Gold Beach / British 50th infantry division / REME beret

Hi,

I'm trying to colorize these 2 pictures, representing soldiers from the 50th infantry division / REME, on their way to Gold Beach, June 5th-6th 1944

I'm pretty sure that they are wearing the brown general service cap, but how to be sure about that ?

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

Hello Samstein,

I don't think that all of the men in the photograph's are REME, some may actually be RE; 89th/90th Field Regiments, RE.

If you look at the man in the middle foreground of the first photograph you will see an arm-patch with an anchor in it... now compare to the avatar of forum member MSGrover1 - Malcolm - here: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/47988-war-diaries-8990re-194445-8th-ghq-194344/?hl=%2Broyal+%2Bengineers#entry565462

All men in the photographs appear to be wearing the same caps and I note that Malcolm has a personal photograph gallery, probably of 89th/90th Field Regiments, RE. It may be worth your while sending Malcolm a PM (private message) and see if he can assist.

That said, they look like GS Caps to me!

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Steve & Owen,

Thanks a lot for your answers.

Yes REME and GHQ Troops RE seemed to be together on this boat.

Steve, yes caps look really like GS Caps to me to.

Best,

Sam

 

the caps are general service caps as you have previously said. it would have been bulldozers they used to recover or modified sherman/churchill ARVs

here is the war establishment
A BEACH DETACHMENT REME
TYPE A (armoured or tank brigade)
Beach Detachments Type A and Type B are formed as required from the resources of a Recovery Company.
Captain, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer 3rd Class
Warrant Officer Armament Artificer AFV
staff serjeant armament artificer MV
3 X serjeant artisan
3 X corporal artisan
4 X lance corporal
32 X craftsmen, drivers and privates
cook ACC

Trades included
armament artificer AFV
armament artificer MV
9 X driver mechanic
3 X electrician
9 fitters MV (trained in AFV repairs)
12 X motor mechanic
batman driver
7 X general dutyman
motorcyclist

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 jeep
3 X Tractor 6 X 4
1 X Caterpillar D8 tracked recovery tractor
2 X carrier TCP
1 X 20 ton trailer for D8 tractor

 

Thanks a lot hutchie for this incredibly precise answer.

I might manage to do something interesting and accurate with all that

Thanks guys

 

Hello hutchie,

I am unclear as to the intention of your message (above). Is it intended to refer to a particular REME Beach Detachment?

The 50 Div had its own REME establishment, being the 151st, 69th and 231st Infantry Brigade Workshops.

On D-Day and for a while thereafter, it had other non-permanent brigades attached i.e. 56th Infantry Brigade and the 8th Armoured Brigade and indeed, the latter had its own 8th Armoured Brigade Workshops.

The second photograph shows a REME soldier wearing the 'TT' arm patch, so I presume he is from 50 Div's establishment...

Could you please clarify for me?!

Best,

Steve.

 

Its in referal to owens post about them having a recovery unit attached which would be the beach one i mentioned in the war establishment, after landings they would merge into larger workshops like you mentioned which wouldnt be fully equipped during the landing

 

Thanks for the clarification, hutchie.

My interest lies in the fact that I am trying to reconstruct the Gold 'Beach Brick' for another purpose and wondered if you were referring to a REME unit that I was unaware of...

Best,

Steve.

 

Ah gotcha, my interest is north africa/italy reme.