Collections Guide - West Yorkshire Joint Services

The Royal Engineers carried out a number of different roles for the army both in the battlefield and along thelines of communication. The various specialisms were organised into different types of units, none of whichwas bigger than a Company in size. These units were attached to Divisions, or to larger formations at Corps,Army or even GHQ. The main ones, of which there were many, were the Field Companies and the SignalsCompanies. These Companies often saw action and took part in the fighting. The Divisions in the early partof the war also had on their strength two Fortress Companies and works units for bridging and lines ofcommunication. In November 1914, the Royal Engineers was composed of almost 17,000 officers and340,000 other ranks. Signals Company RE - In 1914 each Infantry Division included a Signals Companywith a total strength of 162 men. It was organised into a Company HQ and 4 Sections, of which No 1 Sectionwas responsible for communications with Divisional HQ and Nos 2-4 with the Brigades of the Division. TheSignals Companies relied on horses for transport and had an establishment of 33 riding horses plus 47draught heavy and 4 pack horses. There were also 32 bicycles and 9 motorcycles. With the exception of theTrumpeter, all other ranks were armed as infantrymen, carrying the SMLE rifle (further information can befound at: http://www.1914-1918.net/whatfieldcoy.htm, accessed 18/04/13).(70D84) 1915-1916 Diary (copy) of Private Fred Conquest, 18/553 18 th West YorkshireRegiment18th (Service) Battalion (2nd Bradford). Formed in Bradford on 22 January 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City(further information can be found at: http://www.1914-1918.net/westyorks.htm, accessed 19/04/13). In June1915 they were attached to 93rd Brigade, 31st Division. The 18th were disbanded in France on 15 February1918 (further information can be found at:http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/greatwar/allied/westyorkshireregiment-gw.html, accessed 19/04/13).(67D89) 1915-1916 Diary (copy) of John H Taylor of the 6 th West Yorkshire RegimentThe 1/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion, was in Bradfordin August 1914 when war broke out. On 10 August they moved to Selby, and at the end of the month toStrenshall. In late October they moved to York, and in March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough beforeproceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on 15 of April 1915, and landing at Boulogne with the 146thBrigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeingaction at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, in the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lysand the final advance in Picardy (further information can be found at: http://www.1914-1918.net/westyorks.htm, accessed 19/04/13 andhttp://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/westyorkshireregiment6.php, accessed 19/04/13).(94D85/5/1/8/1) 15 May 1917 Notification to Mrs Sarah Briggs of 51, Norman Drive,Ecccleshill of the death of Lance Corporal Henry Briggs of the 2/7 th Duke ofWellington (West Riding Regiment)2/7th Battalion was formed at Milnsbridge in September 1914 as a "second line" unit. 1 March 1915: cameunder orders of 186th Brigade in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. Moved to Thoresby Park (Ollerton) in May1915. Moved in October 1915 to Retford, November 1915 to Newcastle, January 1916 to Salisbury Plain,June 1916 Halesworth, October 1916 to Bedford. Landed in France in January 1917. 18 June 1918: reduced