1st Newcastle Engineers
1st Newcastle Engineers, RE | |
---|---|
Active | 1 September 1860 – present |
Country | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Col Sir Charles Palmer |
The 1st Newcastle Engineer Volunteers, later Northumbrian Divisional Engineers, was a
Early history
The 1st Newcastle Engineer Volunteers (EV) was raised at company strength in
In 1874 the Newcastle company was united with the larger (8 companies)
Palmer, by now created Sir Charles Palmer, 1st Baronet of Grinkle Park, retired from the unit in 1888 with the rank of Colonel. The same year, the 1st Newcastle & Durham EV was split into three separate units: the 1st Newcastle upon Tyne RE (Volunteers), the 1st Durham RE (V),[8] and the Tyne Division RE (V), Submarine Miners, which later became the Tyne Electrical Engineers.[2][9][10][11] Both the 1st Newcastle RE (V) and the Tyne Submarine Miners derived their seniority from the original 1st Newcastle EV established in 1860.[12]
The Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the new 1st Newcastle RE was Sir Charles Palmer's younger brother, Alfred Septimus Palmer (1834–1910), a Newcastle mining engineer who had been a major in the 1st Newcastle & Durham EV.[2][13] The honorary Colonel was William Henry Allinson (1827–1917), who had been second-in-command of the 1st Newcastle & Durham.[2][14]
The unit sent a detachment of one officer and 25 other ranks to assist the regular REs during the Second Boer War in 1900.[15]
Territorial Force
When the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908, the original plan was for the 1st Newcastle RE to provide the 2nd Northumbrian Field Company in the Northumbrian Infantry Division while the remainder of the unit would be merged into the Tyne Electrical Engineers as the Northumberland (Fortress) RE.[16] However, by 1910 this plan had been altered, and the 1st Newcastle RE provided the whole of the divisional RE, with its commanding officer becoming Commanding Royal Engineer (CRE). This organisation was in place on the outbreak of World War I:[4][17][18][19][20][21]
Northumbrian Divisional Engineers
- HQ: Barras Bridge, Newcastle
- CRE: Lt-Col Frederick S. Crawford (from 23 May 1907 to 16 April 1915)
- 1st (The Newcastle) Northumbrian Field Company (Maj G.C. Pollard)
- 2nd (The Newcastle) Northumbrian Field Company (Maj J.E. McPherson)
- Northumbrian (The Newcastle) Divisional Telegraph Company – designated Signal Company from 1911
- HQ & No 1 Section: Barras Bridge (Capt W.H. Dodds)
- No 2 (Northumberland) Section – attached to the Northumberland Brigade
- No 3 (York and Durham) Section – attached to the York and Durham Brigade
- No 4 (Durham Light Infantry) Section – attached to the Durham Light Infantry Brigade
World War I
Mobilisation
On 3 August 1914, the men of the Northumbrian Division came home from their annual training camp. The next day the order to mobilise was received, and they returned to their drill halls. The mobilised division garrisoned the Tyne Defences as part of
On 31 August the TF was authorised to raise '2nd Line' units, initially for home defence, composed of men who had not volunteered for overseas service, together with new volunteers who were flooding in. Later, the home service men were transferred to home defence units, the 2nd Line were prepared for overseas service, and '3rd Line' units were organised to find drafts for the 1st and 2nd Lines. The units were distinguished by the prefixes '1/', '2/' and '3/', and the 2nd Line units of the Northumbrian Division formed the 2nd Northumbrian Division.[25][26][27]
28th Division
1/1st Northumbrian Field Company left the Northumbrian Division on 26 December 1914 to join 28th Division forming at Winchester. This was a formation of Regular infantry battalions returned from India, with engineers, signals and medical services provided by Territorial companies. The company disembarked at Le Havre on 19 January 1915 and served with 28th Division in France for the first half of the year, including the battles of Gravenstafel Ridge (22–23 April), St Julien (24 April–4 May), Frezenberg Ridge (8–13 May) and Bellewarde Ridge (24–25 May).[22][28][29]
When 1/1st Northumbrian Field Company returned to the 1st Northumbrian Division, it was replaced by 2/1st Northumbrian Field Company from the 2nd Northumbrian Division, which joined 28th Division on 10 July 1915. For the remainder of the war 2/1st Company served with this division in France and
50th Division
Early in April 1915, the Northumbrian Division was informed that it would shortly be sent to France, and on 16 April it began to entrain for the ports of embarkation (
