Airborne services

AIRBORNE SERVICES

The Airborne Division had a full complement of services, although smaller than in normal
divisions and relying heavily on the jeep for transport. This page includes the airborne units
of Royal Signals, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers and Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Some smaller units are included with Airborne Division Headquarters.


AIRBORNE DIVISION SIGNALS


War Establishment I/211/3 with an effective date of April 1944. War Establishment I/211/4 with an effective date of March 1945 is almost identical.
M section gained a generator trailer
No 2 company changed all but 10 of its folding motorcycles for lightweight motorcycles
No1 company changed all of its lightweight motorcycles for ordinary motorcycles.

Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel – Officer Commanding
Captain – Adjutant
Captain – Security Officer

Regimental Serjeant Major
orderly room serjeant

signal draughtsman
3 X clerk
driver
2 X batman driver
2 X batman

Note.
The War Establishment table is unclear with regard to the roles of majors. There are three majors listed. Two majors command the two companies while the notes say that one major will be in charge of base signals and one will be second in command. The logical conclusions would be that
- the major in charge of base signals and the second in command are one and the same person
- or there are majors in command of each company and one in charge of base signals and that the senior of the three is also second in command.
There are precedents for both of these.

Transport included
2 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle
1 X lightweight motorcycle
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X lightweight trailer.
1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4.

There is scope for confusion with ranks, class and trade designations.
- All privates in the Royal Signals are signalman. This should not be confused with the trade of signaller found in other types of unit. Not all signalmen are concerned with signals as such. Many have other trades.
- All lance serjeants, corporals, lance corporals and signalmen are divided into either signalman class or driver class. Not all driver class are drivers since they include butchery dutyman and sanitary dutyman.
- Some trained personnel are designated as tradesmen and are paid more.
- The ranks are not attached to a particular class or trade but may be awarded to any of the personnel in the sub unit

All personnel in the unit may be parachute trained. If they are trained and qualified they may draw parachute pay.


Headquarters Company

Headquarters
Captain
signalman clerk
batman driver

Transport included
1 X car two seater
This was a light utility which could carry three men plus office equipment.


Q section
Quartermaster
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
corporal driver
3 X signalman including
clerk
driver mechanic
storeman
9 X driver trained as
butchery dutyman
2 X general dutyman
2 X sanitary dutyman
water dutyman
batman driver
2 X driver

Transport included
2 X bicycle
1 X car two seater
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 3ton GS
1 X water trailer


M section
Technical Maintenance Officer
Company Quartermaster Serjeant as foreman of signals
3 X serjeant

2 X carpenter and joiner
driver mechanic
3 X signal electrician
6 X signals instrument mechanic
5 X operator.
The above included a lance serjeant, a corporal, two lance corporal and thirteen signalman.

batman driver

Transport included
1 X motorcycle
1 X lightweight motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 machinery (less machine tools and power take off).
1 X lightweight trailer GS
1 X lightweight trailer binned.

Note. The 6 X 4 machinery lorry is specified as 6 X 4 although 4 X 4 were available for all machinery roles. Presumably the 6 X 4 was lower and had a canvas cab allowing it to fit into a glider. It is also specified that the machine tools and power take off be removed which suggests that it was to be equipped for signal repair and maintenance.
.

No1 Company.

Headquarters
Major
Captain
Company Serjeant Major
WOII cipher operator
company quartermaster serjeant
5 X serjeant for cipher duties.

Signalman class
clerk
signals electrician
signals instrument mechanic
2 X operator
storeman
The above includes a corporal a lance corporal and four signalman.

Driver class
2 X driver
batman driver
batman


A (Advanced) section.
This was landed with the airborne portion of the division.

Headquarters
Captain
batman
corporal cook ACC
2 X cook ACC

5 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle


Signal Office detachment.
Subaltern
serjeant
6 X orderly from units within the division.
Signalman class
9 X dispatch rider
17 X linesman
8 X operator
The above to include 3 lance serjeants, six corporal, four lance corporal and twenty one signalman.
Driver class
driver mechanic
driver
batman.

Transport
6 X bicycle
26 X folding bicycle
12 X motorcycle
12 X folding motorcycle
4 X car 5cwt 4 x 4
1 X 15cwt G
4 X trailer GS



Wireless detachment
Subaltern
serjeant
Signalman class
2 X electrician
instrument mechanic
42 X operator
The above to include two lance serjeants, four corporal, nine lance corporal and thirty signalman.
Driver class
3 X driver mechanic
batman.

Transport
30 X folding bicycle
2 X motorcycle
2 X lightweight motorcycle
10 X car 5cwt 4 x 4
10 X trailer GS
6 X handcart


B (Base) section.
This remained at base and acted as the communications section for Rear Headquarters.

