Royal Engineer recruitment for New Army

[Ian Underwood]

Hello

I have just confirmed that my G-Grandfather served in the Royal Engineers, enlisting in late '15. He was a bricklayer by trade and would have been 35 at the time of enlistment with a young family. As his papers are missing, I've been wondering how he could've ended up in the Royal Engineers of the Kitchener's Army?

Did the R.E. specifially target skilled tradesmen at the point of recruitment or did they 'source' appropriately skilled men mainly from newly formed infantry regiments? (for example).

As an aside, can one assertain the particular field company he served in from his service number alone? (Spr Daniel Miles, WR/502594 (formerly 172710) .

Thanks in advance

Ian.

[303man]

I am sure WR in front of the number indicates Waterways & Railways (correct me if I am wrong other forum members)

[BMoorhouse]

Ian,

Along with many Regiments, I have seen the RE's advertising in newspapers for men with certain basic skills - such as being able to weld iron hoops. They promised to train these men further.

Kitchener volunteers came from all walks of life and there were efforts later made to comb out those with specialist skills (both for RE's and essential works at home - in particular miners). My understanding is that this was only partially succesful as no doubt these men would have been extremely useful in front-line battalions as well. Many did not want to leave their friends, and many officers did not want to lose them.

Good luck with your search.

Brendon.

[iain mchenry]

Jack Norton Griffiths (Empire Jack), whilst searching for former miners for RE Tunneling Coys, who were serving in other units used many a tactic that was deemed highly unorthodox by the top brass and the CO's of the units concerned. Whilst he went around the front in his Rolls Royce he would take with him Boxes of Kippers and many a bottle of expensive Gin and Whiskey. Once he had pursuaded the former miners to leave their units and join the Tunnelling Coys, with the promise of pay 6 times that of an infantryman, he would calm/bribe the CO of the unit concerned with his Goodies. This worked many a time.

Iain

[Ski]

Ian,

Seeing's he had a change of number, it's a possibility he could have been with the TF.

502594 fits into the alloted new numbers given to the Southern Signal Company(TF association- Warwick).

Just an idea

Ski

[Ian Underwood]

Seeing's he had a change of number, it's a possibility he could have been with the TF. 502594 fits into the alloted new numbers given to the Southern Signal Company.

Thanks for all your imput everyone.

Sapper Miles' service is the most mysterious of all my relatives, so in regards to him being a 'Terrier', anything's possible. Before staring my research the only hard clue to his being in Kitchener's Armies is a copy of my Grandmother's birth certificate issued for the War Office when she was 4 years old for the purpose of the family gaining 'Army Seperation allowance'. The certificate and accompanying documents are dated December 1915. Also his MIC states he only qualified for the pair and not a trio, which struck he as being consistant with the New Army men.

Can you tell me more about the Southern Signal Company? My G-Grandfather was from the Uxbridge/Cowley area of Middlesex. I have also read elsewhere that WR stands for Waterways and Railways.

Ian.