37 Field Squadron a potted history

additional information from RE museum site

Its is my understanding that the title Squadron was not widely used until the late 40's early 50's. Prior to that the nomenclature was; Field Companies Royal Engineers. Field Park Company Royal Engineers.

Airborne units example 9th Airborne Field Squadron 1st Airborne Division who took part in the invasion of Sicily

The following is taken from the RE museum site which tends to reinforce my theory.

Regimental System - In March 1947 the Corps adopted a regimental system for field units (field companies were brought together as a regiment rather than have companies support formation independently).

Other changes included:

Numbering of RE unit was reviewed and rationalised.

Airfield Construction Groups, GHQ Troops Engineers, Army Troops Engineers and Artisan Works units were replaced by Construction and Plant Squadrons An Army Group RE became an Engineer Group. Mechanical equipment' became 'Plant' and the Rank of Driver RE was abolished. In 1950's the trade of 'Field Engineer' was changed to 'Combat Engineer'.

so in chronological order the Squadron timeline is as follows:-

Apr 1861 - Formed as 37 Depot Coy at CHATHAM

Apr 1885 – Re-designated ‘D’ Depot Coy

May 1887 - Formed as a Field Coy at CHATHAM

Aug 1887 - ALDERSHOT

Nov 1890 - CURRAGH

Oct 1892 - SHORNCLIFFE

Oct 1894 - ALDERSHOT

Oct 1897 - CURRAGH

Dec 1899 - S. AFRICA in Boer War with 5 Division

Apr 1905 - STOBS CAMP, Roxburgshire Nov 1906 - Disbanded

1915 - Formed as a Fortress Coy at QUEENSTOWN, Ireland, from half of

14 Survey Coy – Re-designated an Army Transport Coy

Oct 1915 - GALLIPOLI Jan 1916 - SALONIKA

1916 - EGYPT

1919 - Disbanded

Dec 1948 - Formed as a Field Squadron in 24 Field Engineer Regiment at RIPON

Oct 1949 - To HONG KONG with the Regiment

Jan 1950 - Re-titled 56 Field Squadron

Nov 1950 - Formed as 37 Field Squadron in 25 Field Engineer Regiment at MAIDSTONE

Oct 1951 - To LIBYA by air (remainder of Regiment to Cyprus)

Apr 1952 - Reunited with Regiment in CANAL ZONE with 3 Division

Jan 1955 - Returns to MAIDSTONE with the Regiment

Oct 1955-Mar 1956 - Cyprus, it was clear that the EOKA campaign would continue and 37 Field Squadron RE was deployed from the UK to help with winterisation of the temporary camps. EOKA was a right wing nationalistic organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Detachments of the squadron were attacked whilst working in the Troodos mountains and the Officer Command (Major BJ Coombe RE) was ambushed and his driver killed but he single-handedly took on the ambushers, killing one and capturing another. He was awarded the George Medal for his actions. In March 1956 37 Field Squadron RE returned to the UK and was replaced by 3 Field Squadron RE from the Canal Zone Egypt.  

Nov 1956-Jan 1957 - To MALTA on Suez Operations

Aug 1957 - 37 Field Squadron with 39 Field Squadron  both part of 25 Field Engineer Regiment were deployed to Christmas Island on Operation Grapple. Christmas Island was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Engineers were tasked with constructing the base camp, roads, water and electrical supplies, two airfields, port facilities, a balloon anchorage complex, and a flying boat port a mere afternoons work.

Sep 1958 - To OSNABRUCK with the Regiment

Feb 1968 - Leaves 25 Regiment to come under command HQRE 2 Div, remaining at Osnabruck

Apr 1969 - Joins 32 Engineer Regiment, but remains at Osnabruck and under local command of 23 Engineer Regiment

Apr 1971 - Ceases to be a part of 32 Engineer Regiment and joins 23 Engineer Regiment at Osnabruck, for all purposes

Mar-Jul 1972 - In N. IRELAND with the Regiment in the Infantry role

Nov 1973-Mar 1974 - In N. IRELAND

Oct 1975-Feb 1976 - In N. IRELAND

Apr 1976 - Leaves 23 Regiment and moves to HAMELIN to come under command of HQRE 2 Division, but under local command of 35 Engineer Regiment

Dec 1977 - 35 Engineer Regiment re-formed as 4 Armoured Division Engineer Regiment which included the Squadron at Hamelin

Jan 1981 - 4 Armoured Division Engineer Regiment re-titled 35 Engineer Regiment

26 Aug-26 Sep 1993 - 4 Troop in BATUS

22 Sep-2 Nov 1993 - 5 Troop in BATUS

Sep 1994-Mar 1995 - NI – Maze prison – Op Descant