Ripon

1 Squadron

A Reunion website can be found at www.1stFdSqnRE.com

HISTORY courtesy http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/org/21regt/1sqn/history.htm

The Early Days
Most of the early units in the Corps of Royal Engineers were called field companies and had the task of providing engineer support to the fighting divisions and brigades. It was from one of these (11th Field Company) that a small force of mounted engineers was formed in 1885 - called the RE Division - for service in the Egyptian War, with the Corps of mounted Infantry.
In 1894 it was made a permanent part of the Calvary Division and was therefore renamed as the 'Mounted Detachment Royal Engineers'. This title however, proved to be short lived.
The Boer War 1899 - 1901
In 1899 it was expanded and became the Field Troop, and when others were formed, the '1st Field Troop'. It fought through the war in support of the Calvary. 
At the end of the Boer War, 1st Field Troop returned to England and took up permanent station in Aldershot, where it continued to provide engineer support to the Calvary.
The First World War
In 1914 after further expansion it became the 1st Field Squadron and in August embarked for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force, where it served for the whole war in support of formations of the Calvary Corps. At this time 1st Calvary Division had just one field squadron (225 men and horses).
The Squadron took part in many of the major actions of the war including, the retreat from Mons, the advance to Aisne, the outflanking advance into Flanders, the first battle of Ypres in 1914, digging and blowing up of the first mine laid by the BEF in France in 1915.
The Second World War 
In February 1940 1st Field Squadron once again deployed to France (with 1st Armoured Division), where whilst on detachment to the 51st Highland Division the majority of the Squadron were taken prisoner at St.Valery. Only 4 Officers and 65 men made it back to England.
In September 1941 1st Field Squadron sailed for the Middle East where it was immediately committed to action in the western desert. It took part in the Gazala battle and in the more famous defence of Tobruck in 1942. Once again the Squadron suffered from large-scale capture whilst attached to the 2nd South African Division.
Again 1st Field Squadron was reformed, in time to play its part in the battles of Alam Halfa and El Alamein and accompanied the 8th Army advance along the whole of the North African shore to the Cap Bon Peninsula in Tunisia.
In 1944 the Squadron crossed in to Italy where, after a short attachment to 8th Armoured Division, it rejoined 1st Armoured Division and took part in the attack on the Gothic Line.
At the end of 1944, 1st Field Squadron was reorganised as an Assault Squadron, retitled to 1st Armoured Engineer Squadron, and took part with 2nd Armoured Regiment RE in the final offensive in Northern Italy.

The Post War Years 1945 - 1991
At the close of World War 2 the Squadron spent a short time in Austria, returning to Italy in 1945 for duty with 1st Armoured Regiment RE.
When the latter was disbanded, the squadron reverted back to its normal role and name and, after a brief attachment to 6th Armoured Division, motored into Germany in February 1946, to join the 7th Armoured Division, where it remained until March 1948.
On reforming in September 1948, it set sail for the Far East. Once disembarked at Singapore the Squadron was used as in anti-bandit operations, mainly around Kuala Lumpar, moving to Hong Kong in May 1949.
In February 1950, 1st Field Squadron returned to the United Kingdom, where it joined and largely helped to form the 27th Field Engineer Regiment. 
In 1957 the Field Engineer Regiments were disbanded and 1st Field became the Sapper Squadron in 20th Armoured Brigade Group, serving within 4th Division in Paderborn, Germany.
In 1961 as part of the reorganisation, 1st Field Squadron moved with 20th Armoured Brigade to 1st Division, to become part of 1st Division Engineer Regiment in Nienburg on the river Weser.
In April 1969 during further reorganisation, 1st Division Engineer Regiment became 21 Engineer Regiment. With it the Squadron deployed to Northern Ireland a number of times, and on numerous BAOR exercises.
In 1990 the Squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the coalition force, in support to 7th Armoured Brigade and played its part in the ensuing war.
Post Gulf War to the Present
When the problems in Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia (the former Yugoslavia) became critical, the United Nations sent in a peace-keeping force, of which the United Kingdom was a part. This operation was known as Operation Grapple. The Squadron deployed on Op Grapple 2 and later on Op Grapple 6.
In January 1996, 21 Engineer Regiment once again moved locations, this time to Osnabrück. 
During 1997 the Squadron deployed on an operational tour of the Falkland Islands, returning to Osnabrück in September of that year.
In 1998 the Kosovo crisis hit the headlines and 21 Engineer Regiment deployed on Operation Agricola 1, as part of NATO's KFOR. 1st Field Squadron, as part of the King's Royal Hussars Battlegroup, played a major role in the construction of the Brazda refugee camp, the entry into Kosovo, and later was the forward engineer squadron based at Podujevo.
On returning from the Balkans in late 1999, 21 Engineer Regiment saw the formation of Close Support Squadrons, and the introduction of Armoured Troops within the ORBAT. 1st Field Squadron then moved to Roberts Barracks, Osnabrück where it was responsible amongst other things for fostering the soon to reform 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron.
The Squadron was retitled 1st Armoured Engineer Squadron in April 2000.

