The Royal Engineers had a specialist wagon for the transportation of RE tools, it was designed to be a 2 part cart, with each cart carrying 4 tool boxes.
The Army publications show that Field Squadrons and Field Companies could have upto 4 of the double carts. when the carts are used singly they are pulled by a 2 horse team and the double cart would be pulled by a 4 or 6 horse team.
Finding examples of the cart in the Great war are very rare, I come across several photos of the cart from the Victorian and Edwardian period. This photo is taken from the Navy & Army Illustrated, February 1903 and shows the carts in tandem and pulled by a 4 horse team.
The other interesting aspect of this image is the Riders and crew in the red jackets and dark blue Home Service Helmets.
But otherwise I’ll continue to look for the tool cart in the Great War. I know there must be images out there.
I have some other pics and tool lists I’ve found if your interested? I have looked into the double tool cart too as I collect primarily WW2 RE/ RCE tools and equipment. Which in most cases is the same as that carried in WW1
Hi Geoff that would be great, any info that relates to the tool carts would be gratefully appreciated. I’m picking up some info from the war diaries but it is a slow process. I’m aiming to do a visit to the RE Museum and see what they have in their archive.
They should have a RE double tool cart in their collection. I can send you pdf copies of the 1910 RE Field Troop and Field Coy Expeditionary Force equipment lists. But I can’t find the original source to send you a link. And I can’t attach it on here. It lists what they were issued and what cart or wagon it was carried in. Good drawings of RE cart and wagons here https://www.victorianforts.co.uk/art/wagons.htm
Cheers Geoff, great link and very useful. I’ve pinged you a message via FB.