WW2 Royal Engineer, Sapper Joseph Jefferson Bell 14790721

[Vimto]

Hi, I am hoping that the kind folk on here may be able to help to decipher the WW2 war record of my dear late grandad, Joseph Jefferson Bell, who served as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (14790721). I am particulary interested in the locations of where he was posted in the UK and where he was when mustered overseas. Our family recollection is that part of his service was on the Rhine. Can anyone help work out where he would have been and what he did (e.g. bridge construction) during the period he was overseas 10.05.45 to 07.12.46? The family acquired his war record from the MoD and below is a summary. I have tried searching online to little avail. Thanking you all in advance for any help you can provide. Kind regards, Paul

14790721 – Joseph Jefferson Bell, Sapper, Royal Engineers
 
29.06.44 – Enlisted the General Service Corps. Attested Territorial Army in the rank of Private and posted to 68 Primary Training Wing
10.08.44 – Transferred to Royal Engineers and posted to 22nd Training Centre
07.10.44 – Posted to Depot Wing Training Centre
30.11.44 – Attached to No. 6 Technical Training Centre. Attended and passed course of instruction as Timberman (Port Construction)
03.01.45 – Re-classified Timberman (Port Construction), Group “C”, Class III
04.01.45 – Attached to No. 12 Technical Training Centre
25.02.45 – Attached to No. 2 Military Port Royal Engineers
01.05.45 – Mustered as Timberman (Port Construction), Group “C”, Class III
10.05.45 to 07.12.46 – Overseas Service: British Liberation Army

Overseas Service:
11.05.45 – Posted to 53rd Reinforcement Holding Unit
13.06.45 – Posted to 934 Port Construction, “R” Company
01.08.45 – Posted to 935 Port Construction, “R” Company
25.06.46 – Posted to 937 Port Construction, “D” Company
22.08.46 – Posted to 1052 Port Maintenance Company

Discharges:
20.02.47 – Discharged to Reserve
23.11.55 – Discharged from Reserve. Cause of discharge: attained the age 45; no further liability for recall

Service with Colours:
29.06.44 to 20.02.47

Military Conduct:
Very Good

[Andy J2022]

As you have probably appreciated, Spr Bell wasn't actually posted to an active unit (934 Port Construction and Repair Company) until after hostilities in Europe had ended. That said his unit would have been busy in the repair of some of the many civilian ports in North West Europe, perhaps the most important of which were Rotterdam and Antwerp, although many others, including the Baltic ports, needed serious repair after the Allied bombing.

Because his service in these units postdated hostilities, there is unlikely to be much in the way of war diaries or other operational records. Indeed, I can't find any war diaries for the three Port Construction Companies he served with. I think your best bet is to contact the Royal Engineers Museum and find out what records they hold for the postwar period. Regimental histories are also another route to follow, but I'm afraid I can't recommend any specific book which contains details of the work of the Port Construction Companies (which later became Squadrons). 

Here are a couple of other sources which may be worth following up: Wartime Memories Project

WW2 Talk   In both cases you will need to sign up (it's free) to get the most out of the sites.

The Imperial War Museum has a book in its stock entitled 'Port repair works by Transportation Units of the Royal Engineers: Ostend', which, although it covers an earlier period, up to 5 May 1945, may provide more details on the work of the Port Repair Companies in general.

[Vimto]

Thank you so much for all your very useful insights and suggestions. I am extremely grateful.

Here's hoping the diaries didn't stop immediately after May 1945 and that I can find out more about where he was stationed in Europe. Kind regards, Paul

[Vimto]

Further to your recommendation, I have contacted the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham and hope their curatorial team and research archives may be able to shed more light. If I get further information following a visit, I'll post an update here. Thanks again.