Author: Laura Stewart, Assistant Curator

The museum’s acquisitions committee have already held their fourth meeting so far this year to discuss all the items generously offered to the Collection. We’ve noticed that a theme seems to have developed across some of our recent acquisitions – construction – so this article provides the perfect opportunity to share some of these with you.

Models

Model of a Steam Locomotive, ‘Hercules’. 2011.5413.

Added to the museum’s collection in 2011, the Hercules steam locomotive model is currently held in the Reserve Vehicle Collection. It was handmade between 1966 and 1971 by REME personnel and apprentices. Measuring at 2.4m in length, the model has a huge amount of detail down to individual rivets.

The ‘Hercules’ locomotive model in the early stages of its production. 2023.80.

We were recently gifted a photograph showing the model in its early stages of production at 35 Central Workshop REME, Old Dalby around 1966. The opportunity of adding such records to the Archives brings the story of the model to life, showing how it came to be.

Foden Wrecker and AEC Militant models. 2024.12.

Another example of REME model making arrived at the museum in February 2024. Donated by a REME Veteran who served as a Recovery Mechanic in 118 Recovery Company, these models were made in 2020 to help in recovery from a stroke. The 4 models are of British Army recovery vehicles, with which REME would have been involved: AEC Militant, Scammell Pioneer, Scammell EKA Leyland Martian, Foden Wrecker.

Model boat made for Kenneth Pearce. 2024.5.

This model boat belonged to Kenneth Richard George Pearce. His family recently donated this treasured item to the museum explaining that it was made by a Polish Prisoner of War for Ken, in exchange for Kenneth giving away food parcels that his mother had sent to him. Apparently in order to bring the boat back to the UK for his younger brother, Richard, he had to buy a new kitbag as it was so big. The attention to detail in the model which would likely have been produced using only materials that were readily available and possibly scrap is remarkable.

The museum has a number of examples of items made by Prisoners of War that were gifted to REME soldiers in exchange for something. These were often decorative items in the same manner as the model boat but this object is certainly the largest in size.

Competition

Fresh into the museum’s collection are items relating to the REME Jeep Assembly Competition 1953. This took place as part of the Royal Tournament in Earls Court, London. Coincidentally, two trophies awarded to members of the winning team have been donated separately this year.

Lance Corporal Masters’ relatives recall that he enjoyed the experience of competing in the competition. He was presented his award by Field Marshall Montgomery. He also noted that it was often referred to as the ‘Crate to Jeep’ competition.

Trophies awarded to LCpl Masters and Cpl Tingey. 2024.23 and 2024.41.

Corporal Tingey was also part of the winning team and his trophy, along with a few photographs, has been donated to the collection to commemorate his success.

The competition took the form of teams of 6 people, with four teams competing at one time. A Scammell per team would tow four trailers into the arena; each carrying the components needed to construct a Jeep. Each round only lasted up to 8 minutes and each team competed in 14 rounds with the winning team having the lowest aggregate time.

Competitors of the Jeep Assembly Competition at Earls Court. 2024.41.

A detailed story of the competition was first published in The Craftsman, August 2013.

Car-building competitions are represented elsewhere within the museum’s collection. One example includes a Mini Cooper that was built as part of a televised competition to build a car within a certain price range. Once built, the Mini had to go through certain trials such as cross country and steering mobility. The competition was entered by 17 Port Maritime Workshops as a REME Apprentice project but, unfortunately, they didn’t win!

Mini Cooper built by 17 Port Maritime Workshop. 2008.5033.

Ceremonial

A photograph showing a ceremony relating to ‘The Motor Church of Saint George’ was recently donated to the museum. These mobile churches were built during World War II by REME personnel from 21 Army Group. We believe that this picture is part of the dedication ceremony for the church and took place at 22 Advanced Base Workshop REME, Mill Hill, July 1944.

Due to copyright restrictions we are unable to publish the donated photograph. However, another photograph from the museum’s collection that may have been taken at the same ceremony has been made available on the museum’s online photo archive.

The dedication of the two motor churches of St George and St Paul by his Grace, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, REME depot, England. c 1944-1945. A:1967.0865.07.

A detailed article on this was first published in The Craftsman in March 2010.

Remembrance

Iron Remembrance Poppy. 2023.88.

This poppy was made by Blacksmiths involved in the Ypres Peace Memorial in Belgium. This memorial was constructed to commemorate all those who served in World War I, whether military or civilian and regardless of nationality. We can’t be sure who made this particular poppy but 2 Field Company, 5 Force Support Battalion REME were involved in the building of the memorial in 2016.

This example of commemoration and craftsmanship was gifted to the collection in December 2023.

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The museum carefully assesses all items offered for donation via a committee decision making process. These decisions are also informed by our Collections Development Policy. If you have any items that you might like to offer to the collection, please check our Donate an Item page.

Please note that the museum is unable to take receipt of items before the committee have made their decision. We kindly ask that you do not bring or send anything to the museum without prior agreement.

Published in The Craftsman Magazine, October 2024.