RM Diaries

[Sisyphus]

Anyone who's ordered one know when these get delivered?

I've got bits of paper and Postits all over the place.

If I lose any and miss my dates with Jennifer Aniston and Elkie Brooks next year I'll be gutted.

[Sisyphus]

Just arrived and very nice, too! A couple of queries from the info in the first pages:

When did 24 Cdo RE take over from 59 and why?

Did the QCVS/QCB always exist and I've forgotten, or is it a new award?
When I first saw it I thought it was a MiD oak leaf - until I saw the MiD on the facing page!

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The official website doesn't appear to include 24 Commando. 59 and 131 are the only RE units mentioned:

http://www.royalmarines.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6661

http://www.honours.gov.uk/honours.aspx

Queen's Commendation for Bravery (1994 and subsequently)

The Emblem of silver laurel leaves granted to a civilian is worn directly on the coat after any Medal ribands. When the Emblem is granted to Armed Forces personnel it should be worn in a similar manner to that described above for Mentions in Despatches (1993 and subsequently).

Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (1993 and subsequently)

The Emblem of silver oak leaves should be worn in a similar manner to that described above for Mentions on Despatches (1993 and subsequently).

If there are no Medal ribands, the Emblem is worn in the position in which a single riband would be worn.

[Sisyphus]

Cheers, OWK.

So that's what QCVS/QCB mean! Are they a [relatively] new development?

The 24/59 thing is curious. I've just noticed in the Globe & Buster that it shows the Bde makeup as including 24 Cdo Regt RE, as per the diary. But there's no mention of 59 or 131.

The links on the RM website to 59 and 131 aren't working?

[druadan]

59 Ind Cdo Sqn RE was replaced by 24 Cdo Regt RE. I don't know if the numbers have any significance, but the change was due to the massive expansion.

[sportbilly42]

59 Sqn still exists, although they've shuffled words around and chucked in another word to make it seem 'different' - no longer 59 Indep Cdo Sqn RE..... now it's 59 Commando Field Squadron RE. It's one of the 3 squadrons forming 24 Cdo Engr Regt

http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/role/835.aspx
As the link says, the manning of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment will not occur overnight. Full Operational Capability is unlikely to be achieved before 2011.

[druadan]

Cheers billy, apologies for the inaccuracy...

[Doc]

I am ex 59 and have just joined 24's group on facebook.

59 has indeed expanded to Regimental strength and 59 is one of the squadrons within. SOme of the old lads are still calling themselves 59, and to be fair there was alot of unit pride in 59 so unlikely to dissapear overnight from the hearts of the guys. I would guess also there would be alot of efforts with the guys trying to get into 59 saudron within the 24 setup.

Even though the unit is part of 3 Cdo it still has duties within the Army orbat and I think 59 was a tad stretched and tended to be deployed most of the time.

I also think it has the highest pass rate of SF selection, so if any lads here looking to join to get a trade and be open to further career moves to get all the gucci stuff cracked then 59 seems to be a good place, hard work high standards and dangly parasmocks are order of the day.

Doc

[Sisyphus]

59 has indeed expanded to Regimental strength and 59 is one of the squadrons within.

Thanks guys. That's clear. I think!

So with all this expansion, how long will it be before the Corps is providing an 'Amphibious Facilitation Role' as a support unit to 24?

[sportbilly42]

Nah...... Engrs already have their bods with an Amphiibious role. 23 Amphibious Sqn RE have a dedicated rapid wide wet-gap crossing capability. Glorified ferry boat operators, getting tanks across rivers and building floating bridges etc.......

http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/838.aspx

[Sisyphus]

23 Amphibious Sqn RE have a dedicated rapid wide wet-gap crossing capability.

Sounds very interesting. If I lie about my age can I join! Just as long as the wet-gap isn't too wide, though!