562 Parachute Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=562 Parachute Squadron RCT (v)


caption=Corps Badge
dates=1947-1978
country=United Kingdom
allegiance=
branch=British Army
role=Logistic Support 44 Para Bde
size= Sqn Hq, 3 Task Troops, REME LAD, RAOC Platoon
command_structure=
current_commander=
garrison=Sqn HQ - Southall Middlesex
A Troop - West Ham
B Troop - Dulwich
motto="Nil Sine Labore" (Nothing Without Labour) (Latin)
ceremonial_chief=HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Drop Zone Flash
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=Arm Badge Parachute Wings

562 Parachute Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers) was a minor unit that supported 44th Parachute Brigade (V)

Organisation

In the UK in 1948 the newly reformed Territorial Army included 16 Airborne Division with its HQ in London.The HQ of the Divisional Column RASC was at Southall, Middlesex co-located with 562 Coy RASC. The other two Companies were 560 at Tottenham and 561 at Uxbridge. The CO and Adjutant were regular officers: the RSM, permanent staff instructors and a small cadre of drivers were regular soldiers. All other posts were filled by TA volunteers. The organisation of these companies was similar to the regular Company except that they were on war establishment and had a smaller composite platoon. The Parachute course for the TA was compressed into two weeks to meet their limited training availability, but included the 8 qualifying jumps.

Timeline

1947 Formation
*560 Para Company RASC (v) Based in Tottenham North London.
*561 Para Company RASC (v) Based in Vine Street Uxbridge Middlesex.
*562 Para Company RASC (v) Based in Southall Middlesex.The Southall site was this units HQ and where its Light Aid Detachment and Command structure were based.
*395 Air Despatch Troop RASC (v) Based in Coulsdon Surrey.

In 1965 there was a general re-organisation of the British Army Corps structure which led to the Royal Army Service Corps losing certain responsibilities and becoming the Royal Corps of Transport. At the same time there were important changes to the formation of this unit.

1965
*560 and 561 Para Coy's were disbanded.
*562 Coy was renamed 562 Parachute Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers)A Troop was also created and sited in East London at West Ham.The Royal Army Ordnance Corps was formed on the demise of the Royal Army Service Corps. As there was a requirement for trained soldiers in the RAOC role a platoon (See potted history of this sub unit below) was also created and based at the Southall site alongside the Squadrons command element (HQ Troop) C Troop and at the same time the LAD was upgraded to workshop with its strength and equipment tables improved.(Again see potted history of this sub unit below)

1967
*B Troop was raised and sited at the Drill Hall in Lordship Lane Dulwich. Some of their numbers transferred in from 395 Air Despatch Squadron RCT (v)

1971
*395 Air Despatch Troop RCT (v) was relocated to Bristol (RAF Lynham). 562 then lost all responsibility for this unit which ultimately became independent. This also saw the final re-organisation of this Squadron and it retained this structure until it was re-roled in 1978.

Final Orbat
*562 Parachute Squadron Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers)
*HQ Troop, C Troop, Combat Supps Platoon, REME Workshop all based at the Drill Hall Southall Middlesex.
*A Troop was based in The Cedars Drill Hall West Ham.
*B Troop was based at the Drill Hall Lordship Lane Dulwich.

The squadron was commanded by a Major and was established along traditional lines with a Captain 2ic. Other Captains held other appointments Transport Control officer being only one. The troops were usually commanded by a Lieutenant with a SSgt as 2ic. The REME workshop was commanded by either a Lieutenant or Captain with a Warrant Officer Class Two who held the appointment of AQMS as 2ic. HQ troop was of course the nerve centre organisationally of the unit where the Squadron Sergeant Major and Chief Clerk amongst other appointments were to be found.As an independent TA squadron there were also a number or regular army soldiers posted to the establishment of the Squadron. There primary role was to advise the command elements in training matters and ensuring the unit retained its fully trained operational status. These soldiers were known as Permanent Staff Instructors (PSI’s).
*Officer Commanding Major could either be a regular or TA soldier.
*WO2PSI (Training Responsibility)
*SSGT Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant (Maintenance of weapons and stores)
*SSGT Chief Clerk (Admin and Documentation)
*WO2/SSGT REME (Training Responsibility for the Workshop)

This units role was logistical support to 44 Para Brigade TA. When 562 Para Sqn was disbanded it was the last TA RCT squadron left in the Parachute role so its demise ended an era which began on the express orders of Winston Churchill in 1940.This squadron was survived by its regular army counterpart 63 Para Sqn RCT which continued to retain a Parachute role post 1978.On the demise of 44 Para Brigade in 1978 this unit was renamed 562 Sqn Royal Corps of Transport (v) and taken under the command of 151 (Greater London) Transport Regiment RCT (v). This event led to significant numbers of the unit transferring to other TAunits that retained a Parachute role 10 Para as being local to London being far the most popular.