Headquarters
Captain
batman driver

Subaltern – Pigeon Officer
corporal loftman
3 X loftman
driver of vehicle
2 X cook ACC

6 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle


Signal Office detachment.
Subaltern
serjeant
6 X orderly from units within the division.
Signalman class
8 X dispatch rider
2 X linesman
5 X operator
The above to include a lance serjeant, six lance corporal and eight signalman.
Driver class
driver of vehicle
batman


Transport
6 X bicycle
12 X motorcycle
1 X 15cwt GS


Wireless detachment
Subaltern
serjeant
Signalman class
2 X electrician
instrument mechanic
15 X operator
The above to include two corporal, four lance corporal and twelve signalman.
Driver class
3 X driver mechanic
2 X driver of vehicle
batman.

Transport
motorcycle
5 X 3ton 4 X 4 wireless.


E Section
This was the headquarters line section.

serjeant
Signalman class
2 X dispatch rider
electrician
5 X lineman
9 X operator
To include two corporal, three lance corporal and twelve signalman


Transport
4 X motorcycle
1 X lightweight motorcycle
4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
4 X lightweight trailer
3 X handcart


F Section
This was the headquarters wireless section.

Subaltern
serjeant
Signalman class
electrician
15 X operator
To include corporal, four lance corporal and eleven signalman
batman

Transport
1 X motorcycle
2 X lightweight motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
5 X lightweight trailer
5 X handcart


P Section
This was a section of GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom). This listened into wireless communications within the division and reported to divisional headquarters, to Airborne Army Headquarters and GHQ.

Subaltern
serjeant
Signalman class
electrician
instrument mechanic
6 X operator
To include two lance corporal and six signalman
batman

Transport
2 X motorcycle


Phantom in Airborne Operations

For airborne operations Phantom provided a small and compact squadron. This reported to 1st Airborne Army which at the time it was formed consisted of
- 1 Airborne Division
- 82 US Airborne Division
- 101 US Airborne Division
- 52 Division which was air transportable. It was intended that it would be flown into a captured
airfield by Dakota transport aircraft.

Squadron Headquarters.
This was very small and existed to receive wireless communications from the patrols with airborne divisions. It did not land with the airborne troops.

Major – Commanding Officer
Captain – Signals Officer
2 X operator
2 X driver coder
2 X signalman despatch rider.


Patrol
Each division had a patrol which was limited to the following vehicles
Airborne signals jeep
Lightweight trailer
Lightweight motorcycle.

The jeep was an airborne jeep with all the modifications usual for the signal role. The Wireless set no22 was carried in the trailer.
And the following personnel
Subaltern
cipher corporal
despatch rider
2 X operator
batman driver

Airborne forces were not very mobile. Having being dropped by parachute, landed by glider or flown into an airfield in Dakotas they had little transport



No2 Company

Headquarters

Major
company quartermaster serjeant
Signalman class
clerk
Driver class
2 X driver of vehicle
batman driver

Transport
1 X car 2 seater
1 X 15cwt GS


J section
This provides signals communication within a parachute brigade.

Captain
Subaltern
2 X serjeant
corporal cook
2 X cook
6 X orderly from units.
Signalman class
6 X dispatch rider
2 X electrician
instrument mechanic
5 X lineman
54 X operator
storeman
3 X cipher operator
Includes two lance serjeant, eight corporal, sixteen lance corporal and forty six signalman.
Driver class
4 X driver mechanic
driver of vehicle
2 X batman.

Transport
4 X bicycle
10 X folding bicycle
8 X motorcycle
7 X folding motorcycle
1 X car 2seater
4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 4
4 X lightweight trailer


K section
This provides signals communications within a parachute brigade.
Captain
Subaltern
2 X serjeant
corporal cook
2 X cook
6 X orderly from units.
Signalman class
6 X dispatch rider
2 X electrician
instrument mechanic
5 X lineman
54 X operator
storeman
3 X cipher operator
Includes two lance serjeant, eight corporal, sixteen lance corporal and forty six signalman.
Driver class
4 X driver mechanic
driver of vehicle
2 X batman.

Transport
4 X bicycle
10 X folding bicycle
8 X motorcycle
7 X folding motorcycle
1 X car 2seater
4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 4
4 X lightweight trailer


L section
This provides signals communications within the airlanding brigade.
Captain
Subaltern
2 X serjeant
corporal cook
2 X cook
6 X orderly from units.
Signalman class
6 X dispatch rider
2 X electrician
instrument mechanic
7 X lineman
48 X operator
storeman
3 X cipher operator
Includes two lance serjeant, five corporal, seventeen lance corporal and forty four signalman.
Driver class
3 X driver mechanic
3 X driver of vehicle
2 X batman driver.
batman


Transport
4 X bicycle
20 X folding bicycle
7 X motorcycle
3 X lightweight motorcycle
1 X car 2seater
14 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X 15cwt GS
14 X lightweight trailer
10 X handcart.


