WWII Regiment & Corps Library

The Royal Armoured Corps was formed in 1939 as an umbrella for cavalry, tank, and later converted infantry units, all brought together under a single armoured system. As the war progressed, this mix of origins and rapid expansion created a corps made up of many distinct regiments, each retaining its own identity within the wider structure.

The Royal Army Service Corps was responsible for transport and supply across the entire British Army, delivering everything from food and fuel to equipment and personnel. Its nationwide recruitment and function-based structure mean service numbers reflect entry into the corps rather than any specific unit or formation.

The Royal Engineers provided the technical backbone of the Army, building bridges, roads, defences, and infrastructure to support operations in every theatre of war. Known as “Sappers,” they were recruited into a wide range of specialist roles and attached across all formations, reflecting a corps that operated throughout the entire Army rather than within a single regiment.

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) was formed in 1942 to centralise the repair and maintenance of the Army’s increasingly complex equipment. Drawing skilled tradesmen from several existing corps, it became a specialist organisation responsible for keeping vehicles, weapons, and machinery operational across all theatres of war.

The General Service Corps was introduced in 1942 as a central intake system, with recruits undergoing initial training before being assigned to a regiment or corps. As a result, service numbers issued through the GSC do not indicate a specific unit, only that the soldier enlisted during this centralised phase of the war.