REME Founding Fathers

REME Founding Fathers – Two for the price of one!

Scribe: Maj (Retd) Geordie Wright-Rivers (REME Association)

11410119 Winston Sagman

In late June this year, Col (Retd) Hamish Robson discovered that REME founder member, Winston Sagman, lived in the local area of his home town of Poole and that the gentleman was fast approaching his 100th birthday on 02 Jul 22. After alerting Corps HQ, Col REME was delighted to pen a special birthday card offering congratulations from all ranks of the Corps on achieving this remarkable milestone. It was swiftly dispatched to Col Hamish who very kindly volunteered to hand deliver the card, message and a few REME gifts on the Corps’ behalf.

Winston explained that he transferred into REME in 1942 having first enlisted with the Royal Artillery. His service saw him follow the D-Day landings to work in a Base Workshop in France, then a move to Belgium before finishing the war in Germany. He served until 1947 when he left to return home and work in the family business.

Col (Retd) Hamish Robson presents 100th Birthday Card to Winston Sagman

328422 Arthur Lawson MBE

Having met Winston at home, Col Hamish was then invited to attend the family gathering to celebrate Winston’s birthday. On his arrival, he was introduced to Winston’s childhood friend and brother-in-law Arthur Lawson who it turns out, was also in REME from its birth in

Left to Right: Winston Sagman, Col (Retd) Hamish Robson, Arthur Lawson MBE Record of Service 1942 - 1947

1942 and had already celebrated his own 100th birthday – two for the price of one! Arthur Lawson spent his entire wartime years in Burma with 42 Bde LAD.

Both Winston and Arthur expressed great pride in their time with REME and had very fond memories of their service days. The Corps is equally proud and privileged to have them as members of the REME Family.

How many other REME Founding Fathers do we have out there? If you are a REME Founding Father, or you know of one, then please get in touch - we would love to hear from you all!

Contact Major (Retired) Geordie Wright-Rivers at association@remecharity.org or call 07590848766