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Traffic Control Squadrons 1917 - 1918
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VARIOUS INFORMATION ABOUT

WORLD WAR ONE

TRAFFIC CONTROL SQUADRONS (MMP)

& COMPANIES (MFP).

     Traffic Control Squadrons, MMP and Traffic Control Companies, MFP were formed in April 1917 to control the ever increasing number of horse and motor transport on the Western Front .  Traffic Control Squadrons were formed from the Military Mounted Police with attached personnel from Cavalry Regiments with officers seconded from cavalry regiments.   Traffic Control Companies were formed from the Military Foot Police and the Army Cyclist Corps with the Officers provided from the Army Cyclist Corps.   There were 4 mounted Squadrons and 4 Companies and they were deployed as follows:-

 TRAFFIC CONTROL UNITS

No. 1 Traffic Control Squadron.   With Second Army 7/1917, Third Army 12/1917, First Army 2/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 2 Traffic Control Squadron.   With Second Army 7/1917, Fifth Army 9/1917, Second Army 11/1917, Third Army 12/1917, Fifth Army 2/1918, Fourth Army 5/1918, half squadron with Fourth Army and half squadron with Fifth Army 7/1918, Fourth

Army 10/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 3 Traffic Control Squadron.  With Second Army 7/1917, Fifth Army 9/1917, Fourth Army 12/1917. Second Army 5/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 4 Traffic Control Squadron.   With Second Army 7/1917, Fifth Army 9/1917, Third Army 12/1917 to 11/11/1918.

No. 1 Traffic Control Company.   With Second Army 7/1917, half Company with Fifth Army and half Company with Second Army 9/1917, First Army 2/1918, half Company with First Army 7/1918, half Company with Fifth Army, HQ and one and a half platoons with First Army, and one and a half platoons with Fifth Army from 10/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 2 Traffic Control Company.   With Second Army 7/1917, Fifth Army 9/1917, Second Army 11/1917, Third Army 12/1917, Fifth Army 8/2/1918, Fourth Army 5/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 3 Traffic Control Company.   With Second Army 7/1917, Fifth Army 9/1917, Fourth Army 12/1917, Second Army 5/1918 to 11/11/1918.

No. 4 Traffic Control Company.   With Second Army 7/1917, Fourth Army 9/1917, Second Army 11/1917, Third Army 12/1917 to 11/11/1918.

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A complete War Diary WO 95/409 for No. 4 Dismounted Mobile Traffic Control Company from April 1917 to February 1919 exists   This is the only known Military Police Unit War Diary known to exist for a First World War Provost Unit.   This diary also has short extracts for No.3 Traffic Control Squadron and No.3 Dismounted Traffic Control Company mixed in with it.

http://www.corpsofmilitarypolice.org/media/ww1_diaries.html

Photograph of No. 3 Dismounted Mobile Provost Company, MFP

The Officer third from left is 2/Lt (Temp Capt) G G Bates of the 1/15 London Regiment.

Civil Service Rifles.   (Photo Western Front Association No.62)  Note all NCO’s wearing two ammo pouches.  The dismounted mobile in the title means they rode bicycles

A Lance Corporal in a Traffic Control Company MFP

Note he has MP armbands on both arms and is

carrying two pistol ammunition pouches. (Photo Morris Collection)

Bottomley was a Liberal MP and editor of the magazine John Bull. (Photo IWM)

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Provost Officers in theTraffic Control organization:

Armstrong, B MacV. Special Reserve of Officers, Reserve Units, Cavalry, K E Horse.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & War Medals, first served abroad France, 5/5/1915.

LG 30656, 5128, 27/4/1919.  2/Lt. (now Lt.) B MacV. Armstrong to be actg, Capt. whilst empld. As 2nd in Command of a Traffic Control Sqdn. 16/8/1917.