By March 1945 there were only four amendments
The folding motorcycles were replaced by lightweight motorcycles.
One lightweight generator trailer was added
A note was added that when J or K section was employed with an independent parachute brigade the officer commanding would be a Major, the second in command would be a Captain and one clerk Royal Signals would be added.



HEADQUARTERS AIRBORNE TROOPS SIGNAL SECTION
War Establishment 1/212/1 with an effective date of April 1944.

This unit was for employment at base headquarters only.

Captain
Subaltern

2 X serjeant cipher operator
serjeant

lance serjeant
7 X corporal
5 X lance corporal
34 X signalman
3 X driver
2 X cook ACC

Trades included
clerk
16 X despatch rider
driver mechanic (driver class)
instrument mechanic
linesman
9 X operator, keyboard and line
12 X operator, switchboard (telephone)
3 X operator, wireless and line
4 X cipher operator
batman
batman driver

Transport
16 X motocycle
1 X car 2 seat 4 X 2
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS




AIRBORNE RASC

Headquarters Commander RASC. War Establishment I/287/1. April 1943.
Headquarters Commander RASC. War Establishment I/287/2. April 1945.
Airborne Light Company. War Establishment I/286/3. April 1944.
Airborne Light Composite Company. War Establishment I/286/2. April 1943.


HEADQUARTERS COMMANDER RASC
War Establishment I/287/1 with an effective date of April 1943. By April 1945 when War Establishment I/287/2 was issued there had been three amendments as follows
1 X Instructor APTC was added
1 X Light Utility was deleted
1 X Car 4 seater 4 X 2 was added

Personnel
Lieutenant Colonel
2 X Major
One major for ammunition, petrol and supplies
One major for co ordination of repair and maintenance of all RASC driven vehicles in the formation to which the headquarters is allotted.
The senior major will be second in command.
Captain, Adjutant.
3 X Captain for ammunition, petrol and supplies.

Warrant Officer I clerk
Staff serjeant clerk
Serjeant clerk
6 X corporal clerk including
one for ammunition
one for supplies

Drivers IC for duties as
2 X batman
3 X batman driver
4 X drivers of vehicles (including one corporal
6 X motorcyclist
office orderly
Note that driver is the basic rank in the RASC and while most drivers IC actually drive vehicles the title also applies to all those RASC personnel who are the equivalent of private, except those who are classed as clerk.

Attached
Medical Officer RAMC
3 X cook ACC
Note:
Instructor APTC added by April 1945

Transport
1 X folding bicycle
6 X motorcycle
2 X car two seat
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) including one for the Medical Officer which is equipped to carry two stretchers.
1 X 15cwt
1 X 3ton 4 X 2
1 X airborne trailer
Note:
1 X car two seat (light utility) replaced by 1 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 by April 1945.


AIRBORNE LIGHT COMPANY RASC
War Establishment I/286/3 with an effective date of April 1944.
Headquarters
Major
Captain – Adjutant
Subaltern

Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant

administrative corporal
corporal clerk
2 X clerk
2 X driver mechanic
lance corporal storeman
storeman
3 X sanitary dutyman
3 X water dutyman
2 X batman driver
batman
2 X lance corporal driver
15 X driver
2 X duty corporal
2 X mess orderly
orderly
corporal regimental policeman
regimental policeman
2 X motorcyclist

Note.
The three sanitary dutyman and three water dutyman include one corporal and one lance corporal. In addition two drivers will be trained in sanitary duty and two in water duty. Of these four additional personnel one will be a corporal and one will be a lance corporal.

Attached.
nursing orderly corporal RAMC
ammunition orderly corporal RAOC
armourer serjeant REME
instructor APTC
serjeant cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
4 X cook ACC


Transport included
5 X motorcycle
9 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
4 X lightweight trailer.
2 X 15cwt water
12 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS


Parachute platoon.
There were three identical parachute platoons.
Headquarters
Captain
Subaltern

2 X batman driver
2 X driver parachutist.

Section 1
serjeant
2 X corporal storeman (supplies)
2 X lance corporal driver parachutist
9 X driver
vehicle mechanic.

Section 2
serjeant
2 X corporal storeman (supplies)
2 X lance corporal driver parachutist
9 X driver
vehicle mechanic.

