Genealogy Chat

Where do I start...Please can any ex-servicemen or knowledge of the RE. tell me weither you could of recruited for the RE WW2 later than 40... I have been tracing my grandfather for many years. I have 2 possible links - either his dob is 1894 or 1908. His name Capt.E.W Freeman. (Ex.RE) I recently made a visit to the RE. Brompton barricks in Chatham and found his name Freeman.E.W 2nd Lieutenant, commissioned on the 15th February 1941. (so if his dob was in 1894 he would of been 47) Can I say is that not too old? So then it leaves me with another possible year of birth which was 1908. I have tried to contact the Officers of the RE in Sandhust, Surrey, but am stuck..please help with my enquiry Thankyou for reading Lisa

As I read it, 1941 would have been the date of his commission...ie. his promotion to an officer from probably being an ordinary soldier. One would not expect him to achieve a fairly high rank when young unless he actually joined as an officer, so 1941 would fit OK with birthdate. Do you have your grandfather's full name and his marriage certificate? Either should help to locate a birth registration. Gwyn

My Father was born 1897 and served in the first war and then stayed in the Army until the late 30's. When the second war started he joined up again, age 42, and was an Instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The RMA is an Officer Training establishment and as far as I know has no direct link with the Royal Engineers. Dad was 48 we he left the Army Jack Walker