Awarded the MC.  LG 3076,7402, 21/6/1918.   Lt. (A/Capt.) Bertie MacVicar Armstrong, King Edward’s Horse.   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.   When the horse lines of two troops were heavily shelled he at once went to the spot and encouraged and assisted his men in the difficult task of getting the horses away.   By his promptness, energy and disregard of danger he succeeded in accomplishing this with a very few casualties.

Bertie MacVicar Armstrong, King Edward’s Horse.   Formerly Sgt. King Edward’s Horse, No. 671.

Balfour, J, Lt. Cyclist Battalion, Canadian Forces.

Award of MC.   L G 30780, 7930, 5/7/1918.   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.   When on traffic control duty, he , at great personal risk, supervised the towing away of a burning lorry loaded with ammunition which had been hit by enemy shell fire.   His prompt action saved several lorries from being burnt and facilitated the early movement of traffic, when otherwise a most serious block would have occurred.

John Balfour.

Ball, J  F A, Army Cyclist Corps.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & War Medals.   First served abroad 22/11/1915, France.

LG 31001, 13263, 9/11/1918.   T/Lt. J F A Ball to be A/Capt. whilst employed as 2nd in Command of a Traffic Control Company.   6/9/1917.

Bates G G, 15 London Regiment.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & War Medals.   First served abroad 18/3/1915, France.

Award of MC.  LG 29837, 11532, 25/11/1916.   2/Lt, (temp Capt.) George Gordon Bates, London Regiment.   For conspicuous gallantry in action.   He collected men of several units, leading them forward and establishing a position which he maintained without support for two days.   He set a splendid example throughout.

LG 30388, 11947, 19/11/1917.   Lt. G G Bates, MC, is seconded for duty with Military Police.   3/10/1917.

George Gordon Bates, London Regiment.

Black, C C. Yeomanry.   Awarded the Victory and War Medals.

LG 30310, 9985, 27/9/1917.   2/Lt C C Black is seconded for duty as Traffic Control officer.   3/9/1917.

Clarke, W F, Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 8/11/1915, France.

LG 30245, 8656, 22/8/1917, Army Cyclist Corps, Temp. Capt. W F Clarke on transfer to the Gen. List for duty with the Military Traffic Control Company.

Davison, W, 3 Durham Light Infantry, Spec. Res.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 12/5/1915, France.

LG 31244, 3820, 21/3/1919.  The undermentioned Lt’s relinquish the acting. Rank of Capt - W Davison, on ceasing to be 2nd in Command Traffic Control Company. 20/2/1919.

Eastman, L E, Army Cyclist Corps.   Awarded the Victory and War Medals.

LG 30872, 10103, 29/8/1918.  Lt. (A/Capt.) L E Eastman (TF Command) is seconded for duty with Traffic Control Company and relinquishes the Act. rank of Capt.   5/6/1918.

Feiling, R E, King Edward’s Horse.   Awarded the 1915 star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 4/5/1915, France.

LG 30201, 7577, 25/7/1917.  The undermentioned A/Capt. Whilst employed as 2nd in Command of Traffic Control Squadrons, Corps of Military Police.   2/Lt. R E Feiling, K E Horse, Spec. Res. and to be secd. 1/6/1917.

LG 30526, 2050, 15/2/1918.   Lt. (A/Capt.) R E Feiling, K E Horse, Spec. Res. to command a Traffic Control Squadron and to retain his acting rank whilst so employed.

Formerly Sgt. King Edwards Horse No. 144, discharged to commission 4/5/1915.

Franklyn, A H, 5 Reserve Regiment of Cavalry.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 14/5/1915, France.  

LG 31530, 10977, 30/8/1919.  The undermentioned temp. Lt. to be A/Capt. whilst 2nd in Command of a Traffic Control Squadron, from 28/12/1918 to 25/4/1919.

Green, R B,  Army Cyclist Corps, General List.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad  28/10/1915, France.

Award of the MC.   LG 30561, 2916, 7/3/1918.