Note.
Driver is the basic rank in the RASC so that whereas in most units the presence of a driver would suggest the existence of a vehicle this is not the case here. The parachute platoons had no transport in the operational area until vehicles could be brought in by land. Their function was to store and issue supplies dropped by parachute.


Transport platoon.
There were three identical transport platoons.
Headquarters
Subaltern
2 X serjeant
2 X cook ACC
vehicle mechanic
batman driver
2 X duty corporal
lance corporal driver
19 X driver

Transport
2 X motorcycle
4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X lightweight trailer

Note.
If normal RASC practice was followed then at least one, and probably two, of the jeeps were reserve vehicles for the sections.

section 1
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer


section 2
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer

section 3
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer

section 4
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer

section 5
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer

section 6
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer

section 7
corporal
lance corporal
4 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
6 X lightweight trailer


Workshop platoon
Headquarters
Captain
Mechanist Serjeant Major
corporal clerk
clerk
administrative corporal
batman driver
driver of vehicle
motorcyclist.


Workshop section
Mechanist staff serjeant
Artificer
2 X blacksmith
carpenter and joiner
coachpainter
coachtrimmer
coppersmith and sheet metal worker
4 X electrician
corporal storeman (supplies)
technical storeman
turner
15 X vehicle mechanic
The above to include two corporals, two lance corporals, twenty two privates and three drivers.

Transport
2 X motorcycle
6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
2 X 3ton 4 X 4
5 X lightweight trailer


Relief Drivers Increment
The War Establishment also lists a relief driver increment. This was intended to provide relief drivers for all three transport platoons if necessary. They were held centrally. When not driving the extra personnel were available for loading. Personnel consisted of

serjeant
lance corporal
29 X driver



AIRBORNE LIGHT COMPOSITE COMPANY RASC
War Establishment I/286/2 with an effective date of April 1943.
Headquarters
Major
3 X Captain
Subaltern

Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
2 X serjeant (one for defence section)

administrative corporal
corporal clerk
3 X clerk
lance corporal storeman
storeman
3 X water dutyman
2 X batman driver (trained to operate Wireless set No18)
2 X batman (trained to operate Wireless set No18)
lance corporal driver
5 X driver
mess orderly
corporal regimental policeman
regimental policeman
2 X motorcyclist
2 X storeman

Defence section
corporal
2 X lance corporal
6 X driver

Attached.
serjeant cook ACC
2 x cook ACC

Transport included
5 X motorcycle
2 X motorcycle with sidecar
9 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
9 X lightweight trailer.

Note:
The motorcycles are for
Company Serjeant Major
serjeant
corporal
2 X motorcyclist
The motorcycles with side car are for the Captains
Jeeps are provided for
Major
Captain, Adjutant

By 1944 the motorcycles with sidecar were no longer used and were replaced by either jeeps or motorcycles.

Weapons
16 X pistol
24 X rifle
10 X sten smg
4 X Bren lmg
3 X 20mm


Transport platoon.
There were four identical transport platoons.
Headquarters
Subaltern
2 X serjeant (one for defence)
2 X cook ACC
batman driver
fitter
clerk
5 X driver of vehicle

Defence section
2 X corporal
lance corporal
13 X driver

Transport
2 X motorcycle
1 X motorcycle with sidecar
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
4 X lightweight trailer

Note.
The motorcycles were for the serjeants
The motorcycle with sidecar was for the subaltern

Weapons
3 X pistol
23 X rifle
3 X Sten smg
4 X Bren lmg
2 X 20mm

There were 7 X transport sections
section 1
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 2
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 3
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 4
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 5
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 6
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

section 7
corporal
lance corporal
3 X driver
driver mechanic

1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
10 X lightweight trailer

Weapons for each section
1 X pistol
3 X rifle
2 X Sten smg


Composite platoon
Subaltern
2 X staff serjeant clerk
serjeant
corporal butcher
butcher
3 X supply clerk

batman
2 X lance corporal driver of vehicle
3 X motorcyclist

corporal storeman ammunition RAOC
cook ACC

Transport
3 X motorcycle
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
4 X lightweight trailer

Weapons
4 X pistol
12 X rifle
6 X Sten smg


2 X Relief Driver Increment each
These were intended to provide relief drivers for all four transport platoons if necessary. They were held centrally. When not driving the extra personnel were available for loading.
serjeant
lance corporal driver
29 X driver
cook ACC

3 X folding bicycle

Weapons
14 X rifle
17 X Sten smg


Workshop platoon
Headquarters
Captain
Mechanist Serjeant Major
corporal clerk technical MT
clerk technical MT
administrative corporal
batman driver
driver of vehicle
motorcyclist.

