royalengineers

From the Imperial War Museum site:
"THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE, JULY-NOVEMBER 1917

part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooks, Ernest (Lieutenant) (Photographer) 1917-08-05

British infantry crossing the bridge over the Yser canal at Boezinge, 5th August 1917. This bridge was constructed by the Royal Engineers after the British advance had passed the canal."
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205191760


THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE, JULY-NOVEMBER 1917© IWM (Q 2681)

Art Siegel: Thanks! We will update our description using your new information.

Apologies if this is a red herring, but there was a Temp 2nd Lt. H. [Horace] W. Ash of the Corps of Royal Engineers with the rank of actg. Capt. from 11 April 1918 to 5 May 1919. Gazette References: www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30705/supplement/6182 www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31390/page/7283

Medal Index Cards at the National Archive give us three potential matches. First up is Acting Captain Horace W Ash, Royal Engineers. Strangely for an Officer he appears to have a serial number – 255537. He had previously been Lance Corporal E/41 Royal Fusiliers. Card held under reference WO 372/1/125193 discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1... Then there is Captain Frederick Gordon Ash, Royal Engineers, (initially a Lieutenant). His card is held under reference WO 372/1/125069 discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1... Frederick Gordon’s papers are held at the National Archive under reference WO 339/75091 discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/details/C11289... I can only see the headline on a pay-per view website, but an article appeared in the Liverpool Echo dated 21st August 1916 under the heading OSWESTRY OFFICER HONOURED. Lieutenant Frederick Gordon Ash, Royal Engineers, son of Mrs A E Ash and grandson of the late Alderman Saunders, Oswestry, has been awarded Military Cross. Finally there is a Captain R B Ash, General List, who had previously been 2nd Corporal 107469 Royal Engineers. His card is held under reference WO 372/1/125384 discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

From the Imperial War Museum site:
"THE BATTLE OF ARRAS, APRIL-MAY 1917

part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs) Made by: Brooke, John Warwick (Lieutenant) (Photographer) 1917-04-22

Gunners of the Royal Artillery loading pontoons on the River Scarpe with shells whilst a light railway engine passes along the line near Saint-Laurent-Blangy, 22 April 1917."


THE BATTLE OF ARRAS, APRIL-MAY 1917© IWM (Q 5829)

see also

Thanks again Art Siegel, the Imperial War Museum's captions are much better than Bain's. We'll update our description.