T/Capt. Ralph Bareham Green, General List.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.   Hearing that several men had been severely wounded, accompanied by a  NCO, he reached them with the greatest difficulty through the heavy shelling, and moved them to cover and rendered first aid.   He was wounded while doing so, but walked to the dressing station and sent ambulances for the wounded.

LG 30245, 8656, 22/8/1917, Army Cyclist Corps.  T/Capt. R B Green on transfer to the Gen. List for duty with a Military Traffic Control Company.

Award of the MC.   LG 30340, 10709, 18/10/1917.

Ralph Barcham Green, Army Cyclist Corps, General List.

Hind, L G, Manchester Regiment.   Awarded the Victory and War Medals.

LG 30810, 8721, 25/7/1918.   2/Lt. L G Hind is seconded for service with

a Traffic Control Unit. 21/7/1918.

Matthews, E G, T/Lt. General List.

Award of the MC.   LG 13192, 287, 10/1/1916.   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.   During several days’ bombardment of a town he was untiring in his efforts to save the lives of soldiers who had been gassed or wounded.   He was APM of the town, and, aided by his police, was able to save many by digging them out of cellars, setting a splendid example of coolness and cheerfulness during a very trying period.   He also reorganised the traffic control very rapidly, and at the first available moment had all roads reconnoitered so that they were clear for the passage of all arms.

Awarded the French Croix de Guerre.  LG 30638, 4717, 18/4/1918.  T/Lt. Edmund Gray Matthews, MC, General List.

L G 29737, 8772, 6/9/1916.  APM.  (Graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Lt., 1st class). Temp Lt. E G Matthews. Royal Fusilier, and to be transferred to Gen. list, vice temp 2/Lt. N Wilks.   14/8/1916.

L G 30638, 4717, 198/4/1918.  T/Lt. Edmund Gray Matthews, MC. General List.

L G 30933, 11696, 1/10/1918.  APM. (Cl FF).  T/Lt. E G Matthews, MC, Gen List, and to be temp. Capt. whilst so employed, vice Capt. (Temp. Maj. D C H Chisolm, Res of Off.  11/8/1918.

LG 31244, 3822, 21/3/1919.  DAPM (Cl FF) Maj. T L Galloway, R. Glasgow Yeo, TF, vice temp Capt. Edmund Gray Matthews MC, Royal Fusiliers, General. List.   28/1/1919

Mollett, H F, West Riding Regiment, TF.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. & MID.   Address: Woodland, Lightcliffe, Halifax, Yorkshire.  Served 49 Div Cyclist Company, 10 Corps Cyclist Company and 3 Traffic Control Company.

LG 30517, 1880, 6/2/1918, The under-mentioned to be A/Capt, 2/Lt (now Capt) H F Mollet whilst 2nd in Command of a Traffic Control Company from 10/4/ to 26/6/1917.

Harold Farrow Mollett, West Riding Regiment, TF, 49 Div Cyclist Company, 10 Corps Cyclist Company, 3 Traffic Control Company..

Myers, S C, Army Cyclist Corps.  Awarded the Victory and War  Medals

LG 30558, 2857, 6/3/1918.  Lt. S C Myers  is seconded for duty with a Traffic Control Unit.   14/10/1917.

Oswald, S, LG 30245, 8656, 22/8/1917, Army Cyclist Corps.   Temp. Capt. S Oswald on transfer to the Gen. List for duty with the Military Traffic Control Coy.   No. 2 TC Company.

Award of MC.  LG 31370, 6932, 3/6/1919.  T/Capt, Stuart Oswald, General List, Commanding 2nd Traffic Control Company.

Stuart Oswald, Army Cyclist Corps.

Peace, N K, 34 Division, Army Cyclist Corps.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 22/12/1915, Egypt.   Shown on medal card as DAPM

LG 30201, 7577, 25/7/1917.  Temp. Lt. N K Peace, ACC, to be A/Capt. whilst in command of a Traffic Control Company of Mobile Police.   10/4/1917.

Penrose, E C, Reserve Units, Cavalry, Irish Horse.   Awarded the Victory and War Medals.

