About the Museum
Throughout the history of REME and its predecessors, hundreds of different makes and types of specialist vehicle have been used in the mobile repair and recovery roles. Many of the vehicles inherited when the Corps was formed soldiered on till long after World War 2. However, newer types, sometimes locally improvised, were utilised. REME built or adapted many trucks and trailers to suit its special needs as well as issuing specifications to have purpose built versions supplied by manufacturers. During World War 2 many US and Canadian built vehicles were also used. When the REME Museum was set up in 1957, only two preserved World War 2 vehicles were available, these stood outside the old museum in Arborfield, vulnerable to vandalism and the affects of weather. Eventually they were sent to a more secure unit in Bordon where they joined various relics either used for training vehicle tradesmen or as ornamental 'gate guards'. By the early 1980s only about half a dozen vehicles actually belonged to the museum and no active policy existed for adding to the collection. A new initiative followed the increase in Museum staff in Arborfield in the early 1980s and the growing interest generally in the preservation of old vehicles. The enthusiasm of serving and ex REME officers and soldiers enabled a more purposeful approach to be made to the enhancement of the vehicle collection. At the same time covered space became available at Bordon to house it. The Ministry of Defence was asked to provide sample vehicles as they came out of service while others were donated by private individuals. The collection has grown enormously over the years and now numbers over 100 vehicles and trailers. Most have some special connection with REME either as repair vehicles or recovery vehicles. Together they form the Historic Vehicle Collection.
Add Comment
Search Box
Related Links
REME Museum 2022 Event Schedule
Date | Event |
---|---|
No events at the moment. |
Get in touch
Use the information below to get in touch with the museum before setting off.
REME Museum Office
- Address: Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield
- Postcode: RG2 9NJ
- Phone: 0118 976 3375
- URL: www.rememuseum.org.uk
Business Hours
- The Museum and Association Shop are Open at the following times: Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 16:30 Friday 9:00 to 16:00 Saturday Closed Sunday 11:00 to 16:00 Bank Holidays Check in advance Closed Christmas and New Year.
MORE AROUND
REME Museum
Within a radius (as the crow flies) of 6 miles:
MORE AROUND RG2
RG1 RG10 RG11 RG13 RG18 RG19 RG26 RG3 RG30 RG31 RG4 RG40 RG41 RG45 RG5 RG6 RG7 RG8August's Historic Southern
The first Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was held in August 1979 and is now one of the largest event in Europe that draws over a 100,000 people each year..Archive SOUTHERNAUTOJUMBLE.CO.UK
Comments