11 Squadron


11 indep fd sqn reverted back to 11 Fd Sqn 1970
If you want more info on 11 Indep. Fd Sqn Malaya, there's a big website already running at http://www.sapperhanklawrence.blogspot.com/
 
HISTORY OF 11 FIELD SQUADRON ROYAL ENGINEERS (1787 - 1980)
This is from Chris Smith.

In 1787 the Corps of Royal Military Artificers was authorised and six service companies were raised for work on fortifying the home ports. The officers came from the newly named Corp of Royal Engineers. Six more companies were raised in 1793 for active service in Canada and the West Indies. One of these companies served in Nova Scotia with a detachment in the West Indies, and in 1806 was numbered 11th Field Company.  It was based in Halifax whose coat of arms includes the tiny golden-crested kingfisher which was, in time, adopted as the Squadron emblem (known affectionately by the soldiers as the “budgie”) As a result of the increased importance of military fieldworks carried out by the Royal Military Artificers, they were renamed Royal Sappers and Miners in 1813.  In 1854 11th Field Company took part in the Crimean campaign, remaining there for two years before moving to India in 1857. The previous year saw the Royal Sappers and Miners integrated with the officers of the Royal Engineers, henceforward becoming known as the Corps of Royal Engineers. The Company was involved in the later stages of the Indian Mutiny until it became a Fortress Company in India from 1858 onwards. It reverted to being called a Field Company again in 1887.  Meanwhile the Company moved to Egypt in 1885 and were dispatched to the Sudan as part of the force sent to try and relieve General Gordon besieged by Mahdist dervishes in Khartoum. In 1899, 11th Field Company embarked for service in South Africa as part of 1st Division. Under the command of Lord Methuen they took part in the relief of Kimberley and then remained in Western Transvaal as railway troops for the next three years. (A troop Commander during this period was Lieutenant CB Thompson who later became Lord Thompson, Secretary of State for Air, and was killed in the airship R101 disaster in October 1930) Elements of 11th Field Company were involved in the siege of Mafeking before the Company returned to England in 1901 and was based at Shornecliffe.  It was in 1914 that the Company was sent to France as part of 2nd Division and became involved in the infamous retreat from Mons when they marched 256 miles. On the subsequent advance they built pontoon and trestle bridges over the Rivers Marne and Aisne. That same year they acted as infantry during the first battle of Ypres.  Still with 2nd Division, in 1928 the Company were to be found in Aldershot but reduced to 4 officers and 132 men and formed into two half companies each commanded by a Lieutenant. The unit MT consisted of one motor cycle, the remaining transport being horse drawn wagons and limbers. The sappers had also designed hand-drawn rool carts. The officers usually owned their own chargers. By 1932 the Company had been reduced further to cadre strength.  In 1939, 11th Field Company was mobilised at Aldershot and sent to France as part of 2nd Division in the British Expeditionary Force. 

