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A Pictorial Souvenir of 720 Coy R.E by Thomas W. Davey

Profile image for Lewis_Clarke

By Lewis_Clarke at 20:25 on 13/08/09

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 Thomas William Davey 123 Barrington Street, Tiverton, Devon.
Thomas William Davey 123 Barrington Street, Tiverton, Devon. For the first few weeks after D-Day, we were far too scar
  • Thomas William Davey 123 Barrington Street, Tiverton, Devon.
  • Life became "almost" normal in the Bridgehead....
  • ... although this scene near Caen...
  • ... and these tanks preparing to attack at Villons-les-Buiss
  • Incidentally there were a number of Jerry's big guns around
  • We then moved back to Villons-les-Buissons (B16) and got cra
  • We then moved up via the badly bombed city of Caen.
  • The badly bombed city of Caen, to St Andre, and then....
  • ... another long move to Gamaches.
  • Our little Reece Party moved in the afternoon, as Jerry move
  • ... to share in some of...
  • ... "The Liberation"...
  • AH! What is all this 'ere?
  • Why, it's the German Army. These were captured by the loca
  • Also at Gamaches we saw the "Hair Cutting Ceremony"
  • .. which is, we are told, an old French custom.
  • The coy moves up to us at Gamaches. Here is the front part
  • It doesn't take em long to get 'dug in' and to re-establish
  • After Gamaches, our next job was at St.Omer, and then.....
  • Through Ypres with all its last War memories...
  • like this memorial to the....
  • .. Canadians at St Valery to...
  • Bruges, Belgium's "Holy City"..
  • .. with its quiet streets...
  • ... and peaceful canals...
  • At Damme, near Bruges, Jerry was only 400yds away when this
  • Also, a lot of the country was flooded by Jerry.
  • "The Cream of the Coy" - 720 Reece Party
  • Sidney our cook (and a good one) stripped for action... hm!
  • Not doing so bad myself.
  • "Oh! Look mummy - live soldiers!"
  • What are they doing?...
  • Well, I do believe....
  • .. it's a church parade.
  • "Hi Mr Downey, where did you get that 'at? Damn it man, you
  • Yes, 720 marched through Bruges to the first service...
  • ..at Brudges English Church, after four and a half years...
  • .. of German occupation, during which, the "Boche" used the
  • What's the trouble Capt. Webber? Lost your soldiers have 'ee
  • Jolly jolly - there they are.
  • While at Bruges, the coy played the Royal Bruges Football Cl
  • We lost but we gave them a good game.
  • A few of the lads of Works Section. The section which straig
  • Cheer up Staff, it's not that kind of wall.
  • That's better Harold.
  • Our next job was at Antwerp keeping the Tiffys in the air.
  • Eric had a trial go in the cockpit.
  • Me also, but we both decide that rocket firing Typhoons are
  • ...this is more our line, Dacota's. But even this was a cras
  • And so we got the pneumatic drills cracking on repairing the
  • Dave occasionally got his bulldozer out and done a bit.
  • But generally speaking one usually found him like this - any
  • We found a few things left behind by Jerry. Amongst them, th
  • Generals Davidson and Lazenbury discuss the merits and demer
  • The remains of a V1. It landed on the drome, but fortunately
  • Well well, if it isn't Harold again! This is a unique snap a
  • While at Antwerp the King visited the drome and inspected th
  • With the King was also "Monty" and as usual he had his hands
  • Is he taking his hands out, or putting them back in again...
  • ... Ah, they're out, Monty has a word with the pilots after
  • And so Xmas came there was a good time had by all. Here is E
  • Cpt Tucker also enjoyed Xmas.
  • The officers were a little more reserved .... until later.
  • This is another unique snap. It shows the quarter-master's s
  • Also having a riotous time. The C.S.M & S.Q.M.S. Need I say
  • The skipper.
  • Mrs Dadds, Mrs Grr, with other do the washing up after the X
  • Martin Bridge near Herentals. A dine sample of Bailey bridgi
  • It has a total length of 360 feet.
  • Supported on two trestles, is a double-double and has a dual
  • A shot of gardening - or what?
  • The Woolybacks own little cluster strip at Turnhout.
  • It was a pleasure to watch Jock Ress use a sledge-hammer.
  • From Antwerp we went to Bonheiden for what was called arest.
  • Bert of Margate
  • "Our Wullie" who is, according to his own words, "a bit of a
  • No caption needed.
  • Howard has a no difficult in raising a smile.
  • Dave the Lewisham terror.
  • We borrowed the little sledges that the Belgie kiddies have
  • 80
  • These little Belgie were very interested in the antics that
  • ... but eventually they thawed and we had quite a get togeth
  • There was quite a fall of snow and a lot of swearing by the
  • This looks more like stuff left by Jerry than an M.T park.
  • The best job in the army - on guard!
  • ACHTUNG MINEN - One of Jerry's mine sign-boards which he put
  • There were thousands of mines. They can be seen quite plainl
  • From Bonheiden we had a long journey to the borders of Germa
  • On arrival we got cracking and put our 'bivvys' up amongst t
  • Eric is not sure yet which is his bivvy.
  • "Sandy" soon has his tarpaulin up, and grub on the way.
  • Quite close to our bivvy, an area where the remains of the g
  • By the debris lying around it must certainly have been fun a
  • A few more of the 'master race' who've had it.
  • Our first view of Germany. The stat of the Reichwald Forest.
  • The sign that marked the border and also reminded everybody
  • A little bit more cleaning had to be done so as the M.E coul
  • One tank that did find a mine, but it was lucky as it only t
  • This was the sorry result of a Jeep going over a mine.
  • There is a corner of every field that is forever England. T
  • The stone previously described, can again be seen here among
  • The preice that has to be paid ...
  • .... and which is being paid every day.
  • They are buried everywhere, often where they fall, and there
  • And so we made a start on B91, which was to prove our best j
  • An eight yard scraper working on what was to be the runway.
  • The runway well on the way.
  • The 'navvy' gets busy on a borrow pit.
  • The M.E having finished the runway. The P.S.P is placed out
  • The centre line goes down on one of the dispersals.
  • Two dispersals can be seen here, running into the taxi-track
  • One end of the strip, showing the runway running out into th
  • A good view of the perimeter track with one dispersal. Thes
  • The control tower in course of construction.
  • The number of the field was put down in glazed tiles. This w
  • The skipper and the Padre.
  • Another aerial view showing the control tower.
  • The rows of dispersals can be seen with the hard standing fo
  • and so the job drew to a close. The welder puts a few finish
  • Just to prove that sjts DO work. This is actually the group
  • Major Caton and the skipper discuss a job well done, while t
  • The number finished, ready for the planes to spot from the a
  • The number once again, with the flying control tower in the
  • The RAF Regiment move in with their Bofor's guns to provide
  • Dave and myself stand by to rebel any Jerry attacks on the d
  • In come the first squadron, it's a lovely sight to see them
  • Here comes no1, its a new field - will he make it ok?
  • Yes, he's down, a very good landing.
  • Some of the lads watching with great interest the Typhoons c
  • We go around the dispersals and have a look round the planes
  • The planes came in in the morning and by dusk had flown over
  • The O.C now that the job is practically finished decides tha
  • Some views of Kleve, the biggest town town west of the Rhine
  • The RAF bombed it, and then when the push started in March i
  • .... well and truly shelled.
  • Kleve is typical of any German town that put up any resistan
  • From Kleve we moved up to our next job at Nordhorn in German
  • Then on again, passing this fine old castle en route.
  • If memory serves me right, this was at Bentheim.
  • Through Engelo.
  • ... another quiet little Dutch town.
  • Another interesting sight on the way was the remains of a VI
  • Another interesting sight on the way was the remains of a VI
  • We eventually arrived in Nordhorn and moved in to one of the
  • Attached, the farm buildings were the best I have ever seen.
  • We had to shift out a few civvies so as to get all our lads
  • Some of the roads leading to the airfield were blocked, so w
  • Some of the roads leading to the airfield were blocked, so w
  • On the site we found several of these obsolete planes.
  • A good job of demolition carried out by Jerry on one of his
  • Another bridge demolition. Both of those bridges were on the
  • Lingen was knocked about quite a bit, but mostly shell fire.
  • We didn't have a great lot of work to do on the airfield so
  • We didn't have a great lot of work to do on the airfield so
  • Then came seven glorious days at home.
  • The flower amongst the flowers.
  • The family seem very pleased about something.
  • Granny pays a visit.
  • When I got back from leave, the coy had moved to Alhorn near
  • A bit of excitement, one of our tar boilers catches fire.
  • ...but with the help of one of the RAF foam fire tenders it
  • ...but with the help of one of the RAF foam fire tenders it
  • The usual crowd gathers after it is all over.
  • This queer gadget is a machine we sometimes used for picking
  • This queer gadget is a machine we sometimes used for picking
  • Some more 'good' Germans.
  • A favourite trick of Jerry's was to crater his airfields wit
  • The main bridge leading into Bremen.
  • Bremen is trypical of any German town or city of any size or
  • Just one gigantic heap of rubble.
  • The effect of one of our 8000lb bombs. This crater is 35ft
  • What time's the next tram?
  • Main shopping thoroughfare.....
  • ....residential area.....
  • .... business offices....
  • ....factories....
  • ....ARE...
  • ..... ALL .....
  • ..... THE .....
  • ... SAME ...
  • The church seems to have missed the general destruction.
  • One of the fine air raid shelters in Bremen. The concrete is
  • A Bailey is slung across the river to affect easy entrance
  • The wonderful news through, IT'S OVER! The Padre holds a th
  • The wonderful news through, IT'S OVER! The Padre holds a th
  • The of course, a drink to celebrate....
  • .... followed by more drinks.
  • In the afternoon, a few 'races' were held, Major Caton gets
  • They're off with Major Caton in the lead.
  • Friend Phillips cries : "I don't want my photo taken."
  • But cheers up when Capt. Hayes gets up with him.
  • Then the tractors and scrapers have a go.
  • Capt. Bull assisted by Lt Thriscutt runs a book.
  • After the 'races' the lads settled down to the business of g
  • Some of the lads had found an undamaged brewery at Bremen wi
  • Some of the lads had found an undamaged brewery at Bremen wi
  • Some of the lads had found an undamaged brewery at Bremen wi
  • Major Caton samples some and finds it to his liking.
  • The 'Juice' soon begins to take effect on Eric and Lt. Holbo
  • Even 'Slosh' begins to open up.
  • Capt. Hayes and Eric get together for a little quiet talk.
  • Then Jock the cook assisted by Capt. Collins produces a bott
  • ... and Capt. Hayes takes a sip...
  • ... followed by 'John' with 'Dicky' catching the drips.
  • Dave also seems well on the way.
  • Dave gives us a rendering of that famous ballad - Dear Old P
  • It looks very much like Dicky and Thris have very nearly had
  • Overcome by the vocal effort Dave falls on Dicky for a littl
  • Eric then gives his version of the 'Victory Polk'.....
  • ... and is warmly commended by Major John.
  • Cpt. Morris expresses his opinion of the Nazi flag in no unc
  • Howard and myself celebrate in a little more sedate way.
  • Back home in dear old Blighty a tea-fight is arranged...
  • ... for the kiddies on V.E day.
  • Just after V.E day, Dacotas come in on the strip....
  • ... on their way to the port of Wilemshaven.
  • We took a run ourselves up to the port and got this snap of
  • In the harbour we found that everything was well under contr
  • Two sailors without a ship.
  • Also a couple of U-Boats.
  • One of the famous one-man submarines complete with torpedo.
  • and a "flak-ship" which by the "kills" marked on her side ha
  • Then, when we thought that 'Reece' was a thing of the past,
  • It was just like old times to watch Sidney getting the grub
  • We covered quite a lot of ground on this reece, and saw quit
  • The Dutch had on the whole had a very rough time from Jerry
  • We stayed for several days at a really delightful little Dut
  • ... and had a very nice time there.
  • The weather was very good and got in quite a bit of swimming
  • Our reece over, we moved back to the coy and on the way, pas
  • We had not been back long before the coy received orders to
  • Here we see a German Frau picking up cigarette ends for her
  • We eventually arrived at Celle and found ourselves amidst so
  • Our job was on an existing strip, but it was in such a bad c
  • There were plenty of smashed Jerry planes lying around.
  • ... plenty....
  • ... and also quite a number in good condition....
  • ... including this jet plane.
  • Even though we were under canvas, we still made ourselves fa
  • .. and for a time, had it nice and cushy.
  • Close to Celle was the horror camp of Bergen-Belsen and here
  • Some of the men were also in the jail including this bright
  • The locals studying the orders of the Military Government.
  • From Celle I was fortunate enough to get 48hrs leave at Antw
  • ...and spent a very nice time with my good friend Albert and
  • They have a new addition to the family. A son called Ivan.
  • Rosa's parents better known as Mana and Papa.
  • Rosa proudly presents her son to the camera.
  • While I was at Antwerp they had a weapons exhibition includi
  • Also this V1 of which Antwerp had more than its fair share.
  • Antwerp has a very beautiful cathedral.
  • It was a long way back, and was very tired when got back to
  • Beside our camp ran a little stream, we got a bit of equipme
  • Which 'frat' or no 'frat' was used more by the local Jerries
  • ... as can be seen by these two bits of Frat.
  • Before long our 'lido' was the gathering spot or all the kid
  • .. at least it seemed that way.
  • Occasionally, a few of the lads managed to find a spot where
  • This little hun wasn't bothered about bathing costume.
  • Life was rather quiet for a while so Mrs Davey got busy with
  • ... and also found time for a bit of fratting with Ingrid an
  • The tea-dixie got quite a bashing these days...
  • ... as cricket was warm work.
  • Howard gets well out into the open to do his 'smalls'
  • We had several pets in the camp....
  • ... including Peggy, and a lovely dog she is.
  • Friday night.
  • Another of the pets, don't know whether he wants his feather
  • "Wullie" with his ferocious hound ******.
  • Must be Friday night with Dave too.
  • The election comes along and the lads start getting all poli
  • The election comes along and the lads start getting all poli
  • The election comes along and the lads start getting all poli
  • The election comes along and the lads start getting all poli
  • The election comes along and the lads start getting all poli
  • Capt, Hayes Officer 1/c ME
  • Lt. Holborrow Officer 1/c MT
  • Freddie Windsor, our able and competent medical orderly.
  • Sandy & Ernie spud bashing as usual.
  • Jack, Dave & Smudger.
  • Take one look around and have a guess - yes, that's right, c
  • Two pioneers at work.
  • One of the officers from the Pioneer Coy in out group known
  • Jack, Chris and Johnny. Three very good friends of mine from
  • The day before Capt. Hayes left us for the Far East, Dave ex
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • And so though the war was over, we started work on one more
  • We used over 200,000 bricks and quite an amount of concrete.
  • Ian, our surveyor, had plenty to do working out the levels.
  • ... but eventually the job took shape.
  • It was to be an all weather strip and after runway had been
  • It took approximately sixty miles of PBS to do this job. The
  • On top of the PBS was laid PSP - Pierced Street Planking - o
  • At last the PSP was finished and in came the spits.
  • This cart drawn by a bull was a striking contrast to all the
  • Capt. Ollerton has a slight argument with the civil labour.
  • The end of August saw me once more on my way home for my sec
  • The end of August saw me once more on my way home for my sec
  • The end of August saw me once more on my way home for my sec
  • A Dutch mounted policemen tries to keep the civvies back.
  • All smiles because Dad's home again.
  • All smiles because Dad's home again.
  • Down to the sea for the day.
  • ... but it looked too cold for me.
  • Can I have an ice cream mum?
  • Mother seems to be enjoying the sea breezes.
  • While I was on leave, Howard looked after Peggy for me.
  • By the time I got back, the airfield was finished, and footb
  • Work or no work, the lads queue for their weekly Naffy.
  • And man must eat, Wally inspects a sample of his famous rock
  • Now where the heck are those two got te?
  • As usual, the daily after dinner battle of wits. Guess I'd b
  • Rumour said that the group was to be broken up, now that the
  • So it was decided to hold a group sports meeting. The last o
  • So it was decided to hold a group sports meeting. The last o
  • This time, although we tried hard, 201 Pioneer Coy proived j
  • The tug-of-war event proved to be the most exciting event of
  • Praise was due, not only to the team, but also to the admira
  • The CRE (Lt. Col. Bolton) enjoyed the sports.....
  • he also enjoyed handing out the prizes.
  • In October the disbandment order came through and we all got
  • About a month after I had gone to 663 I went off to a place
  • This photo and the last are views of one of the colleges tak
  • My room mates at the college.
  • Don't they look a studious bunch?
  • Lew Leff, a grand fellow and a talented linguist.
  • Lew does a little homework
  • This is Dave Divall, to whom we took our mathematical proble
  • I returned to Oldenburg from the College at the beginning of
  • But at last the 29th came and a very happy band of swaddies
  • On January 1st 1946, I was on the boat coming across the Cha
  • I joined 720 on August 30th 1940 at Launceston in Cornwall w
  • Throughout the campaign, the coy were extremely lucky losing
  • Reference the supplement to the London Gazette - dated, 22nd
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  • Profile image for Gazjoe

    Very nice, what a fantastic insight in to what our boys went through.

    By Gazjoe at 23:04 on 02/08/11

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