Please note: this page is being developed. The information given is accurate but incomplete at present.
On 28 July 1915, the War Office issued instructions for raising new Labour Battalions of the Royal Engineers. The establishment of such a unit was fixed at 12 officers and 1040 other ranks, provided with the following transport: 10 General Service wagons, 2 water carts, 1 Maltese cart, 1 double limber wagon, 1 motor car, 1 bicycle, 22 horses and 8 mules.
Advertsising began immediately, aiming at recruiting fit older men who had experience of manual labouring.
Eleven battalions were raised. Some details of thier histories are provided below. These units were disbanded on 31 July – 1 August 1917 when the men were transferred to Labour Corps and the former battalions were redesiganted as Labour Companies of that Corps.
1st RE Labour Battalion
Raised at Southampton from 28 July 1915, although recruits only began to arrive on 2 August. Embarked onto transport ships “Maidan” and “La Marguerite” on 21 August. Landed next day at Le Havre. Strength 12 officers and 1012 men. Proceeded to Hazebrouck and marched out to Cadet near Caestre. Battalion received orders to relieve a French Territorial battalion for work on roads and receive instructions from French army. Employed in Steenvoorde, Eecke, Strazeele, and Vieux Berquin areas, and later at Herzeele, Hondschote, Merris, Doulieu and elsewhere. On 28 March 1916, HQ relocated to Merville, while companies went to Estaires, Lestrem and Merris. By the end of June 1916, the battalion had either completely made or improved a total of 361km of roads and used 43,800 tons of roadstone and other materials.
The battalion continued to be based at Merville, under XI Corps, until 9 September 1916. It then moved south to the Somme sector, arriving next day and marching out to camp near Bronfay Farm. It was put to work on roads in the Maricourt-Hardecourt area. The battalion sustained a number of casualties while working in the Guillemont and Ginchy areas during October and November 1916. It remained in the Somme area, working on roads as far south as Bray and Suzanne, until May 1917.
In late May 1917, after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, the battalion moved forward to Lechelle, Ytres and Fins. Its “D” Company worked separately, being at times at Harbonnieres and Aizecourt-le-Haut. In addition to road work, the battalion was also engaged on light railways.
Became 700th Labour Company of the Labour Corps on 1 August 1917.
War diary National Archives WO95/492.
2nd RE Labour Battalion
Raised at Southampton from 28 July 1915, although recruits only began to arrive on 2 August. [Ships that arived that day were “Mona’s Queen”, “Nirvana”, and “Australind”]. Strength 12 officers and 1033 men. Its war diary does not begin until May 1916, when it was at various locations in the rear of the in the Somme sector, working on roads.
Became 701st Labour Company of the Labour Corps 1 August 1917.
War diary National Archives WO95/559.
3rd RE Labour Battalion
Raised at Southampton on 18 August 1915. Landed at Le Havre from “La Marguerite” 25 August 1915. Strength 12 officers and 1070 men. Proceeded to Doullens and marched out to Warnimont Wood.
Became 702nd Labour Company of the Labour Corps 1 August 1917.
War diary National Archives WO95/408.
4th RE Labour Battalion
Landed at Le Havre 26 August 1915. Strength 12 officers and 1024 men.
No war diary catalogued at the National Archives.
5th RE Labour Battalion
Raised at Southampton on 19 August 1915. Embarked into the transport ships “Munich” and “La Marguerite” on 28 August, and landed next day at Le Havre. Strength 13 officers and 1024 men. Arrived at Godewaersvelde on 2 September.
….
15 June 1917: D Company arrived in XVIII Corps area and camped at F.16.c.central.
War diary National Archives WO95/4059, WO/95/956(XVIII Corps).
6th RE Labour Battalion
Landed at Le Havre 3 September 1915. Strength 12 officers and 1031 men.
Became 705th Labour Company
7th RE Labour Battalion
Became 706th Labour Company
8th RE Labour Battalion
Departed from Southampton 23 September 1915. 12 officers and 1028 men. Proceeded to the area of Mont Noir, Locre and Neuve Eglise, working on local roads and that to Nieppe. “A” Company moved to Lampernisse on 4 October 1915. On 8 December 1815 most of battalion moved to Rouen. Changed role and became focused on forestry, working at Rouvray Forest and mainly manufacturing telegraph poles. “D” Company went to Le Havre for construction work at RE Base Park.
War diary National Archives WO95/4059.
10th RE Labour Battalion
Began to assemble at Southampton on 14 September 1915. Sailed for France on 13 October 1915, landing at Le Havre next day. Proceeded by rail to Marcelcave and marched out to Le Hamel. By 28 Octoner had relocated to Herissart and come under orders of VII Corps.
War diary National Archives WO95/4059.
11th Labour Battalion
Recruits began to arrive for this unit on 11 October 1915. It was completed 16 days later, accommodated under canvas. The battalion sailed from Southampton on the “City of Chester” and “Empress Queen” on 28 October 1915, landing at Le Havre next day. It arrived at Baileul on 31 October 1915 and was initially attached to the 2nd Canadian Division. The battalion soon moved to La Clytte (De Klijte) where it remained until 20 January 1917. It then relocated to Doullens, being put to work on a new railway in the Authie valley. On 21 June 1917 it moved to Fremicourt.
Became 710th Labour Company of the Labour Corps 1 August 1917.
War diary National Archives WO95/559.