History of 562 Para Combat Supplies Platoon

This unit was formed after reorganization from the R.A.S.C. to R.C.T. It is descended from the Composite companies in 16 Airborne Division and 562 Parachute Coy R.A.S.C. T.A. These units supplied ammunition, fuel, composite rations, fresh meat, bread, and vegetables to the front line. Thus, anyone who was a butcher, baker or greengrocer and could be Para trained would be selected to serve. The Airborne was no different except for the fact that every thing they needed had to be delivered by air or sourced locally from the indigenous population when on the ground as supplies by road could not be guaranteed.

The re badging parade was held at Plasterdown Camp in July 1967 The unit was badged as R.A.O.C. in line with the current M.O.D. policy at the time that all Army transport would be administered by the newly formed R.C.T.. 562 Para Parachute Combat Supplies Platoon R.O.A.C. was born and would now be responsible for supplying all combat supplies (ammunition, fuel, and rations) to 44 Parachute Brigade’s fighting echelons. Personnel with the relevant civilian trade experience were all Para trained and later they were to have acquired rigging skills on Medium and Heavy Stressed Platforms at J.A.T.E. Watchfield. Their main function was to set Distribution Points (DPs) for Combat Supplies to the rear of the Airborne fighting echelons. The stores would then be collected by the “Q” reps of each unit on the ground this included setting up re fuelling facilities for heliborne exercises. This unit also had another function; When the Brigade was in a static location they would be required to provide a source of high quality fresh meat, vegetables, and other foodstuffs from local suppliers so as to feed the paratroopers on the ground. This would mean that they would have to identify fresh vegetable suppliers, local baking and slaughtering facilities and if necessary bring them up to the required military standard using existing civilian labour There was a case where this happened when 44 Parachute Brigade went to Cyprus on “Ex New Venture” 562 Parachute Combat Supplies RAOC were tasked to visit the local meat supplier to the UNCYP Forces based on the island. Sgt Dalton, Corporals Preston and Laing who are all qualified Master Butchers in civilian life were on hand to advise on the latest slaughtering techniques and meat preparation which included sausage making This was very much appreciated by UNICYP especially the British contingent.

Key Personalities

History of 562 Parachute Squadron Workshop REME (V)

Until 1965, when the Royal Army Service Corps became the Royal Corps of Transport, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers element within 562 Parachute Company comprised a Light Aid Detachment, located in the Workshop area of the Drill Hall at Southall Middlesex.This unit had responsibility for first line recovery/repairs only and was manned accordingly.In 1965 the establishment and scale of equipment for 562 Workshop element was increased with responsibility given for second line repairs.

This gave rise to the change of title from Light Aid Detachment to Workshop, still based at Southall.Because 16 Para Brigade retained its full Workshop within 1 Para Log Regiment, 562 became the only Parachute Squadron Workshop in the British Army with a unique establishment and role.The only other REME formation in 44 Brigade was a Parachute Platoon of 133 Field Workshop [REME] (V) based in Coventry. Other REME personnel in the Brigade comprised attached personnel.

The workshop was established with a Captain commanding, WO2 AQMS as 2I/C with six other senior ranks including a Sergeant Storeman. The Permanent Staff Instructor was a Regular Para trained WO2 Artificer until 1975 when a Para trained SSGT Artisan was posted in.

During the seventies, the Workshop regularly took part in Exercise Southern Craftsman (the annual REME fitness for role/field engineering competition) and won on three occasions. Workshop personnel also took part in a number of Competitions, representing 562 Squadron including Nijmegen Marches, Courage Trophy, AESOR and Chichester March.

Major Units of 44 Para Brigade were:
* 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment - HQ Pudsey with Companies in Liverpool, Oldham, Gateshead and Norton
* 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment - HQ White City, London with Companies in White City, Finchley, Croydon and Aldershot
* 15th (Scottish Volunteer) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment - HQ Glasgow with Companies in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh

Other Minor Units of 44 Para Brigade were:
* 289 Parachute Battery, Royal Horse Artillery (V) - East Ham (this unit left the Brigade in 1977 when it converted to 289 Commando Battery (V), Royal Artillery)
* 131 Independent Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers (V - HQ London with Troops in Birmingham, Hull and Grangemouth (In 1978 this became 131 Independent Commando Squadron (V) Royal Engineers)
* 44 Parachute Brigade Signal Troop, Royal Signals (V) - Chelsea
* 16th (Volunteer) Independent Company, The Parachute Regiment - Lincoln
* 144 Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (V) - HQ London with detachments in Nottingham, Glasgow and Cardiff
* 44 Parachute Ordnance Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (V) - Heston
* 1 Parachute Provost Platoon, Royal Military Police (V) - Tulse Hill

ee also

*United Kingdom Special Forces
*British Army
*Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army

External links and sources

* [http://www.waggoners.co.uk/ RCT Members Association.]
* [http://www.waggoners.co.uk/wbsitesound/anthem.wav RCT Regimental March]