End of an era .... and a capability

Subject: End of an era .... and a capability 12/3/2014, 11:31

This weekend, 15th March 2014, will see the disbandment of 275 Railway Squadron, The Royal Logistic Corps at Bicester.

This Squadron of reservists (actually, now reduced to a Troop), formed the last of the railway operating capability in the British Army. Their regular counterparts disbanded some time ago.

30 years ago, I was posted as a recruit into this Squadron, then in The Royal Corps of Transport. I spent some of the happiest days of my reservist career with them and their regular counterparts, touring BAOR and carrying out real tasks and being part of some large exercises. I always thought they would survive any Defence Review. Sadly, in the 1990's, the rot set in, with 79 transferred to Marchwood with no clear role (although the Balkans and Op Telic provided a brief resurgence of interest). My post as the then WO1 was transferred to a logistic staff unit and the regular WO1 post disappeared. Both units came under 17 Port & Maritime Regt, 275 was reduced to a troop and 79 Rly Sqn eventually became a Port Clearance Sqn.

All that is left now is 507 Specialist Troop Royal Engineers. A track building/repair troop of reservists. How long for them?

Evil or Very Mad

There is still an interest though, with the formation of the Army Railway Association, hopefully preserving the memory of those halcyon days of outloading ammo depots, delivering armour and transporting walking freight to where it was needed. watch this space.

If anyone on here is an ex military railwayman, whether, RE, RCT or RLC, join the Facebook group, Army Railway Squadrons.

Nige

WOI Number of posts : 148 Registration date : 2008-07-09

Nige P wrote:: This weekend, 15th March 2014, will see the disbandment of 275 Railway Squadron, The Royal Logistic Corps at Bicester.

This Squadron of reservists (actually, now reduced to a Troop), formed the last of the railway operating capability in the British Army. Their regular counterparts disbanded some time ago.

30 years ago, I was posted as a recruit into this Squadron, then in The Royal Corps of Transport. I spent some of the happiest days of my reservist career with them and their regular counterparts, touring BAOR and carrying out real tasks and being part of some large exercises. I always thought they would survive any Defence Review. Sadly, in the 1990's, the rot set in, with 79 transferred to Marchwood with no clear role (although the Balkans and Op Telic provided a brief resurgence of interest). My post as the then WO1 was transferred to a logistic staff unit and the regular WO1 post disappeared. Both units came under 17 Port & Maritime Regt, 275 was reduced to a troop and 79 Rly Sqn eventually became a Port Clearance Sqn.

All that is left now is 507 Specialist Troop Royal Engineers. A track building/repair troop of reservists. How long for them?

Very bad news; I hope all the great memories can be preserved
I spent most of my time in BAOR but was posted to the Movers at Longmoor for demob; then returned as reservist, also some time at Marchwood; distant but happy memories
What will happen to the Bicester site?
Cheers
Old Sapper

There is still an interest though, with the formation of the Army Railway Association, hopefully preserving the memory of those halcyon days of outloading ammo depots, delivering armour and transporting walking freight to where it was needed. watch this space.

If anyone on here is an ex military railwayman, whether, RE, RCT or RLC, join the Facebook group, Army Railway Squadrons.

Nige

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