23 Parachute Engineer Regiment is a Royal Engineers regiment in the British Army that was formed in 2003. It provides engineer support to 16 Air Assault Brigade in both the parachute and Air assault role. The regiment is currently based at Rock Barracks in Suffolk and consists of three regular squadrons and one Army Reserve squadron. As part of 16 Air Assault Brigade it can be called upon to deploy on operations across the globe at extremely short notice.
| 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1948 - Present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role | Combat engineering |
| Size | 4 squadrons 621 personnel[1] |
| Part of | 16 Air Assault Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Rock Barracks/Woodbridge Airfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk[2] |
| Engagements | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Jack Crossley [3] |
History
edit23 Engineer Regiment can trace its roots to the founding of the airborne forces of the Parachute Regiment and other related during the Second World War. In July 1948, 23rd Field Engineer Regiment was formed in Iserlohn from the former 2nd Division Divisional Engineer regiment. In December 1948, the regiment moved to Halen and two years later moved to Dortmund. In September 1957, 2 Field Squadron was allocated to 6th Infantry Brigade and 5 Field Squadron to the 5th Infantry Brigade. In May 1958, the regiment was split and its headquarters became the new "Headquarters Royal Engineers, 2nd Division". [citation needed]
Eleven years later in April 1969, it was re-organised into the new 23 Engineer Regiment at Osnabruck. The regiment served as infantry in Northern Ireland from March - July 1972. In September 1976 the 2nd Division was re-organized as an armoured formation, and the regiment was broken up for the second time. In January 1983, at Osnabruck the regiment reformed and later took part in the trial of Close Support Troops. In 1991 the regiment, participated in the Gulf War supporting 4th Armoured Brigade. 39 Field Squadron provided Close Support Troops for each of the Brigade's 3 Battlegroups, whilst 73 Field Squadron acted as General Support to the Brigade. The regiment was later disbanded in 1993 as a result of the Options for Change.[4]
In 2001, 23 Engineer Regiment was tasked to provide engineer support to the newly formed 16 Air Assault Brigade. The regiment was deployed for Operation Herrick and in September 2009 on their return from Afghanistan the regiment was granted the Freedom of the town of Woodbridge.[5][6] In 2015, the "Parachute" title was officially added to the name, although the unit had already been supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade since its re-establishment, and a new flag was presented to the regiment to mark the occasion.[7][8]
Death of Connor Morrison
editIn 2024, a 20 year old sapper called Connor Morrison of the regiment died from heatstroke at Ipswich Hospital after collapsing during training. None of his squad were carrying water, no attempt was made to cool him down for at least half an hour after he collapsed, and none of his fellow soldiers had undertaken heat illness prevention training.[9][10][11]
Organization
edit- 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment[12]
- 12 Parachute HQ & Support Squadron – includes a dive team and a signal troop[13]
- 9 Parachute Squadron
- 51 Parachute Squadron
- 70 Gurkha Parachute Squadron
- 299 Parachute Squadron (Army Reserve), in Wakefield, Hull and Gateshead[14]
Commanding Officers
editCommanding Officers of the Regiment have included:
- 2015–2017: Lt. Col. J. Clarke
- 2017–2020: Lt. Col. S. Carvel
- 2020–2022: Lt. Col. J. Robinson
- 2022–present: Lt. Col. J. Crossley
References
edit- ^ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Royal Engineers commander working in Helmand praises unit's hometown for support". Ministry of Defence. 28 January 2011.
- ^ "Sutton Heath: Soldier, 20, died in non-operational incident says MOD". BBC News. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889—2018. pp. 222–223.
- ^ "Freedom of the Town of Woodbridge to the 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault)". One Suffolk. Retrieved 9 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "23 Engineer Regiment exercises freedom of Woodbridge". BBC. 8 June 2013.
- ^ "23 Parachute Engineer Regiment Celebrate New Name". Forces TV. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ^ The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889—2018. p. 269.
- ^ "Woodbridge soldier's heatstroke death was avoidable - report". BBC News. 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ "Soldier at Suffolk barracks died of 'natural causes' during record breaking heatwave". East Anglian Daily Times. 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ Williams, Helen (2 March 2024). "Soldier who died from heatstroke may have survived if treated earlier, report says". The Independent. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Royal Engineers Units". British Army. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "Specialist Army Engineer Squadron Restored". Forces Network. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
- ^ "299 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers". British Army. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017.