561 Field Coy Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by MTP, Aug 11, 2022.

  1. MTP

    MTP Member

    PRIESTLEY J.T. IN BOTTOM ROW CENTRE - 561 FIELD COY R.E..jpg
    I am researching my fathers WW2 service.
    I have some information but need more.

    I attatch a photograph of my father and comrades.

    Does anyone else have this photograph and any more details.

    My father is J.T. Priestley, 2013592 - He was discharged from 270 Field Coy R.E in 1946

    Many thanks

    Marilyn T. Priestley
     
    Owen likes this.
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  3. MTP

    MTP Member

    Thankyou dbf, I did see that before I joined.
    I believe I have seen his name in war records I have of my dad.
    I am just checking out another thing I have found here.
     
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    I am confused here.

    78 Inf Div had three Field Companies - 214,237 and 256. 561 Field Company was not in 78 Inf Div.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    The person in that other thread had a relative who was also in 214 Fd Coy as well as 561.
     
  6. MTP

    MTP Member

    Hello Kevin,

    I have just found and joined this site, still working out how to negotiate it.

    My research is into 561 Field Coy R.E. my fathers unit.

    The intial link led me to Humphries C, in 2015 which dbf notified me off later.

    They were in same unit, and I have confirmation of that from War Diaries.

    My son and I visited Kew to see and photograph them.

    My son also found the 561 company photograph online.

    I have learnt that there is a limit of 420 words, and I am still learning to navigate the site.

    All replies and information is much appreciated, it becomes a full time occupation.

    In time I will share what I have so far discovered.

    Marilyn
     
  7. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Marilyn

    Found in a Royal Engineer Order of Battle I found on the internet many years ago. I have added some comments and to make it more understandable.

    561 Field Coy RE Assigned 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division 30 Dec 1939; relieved 24 Nov 1941.
    Later reorganized as 561st Army Field Coy RE.

    Assigned ( ie. taken under command of) 1st Army Troops RE (ATRE) Jul 1942. 1st (ATRE) redesignated 1943 as 8th Army Troops RE (ATRE.)

    Disbanded Sep 1945+.

    Service Number is RE, but not getting any hits on RE 1900-1949 database on FMP with that number.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2022
  8. MTP

    MTP Member

    Hello Gus,

    Thankyou for reply and information.

    Regarding Clem Humphries, I have just been seeing where photograph was taken, I did not have that information before.

    I had previously enhanced it and believed that my father is not there.

    On 1.2.1945 561 Coy unit was vaccinated, does anyone know if it was the flu vaccine? American troups were vaccinated with first vaccine.

    My father was a Carpenter Joiner, Clem was a driver. I think they parted company after February. That is the last entry I could find for my father.
    My son took a fuller record, sadly I do not have that all at moment. So finding a copy of that War Diary and anything else that someone has is helpful.

    I have my father as working at the Emilia Romanga Rail terninal. those details are fascinating in themselves.

    Some R.E. personal were transferred from Itatly in 1945, I found that reference years ago, but have been unable to find it since.

    Or confirm it with Chatham, their museum was closed for refurbishment when I needed it.

    It would be great if the member was still active, we have much in common.

    Marilyn
     
  9. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Marilyn.

    Gary Tankard on this site is the person for sourcing the War Diary from Kew for you.

    He goes there all the time.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  10. MTP

    MTP Member

    Thankyou Frank.

    Had delivery of my books this afternoon. Volume 9 of the corps history has so much detail, it was riviting.
    I now need volume 8 to cover North Africa.
    I have at least found one new snippet, Cairo, Eygpt was rest area.
    My dad died aged 70, Iike many who returned, he did not talk of it.
    Except comments about the yanks, when we watched war films on TV.
    He spoke much about what he could do, but not about what, where.

    Marilyn
     

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