civilians. The majority were labourers, but there were also drivers, clerks, translators, mechanics, electricians and even a desert navigation instructor. 200 labourers were employed as a pool and formed into platoons supervised by one or two young Pioneer Corporals. This was the last time Pioneers would carry out this task on Operations as the Royal Pioneer Corps. 12. Northern Ireland Op BANNER 1969 to 2007 The painting depicts the Pioneer Prison Guard force at the Maze Prison during the late 1980s. The Saxon vehicle represents the Roulement Transport Squadron tour which Pioneers carried out in 2001. On the 21 May 1988 Corporal Derek Hayes, aged 28, a soldier of the Royal Pioneer Corps was killed at Crossmaglen when an IRA booby trap bomb exploded. He was asked to investigate a partly hidden box in a ditch. As his Labrador approached it, the device exploded. He is one of the many Pioneers who have lost their lives during the conflict. This part of the painting also represents all Pioneers who served either in the Pioneer/ Infantryman Role in Northern Ireland during Operation BANNER. 13. Gulf War One 1990/91 One of the many tasks carried out by Pioneers during the Gulf War was Prisoner of War handling. The scene depicts 2 Platoon, 518 Company, Royal Pioneer Corps conducting this task. The Platoon was commanded by Captain Steve Berry and Sergeant Jim Hamilton. The prisoners were searched, segregated, given blankets and water. They were held for a short time and handed over to the Rear Operations Battle Group. Pioneers carried out a number of different roles camp construction, guarding key locations, HQs, War Graves and chemical decontamination, to name but a few.
14. Counter Improvised Explosive Device Teams Afghanistan More recently, in Afghanistan, Pioneers have assisted with the high-profile role of providing Improvised Explosive (IED) search capability. Checking the ground methodically with different pieces of specialist equipment, Pioneers from 23 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps found and isolated 100s of devices hidden in the dusty ground -all designed to kill or maim. During this time a number of Pioneers lost their lives or sustained life changing injuries. 15. Force Protection Iraq/Afghanistan This scene depicts the tasks carried out by Pioneers during Operation TELIC/HERRICK (Iraq & Afghanistan). Pioneers provided the Kabul Patrol Company, Guard Force for the Prison at Shaibah Logistics Base and Force Protection for the Combat Logistic Patrols. They also held the responsibly for the running and patrolling of Umm Qasr Town and Port and the running of Mortuary Affairs. Two composite Squadrons from 168 Pioneer Regiment, RLC also deployed on Op TELIC. 16. The Badges of Pioneers Top Left: The Badge of the Labour Corps, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and Royal Pioneer Corps. The Labour Corps formed 21 February 1917 originally wore the Royal Arms as cap-badge, with the letters LC as shoulder titles until ACI 837 of 1917 authorised the issue of a new badge, described in heraldic terms as; “A rifle, a shovel and pick ‘piled’ on them a laurel wreath, all ensigned with a crown. Beneath, motto Labor Omnia Vincit”. This badge was again taken into use on the creation of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps on 17 October 1939 and was continually worn by Pioneers until 1985. Top Right: Royal Pioneer Corps 1985 to 1993. In 1983 it was decided to change the Cap Badge of the Royal Pioneer Corps. The Re-Badging parade took place on Wednesday 13 February 1985 at Simpson
THE
PIONEER
■ Proud Mum, Pauline Roberts admires the new painting “The Fighting Pioneer”. Paulines son, Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts (Ginge), 23 Pioneer Regiment, RLC was killed in Afghanistan. He is depicted in the painting and he is the third soldier across in the middle of the painting. The soldier on the middle left is Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, 23 Pioneer Regiment, RLC and he was killed the same time as Ginge. The soldier in the middle is WO2 Charles Henry Wood, 23 Pioneer Regiment, RLC, who was killed in operations in Afghanistan whilst serving with the Picture: Paul Brown Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.
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THE ROYAL PIONEER CORPS ASSOCIATION
Barracks Northampton. The new badge is described in heraldic terms thus: “Two Pioneer Axes in saltire beneath their heads and surmounted of pioneer sword and laurel wreath below the same a scroll inscribed Royal Pioneers and the whole ensigned by the Royal Crown all argent.” Centre Badge: The Royal Logistic Corps 1993 to Date The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) was formed on Monday, 5 April 1993, by the union of five British Army corps: Royal Pioneer Corps Royal Corps of Transport Royal Army Ordnance Corps Army Catering Corps Royal Engineers Postal and Courier Service The RLC cap badge is an amalgamation of the cap badges of the forming corps: The crossed axes are from the Royal Pioneer Corps The star is from the Royal Corps of Transport The laurel and garter band is from the Royal Engineers The shield in the centre is from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps The motto, "We Sustain", is from the Army Catering Corps The inscription on the garter band "Honi soit qui mal y pense" can be translated as "Evil to him who evil thinks". It is often seen on the insignia of Regiments and Corps with 'Royal' in their title. 17. The Regimental Cypher. The Regimental Cypher was introduced to 23 Pioneer Regiment in 2000. It comprises of Two Pioneer Axes in saltire beneath their heads and surmounted of pioneer sword. This is the Regimental symbol and appears on the Regimental Flag, Tee Shirts, and stationery and letter heads. Pioneers are extremely proud of the symbol. 18. The Three Pioneers The Three Pioneers represent the different periods of dress in our history. The Pioneer on the left is dressed as Pioneers were during the 1940s. The Pioneer to the right is dressed in uniform of the 1980s, note the Brown Beret (1983) worn by Pioneers prior to the amalgamation into the Royal Logistic Corps. The Pioneer in the centre represents the modern Pioneer who served in Afghanistan Operation HERRICK. During Operation HERRICK three Pioneers lost their lives, Warrant Officer Class 2 Charlie Wood (Centre) was killed by an explosion while he cleared a road of IEDs, Corporal Andrew Roberts (Right) and Private Ratu Silibaravi (Left) died after a mortar rocket attack on their operating base. They were the last deaths on operations and represent the tens of thousands of Pioneers to lose their lives during the service of their country. The Artist Anthony Richard Grenville Cowland. Born in Hove, Sussex, England 1956. Brought up in Barbados, Singapore & UK. He is a full time Artist. His works include: airliners, architecture, automobiles, aviation, bridges, dance, engineering, equestrian, exhibitions, horses, houses, interiors, landscapes, marine, military, museums, ocean liners, oil rigs, people, photography, portraits, ships, sports cars, travel, wildlife and yachts. ■