The Northumberland Division was now made responsible for holding a section of the line and learnt the techniques of trench warfare in which the engineers were kept busy improving defences. Like the 28th Division, the Northumberland Division also fought through the battles of Frezenberg Ridge and Bellewarde Ridge, and again at Bellewarde on 16 June.[22][35] It was then moved south into quieter sectors for the rest of 1915.[36]
Soon after arriving in France, the division received its number, becoming
1916
50th Division moved back into the
The fighting was renewed on 25 September (the Battle of Morval) and 50th Division continued in action throughout October and into November (the battles of Le Transloy and Butte de Warlencourt). The division's last action on the Somme before being relieved was an attack on Gird Trench and Hook Sap on 14 November, which gained no ground. The division was withdrawn on the night of 17–18 November and went into Corps Reserve.[45]
1917
'
When the TF engineer companies were numbered on 3 February 1917, 1/1st Northumbrian became 446th (1st Northumbrian) and 1/2nd became 447th (2nd Northumbrian).[30]
In mid-February, the division moved south to take over a section of the line from the French Army. The trenches were in poor condition, and had to be repaired by working parties directed by the field companies.[46] In late March, the division moved north again, to take part in the Arras offensive. It consolidated ground captured in the First Battle of the Scarpe (9–14 April) and then attacked at the Second Battle of the Scarpe (23–24 April), when it suffered heavy losses. The engineers were engaged in road repair, clearing dugouts, digging and wiring trenches, and laying and repairing telephone lines, all under shellfire, and their casualties were numerous.[47]
After a spell in Army Reserve, 50th Division returned to the line, and the summer of 1917 was spent in vigorous trench warfare, with constant patrols, raids, and constructing or repairing defences.[48] It then moved to join the last phase of the Third Ypres Offensive, known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Because of the waterlogged nature of the ground, the German defences were based on concrete pillboxes and shell-holes rather than dugouts and trenches. 149th Brigade attacked on 26 October, with 446 Field Company in support. The attack was a failure and the attacking companies were virtually wiped out. Over succeeding days the rest of the division made small gains, at heavy cost. The division was relieved on 9 November.[49]
1918
When the
On 24–25 March the 50th Division defended the canal crossings, then as Fifth Army continued to retreat, it fell back again during the night of 25/26 March, taking part in the Battle of Rosières over the following two days. On the morning of 27 March the CRE was ordered to form a composite infantry battalion from the 7th and 447th Field Companies and some details of 150th Brigade. The composite battalion took up a position to guard the flank of 149th Brigade but no enemy attack developed on that front. At 11.30, however, divisional HQ received a report that the enemy had broken through at Proyart, and the RE battalion was sent to cooperate with two battalions of the adjacent division (24th Division) in a counter-attack. This counter-attack was held up short of Proyart, but the existing trenches were held during the night and the following day, until the division withdrew towards Moreuil, where the German offensive was finally halted on 31 March.[54][55][56]
50th Division was relieved on 1 April, and was sent north. It took over billets around
After rest for the division and training for the replacement troops received, 50th Division moved south and relieved French troops in the
The Northumbrian battalions of the 50th Division were reduced to
The rebuilt 50th Division re-entered the fighting during the Allied
After breaking the Beaurevoir Line, the BEF pursued the Germans to the
After a period in reserve, the division rejoined the offensive, forcing its way through the Forest of Mormal and across the
The following officers served as CRE of 50th (Northumbrian) Division:[22]
- Col F.S. Crawford, 23 May 1907 – 16 April 1915
- Lt-Col J.E. McPherson (previously OC 2nd Northumbrian Field Company), from 16 April 1915
- Lt-Col C.W. Singer, 16 July 1915 – 23 December 1916, 25 March–4 April 1917
- Maj E.C. Henderson (temporary), 23 December 1916 – 25 March 1917
- Lt-Col H.E.F. Rathbone, 9 April 1917 – 5 February 1918
- Lt-Col J.A. McQueen (previously acting, 4–9 April 1917), 5 February–24 June 1918
- Lt-Col P.de H. Hall, from 30 July 1918
63rd Division
