History

Regimental History - 5 series Squadrons and EOD Link In

1860-1913
Origins

1914-1918
WW1

1919-1939
Inter War

1940-1945
WW2

1946-1967

1951-1987
EOD Links In

1988-Date

The
Future

Chronology

1939 - First RE Bomb Disposal units formed.
1946 - RE BD wound down to 1 Regular Troop and six TA Sqdns
1966 - TA BD Sqdns Disbanded incl 579 and 583.
1971 - 590 and 591 STRE (V) formed under HQ UK BD.
1973 - 33 Engr Regt (EOD) formed from HQ UK BD.
1981 - 579 and 583 EOD Sqdns(V) Reform.
June 1988 - 101 Engr Regt reforms as an EOD Regt.

579 Sqn clearing Fallas quarry Guernsey of WW2 German Ordnance in the early 80's

The Regimental Organisation 1981 as part of 33 Engr Regt (EOD)

Commentary

The orgins of Royal Engineers bomb disposal dates back to the Blitz in 1940. 25 Sections were created in May 1940.
During the Blitz period the RE teams safely dealt with over 28,000 unexploded bombs.
The RE BD establishment quickly enlarged from the 25 sections to 25 Bomb Disposal Companies during the period.
After the War between 1946 and 1949 the BD companies were largely disbanded and reduce to a headcount of 60 regular personnel split across 5 troops.
Six TA Squadrons 243 Paisley,272 Shipley,290 Birmingham,572 Cambridge,579 Dover and 583 Rochester supported the regular Troops.

In 1955 a number of the TA squadrons were disbanded leaving 579 at Chatham and 583 at Dover.
In 1966 49 BD Squadron RE was formed and was joined by HQ EOD RE at Lodge Hill Chattenden. The 2 remaining TA Squadrons were disbanded and Specialist TA Team formed called 590 STRE (EOD) (V). In 1973 591 STRE (EOD) (V) was formed alongside 590 and HQ EOD RE renamed to 33 Engr Regt (EOD). In 1979 594 Squadron (EOD) (V) was formed and in April 1981 579 and 583 Squadrons (EOD) RE (V) were reformed under 33 Engr Regt (EOD) RE. The four TA squadrons were based at Brighton, Gillingham, Dartford and Rochester. In 1988 101 Engineer Regt (EOD) RE(V) formed from the four TA squadrons formally under 33 Engr Regt (EOD) and an RHQ (V) squadron added.