603rd Quartermasters Co Grave Registry

[BelligerentBlue]

I've been busy and stressed lately, so haven't really done much on here. But I have a little time and I'm feeling up to it. So I'm deciding to post a picture I've had for a little while now and seeing if I can get a little help.

 

This is a yard long photo of the 603rd QM. CO (GR) from Camp Sutton, N.C. 3-5-43. The commanding officer was LT C.B Rennie. JR

 

I've done a little research on these guys. And have hit a slight wall as I can't find out what company Mr. Rennie was in command of to determine where some of these guys went when the war kicked off. Any help is appreciated.

[BelligerentBlue]

Two more.

[BelligerentBlue]

Whoops, let me provide a website with more information.

 

http://www.qmfound.com/crosses.htm

[CampSutton]

Your Company is the "603rd Quartermaster Graves Registration Company."

 

They left Camp Sutton and went to Fort Lewis, Washington prior to going overseas.

 

As my ID here indicates, I research Camp Sutton, Monroe, NC. I have some information on this unit.

 

If you ever want to part with this picture let me know. I have a copy of it but not an original. That said, They were photographed at Fort Lewis and all the soldiers were named.

 

A book "Grampa" A Memoir was published in 1997 by Charles D. Butte LTC USA Ret. has a good section on this company in it.

I can provide his contact info from the book and printing information if desired.

 

From the listing with the photograph Capt. Chaning B. Rennie, From Va.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Jack

[BelligerentBlue]

Hey Jack, thanks for that. I don't know why I read that all wrong on the website. For some reason I was thinking it was a picture of an individual platoon but clearly it is a picture of the whole company haha. I'll definitely keep you in mind as I'm mostly a Marine Corps collector.

[HooperJ1944]

Jack,

 

Im a bit late to this conversation, but perhaps you can help me with an ongoing project.

 

My uncle, Pfc. Harold W. Hooper (104th Division) was KIA 2 November 44 in Holland and processed for burial at Henri-Chapelle 6 Nov 44. I have a copy of his "Report of Burial"; the officer who signed-off on that report was "1st Lt. Harry Dubrov, QMC", 603rd GR Co.

 

With that, I was able to track down a copy of the 23 Dec 43, Fort Lewis "photo roster"; where he is listed. However, I have not been able to locate a copy of the photo itself online.

 

Do you know where I can find that photo online? If not, do you have a copy of the photo, and, would you be willing to send a high-resolution scan? I could really use a copy of the full Company plus an enlarged image of Lt. Dubrov.

 

I was also wondering if you have (or can direct me too) additional sources regarding the 603rd? I've yet to locate a good overview of the Co's unit history.

 

I'm working on a book about my uncle's WW2 experience; including a detailed description of the graves registration process. My goal is to put together a 'day-in-the-life' description of the 603rd at Henri-Chapelle.

 

Thank you.

 

Jim

[Signal_QM_NCO]

Good afternoon.  I am also researching the 603 QM GR CO, have been for the last few years.  My maternal grandfather served with that outfit.  The cadre coming from (then) Camp Lee by rail Petersburg, VA <> Hamlet, NC then trucked to Camp Sutton, NC.  The commanding officer was already at Camp Sutton in the 602 QM GR CO (still trying to research that outfit).  A few officers and enlisted men came in to the 603 a few days / weeks prior to the main complement of men (who arrived via railroard from Ohio (Camp Perry (near Lake Erie) and Fort Hayes (near Columbus)) then trucked to Camp Sutton; early February 1943.   Upon completing their training / receiving alert orders, they trucked to Camp Toccoa for a short stint before heading to the Pacific Northwest - Fort Lewis ... afterward railed back to the eastern seaboard where the loaded the ship/s enroute to Europe.

 

As for pictures, I have never seen the yard long prior to this posting - keenly interested to see it in person or high quality digital images (so I can stitch them together).  I have seen the company picture and roster where they are at Fort Lewis, never the original however. 

 

To date, I have visited Monroe NC and the library to research their archives; took a trip south 17 miles to Pageland, SC to visit the promixal location of the rifle ranges there.  In Monroe, some of the original roads of Camp Sutton still exist, mainly residental areas now - was nice to "walk the general" areas where the men walked and marched 80+ years ago.

 

Glad to help others with their research.  I am doing a deep dive in to the organization, the men, their missions, genealogical research, trying to track down surviving members, etc.

 

Welcome your replies.

Chris P.

[atb]

Is it a Group (GR), or a Company (CO)? It shouldn't be both.

[Allan H.]

7 minutes ago, atb said:

Is it a Group (GR), or a Company (CO)? It shouldn't be both.

In this case,  the "GR" Stands for "Graves Registration." The 603rd QM (GR) was a company sized unit. 

 

Most people think of Battalions as a large unit with three or four similar or identical sub units. Quartermaster units were not like that at all. A Quartermaster Battalion would be made up of a number of company sized units that had different job specialties. As an example- A Supply and Service Battalion would have a Clothing Exchange and Bath unit. They set up field showers, collected dirty combat uniforms and replaced them with clean uniforms for the troops when they finished their showers. The Clothing Exchange and Bath would have a Quartermaster Laundry, a clothing/ textile renovation unit, a field kitchen and perhaps a field bakery. Additionally, you would find a petroleum supply company, Graves Registration Company, and small arms repair companies.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Allan

[atb]

Thanks. It is helpful to spell out military jargon the first time it's used as not everybody knows all of the meanings of the many abbreviations.

 

Plus, I didn't read the whole post from the beginning..