Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Unit name	Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Caption	Corps Badge of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Dates	1 October 1942 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Combat service support
Role	Equipment maintenance and technical support
Size	Approximately 7,500 personnel
Garrison	Arborfield Garrison (historically), now Lyneham
Garrison label	Corps Headquarters
Motto	Arte et Marte (By Skill and by Fighting)
Colors	Dark blue, red and green
Colors label	Corps Colours
March	Quick: The Railway Drum, Slow: The March of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Battles	Second World War, Korean War, Falklands War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Anniversaries	Corps Day (1 October)
Commander1	Colonel-in-Chief: The Princess Royal
Commander1 label	Colonel-in-Chief
Commander2	Major General Darren Crook
Commander2 label	Master-General of the Ordnance (MGO)
Commander3	Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew
Commander3 label	Director Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (DREME)
Notable commanders	Major General E.W.C. Flavell, Major General J.B.A. Glennie

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The corps is the British Army's technical engineering branch, responsible for maintaining and repairing the vast majority of the army's equipment, from tanks and helicopters to complex electronic systems. Formed during the Second World War to consolidate technical expertise, it has become an indispensable element of the modern army's operational capability. Its personnel, known as Artificers, provide critical support in every major conflict and peacekeeping operation undertaken by the United Kingdom.

History

The corps was formally established by a Royal Warrant on 1 October 1942, merging the maintenance responsibilities of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, the Royal Engineers, and the Royal Signals. This unification was a direct response to the logistical challenges and technical complexity of modern warfare experienced in campaigns like the Western Desert Campaign. Following the war, it proved its enduring value during the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it adapted to new technologies, supporting operations in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, and the Gulf War. In the 21st century, it has been fundamental to sustained operations in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), maintaining vehicles such as the Warrior and the Challenger 2.

Role and capabilities

Its primary role is to ensure the availability and battleworthiness of the army's equipment across all environments. This encompasses diagnostics, repair, recovery, and technical inspection of armoured fighting vehicles, artillery, aircraft, and communications systems. Capabilities include field repairs in forward operating bases, deep maintenance in DE&S workshops, and providing technical advice to commanders. The corps works closely with other Combat service support arms and industry partners like BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin to integrate new equipment such as the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle into service.

Organisation

The corps is headed by the Director Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, a brigadier based at the Ministry of Defence. It is organised into Battalions and Workshops that are embedded within every major formation of the British Army, including the 1st (United Kingdom) Division, 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and 16 Air Assault Brigade. Key units include the 7th Air Assault Battalion REME supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade and the 104th Force Support Battalion REME. The corps headquarters moved from Arborfield Garrison to Lyneham in 2019 following the Army 2020 Refine restructuring.

Training

All personnel undergo initial trade training at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MOD Lyneham. Training pathways are split between soldiers, who qualify as Mechanics or Electricians, and officers, who commission through the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Specialised courses follow, covering everything from Chieftain tank engines to the avionics of the Apache AH1 attack helicopter. Advanced technical training for senior non-commissioned officers, leading to the coveted Artificer qualification, is conducted at the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham.

Traditions and insignia

Corps traditions are rich, with the motto Arte et Marte (By Skill and by Fighting) reflecting its dual technical and combat role. The corps colours are dark blue, red, and green, representing the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force from which its founding elements were drawn. The cap badge features the head of the Horse of Hanover within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. The corps march is The Railway Drum. The Colonel-in-Chief is The Princess Royal, and the corps celebrates its founding annually on Corps Day, 1 October.

Notable personnel

Notable members include Major General E.W.C. Flavell, the first Director; and Major General J.B.A. Glennie. Sir Michael Gault served as a senior officer before becoming Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey. Among its Victoria Cross recipients is Corporal John William Sayer, awarded for bravery during the Second World War. The corps also counts the former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, who began his service as an officer in the corps.

Category:Combat service support of the British Army Category:Engineering corps Category:Military units and formations established in 1942