Hameln
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
23 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
28 Engr Regt REME Workshops
28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment, consisting of 23, 64 Amphibious Squadrons and 73 Amphibious Support Squadron, as well as 28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment REME Workshop, was formed on 01 January 1971 in Hameln, Germany. From the date of the rebirth of the Regiment up until 1992, the only changes that occurred were internal ones, with different squadrons being disbanded and re-established.
The re-rolling of 28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment, based on the M2D amphibious bridging and ferrying equipment, to become the General Support Engineer Regiment of 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division took place on 01 April 1992. Although the unit lost its role as a Corps level amphibious regiment, 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron RE remained as the regular Army;s only dedicated amphibious bridging unit. 64 Amphibious Engineer Squadron re-rolled to become the Regimental Headquarters Squadron.
The Regiment also took command of 65 Field Park Squadron (formerly 65 Corps Support Squadron) already located in Hameln, and 522 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Works) from Willich. From August 1992 to September 1994, 12 Field Squadron joined the regiment from Osnabruck before re-rolling as a Headquarters Squadron and moving to rejoin 25 Engineer Regiment in Northern Ireland. On 01 December 1999, 42 Field Squadron and 45 Field Support Squadron joined 28 Engineer Regiment as part of the reorganisation of the Sappers in Germany.
28 Engineer Regiment is now one of the biggest regiments in the British Army and is established at 46 + 800 personnel. The Regt consists of 64 HQ Sqn, 23 Amphibious Sqn, 42 Field Sqn, 45 Field Support Sqn, 65 Field Support Sqn and REME Workshops.
The Regiment, as well as the Station in general, maintains very strong Anglo-German links, demonstrated by the grant of the Freedom of the Town of Hameln on 3 June 1977 an honour which was exercised again in 2004. In 1997 the Regiment won the British Ambassadors Anglo-German Award. Today these links remain strong, especially with the Stadt. Numerous "Military Aid to the Civil Community" (MACC) tasks have been carried out ranging from flood control along the River Weser, to forest construction tasks.
The Regiment regularly has regular contact with the Bundeswehr through its Patenschaft with SchweresPionierBataillon 130 in Minden, which also operates the M3 Amphibian. 1996 marked the 25th year since the Regiment was reformed in Hameln and this was celebrated in May during the Hameln weekend. In June 1998 the Regiment commemorated 100 years of Scharnhorst Kaserne with a joint Anglo-German Military Historical display in the Stadt.
29 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
30 Squadron
The original Dirty 30!
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
John Anderson runs a website for 30 Sqn with lots of photos, messages and all the interesting stuff on it, I'd recommend you go and visit. http://sapper696.50megs.com/index.html
There is also another 30 Sqn site run by Roger Lakeman, which may be for members from the same time period or a different time period, you can find it at www.30fieldsquadron.org.uk
For the older cadre - this message was received March 2012 - My name is John Gardiner I run a small website dedicated to 30 Squadron 1960 to 1970 especially for those who served in Aden 1966/1977. The web address is http://www.aden30squadronre.itgo.com/. Why not give it a click if it applies to you ?