Weapons
3 X pistol
7 X rifle


Workshop section
Mechanist staff serjeant
Artificer serjeant
2 X blacksmith
carpenter and joiner
coachpainter
coppersmith and sheet metal worker
4 X electrician
11 X fitter
technical storeman MT
turner
4 X motor mechanic
3 X driver of vehicle

Transport
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 Stores
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 Breakdown
2 X lightweight trailer
2 X stores trailer
1 X machinery trailer
1 X generator trailer
1 X electrical repair trailer

Weapons
31 X rifle




AIRBORNE DIVISION MEDICAL UNITS

Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC 1943
Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC 1945
Air Landing Field Ambulance RAMC 1943
Air Landing Field Ambulance RAMC 1945


PARACHUTE FIELD AMBULANCE 1943
War Establishment I/312/1 with an effective date of March 1943. War Establishment I/312/2 is sufficiently different to require a separate entry below.

Headquarters

Lieutenant Colonel
Major second in command
2 X specialist or graded surgeons who may be Major, Captain or Lieutenant.
The headquarters is both the administrative headquarters and the operating room.
Quartermaster

Regimental Serjeant major
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant

serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
clerk
masseur
serjeant medical orderly
6 X medical orderly
3 X lance corporal operating room assistant
3 X operating room assistant.
serjeant sanitary assistant

Nursing orderlies for duty as
barber
3 X batman
corporal pack storeman
corporal stewards storeman
stewards storeman
water dutyman
lance corporal dutyman
5 X stretcher bearer including one trained in boot repairing duties up to the standard of a shoemaker Group C Class III who will be eligible to draw rates of pay of a tradesman Group C ClassIII only on those days when he is working on boot repairs.

Attached
carpenter and joiner RE
Captain or Lieutenant Army Dental Corp
dental clerk/orderly ADC
Subaltern RASC
2 X serjeant RASC
2 X corporal driver RASC
17 X driver IC RASC (includes two driver mechanic)
3 X fitter RASC
officers cook ACC
3 X cook ACC
instructor APTC

Transport
4 X folding bicycle
3 X folding motorcycle
1 X jeep

Base only
2 X motorcycle
1 X car two seater
1 X 3ton 4 X 2
8 X ambulance 4 stretcher

Section
There were four sections

Major, captain or lieutenant
Clerk
lance corporal nursing orderly
2 X nursing orderly

nursing orderlies for duty as
staff serjeant, regimental NCO
corporal stretcher bearer
lance corporal stretcher bearer
11 x stretcher bearer
general dutyman

Attached
3 X driver IC RASC including one motorcyclist.

2 X folding bicycle
2 X folding motorcycle
1 X motorcycle

Base only
1 X car two seater
1 X 15cwt.


PARACHUTE FIELD AMBULANCE 1945
War Establishment I/312/2 with an effective date of May 1945.
Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel
Major second in command
2 X specialist or graded surgeons who may be Major, Captain or Lieutenant.
Graded anaesthetist who may be Captain or Lieutenant
The headquarters is both the administrative headquarters and the operating room.
Quartermaster

Regimental Serjeant major
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant

serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
clerk
serjeant dispenser
masseur
serjeant medical orderly
6 X medical orderly
3 X lance corporal operating room assistant
3 X operating room assistant.
serjeant sanitary assistant

Nursing orderlies for duty as
barber
3 X batman
corporal pack storeman
corporal stewards storeman
stewards storeman
water dutyman
lance corporal dutyman
5 X stretcher bearer including one trained in boot repairing duties up to the standard of a shoemaker Group C Class III who will be eligible to draw rates of pay of a tradesman Group C ClassIII only on those days when he is working on boot repairs.
6 X operating room assistants

Attached
carpenter and joiner RE
Captain or Lieutenant Army Dental Corp
dental clerk/orderly ADC
Captain RASC
Company Serjeant Major RASC
serjeant RASC
2 X corporal driver RASC
17 X driver IC RASC
4 X driver mechanic
5 X vehicle mechanic
clerk RASC
officers cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
3 X cook ACC
instructor APTC

Transport
4 X folding bicycle
3 X folding motorcycle
4 X motorcycle
4 X jeep
2 X 15cwt G1 X 15cwt water
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
2 X 2stretcher 4 X 4 ambulance
8 X 4 stretcher ambulance
2 X lightweight trailer
2 X lightweight water trailer

Note that none of the vehicles are noted as being for base use only. Non airlanding vehicles would join overland.