(1)
The Company was withdrawn from France in 1940 and trained for the Middle East where they took part in the Western Desert campaign the following year. During the latter stages of World War II the Company moved to North West Europe as part of  44 Division and later became a unit in 30 Corps before being disbanded in 1947.  In 1948, 50 Field Squadron, part of 32nd Assault Engineers and based at Perham Down, moved to Honk Kong as 50 Independent Field Squadron. They were based at Castle Peak for a short while as they moved to Sek Kong in the new territories soon after to be renamed 11 Field Squadron, part of 40 Division. The unit was officially designated as 11th Field Squadron on 1 January 1950.  In 1951 the Squadron changed its name yet again, becoming an Independent Field Squadron and moving to Klagenfurt in Austria before returning to Chatham two years later.  In 1954 the Squadron moved to Malaya and, during the Emergency in 1960, was based at Butterworth, Province Wellesley, becoming the Field Squadron of 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade. The accommodation was in atap partially-open-sided huts within a coconut plantation. A Field Troup of Royal Australian Engineers joined the Squadron and became 2 Troop.  During 1960 to 1962 the Squadron carried out many Engineer tasks on behalf of the Malay government, some in support of operations against the Communist Terrorists in Malaya. One notable improvised road project was from Grik to Kuala Rui in Upper Perak where re-supply was by air drop courtesy of 55 Company Air Despatch, also based at Butterworth in a camp adjoining the Squadron.  In 1962 the Squadron moved to Terendak Camp, about 13 miles from Malacca town. This camp was purpose built, the size and facilities of a large town, containing the units of 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade.  Between July and November that same year, the squadron were in North Borneo at Kota Belud, about 50 miles from Jesselton (now named Kota Kinabalu) on the Tempasuk River bridge project. The squadron was housed at “Paradise Camp” accommodation being tents. All other buildings were GGI huts. The camp had to be built before erection of the bridge could commence. In 1963 the Squadron was involved in exercises and operations in Sarawak before moving to Thailand for Operation Crown, the construction of an airfield and roads for the Thai Government.  After 15 years continuous service in the Far East, the Squadron left Malaysia on 14 January 1970. The colours were carried to Ripon by a small cadre lead by Cpl Dave Kelly. The rest of the Squadron’s property being passed on a caretaker basis to 73 Field Squadron who were in Sharjah at the time.  On 1 January 1970, 11 Field Squadron was formed from 73 Field Squadron as part of 38 Engineer Regiment in Ripon. The priority one role was support to the RAF Harrier Force in Germany, although in 1971 the Squadron was back in Hong Kong for a 4 month tour.
(2)
Later in 1971 the Squadron undertook its first operational tour in Northern Ireland as part of 8 Airportable Brigade. Following this tour the Squadron was split three ways with a troop on the Europa Road project in Gibraltar, a troop in Belize and a third troop and Squadron Headquarters supporting Harrier exercises in BAOR. It was during the Squadrons second tour of duty in Northern Ireland that the Squadron Commander, Major Richard Jarman RE, was killed by an IRA booby trap during a search operation on the border on 21 July 1973. The Squadron was based at Castledillon in County Armagh and supporting 3 Infantry Brigade in the rural areas. The following year the Squadron returned to Ulster again to stand by for assistance to the civil powers during the Ulster workers’ council power strike.  The Squadron has had a number of nicknames in the past from the “Uprights” (circa 1900) to “Legs Eleven” (World War II). The emblem of the Golden Crested Kingfisher achieved fame during the 1973 Northern Ireland tour where the Brigade codeword for an unsuccessful search operation was “Duff Budgie”  In January 1975, a hundred years after General Gordon, 11 Field Squadron was sent to Southern Sudan to assist the civil administration in recovering from seventeen years of civil war and rebuild Mundri Bridge.  In 1977 saw the Squadron in both Salalah and Belize. On return to UK the Fireman’s’ strike meant a busy period when fire engines were manned in Leeds, Huddersfield and Halifax. The Squadron returned to Northern Ireland in 1978 to build the CQBR at Ballykinler. This tour added several honours to the Squadron role with Captain Collett receiving an MBE and Staff Sergeant Smith and Sergeant Peck receiving BEMs. One year later another successful Op Descant tour at Castledillon, Forkhill and Crossmaglen meant 3 MID’s and 5 GOC’s Commendations being awarded to Squadron personnel.  February 1979 was an exchange month, when 13 Pioneer Battalion came across from the USA to take the Squadron’s place in Ripon, whilst the Legs Eleven had an enjoyable month in Ripon, California.   