35 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
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
408 (Bridge) Troop RE
408 (Bridge) Troop RE part of 10 COY RASC/ 26 Regt RCT (Bridge) based in Bindon Bks until 1971 .It is always forgotten as it was out side the mainstream RE units. Anyone who was based here - feel free to send me some of your personal stories about the place and I'll put them on this page for everyone to share. REgards, 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
43 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
44 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
45 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
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Unit Name |
Location |
Dates |
Higher Formation |
Notes |
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45 Field Park Squadron |
Germany: |
Mar 48 - 1948 |
Formed by re-titling 145 Fd Pk Coy. But almost immediately disbanded |
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Germany: Holzminden |
Jul 49 - Oct 49 |
21 Field Engineer Regiment |
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Germany: Hameln |
Oct 49 - Nov 51 |
21 Field Engineer Regiment |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
Nov 51 - 1954 |
21 Field Engineer Regiment |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
1954 - Jan 58 |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
Jan 58 - Jul 60 |
5 Div Engineers |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
Jul 60 - Jan 68 |
1 Div Engineers |
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45 Field Sup Squadron |
Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
Jan 68 - April 69 |
1 Div Engineers |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Nienburg |
Apr 69 - Apr 78 |
21 Engineer Regiment |
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Northern Ireland Tour: Long Kesh |
30 Apr - 5 Aug 71 |
21 Engineer Regiment |
Infantry role |
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Northern Ireland Tour: Long Kesh |
15 Dec 74 - 11 Apr 75 |
21 Engineer Regiment |
Infantry role |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Neinburg |
Apr 78 - Jan 81 |
1 Armd Div Engr Regiment |
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Northern Ireland Tour: Maze Prison Guard Force |
July - Nov 79 |
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Germany: Assaye Barracks, Neinburg |
Jan 81 - Feb 96 |
21 Engineer Regiment |
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Germany: Quebec Barracks, Osnabruck |
Feb 96 - 1 Dec 99 |
21 Engineer Regiment |
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Germany: Gordon Bks, Hameln |
1 Dec 99 - |
28 Engineer Regiment |
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Op AGRICOLA |
Feb 00 – Sept 00 |
28 Engineer Regiment |
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Afghanistan - Op FINGAL |
Jun 01 – Nov 01 |
28 Engineer Regiment |
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Iraq - Op TELIC 5 |
Dec 03 – Apr 04 |
28 Engineer Regiment |
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45 Field Support Squadron |
Germany: Gordon Bks, Hameln |
cAug 08 - |
28 Engineer Regiment |
522 STRE
This is just a holding page for 522 STRE, I know nothing about it so feel free to tell me stuff and I'll post it here. Meanwhile you can use this page to look for other members of the unit or to post messages for each other by clicking the links above
60 Squadron
Roy Bloor runs an excellent website for 60 Sqn members, and the membership there is very healthy from what I can see. Sappers.co.uk is really just a big email address book, if you want to see the photographs and get involved in a good social site for your squadron then I'd recommend visitng http://www.60squadronvets.co.uk/ once you've put your service history on here. REgards, Gordon
60 Field Squadron (26 Field Engineer Regiment) was formed December 1950 at Hameln. It was then disbanded in 1958.
In April 1964 it was re-formed at Shorncliffe (36 Engineer Regiment) and was later deployed to Aden in Nov 1964 returning in August 1965 to Maidstone. Further deployments were as follows:
Mar – Oct 1967, Aden Taff C writes - During our tour of Aden we lost Sapper Terry Allchin on the 4th June 1967, Killed by an IED near Habilayn. 1 Troop were up in Dhala at the time working to try to get a water supply and storage tank built for the village ( see pic's ) and every night after sundown the camp would be attacked by mortar and small arms fire from the surrounding Jebels.
Dec 1969 – Aug 1970, Gibraltar (1 Troop went to Cyprus) Submitted by Richard Brookes on Sat, 2011-10-08 18:39 - 60 Squadron actually went to Gib in January 1969, except 1Troop, who went to RAF El Adem in Libya, when Ghaddafi seized power we sailed from Tobruk to Famagusta on an LSL, the trip took 3 days. we spent about 3 months at Dhekelia with 62(NE)Support Squadron.
Sep 1970 – Jan 1971, Long Kesh, Northern Ireland Submitted by Dundas on Thu, 2012-02-02 16:40 - Northern Ireland 1970/71 60 Sqn were based in Antrim, at what is now Maserine Bks. It was just Nissen huts and some tents when we got there, and during our time there we built the first Twynhams. 1 Troop spending several weeks at Crossmaglen and Enisskillen.
Nov 1972 – Feb 1973, Long Kesh, Northern Ireland
In Apr 1977 renamed to 60 Field Support Squadron and moved to Waterbeach (39 Engineer Regiment). Deployed to the Gulf War Sep 90 – Mar 91.