Section
There were four sections each

Major, captain or lieutenant
clerk
lance corporal nursing orderly
2 X nursing orderly

Nursing orderlies for duty as
staff serjeant, regimental NCO
corporal stretcher bearer
lance corporal stretcher bearer
11 x stretcher bearer
general dutyman

Attached
4 X driver IC RASC including one motorcyclist.

2 X folding bicycle
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X lightweight trailer


AIR LANDING FIELD AMBULANCE 1943
War Establishment I/313/1 with an effective date of March 1943. War Establishment I/313/2 contained so many amendments, mainly to transport, that it is given in full below.
Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel
Major second in command

2 X specialist or graded surgeons who may be major, captain or lieutenant.

The headquarters is both the administrative headquarters and the operating room.

Quartermaster
Regimental Serjeant major
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant

serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
clerk

masseur
serjeant medical orderly
6 X medical orderly
3 X lance corporal operating room assistant
3 X operating room assistant.
serjeant sanitary assistant

Nursing orderlies for duty as
barber
3 X batman
corporal pack storeman
corporal stewards storeman
stewards storeman
water dutyman
lance corporal dutyman
5 X stretcher bearer including one trained in boot repairing duties up to the standard of a shoemaker Group C Class III who will be eligible to draw rates of pay of a tradesman Group C ClassIII only on those days when he is working on boot repairs.

Attached
carpenter and joiner RE
Captain or Lieutenant Army Dental Corp
dental clerk/orderly ADC
Captain RASC
Company Serjeant Major RASC
serjeant RASC
2 X corporal driver RASC
19 X driver IC RASC (includes two driver mechanic)
3 X fitter RASC
electrician
officers mess cook ACC
4 X cook ACC
instructor APTC

Transport
50 X folding bicycle
1 X folding motorcycle
1 X motorcycle
2 X jeep
2 X medical trailer
1 X airborne water trailer

Base only
1 X car four seater
1 X 15cwt
1 X 3ton 4 X 2
8 X ambulance 4 stretcher

Section
There were five sections

Major, captain or lieutenant
clerk
lance corporal nursing orderly
3 X nursing orderly

nursing orderlies for duty as
staff serjeant, regimental NCO
corporal stretcher bearer
lance corporal stretcher bearer
11 x stretcher bearer
general dutyman

Attached
3 X driver IC RASC including one motorcyclist.

16 X folding bicycle
1 X folding motorcycle
1 X motorcycle
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
2 X medical trailer, fitted to carry two stretchers
1 X airborne trailer

Base only
1 X car two seater
1 X 15cwt.

First reinforcements
Major, Captain or Lieutenant
7 X nursing orderly



AIR LANDING FIELD AMBULANCE 1945
War Establishment I/313/2 with an effective date of May 1945.
Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel
Major second in command
2 X specialist or graded surgeons who may be major, captain or lieutenant
1 X specialist or graded anaesthetist who may be a major, captain or lieutenant
Quartermaster
Regimental Serjeant major
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant

serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
clerk
serjeant dispenser
masseur
serjeant medical orderly
6 X medical orderly
3 X lance corporal operating room assistant
3 X operating room assistant.
serjeant sanitary assistant

Nursing orderlies for duty as
barber
3 X batman
corporal pack storeman
corporal stewards storeman
stewards storeman
water dutyman
lance corporal dutyman
5 X stretcher bearer including one trained in boot repairing duties up to the standard of a shoemaker Group C Class III who will be eligible to draw rates of pay of a tradesman Group C ClassIII only on those days when he is working on boot repairs.

Attached
carpenter and joiner RE
Captain or Lieutenant Army Dental Corp
dental clerk/orderly ADC
Captain RASC
Company Serjeant Major RASC
serjeant RASC
2 X corporal driver RASC
19 X driver IC RASC (includes four driver mechanic)
5 X vehicle mechanic RASC
electrician
officers mess cook ACC
4 X cook ACC
instructor APTC

Transport
3 X folding motorcycle
4 X motorcycle
2 X jeep
2 X medical trailer
2 X airborne water trailer

Base only
2 X car four seater 4 X 4
3 X 15cwt
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 4 X 2
8 X ambulance 4 stretcher

Section
There were five sections

Major, captain or lieutenant
clerk
lance corporal nursing orderly
3 X nursing orderly

Nursing orderlies for duty as
staff serjeant, regimental NCO
corporal stretcher bearer
lance corporal stretcher bearer
11 x stretcher bearer
general dutyman

Attached
6 X driver IC RASC including motorcyclists.

5 X folding bicycle
2 X motorcycle
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
3 X medical trailer, fitted to carry two stretchers
2 X airborne trailer

Base only
1 X 15cwt.