LG 30511, 1713, 6/2/1918.   2/Lt. E C Penrose is seconded for duty with a Traffic Control Squadron.   24/12/1917.

Preston, E W, Royal West Surrey Regiment.

LG 30840, 9457, 13/8/1918.   Lt. E W Preston is seconded for duty with a Traffic Control Squadron.   12/6/1918.

Rimington, G B, 1 Dragoon Guards.   Awarded the 1914 Star, Victory & War Medals.  First served abroad 20/11/1914, France.

LG 30744, 7025, 13/6/1918.  Temp. Lt. G B Rimington, D Gds, to be A/Capt whilst employed as 2nd in Command of a Traffic Control Squadron.

Geoffrey Brisco Rimington.  1 Dragoon Guards, formerly Cpl. 8 Hussars,  No. 24307

 

Salmon W, Army Cyclist Corps, 4 Traffic Control Company.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & War Medals.   First served abroad 14/7/1915, France.

MID LG 30093, 5167, 25/5/1917.

Walter Salmon,  Manchester Regiment, Army Cyclist Corps, General List, Walter Salmon.

Sanderson, A T, 4 East Yorkshire Regiment.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.  First served abroad 13/7/1915, France.

LG 31048, 14405, 4/12/1918.   Capt A T Sanderson is seconded for service with a Traffic Control Company.   4/11/1918.

Scott, F M, Liverpool Regiment.   Awarded the Victory and War Medals.

LG 30382, 11807, 15/11/1917.  2/Lt. F M Scott is seconded to Military Police for duty with traffic Control Units.   6/10/1917.

Sloane A D, 2 Dragoon Guards.   Awarded the 1914 star, Victory and War Medals, first served abroad France, 5/11/1915.

MID LG 29200, 5981, 22/6/1915.

Shown in 1 Cavalry Division Routine Orders as ceasing to be employed with 3 TC Squadron, 18/2/1918.   Shown on the medal card as OC, 3 Traffic Control Squadron, Mobile Police.   Also shown in Service of Military Officers as Special Employment as a traffic officer 1/6/1917 to 30/1/1918.

Stephens, L P Dorset Regiment attached to 32 Division Provost Staff.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory & War Medal and MID

Award of MC.  LG 13481, 2670, 1/8/1919.   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations for the capture of the Hindenburg Line, while in charge of the traffic controls of the bridges

on the canal at Belleglise.   On the afternoon and night of September 29th, 1918 the bridges were constantly shelled and he showed great coolness and ability in controlling the traffic.   Again on the night of October 3rd/4th, when the crossroads at La Barque were heavily bombed by enemy aircraft, he, though blown down by one of the explosions, remained at his post directing the traffic and clearing the road.

Lockhart Provo Stephens,  ASC, Dorsetshire Regiment.  Address: Balfour House, Finsbury Pavement. London EC 2 and The White House, Emsworth, Hampshire.

Talbot, R S V, Gloucestershire Regiment.   Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 15/9/1915, France.

Award of MC.  LG 13285, 2397, 8/7/1918.   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He was performing traffic control duties when the enemy penetrated the line, whereupon he defended the guns in the vicinity until all the ammunition was expended.   With his party he held his own against very superior numbers, and during the withdrawal he covered the retreat of other parties.   Throughout the fight he displayed great gallantry and excellent leadership under the most trying circumstances, and in the face of greatly superior numbers.

Reginald Stanislaus Victor Talbot.   Gloucestershire Regiment and Army Cyclist Corps.

Thompson, R N, Yorkshire Light Infantry.

LG 30256, 8953, 28/8/1917.   Lt. R N Thompson, Yorks L I, TF, to be acting. Capt. whilst commanding. A Traffic Control Company.   14/4/1917.

Warren, J C, MC, DCM, General List.

LG 29494, 2317, 1/2/1916.   To be 2/Lt. 31/1/1916.   Welch Regiment, SSM J C Warren, from Oxfordshire (Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars), Territorial Force.

