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During the recent war the Corps were,
among other places at Dunkirk, Salerno, Anzio, North Africa,
Normandy, Burma, India, Iceland and Faroe Islands, for the
Pioneers were not only engaged on labour tasks behind the
lines but in all the big landing also. 26 Companies went ashore
on D Day in Normandy. By D Day plus 6 there was 81 Companies
and 11 Group HQ's in France. Army Commanders in every theatre
of war paid full tribute to the work of the Corps without
which they freely admitted that the war could not have been
won. Over 2,800 British personnel of the Corps laid down their
lives overseas.
In conclusion Mr Darbyshire stated
how happy he and his colleagues were to have been of service
in helping to bring the record of the Corps once more before
the public and he was sure the Royal Pioneer Corps Locomotive
in the years to come would continue this good work. He thanked
Field-Marshal Montgomery for giving so much of his time in
these busy and trying days to come and name the engine and
then called on Major General Friend to speak.
Major General Friend in a few words
thanked Field Marshal Montgomery for coming to name the Locomotive
and Mr Darbyshire, his colleagues and the Railway Executive
for so generously providing the Locomotive and doing so much
to help the Corps and its Old Comrades Association. He expressed
his keen interest in the fact that Driver Tassiker was a former
Pioneer and after receiving from Mr Daryshire a large framed
photograph of the Locomotive and on behalf of all Pioneers
presenting to Driver Tassiker and Fireman Hodgson a Tankard
suitably inscribed, the General asking the Field Marshal to
name the Engine. In reply the Field Marshall said
'I am
very glad to take part in this ceremony here today of naming
this engine. Early on in World War II it became apparent
that the needs of modern was made it essential to have an
organised body of men fitted and trained to undertake the
many tasks of construction that were required. Such tasks
included the construction of airfields, roads and base facilities,
and so on. None of it work which carried with it much glamour
or limelight, but never the less it was work vital to the
final victory'.
This need was met by the formation
of the Army Pioneer Corps. Into its ranks were drafted regular
reservists and territorials, who by reason of their age and
physical debility could not take their place in the firing
line. Business men and other civilians who, because of their
peace time experiences were suited for labour work, were found
to give the Corps its necessary technical guidance. These
men formed themselves into a very fine body of soldiers with
a fine esprit de corps : soldiers in every sense of the word,
as in modern war one never knows when the men in the back
areas will find themselves involved in the fighting, as happened
at Dunkirk.
During the campaign in NW Europe the
Pioneer Corps was faced with a tremendous task. All the base
facilities had to be built completely from scratch - air strips
had to be put down and developed into full sized air fields.
All manner of work was given to this Corps and history has
shown how well it performed its task. In recognition of this,
in 1946, His Majesty The King bestowed upon the Corps and
history has shown how well it performed its task. In recognition
of this, in 1946. His Majesty The King bestowed upon the Corps
the Appellation of 'Royal'
- from then on it became 'The Royal Pioneer Corps'. It is
a very appropriate thing that the British Railways should
have seen fit to name this engine after a Corps with which
the Railways were so closely related during the war.
It does not need me to remind you what
great work the Railways performed. The movement of men and
material went on steadily even in the darkest days when they
were a constant target for enemy bombing. The Railways had
a vital part to play in the war effort and they never failed.
Some people think that now the war is over the work of the
Royal Pioneer Corps is done. This is very far from the truth.
This Corps, with no long tradition to fall back upon, and
without much to bring it into the public eye, must continue
with its work. It must never forget the great reputation that
it built itself in the last war. There is still much for it
to do and if, by nature of its requirements, it does not receive
the men of the highest medical category, it must not be daunted.
Its role is as important and as vital to the Army as ever
it was.
I will now perform the naming ceremony,
but before I do so, I will join with all of you in wishing
this engine many years of good service in the hands of the
British Railways.
After the naming, the Field Marshal,
General Friend, Mr Darbyshire and many others inspected the
engine. The main ceremony being over, the Guard came smartly
to attention and gave the general salute on the departure
of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery to whom all Pioneers
will always be grateful for the great tribute he paid and
the service he rendered to our corps and Old Comrades Association
by coming to this ceremony. The Railway Executive kindly invited
a large number of Pioneers to tea and refreshments at the
Euston Station Hotel and the Association did the same for
nearly 40 others who were accommodated in the Dining Room
at Euston Station.
It is certain that all who were present
will remember this happy event for a long time to come. Thank
you Mr Darbyshire and all your colleagues and Staff and not
forgetting Mr O Neil and his staff also at Euston House, who
did so much to make this day such a great success.
• 'The Royal Pioneer
Corps' Locomotive No. 45506
Naming
of a Locomotive
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