9th Field Company, RE

Abbreviations

652797

A/Ldg

Adjt

Brigade

Comds

Coy

CRE

Det

Div
Fd

GSO

Indep

Inf

LMG

M/C

"O" Group

OR
Para

Pln
RE

Recce

Sqn

X tracks

Map Reference

Airlanding

Adjutant

Brigade

Commanders

Company

Commander Royal Engineers

Detachment

Division / Divisional

Field

General Staff Officer

Independent

Infantry

Light Machine Gun

Motor Cycle

Machine Gun

Map Reference

Motor Ship

Motor Transport

Officer Commanding

Orders Group

Other Ranks

Parachute

Park

Platoon

Royal Engineers

Reconnaissance

Rendezvous

Squadron

Crosstracks

Coy. stood by to take part in a further operation which was being planned. Later in the day this operation was cancelled.

Major WINCHESTER attended a planning conference for a further operation at MOOR PARK.

Capts. BINYON, O'CALLAGHAN and HEGGIE, Lts. TIMMINS and WISE and all Pl. Sgts. moved to MOOR PARK for O.C.'s "O" group there. These personnel were briefed for the next operation.

O.C. and "O" group rejoined the Company from MOOR PARK at BLAKEHILL transit camp.

1700 - Coy less No.2 Pln. moved to HARWELL; 2 Pln. moved to BROADWELL transit camps.

Coy. moved in afternoon to KEEVIL transit camp. O.C. and Lt. WISE moved to MOOR PARK for planning conference for next operation.

Gliders loaded for Coy. less 261 Fd. Pk. and compressor load dets at KEEVIL and these dets at DOWN AMPNEY. Platoon commanders briefed for operation "MARKET".

0845 - The Coy. less the det of No.2 Pln. flying from DOWN AMPNEY and 2nd Seaborne lift of 20 men left camp for the aerodrome.

1340 - Coy gliders landed on LZ "Z" (M.R. 652797 HOLLAND 1/25000 sheet 6 N.W.) approx 4 miles WEST of ARNHEM. All gliders landed safely except for:-

(a) One of No.1 Pl's personnel glider (No.390), carrying Sgt. OAKEY and 20 O.R.'s, which crashed en route in ENGLAND; all the occupants being killed.

(b) One glider (No.385) containing jeep and trailer, which failed to arrive having forced landed in ENGLAND en route.

(c) Major WINCHESTER's glider (No.380), which crashed on landing. As a result of this crash Spr. HOLDSTOCK was killed and Sgt. PAFFETT and Spr. ROBERTSON both injured in the ankles. Both glider pilots were shaken by the crash but recovered within ½ hr.

1415 - Coy R.V. at SOUTH corner of wood adjoining EAST edge of L.Z. "Z" (M.R. 660792)

1430 - Lt. WISE returned to R.V. and Coy having been wounded by M.G. fire from X tracks 400 yds NORTH of WOLFHEZEN HOTEL (M.R. 670795). Lt. WISE was wounded in both legs, left arm and nose, but no bones broken and still able to walk slowly.

1430 - Capt. HEGGIE with two jeeps and 11 O.R.'s (loads of gliders Nos.382 and 383) left Coy R.V. to join Recce Sqn. for the operation against ARNHEM road bridge at prearranged R.V. (M.R. 6470).

1500 - Capt. O'CALLAGHAN and No.2 Pl. less one section left Coy. R.V. to capture the railway bridge (M.R. 707764).

1510 - Capt. BINYON with No.1 Pl., less det in missing glider, and Lt. TIMMINS with one section No.2 Pl. despatched to capture HOTEL WOLFHEZEN (M.R 672793), which had been appointed as the future coy H.Q.

1530 - Coy H.Q. plus No.3 Pl. less det with Capt. HEGGIE left R.V. (at M.R. 660792) for WOLFHEZEN HOTEL.

1545 - No.3 Pl, which was leading, held up by M.G. fire coming from S.E. (approx M.R. 668792) after having gone about 600 yds from original R.V. Lt. STEEL halted column, went forward on a motor cycle to investigate and has not been heard of or seen since.