From Major Steve Barton, USA Retired - As a participant in that exchange on the American side I suggest that the sentence should say "February 1979 was an exchange month, when B Company, 13 Engineer Battalion came across from the USA to take the Squadron’s place in Ripon, whilst the Legs Eleven had an enjoyable month in Monterey, California."  I was a Second Lieutenant and Platoon Leader in B Company and had a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit cold and snowy (!), month in Ripon and environs. The 13th Engr Bn was part of the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California. Fort Ord is now closed, but beautiful Monterey is still next door. Ripon, California may well have been a place that 11 Squadron visited, but it is in the central valley 120 miles from the Army post and the California coast.  Thanks for the memories and all the best,

-In 1980, 11 Field Squadron went on another Harrier exercise in Germany, a commando exercise in Norway and finally the budgie turned crow for five weeks as HMP Frankland was taken over duringPrison Officers strike. Luckily the Regiment got out on good behaviour, two days before Christmas.

12 Squadron

12 Field Squadron and 55 Field Squadron, part of 28 Field Engineer Regiment, went from Korea to Christmas Island in 1956.

The email below was received on 8th December 2012 - can anyone help?

Hi. I signed up to your well organised site in an attempt to find out more about the 12th Independent Field Squadron RE’s, it is not mentioned on your site nor the Royal Engineers sites anywhere! The squadron went out to Christmas Island and helped to build the Air strip in 1956 and again in 1957/8 to build the Main Camp sewage system and started the constructing of the permanent wooden accommodation. They also saw all 5 Hyd/Atomic during that second tour. I did the Accommodation store with one other Sapper and a R.A.S.C driver. One reason for my interest is that I received a Commendation from the Grapple commander but have never known who recommended me for it. I can supply a copy of the commendation and photos of the time I was on the Island.

This commendation held me in good stead in getting a Civilian job as soon as I left the force. I joined the UKAEA and was a radiation worker for 32 years, plus the three bombs, you would think that I would  glow in the dark! I retired, in good health, when 52 years of age on a full pension and at 73 am still enjoying good health and the pension!

I was also at Farnborough ,3TRRE and went on to NCO Cadre in the mid 1950’s but am unable to be precise for I have mislaid my pay book after some 60 ish years. I have tried to get my service records, to no avail, any help in this direction would be appreciated. I also have photos of this time.

I didn’t get my first L/Cpl stripe until my return from Christmas Island and was posted to Barton Stacey, I don’t know who recommended me for that stipe either! I was a 9 year regular but as I didn’t seem to be getting anywhere and I had joined before my eighteenth birthday I had the 3 year option to come out, which I did. I would like to know the Regiment I was with at Barton Stacey.

If you can give me any pointers I would appreciate it.

Regards

Cliff Barnard 

15 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

Cities: 

16 Squadron

There is an established 16 Sqn social site at http://16fldsqnre.com/  which seems very popular.  Once you've registered on here, why not pop over there and take a look at it?  Meanwhile, I've had this lot from Derek Stevenson;

