Kent Fortress Royal Engineers
| Kent Fortress Royal Engineers | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1908–1919 1932–1946 1947–1967 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Territorial Army
|
| Role | Coast Defence Field Engineering Assault rafting Bomb disposal |
| Garrison/HQ | Chatham, Kent |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Sir David Salomons, 2nd Baronet |
| Notable commanders |
Clifford Brazier |
The Kent Fortress Royal Engineers (KFRE) was a volunteer Territorial unit of the British Army that saw service in both World Wars. They are notable for their successful actions in May 1940, when they destroyed substantial oil stocks and installations just ahead of the German advance, and in August 1944 during the assault crossing of the River Seine.
When the Territorial Force was created in 1908, the 1st Sussex Royal Engineers (Volunteers) were split up to provide the Kent and Sussex Fortress Engineers, as well as the field companies of the Home Counties Division.
By the outbreak of World War I, the Kent unit had the following organisation:
The Honorary Colonel was Sir David Salomons, 2nd Baronet
During the war the Kent Fortress RE formed a number of field companies for service overseas:
In June 1915 this company left for Gallipoli. On arrival at Suvla Bay on 7 October it was attached to the 2nd Mounted Division. The division was evacuated to Egypt in December and broken up in January 1916. The field company was then attached to 54th (East Anglian) Division in the Suez Canal defences on 1 July. The company was redesignated 495th (1st Kent) Field Company on 1 February 1917. In March it advanced with 54th Division into Palestine and fought in the First and Second Battle of Gaza. It joined 75th Division on 7 August 1917 and served with it during the Third Battle of Gaza but returned to the 54th in May 1918 when the 75th was partly Indianised. 495th Company remained with 54th Division for the final advance in Palestine (the Battle of Megiddo). 495th Company was demobilised during 1919.
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Wikipedia