1630 - Coy. H.Q. and No.3 Pl. dug in and established a defensive position protecting the guns a X tracks 500 yds EAST of original R.V. (M.R. 665792)

1730 - Message received from Capt. BINYON (from vicinity M.R. 671793) to the effect that he was meeting strong opposition.

About 1800 - Lt. TIMMINS shot dead while carrying out a right flank attack on HOTEL WOLFHEZEN. No. 1864319 Spr. GREIG badly wounded in stomach and L/Cpl TAKLE (No. 1922379) also wounded while trying to fetch in Spr. GREIG (approx M.R. 670795)

About 1930 - Capt. BINYON ordered to withdraw his party and that under Lt. TIMMINS to main coy position at X tracks (M.R. 665792)

About 1900 - South corner of coy position attacked by stray enemy party with M.G. 42. Three enemy killed. Estimated three wounded. M.G. 42 captured. Enemy dead identified as HITLER JUGEND. A relatively quiet night with sounds of heavy fighting from the direction of RENKUM and the Western outskirts of ARNHEM. No further news from dets under Capts. O'Callaghan and Heggie. No wireless touch with dets.

About 1100 - Visit from C.R.E. News that Recce Sqn operation against the main road bridge round the NORTH of the town had been held up and that Capt. HEGGIE was still with the Recce Sqn, which was staging another thrust from the WEST. Capt. HEGGIE reports nil casualties. Lt. WISE and Sgt. PAFFETT despatched to hospital in WOLFHEZEN which is now clear of enemy and held by some Glider Pilots. A quiet morning. 2nd lift due at 1100 hrs has NOT arrived.

1430 - Second lift of gliders arrived. Amongst them one jeep and trailer glider, which failed to arrive yesterday. 261 Fd Pk Coy det arrived complete with bulldozer. Heard that Spr GREIG and L/Cpl TAKLE, who were wounded yesterday, had both died at WOLFHEZEN in hospital.

1615 - Coy H.Q. and remainder Nos.1 and 3 Pls moved off behind Div to new location in OESTERBEEK ½ mile N.W. of Div H.Q. (M.R. 687784). Just after starting No.1 Pl. was detached to WOLFHEZEN to destroy 22 enemy guns captured there by 1 A/Ldg Bde.

1800 - Coy arrived in new location, took up a defensive position and started to dig in. A quiet night in OESTERBEEK but sounds of heavy fighting from the direction of ARNHEM road bridge, which is reported as being in our hands. No word from Capt. O'CALLAGHAN and No.2 Pln. Lt. Steel still missing. Wireless working badly and no contacts except with C.R.E. on 22 set.

During the morning Capt. Binyon and No.1 Platoon destroyed 22 enemy guns found in WOLFHEZEN with explosives. L/Cpl Hallam whose back was hurt by the tail of a glider during its unloading, evacuated to hospital.

About 1100 - Ground strafing attack by enemy fighters. They were engaged by LMG and small arms fire from all available weapons. During the late morning, Major Winchester, Capt. Heggie and a party of 6 Sappers visited HEVERDORP flying ferry (MR 686768) and the jetty on the NORTH bank (MR 682768) approx. 500 yds. downstream, with the object of collecting Diesel barges for future bridging operations. NO serviceable barges were secured. Cpl. Hey and two sappers brought in 7 O.Rs. mainly of S.Staffs from DRIEL village (MR 6875). Air re-supply in the afternoon. Two Stirlings and three Dakotas seen to be shot down. Towards evening some confusion and much firing from position held by Glider Pilots and Borders 400 yds. north of Coy. position. Just before dark, approx. 60 O.Rs. of 4 Para. Sqn. and 12 O.Rs. of 1 Para. Sqn. moved into a defensive position in SONNENBERG HOUSE (MR 688785) immediately N.W. of the Coy. position. 1 Sqn. detachment commanded by Capt. George and 4 Sqn detachment commanded by Major Perkins with Capt. Cormie and Lt. N. Thomas.

