大象传媒

On the 1/1/38 I joined the Suffolk Fortress Royal Engineers (T.A) as a Sapper - trade 'Clerk'.

Drill Hall was in Portman Road, Ipswich. Initial training in drill and musketry given by 2 Permanent Staff Instructors (Regulars). One being the CSM, the other the CQMS.

The uinit's responsibility was the operation of Searchlights at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe, and Beacon Hill Fort, Dovercourt. This covered the operation of Searchlights, the Engine Room (used to produce electricity for all the Searchlights) or the Control Room, which was high above the forts.

On the 24/8/38 the unit was mobilised. I reported to the Drill Hall and was transported to Landguard Fort, Felixstowe. It was now evening and we were allocated duties - I ending up in the Control Room.

After a few weeks a detatchment of Engineers (including myself) and Gunners were posted to what became the Links Battery, Gorleston. Holiday bungalows on the cliffs being taken over.

Searchlights were at the nearest Railway Station. This had been despatched from Woolwich. I was interested to see that these had been despatched some weeks before War had been declared.

Our responsibility was to install the Searchlights. I helped an electrician in this work.

The Regular CQMS was also sent. His duties were to include operating the RE Orderly office. I was his clerk.

In addition to routine office duties the CQMS allocated to me the amending of King's Regulations, Ordnance Regulations and Allowance Regulations, The knowledge I obtained in carrying out this duty came in very useful later in my service.

In about May 1940 the War Office decided that the Gunners would take over the duties of the Sappers. We were given the option of transferring to the Gunners. Only 2 of our detatchment took this option.

The War Office decided to allocate the surplus Sappers to form RE Field Companies. These were posted to the Milton Barracks, Gravesend. They were supplemented by reservists, new raw Volunteers etc. The Unit was named "584 (Suffolk) Army Field Co. R.E."

On the 9th of June 1940 the Acting O.C. sent an urgent message to Felixstowe pointing out that he required a trained clerk. I became L/Cpl and a few months later promoted to Cpl.

In the Autumn of 1940 it was feared that the Germans might invade Ireland. An Army Corps was formed and sent to Northern Ireland. The Corps were 15 (Kent) Corps. R.E., the 584 (Suffolk) Army Field Coy R.E. and the 297 Army Field Park Coy.

I was promoted to CQMS.

Training continued in Ulster, initially for raids on Italy and North Africa, but both were cancelled.

In the Spring of 1943 all RE Cos in the 15 (Kent) Corps R.E. were moved to the U.K to train for the invasion. The Corps was given responsbility for constructing Bailey floating bridges over the large rivers.

Some months later the Corps moved to the Southampton area and constructed NL Pontoons (USA equipment). These were to be moved by sea to the Invasion beaches to construct floating piers - for D-Day.

We landed in France in the middle of July.

The Corps built the large floating bridges they had been trained for. The longest was the 'Sparrow' Bridge (so called after Sapper Sparrow who drowned during its construction). This was over the River Rhine at Xanten - 1,700 ft.

In the last weeks of the War the SS destroyed Railway Bridges over the Emms Canal. It was essential to open this so that food and materials could be moved to the centre of Germany.

The 584 (Suffolk) Army Field R.E. were moved from Breman to Munster to remove the bridges, which were like a 'V' in the canal.

One morning a Sjt., who was working on the bridge clearance, told me that our Sappers were receiving a daily milk ration because of the plant they were using. However, the elderly German civilians we were employing were practically starving. "Q" - Can you help?

By chance I had some 24 cases of 'buckshee' tinned meat.

I thought that this action by the Sjt. was a Christian Act, especially as the War had only recently ended.

I received a certificate for outstanding good service from Field Marshall B.L. Montgomery dated 31 Jan 1945.

Released form Army on 15/3/46

Reproduced by Ipswich Museum with D.S.Skeates's permission.

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