How to find out and research information on these subjects...

• Labour Corps research
• Public Records Office
• Pioneer histories and wartime diarys
• WW1 and WW2 Personnel Records
• Unclaimed and replacement medals
• Royal Logistic Corps and former Corps enquiries
• Other useful sources of information

  Newsletters

The Association newsletters are currently in the process of being made available online...
Two newsletters are published every year.

Articles for the newsletter are always welcome. Please do not enclose photographs within a word document as they are not of high enough quality for reproduction. Please send original photos, these will be returned within a few days.

  References used and recommended reading

References used and some
good Pioneer related books I can recommend.

  The classic Pioneer magazines

The Pioneer magazine was first published in 1943 and continued to be published until the Corp's disbandment in 1993. These magazines provide enormous information about the Corps during these years.

  History and background 1

History and background of the Royal Pioneer Corps.
This page contains some excellent old wartime pictures.

  History and background 2

History and background continued.
This page also contains some excellent old wartime pictures.

  History and background 3

D-Day The Pioneer Story - incredible.

  History and background 4

Post War History and the announcement
of future incorporation into a large Logistic Corps.

  Background of the Wartime Training Centres

Background of the Wartime training centres.

  The Lancastria

Many servicemen and many Pioneers lost their lives onboard the Lancastira when it was attacked and hit by bombs from German aircraft. The exact number of all troops on board may never be known, but almost certainly exceeded 6000; some estimates were as high as 9000. The ship sank rapidly and according to the estimate of the Captain, only around 2500 of those on board were saved.

Owing to the scale of the tragedy, Winston Churchill forbade publication of the news in the interests of public morale, and hence the story of the Lancastria has never been generally known, although it is Britain's worst maritime disaster. The Official Report of the Lancastria sinking has been suppressed under the Official Secrets Act until the year 2040.

  The Warrants

The Royal Warrants from George RI authorising the formation of the Auxiliary
Military Pioneer Corps, the changing of the name to the Pioneer Corps and the
distinction of having "ROYAL" in the name.

  Compound 219

I bet you have never heard of Compound 219 !

  Kranji War Memorial

Kranji Cemetery & War Memorial for the British, ANZAC and Allied personnel killed during the Japanese Invasion and Occupation of Singapore, 1942 - 1945.

  Honours and Awards

The honours and awards that Pioneers earned, showing courage and devotion
to duty. Some very interesting stories here and a list of everyone who got a medal.

  1980 description of the Royal Pioneer Corps

Interesting description of the Royal Pioneer Corps dating back to 1980.

  Simpson Manor

The site where Simpson Barracks and Quebec Barracks used to stand.

  The Royal Logistic Corps Museum

The Royal Logistic Corps was formed on 5 April 1993, amalgamating the Royal Corps of Transport, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Pioneer Corps, Army Catering Corps and the Postal and Courier Service (Royal Engineers). The Museum was built especially in 1995 to house the large collections amassed by the Trustees of the constituent Corps.