Description

This painting was created with the aim to bring together and depict some of the historic aspects of 26 Armoured Engineer Squadron which is illustrated by the unit’s insignia of the original Arms of the Royal Board of Ordnance.

It was in 1916, that year of hideous causalities in France. King George V was making one of his periodic visits to the Western Front when he noticed two Sappers who gave him a smart salute. He said to them “I see you are from the Royal Engineers” “No sir” they replied “we are from 26”. His Majesty was delighted by this reply since, he said, it showed and excellent Esprit de Corps. He therefore gave instructions that all members of 26 Field Company should wear the number 26 on their uniform. Certainly during the Second World War, 26 Assault Squadron was the only unit in the Corps of Royal Engineers, and possibly the only one in the whole Army, that was permitted to wear its number on its shoulder badges.

The painting depicts Nothe Fort in the background which is located in Weymouth and built by 26 Field Company as part of Britain’s development of Coastal Defences in 1862. From the fort flies the Squadron Crest.

The vehicles depicted are used in it’s historic assault and armoured roles. The left vehicle being callsign One Charlie, the Churchill AVRE (Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers) which was the leading AVRE of 26 Assault Squadron who supported the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade in the initial landings on the coast of Normandy and was first ashore on the 6th June 1944. In 1976, One Charlie which was buried in the beaches, was recovered, cleaned, rebuilt and restored and now stands as a memorial near the landing area.

The right hand vehicle is the Titan AVLB (Armoured Vehicle Launch Bridge) which is derived from the British built Challenger 2 Battle Tank.

Original Image Courtesy: Collage created by Eric Erkan Shevket