221 fd coy photos , Royal Engineers ( sappers)

Hi everyone

I am trying to track down a photograph of my great uncle Ronald Couzens who was a sapper in 221 field coy (service number 2154393, died in the Italian Campaign).

However I am finding it really difficult to find any real information on 221 fd coy . Would anyone happen to have a photograph of the sappers of 221 or have any information on them?

I would be so grateful for any help

 

A thread here with a little bit of a mention
270, 670, 715 & 221 Companies Royal Engineers

Lesley

 

221 Field Company RE was one of three Field Companies in 56 Infantry Division. There was also a Field Park Company RE which looked after all the heavy plant and dished it out to the Field Companies as the tasks required.

A Field Company was routinely attached to an Infantry Brigade although without checking my notes I cannot recall whether 221 Fd Coy RE supported 167 Infantry Brigade, 168 Infantry Brigade or 169 Infantry Brigade. So, if you establish which Infantry Brigade was supported by 221 Fd Coy RE from Sep 44 to Apr 46, you will be able to work out exactly where he went during his time with them.

If it helps, 56 Infantry Division were at Salerno in Sep 43, the crossing of the Garigliano in Jan 45 and then at Anzio in Feb-Mar 44. They were also part of the assault on the Gothic Line at Rimini in Sep 43 and then pushed into the Po Valley and along Route 9 towards Bologna into the Winter. The Division was still there for the Final Offensive that kicked off on 9 Apr 45.

Regards

Frank

 

Hi Frank
This is amazing information thank you so much for your help

 

221 Fd Coy RE supported 169 Infantry Brigade. That makes it very easy to follow them. Their job was to provide mobility for the three Queen’s Royal Regiment battalions of the Brigade - mine clearance, bridge building, track construction.

If you ever want to walk where he walked, do get in touch through my battlefield guide website. www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk

Regards

Frank

 

Sapper Couzens would have been killed during the crossing of the Garigliano operation on 17-18 Jan 44. 169 Infantry Brigade had the task of securing the hilltop village of Sujo and that involved initially getting over the canal on three trestle bridges and then across the Garigliano itself on two ferries. 221 Fd Coy RE supported that Brigade's operation.

Regards

Frank

 

I checked the 221 Fd Coy RE WD and it records that on the night of 17 Jan 44, the Class 5 FBE Ferry site was heavily shelled at 23.45 causing 17 casualties.

That is the only reference to casualties in the WD so it is likely that Spr Couzens was one of the 17.



The exact location of the Class 5 Ferry crossing point is here:



Regards

Frank

 

I am so sorry about the late reply , thank you so so much for all of your help and taking your time to post these wonderful images. I would have never been able to find this information on my own .