REME

[Drmiggy]

A tall story or not. About 25 years ago I picked up the badge 2nd from the left at a jumble sale for 50p I think. I checked out literature and couldn’t really find any reference to it. Then a mate at that time said it was produced in India when REME was formed based on the interpretation of the formation order. Later it was withdrawn and the correct one issued. I never really was a believer but didn’t have a better story.

Anyone out there think it was a tall story?

[fougasse1940]

The Quetta badge, true story.

Rgds, Thomas

[Drmiggy]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

The Quetta badge, true story.

Rgds, Thomas

Wow, thanks Thomas I always thought he was pulling my leg!

[Sonofacqms]

I was always under the impression that REME were first formed in the Western Desert in 1942, primarily to recover armoured vehicles to be repaired and sent back into service.

Rob

[Drmiggy]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

I was always under the impression that REME were first formed in the Western Desert in 1942, primarily to recover armoured vehicles to be repaired and sent back into service.

Rob

Formed on 1st Oct 1942 from RAOC, RE and RASC. Battle of El Alamein was first action.

[Sonofacqms]

Originally Posted by Drmiggy

Formed on 1st Oct 1942 from RAOC, RE and RASC. Battle of El Alamein was first action.

I am not too hot on dates, but why was the badge made at Quetta and why was it raised there?

[Gods Corps]

Originally Posted by Drmiggy

A tall story or not. About 25 years ago I picked up the badge 2nd from the left at a jumble sale for 50p I think. I checked out literature and couldn’t really find any reference to it. Then a mate at that time said it was produced in India when REME was formed based on the interpretation of the formation order. Later it was withdrawn and the correct one issued. I never really was a believer but didn’t have a better story.

Anyone out there think it was a tall story?

The story is correct. The description was misinterpreted by the makers in Quetta which is now in Pakistan but was India at the time. It was worn from October 1942 until supplies of the new badge arrived in February 1943.

[jeep]

Here's my two, see post 7.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ghlight=quetta
Drmiggy. Your badge looks to be smaller than a cap badge, so possibly a collar? If so I didn't know that the Quetta badge was also made as collars, but logically I suppose it would have been.

[Drmiggy]

Originally Posted by jeep

Here's my two, see post 7.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ghlight=quetta
Drmiggy. Your badge looks to be smaller than a cap badge, so possibly a collar? If so I didn't know that the Quetta badge was also made as collars, but logically I suppose it would have been.

Hi Jeep

Do you know dimensions of yours and I can compare? By the way 79C - what about you?

[jeep]

Do you know dimensions of yours and I can compare? By the way 79C - what about you?

Well, I think you are the jeep! Arborfield 62A A Coy. Both my badges are 40mm x 40mm give or take a mil.

[Mike_2817]

From the REME History with my notes in red

The early years of the Second World War brought the realisation that the existing repair system was not able to support the massive scale of equipment being deployed in every theatre. Following on from recommendations made by a Cabinet committee, under the chairmanship of Sir William Beveridge, the REME Corps was created.

Such a major re-organisation was too complex to be carried out quickly and completely in the middle of the War. It was decided that the changeover would be undertaken in two phases.

The first phase, implemented in 1942 saw the REME Corps being formed on the existing [engendering] branch of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) and supported by the transfer of certain technical tradesmen from the Royal Engineers (RE) and Royal Army Service Corps (RASC).

[These early REME Workshops continued to be co-located with RAOC Field Parks they were once part of]

The new Corps was made responsible for repairing the technical equipment of all units (with certain major exceptions).

Soon after it’s formation, REME was tested at the Battle of El-Alamein and proved successful.

It was formed 'worldwide' on the same date

[Drmiggy]

Originally Posted by jeep

Well, I think you are the jeep! Arborfield 62A A Coy. Both my badges are 40mm x 40mm give or take a mil.

Indeed I would have been jeeped on many occasion from someone of such a senior Div!!

My badge is basically 30x30mm with lugs east and west. I think your conclusion is probably correct, maybe a collar dog. It would be great to get a complete set.