Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

[Lindyloowho]

My uncle enlisted in the REME on 18 August 1941 and was with them until 17 June 1944 when he transferred to the Pioneer Corps.

Is there anyway of finding where they were posted during that time frame?

This man had mental health problems before the war, and an incident took place during his service which may have resulted in him being court martialed - “family rumour”. Would any records of the court martial still exist?

I do not have his service record, but understand some of the information could be blacked out due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

My uncle died in 1956, after spending three years in a mental hospital, unable to function on his own.

Any information, or suggestions, would be appreciated.

Thank you, Linda

[Jebber]

Check the National Archives for information.


https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/courts-martial-desertion-british-army-17th-20th-centuries/

[Lindyloowho]

Thank you for the link Jebber. Unfortunately no luck with anything online. I’m in Canada so unable to visit the Archives in person.

I have found a website for the REME’s, and will try asking them.

Linda

[Ashtone]

Have you tried searching for your uncle in TNA's WO 420 series?  Unfortunately, the REME records would need to be viewed there.

Search for him with his initial(s) and surname. First names aren't listed, but DoBs are. At least it will provide you with his service number. And also confirm if a REME record for him exists.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17508500

[Lindyloowho]

Thank you for this - just found it myself and couldn’t believe my luck!
Unfortunately his record is not on there🥲

I have emailed them as they will check their database to see if the record still exists.

Linda

[Ashtone]

You say he enlisted with the REME in 1941. The REME were established in 1942. So could your uncle have enlisted with another unit in 1941?

ADDED:

"The majority of the men came from the engineering services of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (R.A.O.C.), with some five-thousand officers and eighty-thousand men transferring across with effect from the 1 October 1942; this being the effective date of the formation of R.E.M.E."

[Lindyloowho]

I wondered about that?  The information concerning his enlistment came from  a query to the Pioneers Corp. I started there knowing he had been with them at the end of the war.

Their records indicated the information I gave above i.e. original enlistment date to the REME. They also gave me his service number.

Not sure what could have happened?

Linda

[Ashtone]

Have you tried searching for him with his s/n? I presume its a Pioneer Corps s/n?

[Lindyloowho]

No, not sure how to do that?  I presume it is a Pioneer one too.

I have emailed the gentleman I got the info from, just to make sure it wasn’t a typo?😁