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249th Field Company, Royal Engineers
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263993 Spr. Cyril William Wilkin MM. 249th Field Company Royal Engineers  Cyril Wilkin from Royston in Hertfordshire joined No 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps in October 1912 aged 19 or 20 as an 2nd Air Mechanic and was stationed at Montrose.
He went with his squadron to France in August 1914 immediately after the war being declared. Soon after his arrival he was injured after the plane he was in was brought down and after recovering was discharged from the RFC on 16th of January 1915.
Cyril Wilkin subsequently enlisted as a Royal Marine Engineer in the Royal Naval Division on 3rd of February 1915 who were soon sent to the Dardanelles and landed at Helles on April 25th of April 1915.
Sapper Wilkin was in No 3 Field Company R.M.E. and was a plumber by specialist trade. During the campaign, he was shot through the hand although was only in hospital for a short time before returning to the fighting line. After being evacuated from the Dardanelles in Feb 1916 he was stationed in Stavros, Greece for four months.
He subsequently was sent to the Western Front where his company had been re-designated as the 249th Field Company R.E. In the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and was now within the British Army rather than the Royal Marines.
Sapper Wilkin was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in carrying out details under gas and shell fire on or around 11th of March 1918. He was severely gassed in this action and was blind for about 4 days. He was initially hospitalised at Rouen before continuing his recovery in Cardiff.
After the war Cyril married Nellie and had 3 children (Eileen, Derek and Graham) and worked as a plumber.
He also served as a fire officer for many years when it was a volunteer service.
Cyril was also one of a handful of local ex servicemen who established the Royston branch of the British Legion.
He also represented Royston at football and cricket.
During the Second World War, Cyril worked as a fitter for the air ministry initially for the RAF and subsequently for the US Air corps when they took over the local air base.
Cyril died in 1979.
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262756 Spr. Arthur Elgar Taylor 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Oct 1917) On 17th of October 1917, my grandfather Arthur Taylor and Major H. W. Wright were shelled while on duty in Belgium.
My grandfather did not survive and his mate was with him when he passed - his last words being "I think I'm done."
My grandmother received a letter from this man which was written in April of 1918 telling her what had happened and his last words.
My son now has this letter in his possession.
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262752 Mjr. H. W. Wright 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers On 17th of October 1917, my grandfather Arthur Taylor and Major H. W. Wright were shelled while on duty in Belgium.
My grandfather did not survive and his mate was with him when he passed, his last words being "I think I'm done."
My grandmother received a letter from this man which was written in April of 1918 telling her what had happened and his last words.
My son now has this letter in his possession.
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255233 Charles E. Redman 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers Charles Redman served in the 249th Field Company.
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255231 Charles Edward McArdle 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.9th Nov 1919) According to a letter from Charles McArdle to my grandmother in April of 1918 and while he was in hospital, he informed my grandmother that he was with my grandfather, Arthur Elgar Taylor, in Belgium, when they were shelled and my grandfather was hit. He told my grandmother that my grandfather's last words were, "I think I'm done." My son now has that letter and it is considered to be a real treasure and we were very happy that she held onto it and it was passed down in the family.
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255230 Spr. Charles Henry Curd 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.24th Apr 1917) Charles Curd was killed in action at Arras, aged 32, son of Susan Curd of Durrington.
He was born in Newhaven and enlisted in Brighton at Carpenter St. Paul's. He died on Tuesday 24th of April 1917 and there is no known grave.
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231339 Spr. Arthur Elgar Taylor 249th Field Coy. Royal Engineers (d.17th Oct 1917) All I know is that my grandfather, Arthur Taylor and grandmother went back to England where they were both born. He was with the Royal Engineers, 249th Field Coy., and died 17th of October 1917 and is listed as Commonwealth War Dead. He is buried in La Brique Military Cemetery No. 2 in Belgium. I am trying to find out about his company and where they fought in the war.
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