About This Unit
This was an administrative grouping used to facilitate the enlistment and embarkation of Engineer soldiers destined to be reinforcements for the Engineer Field Companies on the Western Front. They were assigned on arrival and following completion of any necessary further training.
You should check the service records of any individual you may be trying to research for information as to subsequent postings.
Each Division had three Field Engineer Companies under command, numbered the same as the Brigades of the Division. There ws a Division Headquarters element which commanded the Engineer resources in the Division to coordinate and direct engineer effort in support of hte Division Commanders' Plans.
For example, the 5th Division had the 8th 14th and 15th Field Company of Engineers on strength.
During WW 1 the Engineers undertook a raft of tasks broadly divided into mobility, counter mobility and construction as well as survey and mapping, and specialised tunnelling and mining operations. The Field Companies' scope of works concentrated on the former rather than the latter.
They undertook a broad range of tasks including preparation and supervision of the construction of defensive and gun positions, excavation of trenches and dugouts, erection of wire and other obstacles, preparation of command posts, signalling and water supply, field engineering, road and bridge construction and route maintenance. They also undertook obstacle breaching and crossing. For example in the lead up to the attack at Mont St Quentin the Engineers were required to carry out two river crossing / bridging operations.
Engineers also had responsibility for signalling although this function became more specialised as the war progressed, eventually leading to the creation of a separate Signals Corps (pronounced 'core').
Each Division had three Field Engineer Companies under command, numbered the same as the Brigades of the Division.
During WW 1 the Engineers undertook a raft of tasks broadly divided into mobility, counter mobility and construction as well as survey and mapping, and specialised tunnelling and mining operations. The Field Companies' scope of works concentrated on the former rather than the latter.
They undertook a broad range of tasks including preparation and supervision of the construction of defensive and gun positions, excavation of trenches and dugouts, erection of wire and other obstacles, preparation of command posts, signalling and water supply, field engineering, road and bridge construction and route maintenance. They also undertook obstacle breaching and crossing. For example in the lead up to the attack at Mont St Quentin the Engineers were required to carry out two river crossing / bridging operations.
Engineers also had responsibility for signalling although this function became more specialised as the war progressed, eventually leading to the creation of a separate Signals Corps (pronounced 'core').