2nd Northumbrian Division, numbered 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division from August 1915, was an exact duplicate of the 50th Division. It began to assemble in and around Newcastle in January 1915 as part of Northern Command. Its divisional RE comprised the 2/1st and 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Companies and the 2/1st Northumbrian Signal Company, all based at Newcastle.[19][25][26][71]
The division was responsible for the
In November 1915, 63rd Division moved to
63rd (2/1st Northumbrian) Divisional Signal Company did not go overseas and was broken up for drafts in England.[19][25]
The following officer served as CRE of 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division:[25]
- Lt-Col J.E. McPherson (previously CRE, 50th Division), from 18 November 1915
15th Indian Division
The division was formed on 7 May 1916 in Mesopotamia, and had already seen action. The Northumbrian engineers joined the division on the Euphrates front as follows:[25][26][71][72]
- 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Company, joined on 1 December 1916, numbered 448th (Northumbrian) Field Company on 6 March 1917
- 3/1st Northumbrian Field Company, joined on 10 March 1917, numbered 450th (Northumbrian) Field Company on 6 March
- 1/3rd Northumbrian Field Company, joined on 10 January 1917, numbered 451st (Northumbrian) Field Company on 6 March
The division took part in the
At the end of the war the division was rapidly run down, and was formally disbanded in March 1919.[72]
The following officers served as CRE of 15th Indian Division while the Northumbrian companies were attached:[72]
- Lt-Col C.B.L. Greenstreet, 28 October 1916 – 7 February 1917
- Lt-Col J.F. Turner, from 7 February 1917
641st (Northumbrian) Field Company
In May 1915 all TF men who had only signed up for Home Service were transferred to Home Defence brigades (termed Provisional Brigades). 2nd Provisional Brigade was formed in North East England from the home service men of 50th (Northumbrian) and 49th (West Riding) Divisions, including 2nd Provisional Field Company, RE. By March 1916 the Provisional Brigades were concentrated along the South East Coast of England. The Military Service Act 1916 swept away the Home/Foreign service distinction, and all TF soldiers became liable for overseas service, if medically fit. The provisional brigades and units received numbers and henceforth part of their role was physical conditioning to render men fit for drafting overseas. 2nd Provisional Brigade became the 222nd Infantry Brigade, and in March 1917 the field company was redesignated 641st (Northumbrian) Field Company. The unit never served overseas but lasted until at least August 1917.[73][74][75][76]
454th (Northumbrian) Reserve Field Company was also formed (probably from 2nd or 3rd Line Territorials) and existed from January to December 1917. Little is known about it, but it did not proceed overseas, and was probably absorbed into the central training organisation in 1918.[30][74]
Interwar
The 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division reformed in April 1920 in what was now termed the Territorial Army, with its engineers organised as follows:[22][77][78]
50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers, RE
- 232nd (Northumbrian) Field Company
- 233rd (Northumbrian) Field Company
- 234th (Northumbrian) Field Company
Signals units were transferred from the RE to the newly formed
After the
50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers, RE
- 232nd (Northumbrian) Field Company
- 505th Field Company
- 235th (Northumbrian) Field Park Company
23rd (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers, RE[81]
- 233rd (Northumbrian) Field Company
- 507th Field Company
- 508th Field Park Company
Northern Command
- 234th (Northumbrian) Field Company at Gateshead
- 506th Field Company at Newcastle
World War II
Battle of France
50th Division
The 50th Division joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France in February 1940.[82][83][84] When the Germans attacked in May, the division moved up into Belgium with the rest of the BEF and took up positions on the River Dendre.[85] However, the Germans broke through French lines and the BEF was forced to retreat. By 19 May, 50th Division was moved back to Vimy Ridge north of Arras to prepare for a counter-attack as part of 'Frankforce.'[86][87]
