A Brief History of the Scotland Branch

from Craftsman Magazine - December 2020

by Official_REME

Ex IRON PULL

REME Association

A Brief History of the Scotland Branch

This year is the 25th anniversary of the REME Association Scotland Branch. As they celebrate a quarter of a century, Branch Secretary, Tom Hardie, looks back on their formation.

In 1994, Lt Col Roger Jagger, Comd ES, HQ Scotland was talking with WO1(ASM) Barry Lovell about the lack of any REME Association Branches in Scotland at that time. It was agreed that a Branch should

Members of the Scotland Branch celebrating in style

be formed based on the Army Headquarters at Craigiehall with Roger Jagger as the Chairman and ASM Lovell the Secretary. In accordance with the Rules of the REME Association, expenditure on a Branch Standard had to be justified and a sustained membership of 20 had to be assured. With the influence of Barry Lovell, initial membership was around 120. 153 Coy REME hosted a

The Branch was officially REME Association evening formed at a Service of Dedication of the Branch Standard on Saturday 15 July 1995 in the Chapel at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. The Senior Army Chaplain in Scotland, Rev John Shields MBE, LTh, CF officiated. There followed a March Past mainly by REME TA Soldiers in Scotland, with the salute being taken by Colonel Tony Millington, Regimental Colonel REME. In the evening a REME Gathering was held

at the Dunblane Hydro Off to the Army v Navy rugby match in 2013 Handing over the 75th Anniversary torch to the Stig’s younger brother somewhere south of Stonehaven

with much merriment. The REME Association Scotland Branch was launched, 50 years after the formation of the REME Association.

The centre of gravity of the Branch would move to the newly formed 153 Wksp Coy REME based in Grangemouth. Given the size of Scotland it seemed prudent to subdivide the membership into four geographic regions: Highlands, East, West and South. These would have an Area Representative and in time, when the time was right, separate branches could be formed. This never materialised as members preferred to be identified with REME Association Scotland, the National Branch.

Over the years membership has steadily increased to over 350 on the mailing list and the Facebook Group has over 650 members. Branch funds are healthy.

The Branch is well integrated with the REME Family in Scotland, a fact that contributed to the award of the Vincent Metcalfe Trophy in 2011 and 2018.

Instead of a Branch Committee, we now have a strong REME Association Team Scotland (RATS) with key members across the REME Regular, Reserve and Retired communities. Our President is Lt Col Matt Davis, CO 2 CS Bn REME. An AGM frames the business for the year, otherwise business is conducted via social media. We now have 15 Local Representatives across Scotland who have provided a welcome link to members, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dave Burnett (on left) received the Leyland DAF Quaich from Iain Affleck, Chairman, REME in Scotland There is always a need to adapt to change and the branch is well placed to rise

Golf Society, as the winner of the to the challenge and meet Handicap Competition at the Easter the needs of the REME

Moffat Golf Club in May 2017 Family in Scotland.