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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Duck on Sunday 07 March 21 21:41 GMT (UK)

Title: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Duck on Sunday 07 March 21 21:41 GMT (UK)

Hello

Please can someone tell me what 3rd ? Coy means, and does anyone know where these Royal Engineers were between August 1915 and March 1916

My next question, My Thomas Hobson joins up on 18th August 1915 and is in France 7 days later, is this unusual?

Thank you

Simon

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Sandblown on Sunday 07 March 21 22:58 GMT (UK)

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/106427-3rd-provisional-company/

The above Link explains the role, of the 3rd Provisional Company, Royal Engineers.

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Duck on Monday 08 March 21 09:53 GMT (UK)

Thanks Sandblown for this information

A few posts on the Great War Forum suggest that the 3rd Provisional Company R.E. remained in Britain, but my Thomas Hobson according to his record, goes to France immediately after joining up.

Once again, thanks for the info

Kind regards

Simon

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Sandblown on Monday 08 March 21 10:11 GMT (UK)

Hello Simon,

Was Thomas Hobson a Miner in Civilian Life ? 3rd Provisional Company RE, was the UK holding Company for Tunnellers, assigned to other formed Tunneling Companies on the Western Front. Thomas would have been assigned to one of these other Companies.

I can only speculate on the circumstances of why He was posted to France, one week after joining up, maybe someone else on Roots Chat, can offer a more substantial explanation.

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Duck on Monday 08 March 21 11:55 GMT (UK)

Hi Sandblown

Thank you

Thomas's occupation was given as Labourer, he states he is 45 years old when he really is 49, he didn't last long, he joins in August 1915 and is discharged in March 1916 under para 392, not likely to become an efficient soldier.

Kind regards

Simon

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Sandblown on Monday 08 March 21 15:50 GMT (UK)

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-corps-of-royal-engineers-in-the-first-world-war/tunnelling-companies-of-the-royal-engineers-underground-warfare/

The above Link explains the urgency, why New Recruits, with certain skills or occupations, were required to be Posted to the Western Front, in the shortest possible time frame.

Title: Re: 3rd ? Coy, Royal Engineers
Post by: Duck on Tuesday 09 March 21 16:40 GMT (UK)

Hi Sandblown

What an interesting website, anyone who has relatives that fought in the First Word War will find this site a great help

Thank you

Simon