508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers, War Diary May 1940
In view of the complexity of the War Diary for this crucial month in the Brigade's existence it is recommended that the Diaries for each of the Units concerned are read alongside each other, so as to form as accurate a picture as possible of what was a confusing few weeks. The entries are kept in date order and, where clarity would be helped, the reader is referred to parallel entries from other Units. It is suggested that the Diary for the 23rd Division is read first, followed by that for the Brigade HQ and then the Infantry Battalions and Engineer Companies. There is a considerable amount of material to cover, especially as Units were in many cases broken into small parties and served as part of temporary groupings, such as Petreforce. The author has tried to be as faithful as possible to the original documents.
1 May 1940. France.
Works by outlying Sections at Dieval and Monchy le Breton for 8th and 9th RNF’s continued. Railhead at Tinques continued to be run by civilian labour under R.E. supervision.
2 May 1940
Works continued. Rumours of enemy parachutists at Dieval – no foundation.
3 May 1940
Works continued. Pay Parade. Liberty trip to ARRAS for limited number of personnel from Tinques.
4 May 1940
Works continued. The Field Returns of staff for the 4th May were attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
5 May 1940
Church Parade for whole Company. Outlying Section from Monchy le Breton being brought into Tinques for the occasion.
6 May 1940
Works continued.
7 May 1940
Works continued.
8 May 1940
Works continued.
9 May 1940
Works continued. Strong rumours of Enemy preparations to advance.
10 May 1940
05:00 hours. Enemy aerial activity in ARRAS and Amiens direction. Heavy detonations heard and A.A. fire observed. Our LMGs opened fire on enemy bombers flying towards Amiens – first shot fired by our Company in France.
05:30 hours. Enemy bomber flew at altitude of 150 feet over Tinques dump, direction North, LMGs opened fire but only succeeded in peppering his tail. Great excitement among the Company.
09:00 hours. News received of Germans’ march into Holland.
Works continued. French civilian labour arriving very late and in a state of dejected excitement. Reports from Dieval and Monchy le Breton of slight aerial activity.
15:00 hours. Captain Byers and 2/Lt Scott proceeded to HQ Miraumont for Divisional R.E. Meeting and Dinner, where harrowing and doubtless exaggerated tales of the “first” day of the war were exchanged.
11 May 1940
Works continued. Bombing heard in Westerly direction. The Weekly Field Returns for 11th May were attached to the War Diary – for details see below.
12 May 1940
No Church Parade. Company resting.
13 May 1940
Works continued at full pressure. Civilian labour having difficulty in getting to Tinques from Arras and St Pol. First refugees seen on main Arras-St Pol road. British transport moving up in continuous streams. No authentic news of the Battle front but rumours of German swift advance with Armoured Units prevalent.
14 May 1940
Works continued. Refugees increasing. Aerial activity in Easterly direction. Tension increasing.
15 May 1940
Outlying Sections brought into Tinques, leaving small rear parties. Work practically at a standstill – French labour arriving very late, with difficulty. Postal arrangements disrupted. Ration difficulty beginning to become apparent.
16 May 1940
Works continued half-heartedly. Aerodrome site at Monchy le Breton needs clearing, doing our best. German breakthrough in Sedan area reported, roads choked with refugees and transport. Arras bombed. Situation not clear at all. Small party in 3 ton lorry (Driver Bestford) under Sgt Crombie left Tinques for BAPAUME to take over dump.
17 May 1940
Heavy detonations heard in East and South-East directions. Pay Parade. French civilian labour arrived in force for their Pay, such is the Power of Money. Captain Byers and 2/Lt Scott went to contact HQ. No definite instructions but “Prepare to Move”. Roads choked with refugees from Belgium. German advance appears to be assuming serious proportions.
18 May 1940
Tension increasing, several exhausted French Mobile units passed through Tinques. Sgt Crombie returned from BAPAUME, reporting dump abandoned and on fire. Situation in that area appears grave.
19 May 1940
12:00 hours. Order received by Despatch Rider “Prepare to evacuate all British personnel at half-hours notice.
12:30 hours. Order received – “Move to ESSARS”.
13:00 hours. Main body of Company under 2/Lt Scott left Tinques for Essars via Bethune. Difficulty in marching against the terrified stream of refugees.
15:00 hours. Transport left Tinques with all stores it could carry. Dump abandoned. French mobile units in Tinques in exhausted condition. Advance Enemy Units rumoured to be near St Pol. Situation vague.
22:00 hours. Main body reach Essars, having marched with full kit the whole way. Constant enemy aerial activity. Men resting.
20 May 1940
01:00 hours. 2/Lt Scott, Lt Burgess (233 Field Company) and 20 Other Ranks left for reconnaissance of the La Bassee-Bethune canal, to block all bridges temporarily and report on readiness for demolition.
