Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
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Unit name	Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Caption	Cap badge
Dates	1942–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Corps
Role	Maintenance, recovery, technical support
Garrison	Bicester
Motto	Arte et Marte
Notable commanders	Sir Brian Horrocks, Sir Richard O'Connor, Sir John Hackett

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army formed in 1942 to provide maintenance, recovery and technical support for Army equipment. It developed from antecedent workshops and technical units that served in the First World War and interwar period, integrating trades from Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, and Army Ordnance Corps. REME has supported operations from the Second World War through the Falklands War to recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, working alongside units such as the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Volunteers), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, and Royal Logistic Corps.

History

The corps traces roots to armament and vehicle workshops established during the First World War and the interwar reorganisation involving the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Corps of Royal Engineers. REME was formally constituted by Army Council Instruction in 1942 during the Second World War to consolidate repair responsibilities following lessons from the Battle of France and the North African Campaign. Early deployments included support to formations in the North African Campaign, Italian Campaign, and the Normandy landings with integration into forces commanded by leaders such as Bernard Montgomery and Harold Alexander. Post‑war adjustments saw REME support occupation duties in Germany during the formation of the British Army of the Rhine and adapt through Cold War contingencies, including the Berlin Airlift era and NATO commitments. REME detachments were prominent in late 20th century operations such as the Falklands Campaign, the Gulf War, and 21st century engagements in Kosovo, Iraq War (2003–2011), and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Organisation and structure

The corps is organised into regular and reserve units including workshops, regiments, and school elements. Key institutional nodes include the corps headquarters at Bicester, the Defence Fulfilment Centre-aligned logistic hubs, and training establishments integrated with the Defence College of Technical Training and the Royal School of Military Engineering. REME regiments are paired with brigades and armoured formations such as the Household Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade, and elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Specialist trades are grouped within corps branches for vehicle mechanics, armament technicians, electronic and avionics technicians, and recovery personnel; these branches liaise with formation commanders from units like the Royal Engineers, Intelligence Corps, and Royal Signals.

Roles and responsibilities

Primary responsibilities encompass maintenance, inspection, fault diagnosis, repair, and recovery of land platforms, power systems, weapon systems, and electronic suites for formations such as the British Army of the Rhine historically and modern expeditionary forces. REME supports armour from units like the Royal Tank Regiment and artillery systems used by the Royal Artillery, as well as airframes and rotary components for the Army Air Corps when forward deployed. REME teams enable operational readiness for theatres exemplified by Operation Granby, Operation Herrick, and Operation Telic by delivering in‑theatre repair, preventive maintenance, and component refurbishment in collaboration with contractors including firms such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and General Dynamics. The corps also contributes to equipment research and development programmes alongside institutions like Defence Equipment and Support and defence universities.

Training and recruitment

Personnel are recruited through regular and reserve streams, with training pipelines delivered at establishments such as the Army Training Centre and the Defence School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Trades undergo phase training in mechanical, electrical, electronic, armament, and recovery disciplines, with professional accreditation attainable via links to industry bodies and academic partners including University of Sheffield, Cranfield University, and apprenticeship schemes aligned with Institute of Engineering and Technology. Officer training follows pathways through Royal Military Academy Sandhurst with technical specialisation conducted post-commission. Continuous professional development is facilitated by courses covering diagnostics, powertrain systems, and battlefield repair techniques coordinated with agencies like Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Equipment and technical capabilities

REME maintains capabilities across vehicle systems, weapon platforms, power generation, electronic warfare suites, and armoured recovery vehicles. Equipment commonly serviced includes the Challenger 2, Warrior IFV, Ajax (AFV), and logistics vehicles such as the HGV fleets, alongside artillery like the AS-90 and air systems operated by the Army Air Corps. Recovery and heavy repair are performed with platforms including armoured recovery vehicles, crane systems, and mobile workshops integrated into logistic chains with civilian manufacturers such as Caterpillar and JCB. Technical proficiency covers diagnostics, metallurgy, fabrication, electronic calibration, and software maintenance required for modern platforms including active protection systems and digital battle management gear.

Operations and deployments

REME has deployed as integral to divisional support during major campaigns from Operation Overlord to Operation Granby and the Iraq War (2003–2011). In recent decades, REME squadrons and trade specialists operated on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan and on stability operations in Balkans and Sierra Leone. Deployment roles include forward repair teams, field workshops, recovery detachments, and reach-back liaison with home depots such as Leicester and Bicester facilities. Collaborations with multinational organisations like NATO and partners such as the United States Army and French Army occur in exercises and coalition operations.

Honours and traditions

REME operates under the motto "Arte et Marte" and preserves traditions from antecedent corps through cap badges, colours, and regimental days observed alongside units like the Household Division. The corps has been recognised by honours awarded to personnel and units across campaigns including mentions in despatches, campaign medals for Second World War and post‑war operations, and individual honours such as the George Cross and Military Cross in cases of conspicuous service. REME maintains museums and collections in partnership with the National Army Museum and local trusts to preserve artefacts, oral histories, and technical records.

Category:British Army corps