About Us

Introduction

The Airborne Engineers Association is a registered charity, No. 1009201 and has a formal Constitution to ensure that everything is legal, formal and abiding, to include an AGM each year,

Key objectives of the Airborne Engineers Association are

  • To maintain Contact between former and current members of the Corps of Royal Engineers to foster mutual support
  • To provide a focus for social and other gatherings of members of the Association
  • To provide assistance to members of the Association who require access to welfare support
  • To preserve the memory and traditions of airborne units of the Corps of Royal Engineers

Life membership of the Association is £25.00

The Association currently has an Executive Committee, an Advisory Committee and six branches, 299 Association Hull, Aldershot, Birmingham, Scotland, Wales &West, and Yorkshire

Formation and Title

The Association was formed in 1989 because of an incident that happened to the Squadron Duty Officer, Captain Joe Holsten during Airborne Forces weekend.
Whilst working late in Rhine Barracks, he was locking up the front door, when he noticed three elderly gentlemen standing by the Falklands memorial plinth. 'Bugger' he thought, 'now I am going to be harassed by some Parachute Regiment, 'golden oldies' who are probably lost! He walked down the steps and noticed they were wearing Corps ties, and asked if they need help?
They asked about the plinth, and he explained and when asked they told him who they were. They were ex-airborne engineers from the very early days of parachuting.
One had even been on the Tragino Aqueduct raid, the very first Airborne Operation in the Army. Capt Holsten then decided to take them up to the Squadron offices, and show them the memorabilia on the walls and stored in the training wing. They were a walking history on the formation of Airborne and Parachuting Operations.

As a result of this chance meeting he decided the next day to talk it through with other Officers and Senior NCOs in the Squadron, with a view to forming an Association. Initially the idea was that veteran and serving Airborne Sappers could come together a few times a year, have a beer or two and reminisce on past events, before our history just passes away.

This meeting was originally met with a muted response, but after explaining what happened to him over the Airborne Forces weekend, those gathered quickly agreed that we should have an Association of our own.
So the Association was formed unofficially, with a basic 'Mission statement' and organisational committee.
During this meeting the group decided on the title 'Airborne Engineers Association' in the early stages, rather than Parachute Engineers, due to the historical links with Airborne Forces and decided on a motto:
'Service Not Self'

Membership

Although the title states Airborne Engineers, this small group of men unanimously voted to include all personnel who have served, or are still serving, on the strength of any Airborne Engineer Unit, and other units with an official military Parachute and Airborne role, e.g. Members of the Corps serving with Special Forces.
Therefore this includes all personnel posted into those units be they RAOC, REME, RAPC and ACC, rather than just members of the Corps.

Membership may also be given to any person who in the opinion of the Executive Committee has rendered special service to the Airborne Engineers.
One such person is Mr Peter Yates Ex Royal Navy Rating, who was responsible for organising the first Double Hills memorial service at Paulton, where the first casualties enroute to Arnhem were killed when their Glider exploded during the towing flight. Many years later he is still organising the service to remember the 21 members from 9th Field Company RE (Airborne) and 2 members from the Glider Pilot Regt..

Organisation

The Association has an Executive and Advisory Committees, and a thriving Shop and Archivist.
The Association is a registered charity No: 1009201 and has a formal Constitution to ensure that everything is legal, formal and abiding, to include an AGM each year, followed by a Gala Ball. The AGM is held in a different area each year and we do invite members of the 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment to attend each year as our guests.

Basic Aims & Objectives

  • To have an Association where both 'Past & Present' members of Airborne Engineer Units can meet and socialise, thereby fostering mutual relationships.
  • To provide assistance to members of the Association who require access to welfare support.
  • To preserve the memory and traditions of airborne units of the Corps of Royal Engineers.
  • To provide a focus for social and other gatherings of members of the Association with there wives and partners.
  • To attend as many memorial services as possible throughout the country and overseas involving past Airborne Operations.
  • To publish twice a year a Journal, with future events, historical sections and general notices.
  • To raise charity monies.