No.1 Advance Base Workshop

[Doug Knight]

Dave

I am transcribing the unit histories of RCOC(E) / RCEME from WW2. It should be complete in a couple of months and if I remember, I will send you the 1 ABW section - essentially a summary of their war diary. Here is the section so far:

No. 1 Advanced Base Workshop, RCEME
The history of this unit under its present name is associated with that of No. 1 Heavy Repair Shop (MT), RCASC, Canadian Army Overseas, in that, in the course of events, the above workshop was transferred from RCASC to RCOC en bloc to form the nucleus of the present units.
No. 1 Heavy Repair Shop (MT), RCASC, was formed and recruited in Ottawa (Military District 3) and came to the UK under the command of Lt-Col G. M. Parker.
Prior to the unit coming overseas, an advance party under the command of Capt E. W. Coleman was formed on 6 January 1942 by RCASC, CAO, in the UK and despatched to Slough to commence the design and construction of the plant and buildings requisitioned from the Slough Trading Estate, the principal portion being a part of the building occupied by the Weston Biscuit Co.
The main body of the unit was taken on strength of the Canadian Army Overseas on 2 May 1942, and the main body of the AFG 1098, which was of Canadian origin, commenced arriving shortly after.
On 31 August 1942, the unit was transferred practically en bloc to RCOC and became known as No. 1 hours (?) (MT), RCOC, or alternatively under a provisionary establishment as Advanced Component No. 1 Canadian Base Ordnance Workshop, RCOC, under command of Maj J. R. Dunlop.
A 25 November 1942, Lt-Col W. L. Thompson was posted in as A/OC.
During the period from December 1942 to February 1943, all personnel were given basic training and battle drill, under the direction of Lt A. J. Greathed, attached from (?), trade tested under RCOC standards and groups were sent to 1 CORU for refresher courses in motor vehicles and other trades.
On 16 April 1943, following approval of the establishment AFG 1098-946 by Army Headquarters and CMHQ Administrative Order No. 51 (?), dated 29 March 1943, the unit became known as No. 1 Advanced Base Workshop, RCOC, and all personnel were posted to it within the establishment (504 all ranks) by ranks and trades to the unit or to No. 1 CORU as the case might be. A start was made on fitting the tools and equipment to the new AFG 1098.
Previous to the approval of the establishment, arrangements had been made with 1st Canadian Base Ordnance Workshop (CBOW) to trained personnel for the “A” vehicle section (tanks), the telecommunications section, and the instrument section. These were now organized and attached to 1 CBOW for all purposes.
The workshop output at Slough for “B” vehicles, guns, motorcycles, engine reconditioning, machine shop, and manufacturing was closely correlated with 1 CBOW in order to obtain the maximum output as governed by equipment, personnel, and workshop layout.
On 18 May 1943, Lt-Col W. L. Thompson was appointed to command No. 1 Advanced Base Workshop, RCOC.
The summer and fall of the balance of 1943 was spent in concentrating on production consistent with the training and upgrading of the personnel
Early in December 1943, it was decided as a part of the training programme to close up the shop, pack up the equipment, and move by train from Slough to the tank hangars in Crookham, Hampshire. On 17 December 1943, this exercise was started. A report was rendered and included in our war diary.
Following this move, the shop again concentrated on production and adjustments to AFG 1098 as experience indicated.
A 26 April 1944, we came under command of 21 Army Group – (?) - Headquarters Advanced Base Workshop, REME, in accordance with Admin. Order No. 3, CMHQ Great Britain.
On 15 May 1944, all personnel were transferred from RCOC to RCEME.
A detailed of our activities from D-Day to VE-Day follows.

to be continued...

Doug