1100 - During the morning, BORDERS to the NORTH of Coy. position engaged and disabled two enemy tanks. Early afternoon. Capt. Heggie and approx. 15 men of No.3 Pln. sent to defend HEVERDORP ferry in a position 500 yds. west of BORDERS position. Towards evening increasing mortar fire on Coy. position. Capt. Green, Adjt. R.E. ferried to south bank of river at HEVERDORP ferry by Capt. Heggie's party. He is being sent to contact 30 Corps which is advancing to our relief. 2nd Army is reported to have reached Nijmegen. Spr. Wilson, W.H. wounded in legs and arms. Spr. Williams, C.R. wounded in the foot. Cpl. Pink reported killed while serving with the S. Staffords in Eastern sector of the perimeter.

0600 - Mortar fire opened on coy. position. More accurate than yesterday's fire. This mortar fire continued during most of the day. One Jeep and one trailer destroyed.

Approx. 0900 - Capt. Heggie and approx 8 men returned to report that they had had to withdraw from the HEVERDORP ferry just after midnight, when they were heavily attacked. Spr. Gwilliams killed. In late afternoon Capt. Heggie and Capt. Wetherill wounded by mortar fire. The following ORs wounded during the day - Sjt. Telford, Spr. Robertson, Cpl. Raggett, Sprs. Dane and Pedan. Spr. Morris killed. In late afternoon two No.18 sets and two Jeeps damaged by mortar fire. News from C.R.E. that Polish Indep. Para. Bde. Gp. dropped South of the river opposite OESTERBEEK towards dusk. Re-supply in afternoon.

2000 - L/Sjt. Green and approx 12 Sprs. under Lt. Storrs attempted to establish a ferry across the river opposite OESTERBEEK at approx MR 699768 with Recce boats and trailer rafts. Unsuccessful.

Heavy mortar fire on coy. position lasted all day. Spr. KENNEY wounded left shoulder.

Approx. 1030 - C.R.E. crossed river at MR 699768 with G.S.O.1 to contact 30 Corps. Major Winchester acting as C.R.E. Reported that 2nd Army has linked up with Polish Indep. Para. Bde. Gp. Following sappers wounded - Beech, Congreve, Martin, Beardall.

Uneventful day. Heavy mortar fire all day. There is a general lack of news of what is happening on the SOUTH bank.

1930 - L/Sjt. Lake accompanied party of 20 Sprs. from 1 Para. Sqn. under Capt. Brown which ferried Poles across to the NORTH bank in recce boats at approx MR 693768.

Capt. Binyon reported missing. He was last seen stalking a tank in the wood NORTH of the coy. position with a PIAT. Steady mortaring of coy. position all day.

Approx. 0130 - Reported that DORSETS of 43 Inf. Div. carrying out an assault crossing of the river opposite HEVERDORP ferry.

Approx 1100 - Major Winchester reassumed command of 9 Field Coy and returned with orders for withdrawal at 2115 hrs tonight to South of river.

1300 - Capt. George, Capt. Cormie & Lt. Thomas briefed by Major Winchester as to method of withdrawal to-night, and shown route to be taken. Pass word JOHN BULL. Code word for withdrawal operation "BERLIN".

1945 - Major Winchester and 4 Sappers left to tape westerly route of withdrawal. Coy. put under command of Capt. GEORGE 1 Para Sqn. for withdrawal.

2115 - Lt. THOMAS and advance party of 4 Para Sqn withdrew through Coy positions.

2127 - Withdrawal of Coy from defended position commenced in parties of approx 15, each under a Sgt. or Senior N.C.O.

2230 - First parties of Coy reached river bank SOUTH of church at OESTERBEEK (M.R. 693769) preparatory to crossing the river in assault boats manned by Canadian R.E. units of Second Army. Some mortaring while parties waiting to embark.

Approx 0100 - Last element of Coy that reached river bank in safety ferried across River RHINE. Individuals of Coy marched approx 2½ miles to the DORSETS in DRIEL, where first aid was rendered and blankets and tea issued. During the remainder of the night, individuals proceeded independently via MALBURG to a barracks in NIJMEGEN where they were met by 1st Seaborne Lift and fed and accommodated for the next day. Most of the Coy slept and rested all day until the late afternoon, when it moved to another barracks in NIJMEGEN.

Approx 1545 - Airborne personnel plus Lt. BROWN and 4 Sappers emplaned in Dakota aircraft for ENGLAND. 1st Seaborne party of 12 Sappers under Cpl. TOLSON left behind to return to ENGLAND by sea.

