Introduction

Royal Engineer Commando

 

1971 to Present

 

 

The Commandos were started at the outset of WW2, these became Royal Marines in todays world.

 

This is the story of Royal Engineer Commandos, which became fully started in 1971.

The story starts back in 1967, when 59 Field Squadron had to find a new role in the ORBAT (Order of Battle). The Squadron had tentatively worked alongside 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

Lead up to Commando.

In 1967, to keep 59 Squadron in the ORBAT (Order of Battle, Chief Engineer Richard Clutterbuck, supported by 59 OC Mike Roberts, who handed over to Geoffrey Preston-Jones, argued that 59 Squadron should become affiliated with 3 Commando Brigade RM

During OC Geoffrey Preston-Jones last year in Singapore, exercises were held, to prove that an Airborne Brigade could rapidly deploy to the Far East, as a precursor to proving that the British Forces were not leaving Malaysia in the lurch.

Geoffrey Preston-Jones was OC from 1967, with Bill Egglestone as his 2i/c, QM was Captain Aldridge, the SSM was Spreader Hurst.

Bill Egglestone left and Captain Richard Luxton took up the position around 1968/9.

John Grosvenor took over from Geoffrey Preston-Jones, as the first Green Beret OC on 26^th Sept. 1969.

Geoffrey Fields took over as 2i/c in early 1970.

 The Squadron moved back to Plymouth, where Geoff Fields had found Crownhill Fort deserted and available to use as a base, Stonehouse Barracks (Royal Marines) was immediately available to set up in, later on, the Squadron would move to Seaton Barracks (Royal Marine).

Seaton was the living quarters, whilst Crownhill Fort was the Working Base.

Whilst stores were arriving back from Singapore in early 1971, Commando Training started in earnest, a new Troop would have to be formed, to be attached to 45 Cdo RM in Scotland, this troop would be formed from BAOR recruits.

59 Field Squadron changed to 59 Independent Commando Squadron RE on the 1st April 1971, until 2008 when the Indep Squadron ceased and became a Regiment, with 3 Squadrons.