Royal Engineer TRFs

[sailorbear]

Hi all, anyone able to tell me which units within the Royal Engineers would have diver trained personnel within them and able to provide images of the TRFs that are worn?

Regards

Tony

[Charlie585]

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[engr9266]

Tony, from my recollection ALL engineer units had diver's as Ry has said, not always there as a unit asset but on the posted strength. If I remember rightly Engineer support squadrons had a diver capability and some Engineer regiments had a diver section. When I served with 28 Amphibious Engineer regiment at Hamlin (pied piper town) in BAOR, the unit used the M2 bridging rig so there was a diving section.
As for TRF's none were ever worn(in units I served with-1969 to 1993) I only ever wore the blue diamond flash when with 5 Airbourne brigade at 36 Engr regt, Maistone Kent.
I hope this helps??

Jerry.

[sailorbear]

Hi Jerry & Ry

Thanks for the replies, very helpful! So basically if I want to add RE TRFs that would be worn by RE divers to my collection I need to collect all RE TRFs? Hmm me thinks maybe I'm gonna need to build an extension!

Regards

Tony

[54Bty]

There is only one RE TRF (Tactical Recognition Flash) which came into use in 2005, however prior then there were a vast number of Unit Identification Badges including the shoulder designation ROYAL ENGINEERS.

Marc

[Alan O]

The exception is the RE Regt attached to 16 AA bde who have their own TRF and do not wear the standard Re one.

[Charlie585]

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[plang876]

Originally Posted by sailorbear

Hi Jerry & Ry

Thanks for the replies, very helpful! So basically if I want to add RE TRFs that would be worn by RE divers to my collection I need to collect all RE TRFs? Hmm me thinks maybe I'm gonna need to build an extension!

Regards

Tony

Not a definitive answer but maybe I should point out that the Divers Helmet badge (SW - Shallow Water/Shark Wrestler, Helmet by itself is the higher grade - can't remember the criteria) is a Qualification Badge, same as Commando insignia or Para wings.
Diver qualified personnel are entitled to wear the badge even if they are not primarily employed in that role. RE being a Corps in which personnel may sometimes move from one Regt/Sqn to another, the TRF may change but the qualification badges are usually worn.

There is a maximum number of badges that can be worn so some guys do have a hard time choosing which to omit, Para, Cdo, Diver, EOD etc!

Regards, Paddy

Seem to recall that the curved 'Royal Engineers' shoulder title was retained specifically by 32 Armoured Regt RE and had a '32' underneath it in the 90s

[Charlie585]

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[engr9266]

Originally Posted by plang876

Not a definitive answer but maybe I should point out that the Divers Helmet badge (SW - Shallow Water/Shark Wrestler, Helmet by itself is the higher grade - can't remember the criteria) is a Qualification Badge, same as Commando insignia or Para wings.
Diver qualified personnel are entitled to wear the badge even if they are not primarily employed in that role. RE being a Corps in which personnel may sometimes move from one Regt/Sqn to another, the TRF may change but the qualification badges are usually worn.

There is a maximum number of badges that can be worn so some guys do have a hard time choosing which to omit, Para, Cdo, Diver, EOD etc!

Regards, Paddy

Seem to recall that the curved 'Royal Engineers' shoulder title was retained specifically by 32 Armoured Regt RE and had a '32' underneath it in the 90s

Paddy, Just to say that the SW trade badge is the basic award, the Diver badge with no script is the advanced diver and the diver helmet (cut out) is for the supervisor/instructor.
ALL soldiers who have qualified para or cdo can wear both of these awards, if qualified for both, they can also wear one other trade badge. You can also see a RE signal sergeant wear crossed flags on his chevrons.

[John Cooper]

Sorry to barge in here but one from the 'crabfat family'

I was at a 23rd Engineer Regiment Parade/Garden Party at Woodbridge, Suffolk last Friday and was Googling SW as a lower sleeve badge on one of the Lance Jacks [on left of pic] which led me to your site

So here is an up to date picture

DSC_1007 (1024x681) by johncooper131, on Flickr

[John Cooper]

Red/White/Red Flash on this photographers right shoulder would signify what, please

RE's Parade through WB (27) by johncooper131, on Flickr

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by Charlie585

These were yellow divers helmets on an olive green background and they often had SW for swallow water.

I always thought the SW stood for shark wrestler

[engr9266]

Originally Posted by Mike H

I always thought the SW stood for shark wrestler

We were tough guys in the engineers when we went swimming. The sharks were terrified when the sappers put on their speedo's.....

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by Charlie585

Hi Tony,

During my time in the REs 80s/90s divers were present in every unit. They wore their divers badges on their lower sleeve, these were yellow divers helmets on an olive green background and they often had SW for swallow water. I'm sure I recall subdued examples and also metal or possibly ano examples for best dress though these may have been worn unofficially.

Jerry will be able to confirm all this better than I can I'm sure, maybe a visit to his albums will help.

Regards

Ry

The Metal sleeve badge was made in anodised