POCKET HISTORY OF 16th FIELD SQUADRON 
The beginning The oldest squadron in the Corps today is lst Fortress Squadron, which was formed in 1772. Our squadron was, however, not far behind, being formed in 1825. 16th Survey Company of the Royal Sappers and Miners was formed under Royal Warrant dated the 20th October 1825, at Chatham. The Company remained at Chatham until April 1826, is which month it set sail for the West Indies. Unfortunately the Company vas Ship wrecked off Barbados, losing all its equipment. Later the same year, the Company arrived in Ireland and for the next five years were employed on the Survey of Ireland. The next 80 years were spent in a variety of stations engaged in surveying tasks, and detachments from the Company were employed on many boundary commissions end surveys all over the world. In 1906 the Company was reformed as 16th Fortress Company, being part of a Coast Battalion based on the Tyne, Tees, Humber and Mersey. It was employed on the construction of coastal defences of all these areas. In 1914 the name was changed to 16th Tyne Fortress Works Company and, in 1918 the company was split into four for draft-finding purposes to provide the basis of 594, 595. 596 and 597 TA Fortress Companies. In October 1919, however, 594 TA Fortress Company was renamed 16th Coast Battalion Company. In 1927, the Company was once more renamed as 16th Fortress Company and as such it remained until being absorbed in 1932 at Gosport as part of 4th Fortress Company, and 16th Company thus, temporarily, ceased to exist. 

Malta
This sad demise was, however, wisely not allowed for long and in Malta on the 1st September 1934 the Company came to life again as the 16th Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company, with the task of manning 12 searchlight stations for the defence of the island. In 1935, the Company was renamed once again as 16th Fortress Company, although its role was not changed. With its varied experience as Royal Engineers, the Company found no difficulty in constructing its own emplacements as well as operating the searchlights. It also helped to construct the permanent defences of the island. In 1939 the Company incorporated a Maltese section and was capable of operating 24 searchlights although never were more than 19 brought into service. As soon as war was declared in 1939, the Italian Air force attacked Malta in strength, and from early 1941, the island was subjected to almost incessant air attacks by the German Luftwaffe who attempted to beat the population into submission. The record of 16th Fortress Company throughout this period was a proud one and its part in the successful defence of the island should never be forgotten. Among other decorations, the CSM was awarded the George Medal and a sapper the Military Medal. By October 1943, as the enemy retreated up the leg of Italy conditions had improved, and the Company was withdrawn from Malta. 

North West Europe 
In early 1944, the Company became the 16th Electrical and Mechanical Company Royal Engineers and, on the 6th June 1944, it embarked from England to arrive on the beaches of Normandy on D + 3. Tasks included lighting of the beaches and provision of electrical and water installations at hospitals and prisoner of war camps. As an L of C unit in 21st Army Group, the Company was employed over most of Normandy on servicing and maintenance work. 

The Far East 
In 1945 the Company embarked for the F, East and it finished the Second World War in India and later in South East Asia. In October 1946, however the Company was placed in suspended animation. 

Egypt 
On the 9th February, 1950, 16th Field Squadron was reformed as part of 35 Engineer Regiment, in Egypt. During the riots of October 1951 the Squadron was employed in constructing desert camps, construction of an ice-making plant at Fort Said, and on road maintenance. In early 1954, however the regiment moved on rotation to Cyprus and the Squadron followed in June. The massive task of sorting out the aftermath of the Suez operation was completed in Cyprus by the end of 1956 and so the Squadron was able to return with the rest of the Regiment to Ripon, to rejoin their families, in January 1957. 

Ripon
The Squadron now spent nearly a year in the UK, but in November 1957, it was moved, at six weeks notice with the rest of the Regiment, to Osnabruck. The Squadron remained as part of 35 Corps Engineer Regiment, at Osnabruck, for the next seven years until 1964. In 1963 a troop was sent to Skopje, in Jugoslavia, to build emergency hutting. 

2 Division Engineers
In 1964, the Squadron joined 2 Division Engineers when 35 Corps Engineer Regiment moved to Hameln. The Squadron was affiliated to 6 Infantry Brigade. In 1966, when 6 Infantry Brigade returned to the UK, by a staff officer error, 7 Field Squadron was ordered to return with it, and so 16 Field Squadron became affiliated to 12 Infantry Brigade at Osnabruck. 

23 Engineer Regiment
However, in April 1969, the organisation of Engineers in BAOR was radically reorganised, so that each Brigade was to be supported by an Engineer Regiment of two Field Squadrons, 16 Field Squadron was re-affiliated to 6 Infantry Brigade support, together with 7 Field Squadron. From late 1967 to mid 1969, the Squadron was the nucleus and administrative hub of the Engineer Task Force for the earthwork construction of a German civilian airport at Greven, near Munster, and was thus responsible for the largest earthmoving operation ever undertaken by the Corps. 

