Hi there, I have not used this site for sometime now, but have got back to my research and would really like some help please from any of you military experts out there. I am trying to find out about the Royal Engineers, 101 Field Company 1939-45. I'd like to know where they were based throughout the 2nd World War and what campaigns they were involved in. I am interested in finding out more as I am doing some family history research. The soldier I am interested in was in the above company and died in 1944 during the Caen campaign and is buried in Brouay Cemetery, France. Perhaps someone can advise me if I have put this question on the wrong forum. Thanks very much. Nicky
Hi Nicky. Welcome back. Have you firstly contacted the RE Museum? There will also be an association as well, all easily found thrugh a google search. Other than that there is the forces section of friends reunited (Forces Reunited) on which it may be possible to find ex members of the same group. In order to find out what where the 101 RE were based throughout the war you first need to access the company Operational Record Book (ORB) or somesuch similar item, which is most likely now to be held at the National Records office in Kew. Drop them an email and ask. If they don't have it they may be able to tell you if it is still in existence and where it is. Next contact the museum, there is always an expert there who can tell you who was doing what, where and for whom at any point. As the person you are researching fell during th Caen offencsive then there is an excellent chance there are some very good records of what was happening to the 101 RE at the time. I hope this is of help, and I would normally have done the links for you but am at Uni and the system is sniffy as it is. But just a basic google search for Royal Engineers, RE Association and National Records Office will get you the links.
Hi Nicky welcome to the forum. As Kitty has stated, it seems best to try some of the 'specialist' organisations, and contact the NA for the 77th Division War Diaries. It seems that, until after D-Day, the company was based at home. The Comapny seems to have had relatively few casualties during the war, and all but one occurred on the Continent after the Normandy landings: WILLIAMS, S 1983841 26/02/1943 Cemetery: BEDWELLTY (ST. SANNAN) CHURCHYARD BEVAN, GW 2121002 05/07/1944 Cemetery: BROUAY WAR CEMETERY JONES, GH 14244194 18/07/1944 Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY VERNON, H 5059167 25/07/1944 Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY BEXLEY, NH 1905228 28/11/1944 Cemetery: MIERLO WAR CEMETERY HARWOOD, WH 14525846 15/05/1945 Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY HOWS, WC 2127112 25/03/1946 Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY CASSIDY, L 3663856 28/06/1946 Cemetery: HANOVER WAR CEMETERY BOND, JW 5059347 03/05/1947 Cemetery: ARMITAGE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD