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- 100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers



15th May 1940 On the Move

4th Apr 1945 Attack Made

5th Apr 1945 Bridges

6th Apr 1945 Enemy Active

7th Apr 1945 Advance

8th Apr 1945 Advance

9th Apr 1945 Consolidation

10th Apr 1945 Moving Forward

11th Apr 1945 Advance Resumes

12th Apr 1945 Forwards

13th Apr 1945 Forwards

14th Apr 1945 On the Move

15th Apr 1945 On the Move

16th Apr 1945 Advance

17th Apr 1945 Advance

18th Apr 1945 Advance

19th Apr 1945 Moves

20th Apr 1945 On the Move

21st Apr 1945 Area Cleared

22nd Apr 1945 Preparations

23rd Apr 1945 On the Move

27th Apr 1945 Orders

29th Apr 1945 Wood Cleared

30th Apr 1945 Advance

1st May 1945 Reorganisation

2nd May 1945 Reorganisation

3rd May 1945 Reorganisation

4th May 1945 Reorganisation

19th May 1945 On the Move


If you can provide any additional information, especially on actions and locations at specific dates, please add it here.



Those known to have served with

100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Berry Charles Bertram. L/Cpl. (d.12th Apr 1945)
  • Casburn Frederick William Stephen. L/Sgt.
  • Drew Richard James. Spr.
  • Jones Richard Wyndham.
  • Kelly John. Sap.
  • McCarthy Thomas. Spr.
  • McCarthy Thomas.
  • Moore Edwin Thomas George. Cpl.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers from other sources.



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Want to know more about 100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers?


There are:459 items tagged 100th Field Coy (Royal Monmouthshire), Royal Engineers available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


Spr. Richard James Drew 100th Field Company Royal Engineers

With his wife

My Grandfather Richard Drew was a Sapper for the Royal Engineers 100th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was captured at Cassel 30th of May 1940 and kept as a Prisoner of War in Stalag 8b until they were repatriated in 1945 after the long march or death march. I have very little information on him apart from what I've found myself searching records. He died in 1966 from complications due to his time as a PoW and I never got to hear his story.

Lindsay Hoare



L/Cpl. Charles Bertram Berry 100th Field Company Royal Engineers (d.12th Apr 1945)

Charles Berry was my mum's brother and I'm hoping someone might know something of him as we know very little at present.

Gary Hall



L/Sgt. Frederick William Stephen Casburn 100th (Royal Monmouthshire) Field Company Royal Engineers

My father's uncle, Frederick Casburn served with the Royal Monmouthshire (Militia) Supplementary Reserve, was mobilized on 23rd of August 1939. Serving with the 100th Army Field Company (Royal Engineers) he embarked at Newport on 14th of September 1939 and disembarked at Nantes, France on 16th of September 1939.

On 14th of April 1940 he was appointed and granted rank of Lance Sergeant (granted though paid acting rank of L/Sgt having remained unpaid for a period of 21 days). Army records show on 1st of June 1940 Lance Sergeant Casburn with the 100th Company was reported Missing.

Memories of Frederick's story of capture tells how he hid from the Germans in a ditch and was befriended by a French farmer, but a neighbouring French man reported him and he was taken prisoner by the Germans.

Prisoner of war records show Frederick was captured at Watou (just 18 miles from Dunkirk) on 29th of May 1940, he was wounded at the time of capture and was transported to a POW hospital in Magdeburg, Germany. He stayed at the POW camp hospital from 1st June 1940 to 26th September 1940. He was then transported to Thorn XXA and was there for 6 and half months. Then moved to Marionburg XXB for 5 months. Then back to Thorn XXA for a year. They then sent him to Hohenfels 383 where he stayed for 2 years and 7 months. He left Hohenfels 383 with the march on 21st of April 1945 and was liberated arriving in the UK on 28th of April 1945.

On his return to the UK, he was admitted to Woolaston Hospital, Newport and discharged from the army, being found permanently unfit for any form of military service. He returned from war, a very different man. Frederick, like so many others, hardly spoke about his time as a POW. He passed away in 1966 in Newport Gwent.

Hayley Evans



Cpl. Edwin Thomas George "Ted" Moore 100th Fld Coy. Royal Engineers

My husband's father Edwin Thomas George Moore was at Stalag V111B Lamsdorf until the end of the War. (Probably known as Ted Moore) Ted Moore was born in 1900 and also served in the 1st World War. He was a bit of a rough diamond but spoke of his memories in the Army and the Prison Camp always making a joke of everything. He was liked by all and down the pub made many friends of young lads who loved his stories. So much so that when Ted died in the 1970's there were dozens of these lads at his funeral.

At the POW Camp groups of inmates were sent out on work-parties. Trucks would take them to farms etc. I have no idea where this particular farm was located but the Farmer's name sounds like Teel or Teal. So somewhere in the Camp vicinity was a German family with the surname sounding like Teel/Teal. The Farmer had a very young son and asked my Father in law to teach him English. One day the Teel family had visitors and they were singing round a piano. The Farmer stopped the songs sung in German and proudly announced that their son would entertain all their guests as he knew many songs in English. The lad did so with great gusto as his English was indeed very good. The guests also could speak English but Farmer Teal could not! There was uproar because the guests were profoundly shocked to hear a young lad singing the usual troop songs including the many "swear" words. Corporal Ted Moore despite this remained good friends with Farmer Teel. Anyone who may remember him will know he had a Welsh accent as he was born Newport Gwent. South Wales.

In the same camp was another Newport man Albert Vittle. Albert Vittle kept escaping and getting caught. He used to say "See you in the morning Ted". My father in law said "Why do you do it Albert, you know they will catch you" The reply was "Anything to annoy the b****rs Ted”.

Ted Moore was in the Royal Monmouthshires, Royal Engineers and his number was 12591. He was a Corporal. His Life was quite sad, actually, although he would not agree with me. He left school at the age of 12. He was then in the 1914-1918 War followed by the the Second World War. He was riddled with TB. On returning to his work the Directors called him into their office and said "Ted you are not well enough to do your job so we have found you a nice light job to do, from tomorrow you are in charge of cleaning the lavatories"! Because he was a man of his time he thanked them profusely.

It makes me so angry and tearful to remember Our Glorious Wonderful Boys returning from the War to "a new world" they were told. A Land for Heroes. Well, Old Ted found the "new world" no better than the old although he never complained. In the meantime if anyone remembers Ted Moore, please e-mail me. This site is a wonderful tribute to all the men who withstood so many hardships but in their twilight years recalled the camaraderie and "funny" incidents with no bitterness. Thank you.

Diana Moore



Thomas McCarthy 100th Field Company Royal Engineers

Tom is second from left middle row.

My dad, Tom McCarthy of the 100th Field Company, Royal Monmouthshire Engineers was captured at Wattou, on the retreat to Dunkirk on 29.5.1940. After a time in Stalag X11A and Stalag 344, he along with 96 other POW's was transferred to Stalag V111B at Teschen on the Polish border. I have a Christmas Card sent by POW's from Stalag in December 1942. Tom remained there as a POW (no 15356) until the "death march" on 20.1.1945. On 9 May 1945 he and other survivors crossed American lines at Karlsbad.

Sadly, my Dad died in 1963 when his three children were very young, so we were never able to talk to him about his time as a POW. But we did have left to us some pictures and Xmas Cards and a very small notebook in which he kept a record of the "death march". Tom used a pencil stub to bravely keep a record of what happened, despite the risks to him. The original of the notebook in now in the Regimental Museum in Monmouth.

Gabrielle Taylor



Richard Wyndham Jones 100th Coy Monmouthshire Royal Engineers

My grandfather, Wyndham Jones, was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. I believe he was with the 100th Coy of the Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, and was one of few of that company who was evacuated from Dunkirk. He never spoke of what happened, apart from very summarised answers to a few people. I have read accounts of both the 100th and 101st Coy on the Monmouthshire Royal Engineers website and I would be grateful if anyone has access to any records of my grandfather.

Mike Jones



Spr. Thomas McCarthy 100th Army Field Company Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers

My dad, Thomas McCarthy of the 100th Army Field Company Royal Monmouthshire, Royal Engineers was captured at Wattou, near Dunkirk on 29.5.1940. After a time in Stalag X11A and Stalag 344 he was transferred to Stalag V111B at Teschen on the Polish border. He remained there as a POW (no 15356) until the ‘death march’ on 20.1.1945. On 9 May 1945 he and other survivors crossed American lines at Karlsbad.

Sadly, my Dad died of ill health in 1963 when his three children were very young, so we were never able to talk to him about his time as a POW. But we did have left to us a very small notebook in which he kept a record of the ‘death march’ which is reprinted below. Tom used a pencil stub to bravely keep a record of what happened, despite the risks to him. The original of the notebook in now in the Regimental Museum in Monmouth.

Copy of handwritten log of Sapper Thomas (Tom) McCarthy:-

January 20TH 1945 Started marching, given one loaf 2000grams

January 25th 1945

  • 1/3 Loaf 1 kilo 333 grams
  • ¼ Loaf 2 Kilo 500 grams
  • ¼ loaf 2 kilo 500 grams
  • 1/5th loaf 2 kilo 400 grams
  • 1/6 Loaf 1800 grms 300 grams
Total: 4033 grams

February 19th 1945: Stopped marching. For the last 30 days we were given 4033 grams or 8 &4/5lbs of bread, and 2lbs of marg for 42 men and a soup a day except for 4 days when we got a few potatoes. Some parties had Red Cross food to start, but we had none, nor cigs. In the 30 days we marched 420 KM. We stared with 314 English about 400 Russians and 40 labourers.

20th February 1945: The weather is very cold, everything is freezing. If you take your boots off at night you have trouble to get them on in the morning. If you don’t you cannot sleep with the cold. Some days, and on the forced night march the boots were freezing while marching. The night marching was hell. A lot of men were put in hospital with frost bitten feet and ears. The RMC chap with us told me that some would have to have one foot off and a few would lose two. Seven Russians passed out that first week, I saw three of them at one barn. The only thing that kept me going was the thought that we were going west and that was going home.

24th February 1945: We have had 250 grams of bread per day since the 19th except for one day it was stopped as two men were found stealing potatoes and one day no soup.

25th February 1945: Still in the same barn, things are very bad. You can sell one days bread for 3 cigs. Getting weak, blackout when I stand up. A lot have got dysentery and one chap fainted. Lost the Pole last night - I had to get rid of all his clothes. I spend all my time thinking of food. Guards shot Russian for stealing potatoes and planted him ten minutes later in the yard. Sandy gone to hospital. One Red Cross parcel for thirty five men - I got half a tin of Ovaltine.

12th March 1945: Marched 22 KM west to a new barn. New guards much better. Started with Aussie and Keyes.

15th March 1945: Weather much better. Had a wash down. First time I’ve had my pants off since starting.

16th March 1945: Went to bed with pants and pullover off.

25th March 1945: Letter home and washed down. About thirty men working cutting wood. One or two men to a house.

29th March 1945: Had half a Red Cross parcel. I went out working for a day and had too much to eat. After so long on so little I’ve been ill all day. I’ve also got piles. Good news heard today that our troops are 240kms west.

5th April 1945: Marching again- given half a loaf for two days, going to a Stalag- marched 25KM, rained all day.

6th April 1945: Marched 26KM- its not a Stalag just new huts for the 1200 men. Anyway it’s the finish of the march (we hope). It’s the first time we’ve had a bed since 20th January. We have been having seven men to a loaf, we are hoping it won’t be less.

8th April 1945: Ten men to a loaf. Met H. Harris, P. Evans, Stan Fowler and G. Franklin. Half the camp is lousy. Can’t get water to drink, but got a parcel a man. I can’t leave the butter alone- I’ve been eating it with a spoon.

13th April 1945: George away with the NCO- I have not done any work yet been going sick.

14th April 1945: I had to go to work

16th April 1945:

Five hundred men came to the camp for the night. They say the Yanks are near Dresden. Everyone sent back to the camp from work. We are hoping we’re not off. got 4 cigs a man from the Red Cross.

19th April 1945: Big air battle over the camp. One 4 engine bomber came down near the camp, and a few further away. No news but all hoping for the best.

20th April 1945: Things getting bad. Sold my cigs for 1 and ½ loafs. We can hear gun fire. A few planes bombed somewhere west of the camp. We could see the bombs leaving the planes.

21st April 1945: We can hear guns but cannot tell where or how far away as we're in the hills. Water came on at 2.00 am this morning. I got up and got three soupbowls full for a bath. Found a few lice in my vest.

24th April 1945: I think we were hoping for too much. Everything gone quiet, no air raids or gunfire. Feel weak when I walk about. Everyone is the same. All you can hear is men talking of food. It don’t worry me now. There is talk of moving. Hope not- if we have to sleep out in the woods it will kill us.

25th April: They want seven hundred men for work tomorrow- I went sick today but must see MO in the morning. Sold my cigarette lighter for 2 cigars

26th April: Seen the MO. He told me my chest is all right but there is something wrong with my heart. He did not say what. Anyway no work. Seven hundred men had to go to Pirna.

27th April 1945: Done some washing, and when I went to get my dinner I had my socks swiped. Heard the Lambsdorf crowd are away.

30th April 1945: Got a smoke- Kaye sold his socks. Good soup not water.

1st May 1945: BBC news given out (good). The war must be over they have just given us half a cup of milk at 9.00pm at night, and the soup today was very good.

2nd May 1945: They came into the hut at 1.00am this morning with the news that Hitler had been killed, and Donitz has taken over, and a few hours later that Berlin has fallen.

3rd May 1945: BBC news very good. We are all waiting for the finish. Half a cup of milk.

4th May 1945: Fifty german cigarettes a man, the first since 1940 that we could get. Yesterday bread was 15 cigarettes, this morning it is 3. BBC says the north has fallen. It seems we will be the last. German and Polish MO passed me as unfit to march.

5th May 1945: Talk of the sick moving and the camp can hear guns

6th May 1945: Ready to move at 6.00am but not going now until 1.00 don’t know where to, but near a hospital- guns going all night.

7th May 1945: Left Hohenstine at 1.00pm. Got to Bilin at 10.00pm. Seen the doc at hospital. Left Bilin for Stalag 1Vc (Teplice)- hear the war is over.

8th May 1945: They say we can march to our lines, or stay- I am moving. 3.00pm over taken by Russians at Dubi.

9th May 1945: Started marching to the Yanks. Got a lift 28kms that makes 80K. At Karlsbad slept out.

9th May 1945: Behind the Yank lines!

10th May 1945: New house at Eger- Slept!

Gabrielle Taylor









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