First reinforcements
Major, Captain or Lieutenant
19 X nursing orderly







AIRBORNE DIVISION REME UNITS
Including
HQ Commander REME
Light Aid Detachments REME
Airborne Division Workshop REME
Air Landing Light AA Battery Workshop REME
Ordnance Field Park RAOC



HEADQUARTERS COMMANDER REME, AIRBORNE
War Establishment I/118/1 with an effective date of April 1943

Lieutenant Colonel (EME 1st class)
Captain (EME 3rd Class)
Captain (EME 3rd Class) wireless specialist

Warrant Officer II clerk
serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
clerk
3 X batman driver
2 X motorcyclist


Transport
2 X folding bicycle
1 X lightweight motorcycle
3 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X airborne office trailer.

Weapons
3 X pistols, .45automatic
4 X rifle .303”
5 X Sten gun




LIGHT AID DETACHMENT REME.
War Establishment I/338/2 with an effective date of December 1944


Light Aid Detachment Type A
Warrant Officer Class I, Armament Artificer
serjeant vehicle mechanic
2 X driver mechanic (recovery)
1 X electrician, vehicle and plant
1 X fitter
5 X vehicle mechanic
acetylene welder, (trained in simple sheet metal work, coppersmithing and tinsmithing)
lance corporal storeman
cook ACC

Total 14 all ranks

Transport
4 X folding bicycle
4 X motorcycle
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X 3ton stores lorry
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 breakdown gantry
4 X truck, special airborne
1 X lightweight trailer, store
1 X trailer lightweight

If the LAD Type A is formed as LAD Type A (armoured) the following will be added
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X trailer lightweight



Light Aid Detachment Type B

Warrant Officer Class I, Armament Artificer
serjeant vehicle mechanic
2 X driver mechanic (recovery)
1 X electrician, vehicle and plant
1 X fitter
3 X vehicle mechanic
acetylene welder, (trained in simple sheet metal work, coppersmithing and tinsmithing)
lance corporal storeman
cook ACC

Total 12 all ranks

Transport
4 X folding bicycle
2 X motorcycle
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X 3ton stores lorry
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 breakdown gantry
2 X truck, special airborne
1 X lightweight trailer, store
1 X trailer lightweight




Light Aid Detachment Type C
The Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment had a LAD Type C.

Captain
Warrant Officer Class II, Armament Artificer
2 X Staff Serjeant, Armament Artificer
1 X sejeant vehicle mechanic (AFV)
3 X driver mechanic (recovery)
2 X driver operator
1 X electrician, vehicle and plant (AFV)
1 X fitter
6 X vehicle mechanic (AFV)
1 X electric welder (trained in simple sheet metal work, coppersmithing and tinsmithing)
1 X lance corporal storeman
1 X clerk, technical
1 X batman driver
1 X driver IC
1 X general dutyman

Total 25 all ranks

2 X motorcycle
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X 3ton stores lorry
2 X 6 X 4 heavy breakdown tractor
1 X armoured recovery vehicle
1 X lightweight trailer, store
1 X lightweight trailer, welding
1 X trailer lightweight
1 X 7 ½ ton light recovery trailer




AIRBORNE DIVISIONAL WORKSHOP

Headquarters
Major
4 X Captain or Subaltern( including one for regimental duties)

Warrant Officer Class I Armament Artificer
Warrant Officer Class I Armourer
Warrant Officer Class II Armament Artificer
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
Company Serjeant Major

2 X staff serjeant armament artificer
serjeant artisan
serjeant clerk
serjeant storeman
serjeant for regimental duties
corporal armourer
2 X corporal artisan
corporal storeman
corporal non tradesman
7 X lance corporal (including one for postman and one for medical orderly)
27 X craftsman, driver and private
5 X cook ACC

Trades included
armament artificer, field
armament artificer instruments
armament artificer vehicle
armament artificer wireless
2 X armourer
fitter
instrument mechanic
4 X turner
9 X vehicle mechanic
welder
8 X telecommunication mechanic (including one serjeant)
5 X clerk
4 X storeman
8 X driver IC
3 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

The following personnel on the above list are for base only
serjeant for regimental duties
serjeant storeman
corporal clerk
storeman
clerk
3 X general dutymen (batman, water dutyman and sanitary dutyman)
2 X cook ACC

Transport
30 X folding bicycle
6 X motorcycle (unusually specified as 350cc Matchless)
24 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (2 for officers and 22 for towing trailers)
4 X lightweight trailer (machinery)
6 X lightweight trailer, generator
2 X lightweight trailer, wireless
2 X lightweight trailer, welding, electric
1 X lightweight trailer, electricians
8 X lightweight trailer
1 X lightweight trailer, water
3 X handcart

Note:
Although 22 jeeps are noted as being for towing trailers in fact all jeeps tow a trailer. Presumably the two officer’s jeeps tow standard lightweight trailers.

