McInovingham Posted 1 March , 2012 Share Posted 1 March , 2012 Hi Everyone, I've only recently found out via the Absentee Voters List that my wife's Grandfather was in the Royal Marine Engineers ( J.R. Dunachie RME/6207/S ). This is a complete surprise as prior to the war he was a cabinet maker in a Tyneside Ship Yard. We have a minature photograph of him in uniform but have been unable to identify his Cap Badge. Can anyone help identify the badge? Regards Mac12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimacombe Posted 1 March , 2012 Share Posted 1 March , 2012 Hi Mac12 The badge is that of the Royal Marines (though it appears to be actually a collar badge being used as a cap badge), thus strengthening the information you have already found... Regards Shawn Edit: Interestingly, the Royal Marine Medal Roll shows he was entitled to the BWM only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brimacombe Posted 1 March , 2012 Share Posted 1 March , 2012 This extracted from an earlier post on the RME (thanks to Connaughtranger for the original post) - RME companies were raised early 1918 to work on projects and constructions in out of the way places such as Scapa Flow. The Royal Marine Engineers were organised roughly along Division lines with Col C H Willis RMLI carrying out the duties of Colonel Commandant. At the time of the Armistice the number approached 10000. The men of the RME were mainly recruited from the Inland Water Transport Section of the RE, recruits of categories "B" & "C" together with some conscientious objectors. They received some military training and were paid at the same rates as the RE. Many distinguished engineers and architects served with the unit e.g Sir A Gibbs and Sir Gilbert Scott. HQ was at Chatham. The Depot was first at Chatham but then moved to Bedmenham. Some mobile HQs were formed for the charge of more important works. One of the most important of these Mobile HQs was at Southwick near Brighton where a camp was laid out for 5000 men. Here they constructed "Mystery Towers". The reason they were constructed has never been revealed and only 2 were completed; one replacing the Nab Lightship off the Isle of Wight and the other destroyed! The other important HQ was established at Bedmenham, between Gosport and Fareham for the units employed on Admiralty Works at Portsmouth. From the 2 main camps detachments were sent out to carry out any works in other districts, among them were the aerodrome at Scapa Flow and the laying of th oil pipe from the Clyde to the Forth under the guidance of skilled American engineers. Here they lived on barges until the work was completed. After the Armistice a party worked at Ostend supervising 2000 Belgian workmen in repairing war damage and clearing obstructions in the harbour and canal. This post armistice visit seems to be the only time any RME served abroad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pioneecorps Posted 2 March , 2012 Share Posted 2 March , 2012 Hi Mac12 The badge is that of the Royal Marines (though it appears to be actually a collar badge being used as a cap badge), thus strengthening the information you have already found... Regards Shawn Edit: Interestingly, the Royal Marine Medal Roll shows he was entitled to the BWM only... Hi Shawn Hope you don't mind me agreeing with you on this, this is one of my collection. Regards. Gerwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McInovingham Posted 5 March , 2012 Author Share Posted 5 March , 2012 Hi Shawn & Gerwyn, Many thanks for sharing your expertise. Regards Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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