Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers
| Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) | |
|---|---|
|
Cap badge | |
| Active | 1539- |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Army Reserve |
| Type | Militia |
| Role | Engineers |
| Size | One regiment |
| Part of | 12 (Force Support) Engineer Group |
| Garrison/HQ |
|
| Motto |
Ich Dien (I Serve) Ubique (Everywhere) Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt (Where Duty and Glory Lead) |
| March | Wings (Regimental March, Royal Engineers) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Royal Honorary Colonel | HRH The Duke of Gloucester |
| Honorary Colonel | Major-General Keith Harington Cima |
| Insignia | |
| Arm Badge | Militia Flash |
The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) (R MON RE(M)) is the most senior regiment in the British Army Reserve, having given continuous loyal service to the crown since 1539. It is part of the reserve forces, and is the only remaining Militia unit in the British Army. The R Mon RE(M) is the only unit to have two 'Royal' prefixes in its title.
History
The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers is not the oldest regiment in the British Army; this honour goes to the Honourable Artillery Company (from 1296 but chartered in 1537), although The Jersey Field Squadron (M) can trace its origins back to 1337.[1]
The regiment is also unusual in having the word Royal appear twice in its name. It gained the first "Royal" in 1804 when it was known as the Monmouth and Brecon Militia. The second was acquired in 1877 when the regiment transferred from an infantry unit into a Special Reserve section of the expanding Royal Engineers.[2]
On 1 April 1967 the existing regiment absorbed 43rd Wessex Division RE (TA), 48 South Midland Division RE (TA) and 53rd Welsh Division RE (TA).[3]
The Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) are at Monmouth Castle in Monmouth and its sub-units are;
100 Field Squadron (Militia) based in Cwmbran, Cardiff, Bristol and Swansea (which used to be home for 108 Field Squadron (Militia)).
225 Field Squadron (Militia) based in Birmingham, Cannock and Stoke-on-Trent.
Jersey Field Squadron (The Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey) who are also establishing a presence on Guernsey.[4]
Following the reorganisation of the Army, the regiment has become part of 12 (Force Support) Engineer Group based at RAF Wittering. The Regiment trains alongside the Tidworth based regular regiments of 25 (Close Support) Engineer Group. In turn 12 (FS) Eng Gp is part of 8th Engineer Brigade.
Order of precedence
| Preceded by Corps of Army Music |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Honourable Artillery Company |
References
- ↑ T.F. Mills What is the Oldest/Senior Regiment in the British Army? (Archive of the Regiments.org page)
- ↑ "The Regimental Archive of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)". Monmouth Castle. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ↑ "Corps of Royal Engineers, Volunteer Regiments". Retrieved August 2012.
- ↑ "Royal Monmouthshire RE". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2 Dec 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers. |
- Regimental Museum
- Royal Engineers Museum - Militia, Volunteers and Territorials (1757–1979)