Base transport
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 x 4 GS

Armament section
Warrant Officer Class I Armament Artificer
2 X staff serjeant armament artificer
serjeant artisan
corporal artisan
2 X lance corporal
29 X craftsman

Trades include
2 X armament artificer, field
armament artificer, instruments
2 X blacksmith
carpenter and joiner
coach trimmer
driver mechanic
electrician
5 X fitter
3 X instrument technician
2 X sheet metal worker
clerk
storeman
3 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

The following personnel on the above list are for base only
clerk
lance corporal
3 X general dutyman

Transport
3 X motorcycle (350cc Matchless)
4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
lightweight trailer, stores
lightweight trailer
2 X handcart


Small arms section
Warrant Officer Class II Armourer
Staff serjeant armourer
Serjeant armourer
Corporal armourer
Corporal non tradesman
3 X lance corporal
12 X craftsman

Trades included
10 X armourer
5 X fitter
clerk
storeman
driver IC
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

The following personnel on the above list are for base only
clerk
lance corporal
general dutyman

Transport
3 X motorcycle (350cc Matchless)
3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
3 X lightweight trailer
2 X handcart

A and B vehicles section
WOII armament artificer
2 X staff serjeant armament artificer
2 X staff serjeant artisan
serjeant artisan
3 X corporal artisan
corporal clerk
corporal storeman
corporal non tradesman
3 X corporal
5 X lance corporal
32 X craftsman

Trades include
3 X armament artificer
2 X blacksmith
3 X carpenter and joiner
2 X coachtrimmer
5 X driver mechanic
6 X electrician
2 X sheet metal worker
18 X vehicle mechanic
welder
2 X clerk
2 X storeman
3 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

The following personnel on the above list are for base only
clerk
lance corporal
general dutyman

Transport
6 X motorcycle (350cc Matchless)
9 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
6 X lightweight trailer, stores
3 X lightweight trailer
3 X handcart


Recovery section
2 X staff serjeant artisan
2 X corporal artisan
I X corporal non tradesman
6 X lance corporal
22 X craftsman

Trades include
17 X driver mechanic
9 X vehicle mechanic
driver IC
4 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

The following personnel on the above list are for base only
staff serjeant artisan
corporal artisan
6 X lance corporal artisan
16 X artisan
6 X general dutyman

Base Transport
6 X motorcycle
3 X 6 X 4 3ton breakdown gantry
1 X 6 X 4 Heavy Recovery Tractor
1 X 7 ½ ton recovery trailer




AIRLANDING LIGHT ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY WORKSHOP
War Establishment I/350/1 with an effective date of March 1944. There was only one amendment in WE I/350/2 with an effective date of March 1945. This removed the note that 25% of personnel could be parachute trained.

staff serjeant armament artificer
serjeant armourer
armourer
driver mechanic
electrician
fitter
2 X vehicle mechanic

Transport
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 x 4
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 store
1 X lightweight trailer

Note: of the total personnel 25% could be parachute trained.



AIRBORNE DIVISION ORDNANCE FIELD PARK
War Establishment 1/337/3 with an effective date of March 1944

Headquarters
Ordnance Officer 3rd Class (Major)
2 X Ordnance Officer 4th Class (Captain or Subaltern)

Warrant Officer Class I Clerk (RAOC duties)
serjeant, duty NCO

batman driver
corporal clerk
driver IC
driver mechanic
4 X general dutyman
corporal storeman
storeman
water dutyman

Attached
vehicle mechanic REME
2 X cook ACC

Transport
1 X folding bicycle
1 X motor cycle
1 X car 2 seat 4 X 2
2 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Office

No1 Section (MT Stores)
Staff serjeant clerk
Serjeant storeman (MT)
4 X clerk, RAOC duties (including one corporal)
driver IC
driver mechanic
motorcyclist
20 X storeman (MT) (including 3 X corporal)
vehicle mechanic REME

Transport
1 X folding bicycle
2 X motorcycle
14 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
4 X 3ton 4 X 2 Stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 battery storage
7 X 3ton 4 x 4 store, binned
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Machinery I30
8 X lightweight trailer
6 X lightweight trailer, stores, binned

No2 Section (general stores)
Serjeant clerk
Staff serjeant storeman
2 X clerk (RAOC duties)
driver IC
driver mechanic
motorcyclist
5 X storeman
storeman, technical, armament
storeman, technical, small arms

Transport
1 X folding bicycle
1 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Store
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 store, binned
2 X lightweight trailer
3 X lightweight trailer, stores, binned