On 21 May part of the division attacked, supported by tanks, in what became known as the Battle of Arras.[88] However, after this brief check, the Germans continued to advance, and Arras became a dangerous salient and a further attack was cancelled.[89] By now the BEF was cut off from the bulk of the French armies, and began its retreat towards Dunkirk. 50th Division was sent north to Ypres, where it found an open flank where the Belgians had already retreated.[90] It began a planned withdrawal,[91] providing a rearguard for the eastern flank of the BEF, suffering heavy casualties from bombardment as it did so.[92] By the night of 31 May–1 June the division was back across the French frontier, in reserve to the French defenders.[93][94] The division, less its heavy equipment, was evacuated from Dunkirk on 1 June and landed in the United Kingdom the following day.[95]
23rd Division
23rd (Northumbrian) Division only became operational on 2 October 1939, and almost immediately, 506 Field Company was withdrawn to join the reforming
After evacuation from Dunkirk, 23rd Division was broken up. 233 Field Company rejoined 50th Division, while 507 Field Company and 508 Field Park Company transferred to London Defence Troops RE. 507 Field Company later went to Northern Ireland with 148 Brigade Group until mid-1942 when it joined 47th (London) Infantry Division, a reserve formation, with which it remained until the end of the war.[95][96][97][105][106][107] 508 Field Park Company was assigned to VIII Corps Troops, Royal Engineers by February 1941 and apart from a brief interval it served with that unit in home defence and throughout the campaign in North West Europe.[107][108]
North Africa
After re-equipping and retraining in the United Kingdom, 50th Division sailed on 23 April 1941 for Egypt.[82][109] Following spells in Cyprus, Iraq and Syria, it joined British Eighth Army for the Battle of Gazala (26 May–21 June 1942).[82][109] 150th Brigade, with 232 Field Company under command, had formed an independent brigade group and had been in the Western Desert since the previous November. It rejoined the division in February 1942, but during the 'Battle of the Cauldron' at Gazala the whole brigade, including 232 Field Company, was captured on 1 June and never reformed.[95][106]
235 Field Park Company also disappeared from the division's order of battle on the same day, being temporarily replaced by 142 Field Park Squadron from 1st Armoured Brigade, but returned in September.[95][106]
For the battles of
50th Division moved up from Tripoli to lead the attack at the
Sicily
In April 1943, in preparation for the
After the fighting was over in Sicily, 168 (London) Brigade was replaced by 231 Independent Infantry Brigade (2nd Devonshire Regiment, 1st Dorset Regiment and 1st Hampshire Regiment), together with 295 Field Company, a Territorial Army unit originally recruited in London. These had fought through the Sicilian campaign and the assault landing in Italy in September. They now became permanent parts of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The divisional bridging platoon became an independent unit (as 15 Bridging Platoon) within the Divisional RE in August.[95][82][120]
With its experience of amphibious assaults, 50th Division was earmarked for the forthcoming
North-West Europe
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, 50th Division carried out the landings on Gold Beach. For this it was heavily reinforced, including two squadrons (81 and 82) of 6th Assault Regiment RE from 79th Armoured Division equipped with AVREs, and two additional field companies RE (73 and 280) carrying explosives to deal with beach obstacles. These troops were the first to reach the beach and begin work under fire before the assault infantry arrived. The division's own 235 Field Park Company formed specialist detachments, driving bulldozers etc.[122][123][124][125] Once off the beach, 50th Division pushed inland towards Bayeux, and then consolidated its gains over the next few days against German counter-attacks. Progress towards Villers-Bocage was held up by strong Panzer units.[126][127]
For the next two months the division fought its way slowly through the Bocage country before being relieved on 5 August.[128][129] However, it was back in action on 9 August, attacking against stiff opposition in the advance beyond Mont Pincon as the Allies closed the Falaise Gap.[130] Once the Seine was crossed and the pursuit began, 50th Division supported 11th Armoured Division's rapid advance, protecting the flank and 'mopping up' local resistance. On 1 September the division secured bridges over the River Somme near Amiens and reached Arras. On 3 September it took part in the Liberation of Brussels.[131][132][133]
More resistance was met at the
