British Commando Royal Engineers Patch 59 Squadron Herrick XIV

British Army 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers Patch Operation Herrick XIV 3 Commando Brigade Afghanistan 2011

Thus British Commando Royal Engineers 59 Commando patch is embroidered on twill merrowed edge 77mm three inches diameter.

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Patch Description

This original 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers patch was produced for Operation Herrick XIV, the 2011 deployment of 3 Commando Brigade to Afghanistan. Embroidered on olive drab twill with a merrowed edge, the subdued design was intended for operational wear in the Afghan theatre.

The badge features the inscription “OP HERRICK XIV” together with “59” and the Roman numeral III, representing the Squadron’s role within 3 Commando Brigade. The central commando dagger symbolises the unit’s elite status as Royal Engineers who have successfully completed the demanding All Arms Commando Course and earned the coveted Green Beret.

Originally formed as 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers on 1 April 1971, the Squadron provides specialist combat engineering support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. Its highly trained engineers undertake mobility, counter-mobility and survivability tasks including mine clearance, demolitions, bridge construction, route development and obstacle breaching in support of amphibious and expeditionary operations.

Before Afghanistan, the Squadron had seen operational service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, Northern Iraq during Operation Haven, Kosovo, Operation Telic in Iraq and humanitarian operations following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. On 1 April 2008 the unit became 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers as part of the newly formed 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers.

During Operation Herrick XIV in 2011, 59 Commando Squadron deployed with 3 Commando Brigade to Helmand Province, supporting British and coalition forces. Engineers constructed and maintained patrol bases, improved mobility across difficult terrain, cleared explosive hazards and enabled infantry operations throughout the deployment.

Operational deployment patches from Operation Herrick are increasingly sought after by collectors of British Army, Royal Engineers and Afghanistan campaign memorabilia, particularly those associated with Commando-qualified units.

History of 59 Squadron

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers was formed at Stonehouse Barracks Plymouth on 1 April 1971 on the redesignation of 59 Field Squadron Royal Engineers to provide Army engineer support with Commando trained engineers attached to 3 Commando Brigade.  The Squadron relocated to Crownhill Fort Plymouth later in 1971.

The first fully trained Royal Engineer Commandos were Condor Troop receiving their Green Berets on 4 October 1971 and moved to Arbroath Scotland to train with 45 Commando Group on 5 October 1971. Immediately put on very short notice to join 45 Commando operationally Condor Troop deployed as part of 45 Commando Group to Belfast Northern Ireland on 15 October 1971 returning to Arbroath on 8 January 1972. Condor Troop remained in Arbroath attached to 45 Commando.

The Squadron became fully trained in cold weather warfare with annual exercises in Norway for extreme cold environment training. In addition the Squadron trains for operations in mountains desert and jungle environments.

The Squadron consists of a Headquarters element a parachute trained reconnaissance troop which deploys with 3 Commando Brigade recce BRF to identify engineering tasks 3 field troops to carry out combat engineering tasks a support troop and a REME workshop.

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers as a key element of 3 Commando Brigade undertook tours in Northern Ireland to Antrim 24 July to 21 November 1972 Antrim again 20 March to 24 July 1974 without 2 Troop Castledillon 12 February to 11 June 1976 and to Castledillon again 10 June to 23 October 1980

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers engaged in combat operations during Operation Corporate the retaking of the Falklands Islands 5 April to 11 July 1982 returning to the Falkland Islands May to September 1984. Condor Troop relocated from Arbraoth to Crownhill Fort Plymouth in April 1987. The Squadron deployed to Northern Iraq for Operation Haven in May 1991 to provide protection and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees fleeing oppression by Saddam Hussein’s forces during the aftermath of the first Persian Gulf War returning in July 1991.

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers relocated to RMB Chivenor in 1995 and undertook a tour in Northern Ireland in 1998. Elements deployed to Kosovo under KFOR on Operation Agricola IV in 2000. The Squadron deployed to the Arabian Gulf for combat operations on Operation Telic 1 assisting with the attack to capture Al Faw Peninsula April 2003. The Squadron has also provided humanitarian support following disasters worldwide including the Kashmir Earthquake 2005. Combat operations were undertaken with deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Herrick V from October 2006 to April 2007.

59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers was redesignated 59 Commando Squadron and became part of the new 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers on 1 April 2008 activated at RMB Chivenor.

Combat operations continued with 3 Commando Brigade deployments to Afghanistan for Operation Herrick IX November 2008 to April 2009 and Herrick XIV May to October 2011. The Squadron continues its humanitarian disaster support including Operation Ruman in the Caribbean following Hurricane Irma September 2017.

This patch dates from 2011 Op Herrick XIV Afghanistan deployment.

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