LG 30359, 11256, 31/10/1917.  APM (Graded for purposes of pay as a Staff Lt., 1st Cl.)   Temp. 2/Lt. J C Warren, Welsh Regiment transferred to the General List, and to be temporary Lt. whilst so employed.   19/9/1917

LG 30621, 4373, 9/3/1918.  Temp. 2/Lt, (T/Lt.) j C Warren MC to be acting. Capt. whilst commanding A Traffic Control Squadron. 19/2/1918.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.   971 SSM J C Warren, Q O Oxfordshire Hussars.   For conspicuous gallantry on 3/11. 1914 at Wulverghem when he took a prominent part with two troops in crawling up a field to fill a gap in the line of trenches, under very heavy shell fire.   Has been noted for voluntarily undertaking dangerous and difficult work.

Awarded the Military Cross.  LG30450.49. 1/1/1918.   Citation not found

Award of the French Croix de Guerre.   LG 31409, 7806, 19/6/1919.

He enlisted in the RAF in World War II and finished the war as a Squadron Leader in the RAF Regiment.

White, F G, Dragoon Guards, Spec. Res. 16/4/1917.   Awarded the 1914 Star, Victory and War Medals.   First served abroad 9/9/1914, France.

LG 30201, 7577, 25/7/1917.  The undermentioned A/Capt. Whilst employed as 2nd in Command of Traffic Control Squadrons, Corps of Military Police.   Temp. Lt. N K Peace, ACC, to be A/Capt. whilst commanding a Traffic Control Company of Mobile Police.   14/4/1917.

Felix Gabriel White, 5 Dragoon Guards and Remount Depot.  

Yorke, H R, Capt, Warwickshire Yeomanry, awarded the MC,1915 Star, Victory & War
Medals.   First served abroad 13/5/1915, Egypt

MID LG 30886, 10526, 6/9/1918.

Award of MC.   LG 30886, 10525, 6/9/1918.   Capt. Henry Reginald Yorke, Yeo.   Citation not found.

LG 32012, 7687, 31/7/1917 Lt. H R Yorke, Yeo. TF to be temp Maj. whilst employed with a Traffic Control Squadron.  31/4/1917

LG 30277, 9355, 7/9/1917 Lt. H R Yorke, Yeo, TF to be temp Capt. whilst employed with a Traffic Control Sqn, 31/3/1917.  (Substituted for the notification in the Gazette of 31/7/1917).

Henry Reginald Yorke, Warwickshire Yeomanry.

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London Gazette 31283, 4705, 10/4/1919.   Sir Douglas Haig’s Advance of British Forces into Germany and the occupation of the Rhine at Cologne.

Closely related to the administration of military law is the work of the military police under the Provost Marshal, and of the military prison staff in the field.   In the battle zone, where frequently they had to do duty in exposed positions under heavy fire and suffered severe casualties, the military police solved an important part of the problem of traffic control, by preventing the unavoidable congestion of troops and transport on roads in the vicinity of active operations from degenerating into confusion.  

In the back areas, their vigilance and zeal have largely contributed to the good relations maintained between our troops and the civilian population.

(Photo IWM)

Members of No. 1 Traffic Control Squadron MMP outside

The Gasthaus Waldrestaurant Gezelin, Leverkuzen

British Army of the Rhine

(photo IWM)

SECOND ARMY AREA TRAFFIC MAP

SHOWING TRAFFIC CIRCUITS DATED 20/4/1918.

(Photo Morris Collection)

KEY TO MAP

(Photo Morris Collection)

CAPT. W F CLARKE, ACC, OC TC COMPANY (Photo IWM)

CAPT H R YORKE, MC, WARWICKSHIRE YEOMANRY

OC TC SQUADRON  (Photo IWM)

The Five documents below were taken from the war diary of the Guards Division dated 24/9/1918 and show how important traffic control and the moment of a mobile army had become.

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