15 Field Squadron (Search) RE

The 15 Field Squadron was a Field Squadron of the Royal Engineers of the British Army based in Ripon which has a long and distinguished history. It has been disbanded.[1]

15 Squadron Royal Engineers

Cap Badge of the Corps of Royal Engineers
Active 1825 – Present
Country  United Kingdom
Branch  British Army
Part of Royal Engineers
Garrison/HQ Claro Barracks, Ripon
Motto(s) Ubique (Everywhere)
Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt (Where Duty and Glory lead)
March Wings (Quick march)
Anniversaries 27 April 1825
Insignia
15th Field Squadron Royal Engineer Badge

Summary

The current title of this unit is 15 Field Squadron (Search) and it is located at Claro Barracks, Ripon.

15 Field Squadron (Search) is a specialist counter-IED search squadron, part of 36 Engineer Regiment (Search), which itself comes under command of 29 EOD & Search Group, under control of 8 Force Engineer Brigade. Whilst it is co-located in Claro Barracks, Ripon, alongside 21 Engineer Regiment, its own Regimental Headquarters is 36 Engineer Regiment (Search) located in Maidstone, Kent.

The Squadron is one of only five specialist search squadrons within the UK Armed Forces and is at the forefront of the fight to defeat improvised explosive device (IED) threat to forces deployed on operations. When not conducting search operations, it retains the capability to conduct the full range of specialist military engineer support.

Prior to its current role, the Squadron was a Field Support Squadron role supporting 3 (UK) Divisional Engineer Group. As a Field Support Squadron its role was focused on the management and delivery of specialist military engineer logistic support.

One of its most notable members, Lt Philip Neame, is the only holder of both the Victoria Cross and Olympic Gold Medal.

Squadron badge

The Squadron's unit badge is the Native American Indian Chieftain's head, with XV imprinted in the middle, denoting 15 Squadron. Whilst its actual origins are unknown, it is believed to represent its early work in Canada, where it was sent as part of the military construction force to build the Rideau Canal.

Squadron history

The Royal Warrant of 27 April 1825 authorised the formation of a Service Company of the Royal Sappers and Miners for service at Portsmouth. After training at Chatham, the new Company, the 15th, moved to Portsmouth.

Since its formation 15 Squadron has been amalgamated and disbanded many times, only to be reformed ready to take on a new roles. Its history is one that includes service in almost all of the United Kingdom's major conflicts over a period of history spanning nearly 190 years.

Rideau Canal

On 26 March 1827 a Royal Warrant was issued that ordered the augmentation of two Companies of 81 men each for works on the Rideau Canal. The officer commanding the 15th was Captain Victor. When the Company was up to strength it sailed on the transport ship "Southworth" and landed in Canada on 1 June 1827.

The Rideau Canal was to run between the Ottawa River Kingston. It was to provide a link between Upper and Lower Canada that would secure it from attack by the United States, Lt Col John By RE was selected to carry out the project, and, by the spring of 1827, had completed his survey of the proposed route and had got it approved by the Earl of Dalhousier’s land beside the Ottawa river. This settlement was named Bytown and the project headquarters was set up there. 15 Company lived in a barracks at Bytown on the present site of the Ottawa Parliament buildings. Sadly, during the construction of the canal, 21 members of the Squadron perished. Lt Col By, the designer of the canal, is quoted as saying to the Governor General of Canada:

"I have the honour to report that I find the greater part of Captain Victors’ [15th] Company such intelligent and well instructed men, that they are of the greatest use to me".

Previous unit titles

15 Squadron has undergone many transformations during its service, this is a list of all known titles used in its history.

Operational history

First World War

15th Field Company, part of 8th Division, commanded by Captain PK Betty. Served on the Somme from July to November 1916. 15th Field Company participated in the Battle of Asine (27 May to 2 June 1918), where it suffered heavy casualties. Took part in the attack on Neuve Chapelle (March, 1915) supporting 24th Brigade.

