 JENKINSON G H 4927700 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS DIV. O. SEC. 2. GRAVE 448.

022 JOHNSON G R 2044324 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS SP. MEM. E. 4.

023 KEMBLE S 2069066 246 FIELD COY 01/06/1940 - - 04/06/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS COLUMN 26.

024 KYLE H 2116961 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 13. D. 11.

025 LITCHFIELD W 13068368 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 3. E. 10.

026 LITTLE T H 14344814 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 13. D. 12.

027 LOWER D 2034798 246 FIELD COY 29/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS G. 3.

028 MARSHALL J 2120156 246 FIELD COY 05/06/1942 ROYAL ENGINEERS SEC. 116. ROW J. GRAVE 8.

029 MATHERS W M 14363710 246 FIELD COY 13/10/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS ROW A. GRAVE 7.

030 MILLS W 2048893 246 FIELD COY 13/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS IV. A. 21.

031 OWENRJ2090071246 FIELD COY 15/07/1940ROYAL ENGINEERS SEC. E.K. GRAVE 2663.

032 PEET J W 7662651 246 FIELD COY 05/07/1942 ROYAL ENGINEERS GRAVE NE. 9797.

033 PHILLIPS T R 1985114 246 FIELD COY 07/07/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS SEC. 21. C. OF E. GRAVE 1724.

034 REDFERN J 1886249 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS VI. G. 2.

035 REES E H 2090074 246 FIELD COY 14/10/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS III. C. 14.

036 REID W M H 2693200 246 FIELD COY 01/06/1940 - - 02/06/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS COLUMN 27.

037 SLEE S J 2068444 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS PLOT 2 ROW 12 GRAVE 31.

038 SMITH T 3461731 246 FIELD COY 18/07/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS I. E. 7.

039 STEELE R 2156426 246 FIELD COY 15/03/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 45. E. 11.

040 THOMSON A P 1867735 246 FIELD COY 31/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS VI. E. 5.

041 WASHINGTON J C 2090143 246 FIELD COY 04/07/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 2. A. 13.

042 WATTS T J 2064419 246 FIELD COY 14/10/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS III. C. 12.

043 WEBSTER S 4802782 246 FIELD COY 15/03/1945 ROYAL ENGINEERS 45. E. 10.

044 WESTWOOD W J 5248882 246 FIELD COY 10/05/1940 ROYAL ENGINEERS PLOT 1. ROW A. GRAVE 16.

045 WOOD E 2133145 246 FIELD COY 06/06/1944 ROYAL ENGINEERS 1. A. 13.