REME History: Public Duties

Author: Lucy Brown, Social Media and Digital Marketing Officer

The REME motto ‘Arte et Marte’ (By Skill and By Fighting) encompasses the dual role of the REME soldier as combat soldiers and skilled craftsmen. Yet there is another role undertaken by REME that is often overlooked - that of ceremonial duties.

All units of the British Armed Forces have a ceremonial role, upholding traditions and providing support for larger occasions of state. Public Duties, traditionally undertaken by the Household Division, often known collectively as ‘the Guards’, include the King or Queen’s Guard at St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace, and the distinct Windsor Castle Guard and Tower of London Guard.

From time to time, this honour is extended to other units of the British Armed Forces. 2026 marks 40 years since the first time REME personnel assumed public duties.

The first REME Windsor Castle Guard, 1986

For the first time ever, the Windsor Castle Guard was made up of REME personnel in September 1986.

A plaque with reflective silver surface painted with scene of soldiers in ceremonial dress in front of Windsor Castle.

Plaque commemorating REME Public Duties at Windsor Castle.1986.3046.

Due to the Household Division’s operational commitments in Germany and Northern Ireland at the time, a request was sent to Headquarters UK Land Forces (HQ UKLF) to find another unit capable of fulfilling the role. Noting the rare opportunity, the Director General of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (DGEME) Major General Palmer volunteered REME for the month of September.

The honour was afforded to Training Battalion and Depot REME in Arborfield, though volunteers represented many different REME units. The full strength of the guard was further bolstered by Borneo and Imjin Platoons, who had recently completed basic training, and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from Senior Military Course No 172.

On 26 June, the guard contingent gathered for a tailoring parade and briefings, following which all personnel received their tailored No 2 Service Dress, a pair of ammunition boots (often referred to as ‘ammo boots’) and a great coat.

Ceremonial drill training began on 3 August for four weeks, with the first two weeks overseen by Company Sergeant Major (CSM) McIllmurray and the final preparations assisted by CSM Montgomery of the Irish Guards. According to a souvenir programme produced to commemorate REME’s Public Duties, a motto assumed was:

“If you are going to do a job, do it properly”

On Tuesday 2 September 1986, REME took over from 1st Battalion Irish Guards and assumed the duties of the Windsor Castle Guard.

Soldiers marching through a large gate.

The New Guard marching through the King Henry VIII Gate at Windsor Castle, September 1986. E:09.0784.013.

According to The Craftsmen of the Army, Vol II, there was a security breach one night in which a REME sentry on duty met the intruders and assisted police officers to make arrests. This was seen to have demonstrated that the duty of the military guard is as much about security as it is ceremonial tradition.

Two soldiers stand outside a sentry box in front of a wall, another soldier faces them.

Craftsman (Cfn) Coen is relieved by Cfn Bowers at No 1 Post outside the guardroom, Corporal Parsons posts the sentries. E:09.0784.005.

A REME Queen’s Guard, 1992

Just six years later, REME assumed Public Duties again from 14 February – 15 March 1992. This time, the Queen’s Guard Company served at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and St James's Palace.

At night, soldiers lined up at the top of steps look down at a small group of soldiers and Tower of London Guard. Tower Bridge is in the background.

The Tower of London Guard presents arms to the Keys. E:06.0491.041.

Personnel completed training over a total period of nine weeks, a period that was noted in the Post Exercise Report to have been longer than necessary, recommending five weeks. Basic drill training started at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (SEME) Bordon on 17 November 1991. Following Christmas leave, specialist drill training was accompanied by visits to the London Palaces to witness the Guards ‘in action’.

The Queen’s Guard again wore No 2 Dress, which required extra tailoring, with white webbing, great coats and white gloves. This time, however, combat boots were worn as ammunition boots could not be provided.

Soldiers stood to attention on a parade ground. Names written in red handwriting.

The Old Guard forming up at Buckingham Palace, awaiting arrival of the New Guard. E:06.0491.012.

A soldier in ceremonial dress stands guard outside a sentry box.

Cfn Bolger on sentry duty at the Tower of London. E:06.0491.032.

REME Returns to Public Duties, 2021

In September 2021, REME returned to Public Duties for the first time in three decades.

Troops from 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME were given five weeks of bespoke drill training to prepare for their duties (whether this was as a direct result of the recommendations following 1992’s Queen’s Guard is unknown). Training was provided by their own drill instructors as well as those from the Household Division. In early September, the soldiers went on parade at Wellington Barracks, London, to prove their readiness to perform public duties. Having been declared fit, 4 Battalion’s first Queen's Guard took up their duty at Buckingham Palace on Monday 13 September.

Close up of soldiers in ceremonial dress mid-marching with arm lifted to shoulder height.

Troops on parade at Wellington Barracks, London, September 2021. Corporal Watson © Crown copyright 2021. MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.

In total, the REME complement was made up of 93 personnel from 3, 4 and 6 Battalion REME, who guarded the royal residences in London and Windsor over a period of two and a half months.

For the occasion, REME personnel were issued No 1 Ceremonial Dress, often referred to as ‘Blues’.

Soldiers stood to attention in 2 lines, view between the two. Senior officers looking at a soldier.

Soldiers of 4 Battalion REME being inspected at the parade to ensure their readiness for Guard Duty, wearing No 1 Ceremonial Dress including the distinctive red striped, blue trousers. Corporal Watson © Crown copyright 2021. MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.

Information in this article was taken from E:07.0699.24, E:07.0735.27, The Craftsmen of the Army, Vol II and several issues of The Craftsman Magazine.

Published in The Craftsman, May 2026.

Addendum:

The following is a personal anecdote from Roddy Mullin regarding REME Public Duties, September 1986:

"Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II tasked her Equerry to write to the Commanding Officer of the Training Battalion and Depot REME to say how delighted She was and thanked us for catching the three intruders who were trying to place a banner on the round tower."

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