John Charles Dorrell, Royal Engineers: Units posted to France after Dunkirk

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Paul Dorrell, Jul 22, 2020.

  1. Paul Dorrell

    Paul Dorrell Member

    My late uncle told me that he was posted to France with the Royal Engineers after the evacuations at Dunkirk, only to be evacuated from the west coast of France shortly afterwards. I don't know much more about his army service other than he served in North Africa until 1943. I don't even know his service number. So I am literally starting from scratch.

    His name was John Charles Dorrell. He was born in 1916 in Stanley, County Durham and later moved to Southend-on-Sea in Essex with his parents and siblings. In September 1939 he was a bricklayer. I would request his personnel file from Army Records but having made a request in February for another relative's records I was advised by email yesterday that due to Covid-19 and reduced staff they can't say when that request will be dealt with. So there seems little point in adding to their workload at present.

    Does anyone have any information about which units were sent to France post Dunkirk, which later served in North Africa please? That would perhaps give me a starting point. It's a long shot but any help will be much appreciated.

    Paul
     
  2. Paul Dorrell

    Paul Dorrell Member

    Update

    I understand that three Royal Engineer field companies were attached to 52nd (Lowland) Division when it went to France in mid-June 1940. They were 202, 241 and 554 companies. Before their joining 52nd Division 202 were garrisoned in Scotland (Kelso). Can anyone tell me where the other two were based please?

    Any help appreciated. I'm in Lockdown at present so a trip to Kew isn't on at the moment.

    Thanks,

    Paul
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    He may have gone to France & North Africa with different units.
     
  4. Paul Dorrell

    Paul Dorrell Member

    Thanks for getting back to me. I understand that Owen 'cos as far as I can tell none of the Field Companies mentioned above did go to North Africa. But the photos I have most decidedly have pyramids in 'em.
    202 Field Company were in Kelso, He lived in Southend on Sea (couldn't be much further away) and was still shown as being at home and working as a bricklayer on / about September 3rd, 1939. I'm just trying to establish whether either of the other two companies were closer "to home" and more likely for him to have been sent to. I appreciate that I'm scratching around here, but we all have to start somewhere. I'm trying to establish a timeline and any additional stuff that comes up as a result.

    Regards,

    Paul
     
  5. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    On the other hand surely it is better to be in the queue? I would get them in the post.
     

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