1st Surrey Volunteer Engineers

1st Surrey Volunteer Engineers
Active1861-1863
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchArmy
RoleField Engineering
Garrison/HQSouthwark
PatronMajor-General Sandham RE
Uniform Button - In gilt, within a Laurel Wreath, the Garter inscribed “Surrey Engineers” surmounted by a Crown. Within the Garter, the Royal Cypher (36L & 24L - Makers Mark "Rivet'd & Solder'd")

1st Surrey Volunteer Engineers was an Engineer Volunteer Corps based in Southwark and formed in September 1861.[1][2] by Major WM Hemming[3] and commanded by Maj-Gen Sandham RE,[4] although the Corps had requested General Sir Charles William Pashley, KCB to take command.[1]

The Corps had approximately 200 enrolled members in October 1861[5][6] including a drum and fife band[5] and a company of volunteer firemen to support the London Fire Brigade.[6][7] The headquarters of the corps was at Prospect Place, St George's Road, Southwark.[7]

Their uniform was very similar to that of the Royal Engineers. A scarlet tunic with blue facings, blue trousers with scarlet stripes, black busby, chain, and white belts.[5]

The corps' first public appearance was on 11 January 1862 when a portion of them marched out, accompanied by their drum and fife band under the command of the acting adjutant.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Express (London) - Monday 16 September 1861". Express (London). p. 3.
  2. ^ "Morning Advertiser - Saturday 28 September 1861". Morning Advertiser. p. 5.
  3. ^ "Morning Chronicle - Tuesday 03 December 1861". Morning Chronicle. p. 3.
  4. ^ "South London Chronicle - Saturday 07 December 1861". South London Chronicle. p. 4.
  5. ^ a b c "Morning Chronicle - Saturday 19 October 1861". Morning Chronicle. p. 3.
  6. ^ a b "South London Times and Lambeth Observer - Saturday 26 October 1861". South London Times and Lambeth Observer. p. 2.
  7. ^ a b "Reynolds's Newspaper - Sunday 27 October 1861". Reynolds's Newspaper. p. 3.
  8. ^ "South London Chronicle - Saturday 11 January 1862". South London Chronicle. p. 6.