The defence of the Nijmegen bridgehead was 50th Division's last operation. It was by now very weak, and in December 1944 it was broken up to provide replacements for other units in 21st Army Group. Most of the division's units returned to the United Kingdom as training cadres to turn surplus Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel into infantry. However, the Divisional RE continued its frontline engineering role, the four companies becoming 50th GHQ Troops RE within 21st Army Group until the end of the war in Europe.[82][138][139][140]
50th GHQ Troops RE
For the assault crossing of the Rhine (Operation Plunder) 50th GHQTRE's field companies constructed a vital access road, dubbed 'Caledonian Road', along the river bank to allow amphibious Buffalos and trucks carrying rafting equipment to cross a flooded area to reach the bank. The stores for the first 800 yards (730 m) of this road were brought forward, dumped, and camouflaged during the night of 22/23 March. At dusk the following evening, as the assault crossing began, the field companies started work and although hampered by enemy fire (the RE and Pioneers assisting them suffered over 50 casualties) they completed their 800 yards before dawn, when fire from Rees across the river halted further work. After the town was subdued the road was completed to its full length. At first it was made from channel tracks, which were later covered with soil so that carriers could run over them. But rain on 26 March turned this into slippery mud and the soil had to be scraped off again and replaced with coir matting and Sommerfeld tracking.[141][142]
Postwar
When the TA was reconstituted in 1947, 50th Divisional RE was reformed as 103 Field Engineer Regiment, RE, with 232, 235 and 506 Companies and 235 Park Company now designated as squadrons. When the division was reorganised as a division/district command in 1961, 103 Regiment was broken up and 505 Fd Sqn disbanded, but 232 and 506 Fd Sqns and 235 Fd Park Sqn continued to be assigned to the divisional HQ.[143][144] A major reorganisation in 1967 saw the division/district disbanded, and its RE component reformed as HQ Squadron and 103 (1st Newcastle) Field Squadron of 72 Engineer Regiment. The remainder of 72 Engineer Regiment was formed by the lineal descendants of the Tyne Electrical Engineers, thus uniting the lineages of all the Newcastle and Durham Engineer Volunteers of 1860 and 1874).[143][145]
72 Engineer Regiment was reduced to a single squadron in 1999 but reformed in 2006 as 72 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Engineer Regiment (V), as a Close Support RE regiment, with the following organisation:[145][146][147]
- 103 (1st Newcastle) Field Squadron at Newcastle and Sunderland
- 106 Field Squadron at Sheffield and Bradford
- 299 Parachute Squadron at Wakefield and Hull
72 Engineer Regiment supported 21 and 23 (Air Assault) Engineer Regiments of the Regular RE.
Under the
In November 2017, 103 Field Squadron was resubordinated from 21 Engineer Regiment in Ripon to 71 Engineer Regiment, based out of RAF Leuchars. 103 Field Squadron continues to operate as a detached Squadron from the Army Reserve Centre in Debdon Gardens, Newcastle.
Memorials
A World War I memorial to the men of the Durham Fortress Engineers and its three field companies was unveiled in Jarrow Drill Hall in 1928. An additional inscription to 233rd Field Company (of the Northumbrian Divisional Engineers) was added after World War II. The memorial is now in the RE Army Reserve Centre at Debdon Gardens, Newcastle.[149]
Notes
- ^ a b Beckett, Appendix IX.
- ^ a b c d e Army List.
- ^ Short et al., p. 1.
- ^ a b Westlake, p. 13.
- ^ Burke's.
- ^ Westlake, pp. 7 & 13.
- ^ Short et al., p. 2.
- ^ Durham Fortress Engineers at Regiments.org
- ^ Short et al, pp. 4–5.
- ^ Westlake, p. 15.
- ^ Tyne Electrical Engineers at Regiments.org
- ^ 80–117 RE Rgts at British Army 1945 on. Archived 2015-02-11 at archive.today
- ^ "Alfred Septimus Palmer family tree and biography at Eric Palmer's Home Page, accessed 5/2/15". Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ William Henry Allinson family tree and biography at The Thompsons, Shipbuilders of Sunderland family website, accessed 5/2/15
- ^ Watson, p. 42.
- ^ London Gazette, 20 March 1908.
- ^ London Gazette, 14 October 1910.
- ^ Monthly Army List, August 1914.
- ^ a b c d Lord & Watson, pp. 161–2.
- ^ Wyrall, p. 3 & Appendix B.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 93–100.
- ^ 50 (Northumbrian) Division at Long, Long Trail
- ^ Wyrall, p. 4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 49–54.
- ^ a b c d e f 63 (2nd Northumbrian) Division at Long, Long Trail
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 67.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 31.