Approx 1830 - Airborne party arrived BLAKESTON HEATH aerodrome, was given a meal and proceeded in M.T. to permanent billets in TATTERSHALL.

Day spent in re-equipping, re-organisation and checking of casualty lists. Total number of personnel returned and casualties given in Appx "B".

Sub Units of 261 Fd Pk, 1st Para Sqn., 4th Para Sqn., H.Q.R.E., 9 Fd Coy R.E. concentrated in CONINGSBY under Lt J. MINTER. R.E.

1st Airborne Div. RE., 2nd Seaborne Lift moved off 0430 hrs for transit camp. Unit arrived BRENTWOOD transit camp 1600 hrs. Vehicle casualties 1 m/c. M.T. drivers left for Vehicle Transit Bark prior to embarkation under command L/Cpl BRIDGE.

M.S. EMPIRE GENERAL docked at Tilbury. Unit disembarked 1800 hrs. and personnel less M.T. drivers taken to Brentwood transit camp.

Unit transport unloaded and concentrates at Brentwood transit camp 1400 hrs. Lieut. Minter attended Group "O" group 2200 hrs.

Unit moved off 0600 hrs for Coningsby. Unit arrived and dispersed at Coningsby 1600 hrs. Lieut. Minter reported arrived to Major J.C. Winchester 1630 hrs.

nb. Gliders Nos.5 and 6 are Second Lift and contained 261 Field Park Company Detachment. All others are First Lift; Nos. 7 to 11 are No.1 Platoon, 12-16 No.2 Platoon, and 17-21 No.3 Platoon.

Load.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Jeeps.		1	1		2	1	1	1			1		1	1			1	1	1	1
Trailers, 10 cwt.		1	1				1				1		1	1			1				2
Trailers, Compressor.																		1	1	1
Motor Cycles, Heavy.	2			2		2		1	2	2		2			2	1	1
Motor Cycles, Light.	1	1	1	1		1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Cycles.	18	4	4	18		4	4	6	18	18	4	18	4	4	18	3	1
Crawler Tractor.																1
Stores, lbs.	200			200					200	200		200			200

Personnel.
O.C.	1
2 i/c/		1
Platoon Comds, Capts.							1					1					1
Subalterns.			1												1
O.Rs.	8	5	11							21	21	5	6	4	20	21	5	6	4	20	21

Killed in Action

		Date of Death.
5183948	L/Sgt. Ryder J. (Died of wounds)	23 Sept.
2117848	Spr. Lawson, A.	24 Sept.
1881388	Spr. Kelly, J.	23 Sept.
1949070	Dvr. Gwilliams, G.R.	21 Sept.
2075666	Spr. Morris, T.	21 Sept.
1870901	Cpl. Pink, H.	20 Sept.
1922379	L/Cpl. Takle, W.T.	18 Sept.
1864319	Spr. Greig, P.	18 Sept.
935502	S/S/I. Snow.

Reported Missing believed P.o.W. (Now Confirmed).

		Date wounded.
1870477	Sgt. Paffett, J.	17 Sept.
1500857	Spr. McAndrews, R.	19 Sept.
2135629	Spr. Dane, E.V.	21 Sept.
1916486	Dvr. Martin, A.W.	22 Sept.
1867233	Spr. Postons, C.	18 Sept.

Reported Missing believed P.o.W. in German Hands.

