In one of the workshops of the Army Railway Schools recruits in training for the Railway section of the Royal Engineers are dismantling a locomotive for a thorough overhaul to see what parts need renewal. For such demonstrations old types of locomotives that have been discarded by the railways are used. In dismantling and reassembling these engines the men gain a thorough knowledge of the working parts.
RE Nice photo Jim. And a good find. The Royal Engineers had their hands in lots of things beside bridge building. Did you know that the RE's were responsible for all British Army Postal Services? Well they were when I was in! Which was 1957/63. But things do change. The old RASC is now The Royal Logistic Corps, for example. and of course loads of infantry Regiments have been amalgamated. Things change, even in the army! but not always for the better it seems. There was a lot of bitter resentment at some of the changes, which were made for mainly financial reasons ( a smaller Army) and a lot of soldiers got out. Also some tradesmen in the Corps were forced to learn another trade to the one they were qualified in, to make up the short fall. And even now I read they are very thin on the ground, with the T.A. having to re-inforce them. Progress? O.K. Rant over: still a good photo Jim, nice one!
Aye good photo, and I would have had no idea that there would have been a "railway section". I have been trying in vain for years now to put together my own understanding of the way armies are organised, never having been a military man myself. I still probably couldn't tell you the difference between a Corps and a Battallion. Are all these Engineers still known as "Field Units" , as described in the "Sapper Brian Guy" accounts ?
army Any questions you have about the army mate just ask. I will do my best to answer them. A Corps is a collection of units spread through-out the Army. A Battalion is usually in one place ( a barracks say) consisting of a number of units called companies or squadrons. IE. a ficticous army address:-- 2133425674 Private Smith, 3 platoon "B" Company 1st Battalion R.E.M.E. XXXZXZ Barracks Limpshire So within that address we have a "Platoon" a "Company" a "Battalion" and of course The Corps . Not sure about the R.E. "field units", The Railway Section could possibly be RE Workshops.? May-be we have ex-Sappers on here who could put us right?
The traning of soldiers to be able to do other duties is also been done in the civilian factories and offices alike and has been done for the same reasons as the armies have been done "costs" :lame: Yes it is also a good topic:thumb:
Ha ha excellent ! Thanks Jim and thank-you Brian !! That explanation has definitely got me closer, but I can see it is difficult to explain. After about half a dozen readings I can say I am at least now crystal clear on the "field unit" thing. Jamie and Kelly will probably wonder what all the fuss is about, as it's all likely second nature to them. I suppose you have to "live it" for it to sink in properly. However , I will keep trying, and soldier on with it. I am laughing out loud as I read it again with how I get tied up and confused and with all the questions it throws up for me. And I know the fault lies with me, not with the explanation. I also find it fascinating how the ranks from different nations armies have equivalents that "map" onto each other almost exactly. For example: a Sturmbannführer is/was a Major. I always wonder how it is that something that seems so unscientific and illogical as the organisation of armies has developed in almost exactly the same way in different countries. But that, as they say, is another story. Thanks very much again all.:thumb:
army Yes mate it is "second" nature to me , even after all these years! But I can only repeat that anything you want to know just ask! I am retired now so time is something I have plenty of!
Working the points was an important part of the R.E. railwaymen's training. If points-men were not on duty the engine crew would have to do this work themselves. The British railways couldn't be depleted of any more men to work military railways, so an Army Railway School was established in England to trainmen for the Railway Engineers section of the Royal Engineers. There every branch of railway work, including building embankments and digging cuttings, plate-laying, the repair of locomotives and rolling stock and signalling were taught.. Instruction in signalling, both British and Continental system, was given on an 0 gauge model railway. There were twenty miles of track and sidings on which the actual handling of trains was taught, and completely equipped repair shops. (Below Top) Instruction in the French system of railway signalling and the meaning of French railway signs is being given to recruits on a miniature railway. (Below Bottom) The British signalling system is being demonstrated in similarly intriguing fashion. (Below Left) A recruit is learning to give flag signals from the guard's van to the driver of a goods train. (Below Right) Instruction is been given in the working of a single line railway. The "staff" without which a train cannot enter a signal line section, is being handed to the driver.
