2Bn Reme History

The Corp of REME was formed on the 1^st October 1942 through the amalgamation of tradesmen from the RAOC, RASC and RE. Through the provisions of the Kings Regulations 1940, the powers of command and combatant status were granted.

The origins of the Battalion can be traced to 5 Light Repair Section, which was raised in1940, (prior to the formation of the Corp), on Salisbury Plain. From 1940 to 1942 the Section fought in North Africa under the designation of 22 Armd Bde Light Repair Sect, and later as 22 Armd Bde Workshop. In 1943 Wksp landed at Salerno and supported 22 Armd Bde in the Italian campaign until it was withdrawn to take part in the Normandy Landings later that year. As part of 7 Armd Div, the Wskp supported 21 Army Group from Normandy to the Baltic, finally stopping at Itzehoe in 1944.

In 1946 the Wksp moved to Kuensebeck and changed its name to 7 Armoured Wksp REME. In 1951 the Wksp settled on its present site in Fallingbostel, then in 1961 absorbed 32 Armoured Wksp REME. In 1970 the Wksp was redesignated 7 Field Wksp REME.

On the 17^th December 1977, 7 Armoured Wksp REME was reformed when 7 Fd Wksp and 11 Fd Wksp were officially amalgamated under the Restructuring Plan of 1975. Due to the atmosphere of mutual trust which had developed between the citizens of Fallingbostel and the Wksp, on the 17^th Oct 1981 the Wksp was granted the ‘Freedom of Fallingbostel’.

The Wksp deployed on Op Granby to the Middle East in Oct 1990, and returned safely to Fallingbostel in March 1991.

In Aug 1992 the Wksp was warned for Op Grapple and deployed to Bosnia in Nov 1992, returning in April 1993.

On the 29 September 1993 the unit was retitled to 2 Battalion REME. 2 Bn deployed on Op Telic 1 to the Middle East, in support of 7 Armd Bde in early Jan 2003, returning to Bad Fallingbostel in June of that year.

The operational deployments continue, as the Bn deployed on Op Telic 7 in Nov 2005 to April 2006, a number of officers and soldiers also deploying to the Balkans and Afghanistan during the same period.

2 Bn REME, along with the Civilian Workshop, continue to support 7 Armd Bde, Hohne Garrison and dependant units.

( The history of 11 Fd Wksp is still being researched, however it is known that it served in the Italian campaign, most noteably at Monte Cassino, and also in Korea during the UN action of the early 1950s).

Capt. Curry

THE REME  2 BN –7 ARMD WORKSHOP DISPLAY

WITHIN THE FALLINGBOSTEL MILITARY MUSEUM IS THE REME COLLECTION OF CAPTAIN DAVE CURRY 2 BN REME:

THE COLLECTION COVERS THE REME IN GENERAL 1945-2006.

WITH SPECIAL DISPLAYS

A 1950s BARRACK ROOM

NORTHERN IRELAND TOURS

THE BALKANS: UN TOURS

THE COLDWAR –INNER GERMAN BORDER

DDR-SOVIET  ARMY:

KOREAN WAR

IRAQ CONFLICT 1- 2.and telic

UNIFORMS 1950-2006 all forms of dress worn by the reme-British army.. 

The freedom of Fallingbostel over the last 25 years

2 BN REME  sport –teams—1960-2006 

medals –badges –awards –of the reme-British army

military publications ….paperwork  ..ect