The Future
From April 1971, the Squadron will experience yet another change of affiliation, when, together with 37 Field Squadron, who will replace 7 Field Squadron as the other Field Squadron in 25 Engineer Regiment, we will be responsible for engineer support to 4 Guards Brigade at Munster. 

Summary
Thus it can be seen that 16 Field Squadron has behind it a varied history which represents almost every facet of the history of the Corps itself. Founded as a survey Company, it has such wide experience of so many different roles as to qualify it fully for anything that the future may hold. 16 Field Squadron faces the future with confidence. 
R B HILL Major RE Officer Commanding

20 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

I've had a message from Trevor asking me to put a link on here to his website, which specialises in the period of the Falklands.  The link is 

http://www.freewebs.com/20sqnrefalklands/and there are a lot of other sappers on there from that time period.  Good luck with it.

25 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

I had this from Peter Mann today (November 2013) -

"During that short period at Minden the Berlin Wall was built. That was the first "long" weekend since I joined the unit, and we all made the most of a Friday on the beer! We were woken at about 5am and told to draw arms AND ammunition, get breakfast and be on parade in half an hour. After being told of the events in Berlin we were stood down until more orders were received. We spent the time boxing up our personal property, knowing that if we left the barracks then we would never be coming back! Very sobering! By the end of the day the situation was resolved and normality returned. We never got another long weekend to replace the one we lost!"

 

Anyone else got any stories from 25?

32 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free.

If you're a Facebook user then Robert Bell has set up a special page for you to chat and have a laugh about 32 on there - here's the link;

http://www.facebook.com/groups/485152358184069/

REgards,

Gordon

38 Engr Regt REME

This is a holding page for this unit until I get more details about it.  Feel free to tell me anything you can and I'll get it added.  REgards, Gordon

4 Sqn

This is the main page for the squadron or unit.  More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit.  You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit.  Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them.  Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way.  That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free.  Have fun.  Gordon

42 Squadron

Message received from Derek Male October 16th 2011 - 

I have found that it is very hard to find any of the old Lads now, Some may have Emigrated like myself, some may have passed on, and some may be thinking that all this new technology  is way over their Heads, and would sooner just sit in the Armchair, I have been Lucky enough to find 3 People from that time 3 Sappers and a M.P. I may pass on your Address to the Sappers I know to see if they can get themselves Registered,  This is my History in the Corps, and the parts I could not put on the Site,

in 1952 I became  22806352 Sapper Male D. R. And was Told to report to   Malvern at 1 TRRE, I did my Induction there for 2 Weeks, then I Was Sent to Crickhowell, near Abergavenny, South Wales, and Joined 39 Corps Engineer Regiment, and was put in # 8 Party, for the 6 Weeks Basic Training, when that was Completed I was sent up to the North of Scotland at Elgin, and Joined # 8 TRRE, for the 10 Weeks  Field Engineer Training, when that was Finished, I was Sent out to the Suez Canal Zone, MELF 15 and Joined 35 Corps Engineer Regiment, and was Put in 8 Troop, 42 Field Squadron the Camp was named Minden Camp and was based at Fayid, after about 18 Months there, in 1954 when everyone had to come out of the Suez Canal Zone for political reasons, I moved with the Regiment to Cyprus, and we were Based at Polimedia Camp Limasol, From there all the Squadrons, 16 Sqn, 30 Sqn, 42 Sqn, and 18 Fld Park where all Deployed on Building Works, to Provide the New GHQ Middle East a new home from Moving from Egypt, In 42 Sqn, I was involved in Building a 22 Mile long Water pipeline from up in the Troodos Mountains down to the Site of the New GHQ,

This was built on Time in spite of the constant Harassment from the EOKA Terrorists, In 1955 I left for the UK and Was Demobed from Barton Stacy,  If you have a Look at my Profile on Forces Reunited, You will find my History and Photo's on there,

So I think I will give it a Go on your Site, as you suggest, and I'll see how I get on, Thanks for the Info,

                                     Cheers, REgards, Derek,  

 

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

48 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

51 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

 

The following brief history of 51 Sqn was submitted by Paul "Scouse" Wylde - thanks very much to him for this.  Can anyone fill in the next bit?

