Royal Engineer's with

Cavalry 1914 to 1916.

Colonel W.H.Evans. DSO.

At the outbreak of World War 1, an organisation existed for the formation of a Cavalry Division of 4 Brigades plus Field Squadrons, Royal Engineers for support.The 1st Field Squadron was formed at Aldershot on 14th March 1914.

Captain. C.E.P. Sakey, Lt's R.D.Pank, J.Kiggell and J.C.Bowles were ordered to form the 3rd Field Squadron at Ludgershall on September 16th 1914. Men were collected and trained in Aldershot. The Squadron embarked at Southampton on October 12th reaching Boulogne on the 14th and detraining at Hazelbrouch on the 18th, finally joining the Division on the 19th at Passchandale.

After assisting the Division in the line, the Squadron were employed on second line defence work east of Ypres, employing civil labour, then afterwards worked on communications trenches for 1st Corp. The Squadron Headquarters moved from Zonnebcke to Dickenbusch Farm. Captain Sankey was wounded on October 30th. On the 21st November the Sqn withdrew to Hazenbrook for the winter.

The winter was spent mainly in trench warfare training, experiments were carried out and instruction given in the use of grenades and trench mortars. Ordinary RE services were also carried out, including a great deal of road work and airodrome construction at Bailleul.

On February Ist 1915, Captain Trench, 3rd Field Squadron, was wounded. During February, for 6 weeks, the Corp relieved French Infantry, (18th DIV IX Corp), in trenches North of Hill 60 and also helped 28 Division. 3rd Field Squadron were up during the first half of of February and again from 18th to 26th February, handing over to 1st Field Squadron on the 22nd, who were employed on sap head mines from 9th to 20th March. 3 Field Squadron with dismounted cavalry were employed on trenches west of Steenbecque.

On April 21st 1915, the Germans launched the first gas attacks at Ypres, the Corp supported what remained of the British Line from Ypres to the Belguim Army. 3rd Field Squadron were at Vlamertinge with the Division in reserve. Subsequently the 3rd Field Squadron were employed in trench work east of Ypres, under the CRE 28 Division and remained in the neighbourhood till May 1915, sometimes working withthe Division in the line around Hoege and Wieltje also sometimes on the GHQ Line east of Ypres and the Zillbeke Switch. May 17th to 28th saw the Squadrons working together under CRE, Cavalry Force, Major Sandys.3rd Field Squadron withdrew on 5th June to Renescure, June 30th saw the Corp at work, plus dismounted cavalry, on trenches in the Ypres area. The 3rd Field Squadron were working on trenches from Hill 63 to Neuve Eglise later going to the Elverdinge defences, which they handed over to 1st Field on the 7th August. The Squadron withdrew on 5th September to Vincly, near Fruges, the Division commenced training for Loo's. 

On the 20th September the Division were at Bois des Deron, under First Army. The FieldSquadrons employed in constructing cavalry tracks. On the 26th they assisted the 6th and 8th Cavalry Brigades to consolidate the position they had won on the east side of Loo's, withdrawing on the 28th. Lt Pank was slightly wounded during the action,

The Corp moved to Noeux le Mne for battle. The 1st Cavalry reaching Vaudricourt on the 25th they held and put in orderthe old German Lines behind Loo's, afterwards working on trenches under XI Corp and withdrew on October 6th. 3d Field Squadron going tp Serney on October 20th. The 2nd Cavalry Division moved to Clarques, arriving in the neighbourhood of Ferfay on the 29th September, there they dismounted and worked with 3rd Field Squadron on the OG Line at Vermilles till the 17th October. At the end of October they were working on GHQ Line with the BCD, 3rd Field Squadron at Lughy near Furges on the Sempy section. Work continued till the end of December. Small parties working with labour battalions continued till mid February 1916. The Headquartersof the Field Squadrons settled for winter at Wieme, the 3rd Squadron were at Coupelle Neuve. OnDecember 31st 1915 the Corp formed with the dismounted Division for trench work. A composite Division proceeded to La Philosophe and worked on 2nd line trenches in the Hohenzoller Redoubt east of Vermelles, until 15th February 1916, when it returned to the Corp.

Major Johnson appointed CRE, Lt Grimsdale Adj RE for the Division, during this period Lt Prank  3rd Field Squadron was wounded 22nd January 1916 and Second Lt Chappel also 3 rd Field Squadron was killed in February 1916.

Source. RE Journal 1926, page 45.