- ^ a b Becke, Pt 1, pp. 105–16.
- ^ a b c Watson & Rinaldi, p. 59.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 89 & 359.
- ^ Wyrall, p. 5.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 9–44.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 42–8.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 48–86.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 86–100.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 35.
- ^ Becke, Pt 1, pp. 59–62.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 41.
- ^ Becke, Pt 2a, p. 79.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 100–134.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 134, 138–42.
- ^ Wyrall, p. 143.
- ^ Wyrall, p. 160.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 161–91.
- ^ Wyrall, p. 198.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 205–25.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 228–37.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 237–49.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 255–74.
- ^ Blaxland, pp. 56, 63.
- ^ Middlebrook, pp. 128, 207.
- ^ Murland, pp. 156–60, 163, 171.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 274–305.
- ^ Blaxland, pp. 86, 96, 102.
- ^ Murland, pp. 190, 193–4.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 309–34.
- ^ Blaxland, pp. 119–20.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 336–49.
- ^ Blaxland, pp. 136–8.
- ^ Murland, p. 212.
- ^ Becke, Pt 3b, pp. 96–100.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 350–53, 356 & Appendix F.
- ^ Blaxland, p. 230.
- ^ Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 166–7, 188.
- ^ Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 308–9.
- ^ Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 309–12, 320–1.
- ^ Wyrall, pp. 354–6.
- ^ Blaxland, pp. 238–9, 241, 247, 251, 255.
- ^ Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop, pp. 473–5, 494–5, 501–2, 508, 521.
- ^ a b c d Watson & Rinaldi, p. 37.
- ^ a b c d e Perry, pp. 134–6.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 64.
- ^ a b RE Museum list of WWI unit war diaries.
- ^ David Porter's work on Provisional Brigades at Great War Forum.
- ^ Miscellaneous units at Regimental Warpath.
- ^ Titles and Designations, 1927.
- ^ a b Watson & Rinaldi, p. 91.
- ^ Ellis, Normandy, Appendix IV.
- ^ Northern Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 93.
- ^ a b c d e Watson & Rinaldi, p. 141.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 19.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, p. 25.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 49.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 73.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 83.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, pp. 89–91.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 149.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 196.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 201.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 215.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, pp. 231–5.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 239.
- ^ a b c d e f g Joslen, pp. 81–2.
- ^ a b Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 138–9.
- ^ a b Joslen, p. 62.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, p. 14.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 21.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 65.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, pp. 76–81.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 89.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 188.
- ^ Ellis, France & Flanders, p. 225.
- ^ Joslen, pp. 41 & 333.
- ^ a b c Watson & Rinaldi, p. 163.
- ^ a b c Watson & Rinaldi, p. 168.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 132.
- ^ a b Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, p. 319.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, pp. 365, 394, 406.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 227, 231.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, pp. 412–3.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 334–5, 338–41.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol VIII, pp. 415–6.
- ^ Playfair & Molony, Vol IV, pp. 364–7, 372.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 167.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol IX, p 5.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 3–55.
- ^ Molony, Vol V, pp. 102–5.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 185.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 53–5.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol IX, pp. 334, 348–50, 356.
- ^ Joslen, p. 581.
- ^ Ellis, Normandy, pp. 171–8.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 74–9 & Appendix C.
- ^ Ellis, Normandy, pp. 209–13, 230–1, 253-6.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 102–15.
- ^ Ellis, Normandy, pp. 334, 388–9, 402, 409.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 116–31.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 132–7.
- ^ Ellis, Normandy, pp. 468–71.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 137–40.
- ^ Ellis, Germany, pp. 4–6.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 141–7.
- ^ Ellis, Germany, pp. 12–3.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 148–55.
- ^ Ellis, Germany, pp. 32, 42, 98.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, p. 122.
- ^ Barnes, pp. 156–9.
- ^ Ellis, Germany, pp. 158–9, 371.
- ^ Pakenham-Walsh, Vol IX, pp. 489–90.
- ^ Saunders, p. 65.
- ^ a b Divisional RE at British Army 1945 on.
- ^ Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 291, 301, 305.
- ^ a b c Watson & Rinaldi, pp. 314, 318.