The Squadron was formed in 1965, filling its establishment and working up at Claro Barracks in Ripon in the latter half of that year. It was one of four Squadrons forming or converting to the Airfields role, to take over responsibilities of support to the RAF from the “Airfield Construction” Branch of the RAF.

At the end of January 1966 the bulk of the Squadron started on the 24+-hour journey to join the advance party in what was to be the largest Engineer Squadron on establishment for nearly 3 years. This started with a session of concentrated acclimatisation training which was to last until our arrival at Paya Lebar Airport Singapore.

The Squadron settled down to life on an RAF station, RAF Seletar to be precise, and started the take-over and work up to replace 5001 Squadron RAF. We inherited some strange equipment, exchanged some good for some rather dated and tried to keep some of the “spare” toolkits that the RAF had, to little or no avail. We also inherited some personnel from the RAF, mostly to the great benefit of the Squadron as it helped ease the process of familiarisation with RAF procedures. The Squadron was withdrawn from Singapore as part of the “withdrawal from East of Suez” plan in 1968.

Since October 1970 the Squadron has had a number of name and role changes and even returned to Ripon around 1977, the Squadron today I am sure is just as successful as its predecessors and hopefully the “Black Ant” lives on somewhere.

51 reformed in June 1968 at Waterbeach Barracks as part of 39 Engineer Regiment (Airfields). The Squadron stayed here till 1977, but then moved back to Claro Barracks, In Sunny Ripon again, were it was to undertake yet another change taking on the role of 51 Field Squadron (Construction) but still carried on its Airfield Damage Repair job at RAF Gutersloh, I am not sure what happened to the Squadron after 1981 because I was posted to 21 Engineer Regiment in Nienburg. I would hope that maybe someone could fill in the blanks from 1981 to whenever 51 Field Squadron were disbanded as I would be interested to find out

53 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

61 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

The link to the main EOD website is http://www.royalengineersbombdisposal-eod.org.uk/rea_bd_branch.html

7 Squadron

This is the main page for the squadron or unit. More info will be added here as I get the time, but for now it's a "base" for establishing comms with other members of the same unit. You can post messages for other members of the same unit using the messages link above this blurb, and you can also search for other members of this unit. Once you find them, click on their name to send an email direct to them. Please note that this website doesn't "remember" your emails, they are sent direct from you to the recipient without sappers.co.uk getting in the way. That helps you get in touch quickly and it keeps everything simple and free. Have fun. Gordon

Bob Blakey is working on a special page for all you Shiney 7 members out there, why not go and

have a look at it here?http://shiny7.webs.com

Reunion site. http://shiny7.reunion.webs.com

73 Squadron

Received this from Brian Batty - 

The whole of 36 Corps Engineer Regiment (‘Corps’ was part of the Regiment’s title since it was under the direct command of the 1 (BR) Corps Commander and, thus, Corps Troops) was on Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean, during the period 1957-9 (literally at the end of the Operation Grapple X, Y & Z series atomic bomb tests), having left a rear party only in Maidstone.   When 36 Regt left the island, 73 (Christmas Island) Squadron RE was formed and its remit was to maintain the complete infrastructure in an operational state – the island continued, for some years, to be of strategic importance as a refuelling base.

Early in 1962, 73 squadron’s strength was significantly increased to provide assistance to America for Operation Brigadoon which was 21x H Bomb tests, during 1962-3.  I served with 73 Squadron from Feb 62 to Mar 63.

HQ 38 Engineer Regt

This is a holding page for this unit until I get some more details, thanks

Northern Command Plant Troop

Unless someone tells me something about this unit, I have nothing to write here.  Please take the time to give me some more info so that this page becomes a bit more interesting!

REgards,

Gordon

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