List of Battles which 15 Squadron RE participated in:

1914
1915
1916
1 Jul, Battle of Albert
23–30 Oct, Attack on Le Transloy
1917
31 Jul–1 Aug, Battle of Pilckem Ridge
31 Jul, Attack on Westhock
16–18 Aug, Battle of Langenmarch
2 Dec, Assault of Southern Hedoult
1918
23 Mar, Battle of St Quentin
24–25 Mar, Actions at the Somme Crossing
26–27 Mar, Battle of Rosieres
24–25 Apr, Villers Bretonneux
27 May–6 Jun, Battle of Aisne
26–30 Aug, Battle of the Scarpe
17 Oct, Capture of Douai

Second World War

Participated in D-Day as part of 3rd British Division, landing on Sword Beach, commanded by Major HC Dykes.[8]

List of Battles which 15 Squadron RE participated in:

1940
1944
1945

Ripon

Both the Corps of Royal Engineers and 15 Squadron have a long relationship with the city of Ripon, North Yorkshire. 15 Sqn first arrived in the city in December 1958 following its deployment to Christmas Island supporting nuclear-weapons testing that was conducted on the Islands. It arrived as part of the re-location of 38 Corps Engineer Regiment (which included 48 and 63 Field Squadrons, and later 12 Squadron). In 1964 the Squadron was tasked with leveling of the ground for a new cemetery in Ripon.

Notable members of the Squadron

Philip Neame VC
The Squadron's most famous member who on 18 December 1914 won the Victoria Cross during the First World War as Lieutenant in 15th Field Company. He later went on to reach the rank of Lieutenant General in the British Army and is the only Victoria Cross recipient to ever win an Olympic Gold medal, which he achieved in the 1924 Olympic Games.

The citation for his Victoria Cross said:

"For conspicuous bravery on the 19th December 1914 near Neuve Chapelle, when notwithstanding the very heavy rifle fire and bomb throwing by the enemy, he succeeded in holding them back and rescuing all the wounded men whom it was possible to move"

He was decorated with the VC by HM King George V at Windsor Castle on 19 July 1915.

In 2012, the Squadron deployed a Troop to provide personnel as a venue security force for the 2012 London Olympic Games. In honour of Philip Neame's achievement, this troop is named Neame Troop and is commanded by a Royal Engineer Lieutenant.

Honours and awards

The following is a list of honours and awards earned by members of the Squadron.

Victoria Cross
Lt P Neame VC (19 Dec 1914)
Distinguished Service Order
Maj PK Betty DSO
Military Cross
Capt RC McNeille MC
Maj CV Strong MC
Maj F Lambert MC
A/Maj HC Hillman MC
Military Medal
Sgt Palmer Aug (1916)
Sgt Dare Aug (1916)
Sgt Parks Aug (1916)
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Spr HG Catlin (10 Mar 1915)
Sgt EN Davey (1 Jan 1918)
Spr T Edwards (1 Apr 1918)
Sgt PJ Frankum (22 Oct 1917)
Sgt W Hales (3 Jun 1918)
LCpl J Jennings (1 Apr 1915)
Spr T Jones (1 Apr 1915)
Sgt (A/CSM) T O’Brien (3 Oct 1918)
LCpl OV Poulton (1 Apr 1915)
Sgt (A/CSM) HW Richardson (4 Jun 1917)
Spr G Smith (23 Sep 1915), (Bar to DCM as a Cpl) 22 Sep 1916

References

  1. ↑ http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10826246.Veterans__sadness_as_historic_Army_unit_is_disbanded/
  2. ↑ "8div".
  3. ↑ "re_fortress".
  4. ↑ "8div".
  5. ↑ http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/TalismanHelpsBritishForcesCounterTheIedThreat.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/flyingRobotPilotHelpsFindIedsInHelmand.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/824.aspx
  8. ↑ "American D-Day 3 British Division Order of Battle".

External links

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