- ^ Royal Engineers TA at ARRSEpedia
- ^ 72 Engineer Rgt at The Sappers Site
- ^ Army Reserve changes and future basing Archived 10 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ North East War Memorials Project Ref J2.33
References
- B.S. Barnes, The Sign of the Double 'T' (The 50th Northumbrian Division – July 1943 to December 1944), Market Weighton: Sentinel Press, 2nd Edn 2008, ISBN 978-0-9534262-0-1.
- Maj A.F. Becke,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 1: The Regular British Divisions, London: HM Stationery Office, 1934/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-84734-738-X.
- Maj A.F. Becke,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56), London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-84734-739-8.
- Maj A.F. Becke,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions, London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-84734-739-8.
- Maj A.F. Becke,History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3b: New Army Divisions (30–41) and 63rd (R.N.) Division, London: HM Stationery Office, 1939/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-84734-741-X.
- Ian F.W. Beckett, Riflemen Form: A study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908, Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, ISBN 0-85936-271-X.
- Gregory Blaxland, Amiens: 1918, London: Frederick Muller, 1968/Star, 1918, ISBN 0-352-30833-8.
- Brig-Gen Sir James E. Edmonds & Lt-Col R. Maxwell-Hyslop, History of the Great War: Military Operations, France and Belgium 1918, Vol V, 26th September–11th November, The Advance to Victory, London: HM Stationery Office, 1947/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1993, ISBN 978-0-89839-192-3.
- Major L. F. Ellis, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940, London: HM Stationery Office, 1954.
- ISBN 1-84574-058-0.
- Major L.F. Ellis, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West, Vol II: The Defeat of Germany, London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-84574-059-9.
- Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
- Cliff Lord & Graham Watson, Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecedents, Solihull: Helion, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-92-2.
- Martin Middlebrook, The Kaiser's Battle, 21 March 1918: The First Day of the German Spring Offensive, London: Allen Lane, 1978/Penguin, 1983, ISBN 0-14-017135-5.
- Brig C.J.C. Molony,History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Mediterranean and Middle East, Vol V: The Campaign in Sicily 1943 and the Campaign in Italy 3rd September 1943 to 31st March 1944, London: HM Stationery Office, 1973/Uckfield, Naval & Military Press, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-69-6.
- Jerry Murland, Retreat and Rearguard Somme 1918: The Fifth Army Retreat, Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2014, ISBN 978-1-78159-267-0.
- Maj-Gen R.P. Pakenham-Walsh, History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Vol VIII, 1938–1948, Chatham: Institution of Royal Engineers, 1958.
- Maj-Gen R.P. Pakenham-Walsh, History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Vol IX, 1938–1948, Chatham: Institution of Royal Engineers, 1958.
- F.W. Perry, History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 5b: Indian Army Divisions, Newport: Ray Westlake, 1993, ISBN 1-871167-23-X.
- Maj-Gen ISBN 1-845740-68-8.
- Tim Saunders, Operation Plunder: The British and Canadian Rhine Crossing, Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books, 2006, ISBN 1-84415-221-9.
- Maj O.M. Short, Maj H. Sherlock, Capt L.E.C.M. Perowne and Lt M.A. Fraser, The History of the Tyne Electrical Engineers, Royal Engineers, 1884–1933, 1933/Uckfield: Naval & Military, nd, ISBN 1-84574-796-8.
- Titles and Designations of Formations and Units of the Territorial Army, London: War Office, 7 November 1927.
- Col Sir Charles M. Watson, History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Vol III, Chatham: Institution of Royal Engineers, reprint 1954.
- Graham E. Watson & Richard A. Rinaldi, The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889–2018, Tiger Lily Books, 2018, ISBN 978-171790180-4.
- R.A. Westlake, Royal Engineers (Volunteers) 1859–1908, Wembley: R.A. Westlake, 1983, ISBN 0-9508530-0-3.
- Everard Wyrall, The Fiftieth Division 1914–1919, 1939/Uckfield: Naval & Military, nd, ISBN 1-84342-206-9.
External sources
- British Army units from 1945 on
- Great War Forum
- The Long, Long Trail
- Family Tree at Eric Palmer's Home Page Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- Orders of Battle at Patriot Files
- The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918 (archive site)
- RE Museum
- The Thompsons, Shipbuilders of Sunderland
- North East War Memorials Project