		Date wounded.
2214677	L/Cpl. Hallam, G.	18 Sept.
6461773	Spr. Wilson, W.H.	20 Sept.
2155890	Spr. Williams, C.R.	20 Sept.
2037399	Sgt. Telford, J.H.	21 Sept.
1870303	Cpl. Raggett, L.	21 Sept.
1946493	Spr. Beech, A.	22 Sept.
2110273	Spr. Peden, J.	21 Sept.
2116183	Spr. Robertson, G.	21 Sept.
2093358	Spr. Kenny, R.	22 Sept.
2017173	Spr. Beardall, A.	22 Sept.
1896463	Cpl. Leach, K.	23 Sept.
1886771	L/Cpl. Sibley, J.	23 Sept.
1864157	Spr. Saabye, J.	24 Sept.
2006119	Cpl. Ashworth, M.	24 Sept.
1895443	Spr. Brown, J.	24 Sept.
1892470	Dvr. Edwards, W.G.	24 Sept.
2090434	Spr. Andrews, A.	24 Sept.
1983942	Spr. Hillman, J.	21 Sept.
1948281	Spr. May, G.H.	25 Sept.
4193784	Spr. Parry, W.	25 Sept.
2110263	Spr. Milne, D.	Not known.
1867057	Sgt. Gibbons, E. "Sonny"	"
2004083	L/Sgt. Cawood, R.O. "Bob"	"
2077843	Cpl. Cliffton, W.	"
1892883	Cpl. Evans, R. "Bob"	"
1899780	Cpl. Lancaster, A. A. "Albert"	"
2012016	L/Cpl. Bradley, C. "Tom"	"
1873858	L/Cpl. Coward, W.	"
1578944	L/Cpl. Carmalt, H. "Albert"	"
2075438	L/Cpl. Johnson, W.E.	"
2073139	Spr. Cameron, A.	"
5837704	Spr. Quinton, V.C. "Vic"	"
14435606	Spr. Carpenter, T. "Tom"	"
1876270	Spr. Cottle, A.A. "Arthur Alex"	"
2139020	Spr. Close, J.H. "Joe"	"
2090772	Spr. Everett, J. "John"	"
14435314	Spr. Fox, G. "George"	"
2004091	Spr. Hyland, T. "Tom"	"
2152263	Spr. Harvey, R.	"
1876347	Spr. Knight, W.	"
2115530	Spr. Linden, W. "Eddy"	"
2090115	Spr. Paine, F.E. "Frank"	"
1944645	Spr. Robinson, M.W.P.	"
1911244	Spr. Rogers, W. "Bill"	"
6148170	Spr. Trouse, R. "Bob"	"
2126746	Spr. Tunningley, A.	"
2006480	Spr. Turner, R. "Ron"	"
4858665	Spr. Thompson, H. "Harry"	"
2093615	Spr. Turner, A.	"
1876186	Spr. Wilson, C.J.	"
1876910	Spr. Tipler, J. "Jack"	"
2135831	Spr. Parkin, G.	"
2070159	Spr. Cole, A.C.	"
2012021	Dvr. Donoghue, J.	"
1922243	Dvr. Weddell, P. "Phil"	"
1877041	Spr. Shelley, L.F.	24 Sept.
2114205	Cpl. Aldridge, S.	25 Sept.
1867699	Cpl. Wharton, J.	Not known.
2135596	Cpl. Barber, W.E.	"
2113967	L/Cpl. Beveridge, T.	"
2017149	L/Cpl. Hartley, K.	"
1876615	Spr. Coleman, W.	"
1944411	Spr. Duckers, H.	"
1868145	Spr. Howe, F.	"
2124141	Spr. Hudson, G.	"
2058280	Spr. Knight, J.	"
1885661	Spr. Pratt, A.G.	"
2183183	Spr. Ross, J.	"
1875932	Spr. Staniforth, W.	"
1883104	Spr. Reeves, R.	"
2115240	Spr. Turton, B.	"
14435964	Spr. Buckley, L.	25 Sept.
2069925	Spr. Cook, J.	25 Sept.
1990921	Spr. Clarke, W.	21 Sept.
2040246	Spr. Brookes, F.	Not known.
2020170	Spr. Paterson, R.	"

1869967	Sgt. Oakey, A.F.
2567134	L/S Allan, R.
1991343	Cpl. Clampitt, A.L.
2151435	L/C. Pickburn, E.
1920288	L/C. Burroughs, W.
2116294	Spr. Davies, F.A.S.
2149858	Spr. Carney, R.
14435855	Spr. Beale, J.C.
1572485	Spr. Evans, J.
1912393	Spr. Westfield, J.
2016825	Spr. Godfrey, E.G.
2012349	Spr. Cuthbertson, A.
2140521	Spr. Williamson, J.
1909487	Spr. Calvert, C.
2004067	Spr. Turner, C.
1878111	Spr. Shepherd, E.E.
2115241	Spr. Fernyhough, J.
5962448	Spr. Street
1883270	Spr. Watt, A.
2009013	Spr. Holtham, D.
2573062	Spr. Hall, A.
1868794	Spr. Holdstock, R.