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Reason formed: To rationalise and improve the efficiency of the Army's repair resources midway through World War 2.
Formed from:
Phase 1: 1 Oct 1942
RAOC (Engineering Branch, admin and storemen of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps)
RASC (Royal Army Service Corps, Heavy Repair Sections)
RE (specialised workshops of the Royal Engineers)
Individual tradesmen
Phase 2: 1951 the Corps took over full responsibility for 'unit repair' receiving men on transfer from:
RAC (Royal Armoured Corps)
RASC (Royal Army Service Corps)
RA (Royal Artillery)
Infantry
Some other Corps
Field Marshal Montgomery described it as 'Keeping the Punch in the Army's Fist'. REME officers and soldiers are fully trained combat soldiers in addition to their technical skills.
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1942 to 1947 - Designed in 1942. A laurel wreath surmounted by the King's crown; on the wreath, four shields with the letters R.E.M.E. Inside the wreath is a set of callipers.
1947 to 1953 - In 1947 the 'Horse and Lightning' badge was adopted. The horse symbolises power; The chain, controlled power; The lightning flash, electrical power; The globe, the universal application of engineering. |
1953 to Date - In 1953 the Queen's crown replaced the King's crown. |
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A monogram used by REME officers and members of the REME Institution. |
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Used on Corps flags, sign boards and decorative items. |
'Flag distinguishing REME units': Three equal horizontal bars, blue, yellow and red in descending order
'The REME Corps flag': Blue background with diagonal stripes of gold-red-gold from the bottom left to the top right and a REME badge in the top left section next to the mast
REME unit flags are the Corps flag with the unit title in the section diagonally opposite the badge
There are no 'Colours' as in the sense of the Infantry's regimental flags or standards and in the Royal Armoured Corps' guidons
'Arte et Marte' is the REME Corps motto.
In English, it reads 'by skill and by fighting'.
This motto is cast into the buckle of the REME stable belt.
The REME Collect is:
O God of power and might, whose all-pervading energy is
the strength of nature and man, inspire, we pray Thee, us
Thy servants of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers with the quickening spirit of goodwill, that as
honest craftsmen, seeking only the good of all in peace or
war, we may glorify Thee both in the work of our hands
and in the example of our fellowship, through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Saint Eligius was adopted as the REME patron saint in 1959.
St Eligius Day services are held on the first Sunday in December.
The patron saint of metal workers, goldsmiths and farriers, he was a 7th century
French bishop and known as Ste Eloi.
1941: Director of Mechanical Engineering, (DME)
1958: Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, (DEME)
1977: Director General Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (Army) (DGEME (A))
1992: Director General Equipment Support (Army), (DGES (A))
1998: Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (Army), (DEME (A))
HQ DEME (A) is based in Arborfield, and includes Regimental Headquarters REME
HQ DEME (A) controls the operational functions of the Corps
The REME Corps Band is based at Arborfield and performs in a full calendar of Corps events worldwide.
The REME Corps quick march is 'Lillibulero' combined with the French tune 'Aupres de ma blonde'
The REME Corps slow march tune is 'Duchess of Kent'.
The REME Museum of Technology is located in Arborfield Garrison. Its purpose is to reflect the role of REME in the Army, the people who are REME and to promote 'esprit-de-corps'. Collections include:
Medal Collection
Vehicle Collection
Small Arms Collection
Electronics Collection
The Reserve Collection including: memorabilia, uniforms and accoutrement, officer boards, silver, souvenirs
The Corps Archives
The REME Association was formed as a focus for past members of REME and to promote esprit-de-corps. It has a network of branch associations in the UK and overseas. All members of REME can become life members of the Association.
The professional Institution for REME serving and retired Officers.
The Craftsman is the Corps magazine published monthly for all Corps Members.
The professional Journal for all REME officers and Senior NCOs; published annually.
The Benevolent Fund is Subscribed to by Corps members and used to provide financial assistance to serving and past REME personnel and their families in need.
This Fund assists with the education costs of children of REME personnel usually after the parental loss or in other difficult financial circumstances.
'Craftsmen of the Army', published in 1970, details the
Corps history from 1942 to 1969.
'Craftsman of the Army', Volume 2, published in 1996, details
the Corps history from 1970 to 1992.
REME does not have Battle Honours. REME personnel have been present at every major battle and campaign since 1942.
The statue of a REME soldier, located outside the 'St Eligius' Garrison Church in Arborfield, serves as the Corps war memorial. The St Eligius memorial chapel contains the Corps Book of Remembrance, listing Corps members who have died on active service. A copy of the book is displayed in the Corps Museum.
REME wears standard issue pattern Army uniforms with REME distinctions.
A REME stable belt
A REME side hat
REME officer's Mess Kit (male and female)
REME Soldier's Mess Kit (male and female)
REME Band dress uniform
Normal Army rank badges, trade and proficiency badges
REME tradesmen working dress is coveralls, (one piece green denim overall)
A REME soldier attached to another regiment or Corps must wear his own REME cap badge and the 'Tactical Recognicion Flash' in REME colours but can also wear one dress distinction of the parent regiment (Except the SAS where separate rules apply)
REME serving with Royal Marines or Airborne Forces must complete the training before they wear the distinctive berets
REME units consist of:
Attached Tradesmen (for small units)
Light Aid Detachments (LADs) - 'On site' repairs (for large units)
REME Battalions - The main REME repair force, fully mobile, provide repair facilities for a large formation
Civilian Workshops - Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) civilian manned workshops carry out major overhauls of equipment and components
Miscellaneous Workshops - These include small, overseas, semi-civilianised and in some cases 'Joint Service' workshops
Officer Ranks
Rank |
Insignia |
Abbreviated Title and Possible Appointment |
2nd Lieutenant |
Single Pip (Bath Star) |
2Lt Most junior officer |
Lieutenant |
2 Pips |
Lt Could be Platoon Commander in a Battalion |
Captain |
3 Pips |
Capt Could be an Officer Commanding a LAD |
Major |
Crown |
Maj Could be Officer Commanding (OC) |
Lieutenant Colonel |
Crown and Pip |
Lt Col Could be Commanding Officer (CO) of REME Battalion |
Colonel |
Crown and 2 Pips, Red Tabs and |
Col Officers of Colonel and above are no longer REME |
Non Commissioned Ranks
Rank |
Insignia |
Abbreviated Title |
Craftsman |
None |
Cfn (Lowest rank) |
Lance Corporal |
1 Stripe |
LCpl |
Corporal |
2 Stripes |
Cpl |
Sergeant |
3 Stripes |
Sgt |
Staff Sergeant |
3 Stripes and Crown |
SSgt |
Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Crown on Sleeve |
CSM |
Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Crown within Laurel Wreath on sleeve |
CQMS (Regimental Appointment) |
Warrant Officer Class 2 |
Crown within Laurel Wreath on sleeve |
AQMS (Technical Appointment) |
Warrant Officer Class 1 |
Coat of Arms on Sleeve |
RSM (Regimental Appointment) |
Warrant Officer Class 1 |
Coat of Arms on Sleeve |
ASM (Technical Appointment) |
REME Museum of Technology Home Page
Email Enquiries or telephone 0118 976 3375 for further information
Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 18 March 2007