In 2006 renamed to 60 HQ and Support Squadron (Air Support)
Also from Taff C:
In Anguilla I was with 521 STRE drilling for fresh water in several locations around the island. It was just after they had their uprising, which the Para's went out and sorted out. There was a Squadron out there I think it may have been 39? they were trying to upgrade the roads, which were really no more than tracks. The government at the time had also sent lots of Metropolitan police officers out there to help keep things in control, and we spent many a day off playing them at volley ball, ( I don't think they had much more to do!! ) and then seeing who could drink the most after.
Kenya was a long tour, broken only by 10 days R&R in Mombassa at a resort called Silversands which at the time was run by the Navy. We split the team into two, each drilling in different areas, hundreds of miles from anywhere, ending up in the North East Province where the Ethiopia and Somalia borders meet. Entertainment was volleyball on a court cleared out of the bush, and played against some great guys from the Kenyan Army defence platoon who were with us. Now and again we would have a film sent up by air with the supplies, but not very often.
In Northern Ireland 60 Sqn were based in Antrim ( I think it was then called Antrim "B" camp ) it's now Maserine Bks. Again 1 Troop were sent to some interesting places, Crossmaglen and Eniskillen being two of them. I also met up with some of my old mates in 1 Troop when I was sent straight from Kenya ( after 10 days leave at home ) to El Adem in Libya, again to do water well drilling, and also cleaning out an existing well at the British military cemetary. The rest of 1 Troop and the Squadron having gone on to Gibraltar.t
64 Squadron
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Dates |
Location |
Higher Formation |
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64 Field Squadron |
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1948 |
Libya: Cyrenacia |
35 Army Engineer Regiment |
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1950 |
Canal Zone, Egypt |
35 Army Engineer Regiment |
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1951 renumbered 42 Field Squadron |
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64 Field Park Squadron |
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1951 |
Libya: Benghazi |
28 Field Engineer Regiment |
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1951.06 |
Korea |
28 Field Engineer Regiment |
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1955 |
England: Devizes |
28 Field Engineer Regiment |
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1956 |
Christmas Island. |
28 Field Engineer Regiment |
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1957: Disbanded |
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64 Amphibious Engineer Squadron |
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1970.08 |
Germany: Bindon Barracks, Hameln |
28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment |
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Jul - Dec 73: Northern Ireland Tour: East Belfast |
35 Engineer Regiment |
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24 Feb - 23 Jun 77: Northern Ireland Tour: Ballykelly |
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27 Mar - 14 Jul 80: Northern Ireland Tour: Lurgan/HMP Maze |
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1984: Northern Ireland Tour: Omagh, Belfast and Armagh |
RE search teams to support EOD and other search tasks |
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May - Jul 88: Northern Ireland Tour: HMP Maze |
RE search team and construction support |
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Apr 92: Re-roled and renamed 64 Headquarters Squadron |
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64 Headquarters Squadron |
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1992.04 |
Germany: Bindon Barracks, Hameln |
28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment |
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1999: Kosovo: Operation Agricola |
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2000.04 |
Germany: Gordon Barracks, Hameln |
28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment |
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64 Headquarters and Support Squadron |
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c2008 |
Germany: Gordon Barracks, Hameln |
28 Engineer Regiment |
65 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 received this from David Pryke in Jan 2013 -
We were originally – but when I do not know – put into service as a `chemical warfare squadron` - but we never undertook that role … I only know this because I qualified as an industrial chemist and amusingly said I was posted there because of that … we never had anything to do with chemical warfare … although I personally did an NBC course.
71 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
In July 1972 No 71 EOD Sqn was formed at Shoeburyness, with the specific task of the clearance of Maplin Sands, the site of the newly proposed ‘third London airport’. Major R I Radford RE was the first O.C. The unit had a complement of four officers and twelve other ranks. It also had 110 civilian Explosive Ordnance Searchers, Drivers and Admin staff. The proposed project eventually fell through and the squadron was disbanded in April 1974. - this info is courtesy of
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 26 Engineer Regt
Should this unit also be registered in other locations? Email me to let me know please?
HQ 28 Engr Regt
This is a holding page for this unit as I don't have any other info to put here for now. Please continue to use it to add your work history and then it can get populated later on as I get some info from you about it. REgards, Gordon
HQ 35 Engineer Regt
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.
MES Wks Germany
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
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