Regimental History
RHQ Tp / 100 Field Squadron / 108 Field Squadron / 225 Field Squadron
Regimental Museum
Why are we the Senior Reserve Regiment?
This is because we are the oldest serving Regiment (having given continuous loyal service to the Crown) and also in recognition of the senior status accorded to it as a Militia Unit and a unit of the Special Reserve. Our first known surviving ‘Muster Roll’ is dated 1539 and can be seen in the Public Record Office, though it is believed that the unit has much earlier origins.
The Regiment has served continuously ever since under titles such as the Monmouthshire Militia, the Monmouthshire Light Infantry Militia, the Royal Monmouthshire Engineer Militia (from 1877) and finally the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) since 1896.
Many historians confuse age with seniority. The Honourable Artillery Company based in London, although old, has not given continuous loyal service to the Crown. They fought for the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War and only joined the Army proper in the Nineteenth century. R Mon RE(M)’s seniority is confirmed in Queens Regulations.
Changes to the Regiment's Title since 1539
| 1537 Trained Militia raised by Posse Comitatus |
| 1539 Monmouthshire Militia |
| 1798 Monmouthshire and Brecon Militia amalgamated with Brecknockshire Militia |
| 1808 Royal Monmouthshire and Brecon Militia |
| 1820 Royal Monmouthshire Militia (Brecknockshire element separated) |
| 1833 31st, or Royal Monmouthshire Militia |
| 1853 Royal Monmouthshire Light Infantry (31st Foot) |
| 1877 Royal Monmouthshire Engineers Militia |
| 1896 Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) |
| 1908 Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Special Reserve) |
| 1921 Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) |
| 1953 transferred to Territorial Army |
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Changes to the Regiment's Status
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1535 Militia |
| 1908 Special Reserve |
| 1926 Supplementary Reserve |
| 1953 Territorial Army |
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The Regiment is unique in having two Royals in its title. In August 1896, the War Office had a policy of "tidying up" all the titles of reserve engineer units. This meant in practise the inclusion of "Royal Engineers" within the title of the units concerned.
The Regiment celebrated it's 100th anniversary of "The Double Royal" in 1996 with a limited edition minting of Double Royal Medals issued to soldiers serving in the Regiment at the time.
Great Castle House and Castle Ruins
Great Castle House was built in 1673 and stands on the site of the Round Tower demolished during the Civil War and built from "the great square stones of the gatehouse".
The earl of Worcester bought the lordship of Monmouth for £400 in 1651, which included the Castle with the exception of the Great Hall which was reserved for the Assizes. He commissioned the building of Great Castle House which was completed in 1673 however it was abandoned as a residence and refashioned and repanelled to provide a more comfortable Assize Court than the damp and draughty Great Hall in the Castle.
In c.1760 it became a high class boarding school, but in 1853 the contents of the school were sold, and Quarter Sessions rented it for £25 a year and spent £2000 on connecting new wings for a Militia Store and residences for the Sergeant Major and Quartermaster.
In 1877 Colonel Payne obtained authority for the house to be used as an Officers' Mess. In the same year, the Regiment converted from Light Infantry to Royal Engineers. In 1906 the house was acquired by the War Office.
Great Castle House has been the home of the Regiment for over 125 years, and remains one of the few British castles still in military occupation.
Further information on the history of Great Castle House and the Castle ruins may be found at the Regimental Museum website
Mottos
Ich Dien - I serve (Ger.) Motto of the Prince of Wales, as seen on the Cap Badge
Quo fas et gloria ducunt - Whither right and glory lead (L.)
Ubique - Everywhere (L.) Used by the Corps of Royal Engineers
Colours
The Regiment is unique amongst RE units in that it has its own set of colours (East Monmouthshire Militia -1808) which were presented to it at the request of the King, having been previously in safe keeping at the Tower of London. In August 1914 the Regiment paraded in full dress uniform at Longmoor to take part in the only occasion in which an individual Regiment of the Royal Engineers has trooped it's own colour.
Honorary Colonels
The Royal Honorary Colonel is His Royal Highness Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO
The Honorary Colonel is Maj-Gen. Keith Harington Cima
Regimental March
The Corps March is "Wings". Played on Ceremonial occasions by the Corps Band.
Regimental Cap Badge
Militia Flash (History)
Due to its unique status the Regiment wears a Light Infantry Green 'Flash' on the upper left sleeve of its uniforms.
Regimental Affiliations
The Regiment has a number of affiliations including :
HMS Monmouth
36 Engineer Regiment
6 Field Engineer Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers
Further Information can be found on the Links page.
Museum
The Regiment is very fortunate in having its own Museum. As well as displaying Regimental History it also looks at the development of Monmouth as a fortified border town and the life of Monmouth’s most famous son Henry V. To visit the Museum’s web site go to:
www.monmouthcastlemuseum.org.uk
For further information and history please visit the Corps of Royal Engineers website
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