871 Mech Eqpt Company RE

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by GJH, Apr 18, 2022.

  1. GJH

    GJH Member

    Hi,

    I am researching my dads movements during WW2 and know from service records he was based in Egypt during 1941 to 1945. I can see from his service record that he was posted to unit 871 ME during 1943.
    Can anyone tell me anything about the 871 Mechanical Equipment as I can't find out anything about this unit

    I have come across some records whereby there was a 870 ME company which was involved in the development of the Chekka by-pass and was wondering whether the unit my dad was posted to was also involved in this

    thank you
     
  2. ChrisR

    ChrisR Senior Member

    There's some war diaries for this unit at The National Archives that would tell you where they were and what they were up to -
    Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/5363
    Description: Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE)
    Date: 1942 Oct.- Dec.

    and
    Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/20240
    Description: Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt)
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec.

    and
    Royal Engineers: Companies: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt Coy) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/23338
    Description: Royal Engineers: Companies: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt Coy)
    Date: 1946 Jan-1946 June
     
    dbf likes this.
  3. GJH

    GJH Member

    Thanks Chris
     
  4. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    There are a few old threads on the building of the Chekka Pass in The Lebanon. One of them lists all the units involved, under New Zealand command and 870 appears.
     
  5. GJH

    GJH Member

    Thanks David I'd seen this thread but as it didn't list the 871 unit I assumed they weren't involved
     
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    For the record, a couple more war diary references, also Middle East theatre:

    Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/10791
    Description: Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt)
    Date: 1943 Jan.- Dec.

    Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/16452
    Description: Royal Engineers: 871 Mechanical Equipment Company (RE Mech Eqpt)
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.
     

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