Christmas Island

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

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37 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

There is a website run by some former 37 members, you can access it here http://www.37fieldsquadronre-oldboys.org

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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.

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