Agenda item

29 April 2014

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation host a lunchtime reception and Beat Retreat at Guildhall following a service of commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 75^th Anniversary of the formation of the Army’s bomb disposal teams, now 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment, and provide the City with an opportunity to recognise their contribution both during the Second World War and since.

In May 1940 twenty-five Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal (REBD) Units were raised to deal with the threat of unexploded bombs in civilian areas. During the course of World War II and its aftermath, REBD disposed of over 45,000 ordnance bombs and nearly 70,000 butterfly bombs. 55 officers and 567 soldiers gave their lives, over 200 service personnel were injured, and 13 George Crosses and 115 George Medals were awarded.

Successor regiments of REBD, 33 Engineer Regiment and 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) have continued their extremely hazardous work both overseas and domestically. Units have deployed to Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Regiment was deployed recently during the London Olympic Games.

It is anticipated that the guest list for the event would include a Member of the Royal Family, senior military personnel, serving and veteran Royal Engineers, representatives from Livery Companies with connections to the Royal Engineers and representatives from the City’s Privileged Regiments.

We recommend that hospitalitybe granted and that arrangements be left in the hands of the Hospitality Working Party; the cost to be met from City’s Cash, within the approved cost parameters.

(This will be a Full Court event.)

(B) 101 City of London Engineer Regiment

29  April 2014

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation host a lunchtime reception and Beat Retreat at Guildhall following a service of commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Army’s bomb disposal teams, now 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment, and provide the City with an opportunity to recognise their contribution both during the Second World War and since.

In May 1940 twenty-five Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal (REBD) Units were raised to deal with the threat of unexploded bombs in civilian areas. During the course of World War II and its aftermath, REBD disposed of over 45,000 ordnance bombs and nearly 70,000 butterfly bombs. 55 officers and 567 soldiers gave their lives, over 200 service personnel were injured, and 13 George Crosses and 115 George Medals were awarded.

Successor regiments of REBD, 33 Engineer Regiment and 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) have continued their extremely hazardous work both overseas and domestically. Units have deployed to Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Regiment was deployed recently during the London Olympic Games.

It is anticipated that the guest list for the event would include a Member of the Royal Family, senior military personnel, serving and veteran Royal Engineers, representatives from Livery Companies with connections to the Royal Engineers and representatives from the City’s Privileged Regiments.

We recommend that hospitality be granted and that arrangements be left in the hands of the Hospitality Working Party; the cost to be met from City’s Cash, within the approved cost parameters.

(This will be a Full Court event.)

Read and agreed to.