2/Lts Bligh and Thackeray left on similar Reccs to the West of Bethune.
21 May 1940
Parties sent out to prepare bridges on Bethune Canal for demolition. Constant aerial activity. Lack of sleep apparent.
22 May 1940
Parties out all night. Preparation of demolition of bridges continued. Some barges sunk as suspected fifth columnists placed them in such a position as crossing of canal would be easy. Two spies caught in Essars, shot at and wounded and taken under escort to nearest French HQ at Bethune. Some parties coming in. Refugees choking roads. Gunfire intermittently from South. Constant aerial activity. Company LMGs in action several times.
23 May 1940
Last bridges handed over to local commanders. Divisional R.E. preparing to move. Reports state German advance nearing Bethune, already heavily bombed.
22:00 hours. 23rd Divisional R.E. leave Essars for Seclin. Convoy in charge of 2/Lt Scott.
24 May 1940
05:00 hours. Convoy arrived Seclin. Transport sent back to collect remainder of 23rd Division R.E.
09:00 hours. Remainder of R.E.s arrive. All billeted and go to sleep immediately, having been five days and nights without sleep and working continuously. Captain Byers and 2/Lt Thackeray left for new area near Gravelines.
25 May 1940
Company recuperate. Bombing by enemy aircraft. Refugees pouring into Seclin still.
26 May 1940
22:00 hours. Company leave Seclin by Army Transport Company, escorted by Tanks. Turned back by General Herbert as Enemy A.F.V.s across route.
27 May 1940
06:00 hours. Company arrives back at Seclin.
18:00 hours. Two-thirds of Company leave Seclin in own transport. All unessential kit jettisoned. Looks as if B.E.F. is in full flight.
23:00 hours. Transport arrives Les Moeres, billeted in barns. Constant aerial activity.
28 May 1940
Company standing by. Parties sent out to demolish bridges near BERGUES under 2/Lt Bligh. Captain Byers reported wounded at Dunkirk. Remainder of Company at Seclin reported to be retiring to coast under 2/Lt Dodds of Divisional HQ. Sgt Urwin reported badly wounded by bomb, also two Sappers, at Seclin.
16:00 hours. 20 Other Ranks under 2/Lt Scott sent to hold bridge over canal at Houtens. Company retreat to coast to evacuate. B.E.F. seems to have been chased out of France.
29 May 1940
Company on beach waiting for evacuation.
30 May 1940
Main body of Company evacuated.
31 May 1940
Remainder of Company evacuated.
Appendices attached to War Diary of 508th Field Park Company for May 1940.
Field Returns 4th May 1940
The Officer return shows four men in post – one Captain and three 2/Lts. The identities of the Officers are the same as in the previous month, together with the RAMC Captain attached as Medical Officer.
The Other Ranks Return shows a complement of 166 men, including 33 surplus to requirements and a shortfall of 19 against the establishment.
Field Returns 11th May 1940
The Officer return again shows four men in post – one Captain and three 2/Lts. The nominal roll shows the same four Officers as in the previous month, together with the Medical Officer – who seems to be covering all the Divisional Engineers.
Details of Citations for Gallantry Awards relevant to 508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers.
The citation for Company Sergeant Major Alfred BALDWIN’s Distinguished Conduct Medal was gazetted on 11th July 1940 and can be found in The National Archives file reference WO 373/15 Piece number 7920. 2208942 CSM Baldwin was Company Sergeant Major of 508 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers.
The citation reads as follows:-
“On 20 – 21 May at a bridge near BETHUNE, was in charge of demolition and road blocking, although subject to continual bombing and air machine-gun attacks, carried the work through with exceptional coolness and personal courage, setting a splendid example to his men. At all times from 10th May until evacuated from Dunkirk he showed great efficiency and courage in all his duties, which were carried out with cheerfulness and promptitude.
The recommendation was put forward by 2/Lt H.F.N. Scott and endorsed by Lt Col Kennedy, Commander Royal Engineers of 23 (N) Division.
The citation in respect of Company Quarter Master Sergeant John William Clarke COLE’s Military Medal award was gazetted on 11th July 1940 and can be found within The National Archives file reference WO 373/15 Piece number 7918. CQMS Cole was Quartermaster of 508 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers.
The citation reads as follows:-
From 19/5/40 to 31/5/40 was constantly engaged in supplying R.E. Stores and rations to his own Company and attached details. On 24/5/40 near BETHUNE he led a party to save valuable stores from a lorry which had broken down. This work was completed under heavy shell fire and this NCO’s personal courage and coolness was an inspiration to all ranks.
The recommendation was made by Lt Col Kennedy, Commander Royal Engineers, 23 (N) Division.
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