29 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search) Group


The 29 Group, formerly 29 Engineer Brigade, is an engineer formation of the British Army responsible for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search. Its headquarters were at Aldershot, now at Didcot.

History

The brigade had its origins as 29 Engineer Group formed in Glasgow in 1961. It was expanded and became 29th Engineer Brigade in 1967. By 1982, the brigade headquarters moved from Edinburgh to Imphal Barracks York with signals support at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Isby and Kamps wrote that around 1984-85 the brigade consisted of 72 Engineer Regiment, 73 Engineer Regiment, 74 Engineer Regiment and 105 Plant Squadron, with 72 and 73 Regiments supporting 2nd Infantry Division and 74 Regiment supporting 1st Infantry Brigade.
In around 1989, the brigade's units included 71, 72, 73 Engineer Regiments, 105 Plant Squadron, 117 Field Support Squadron, and 873 Movement Lights Squadron. After the Options for Change reforms, the brigade disbanded.
In 1997, the brigade was reformed as 29 Engineer Brigade from the Central Volunteer Headquarters, Royal Engineers. It was given responsibility for administering a series of Specialist Teams Royal Engineers. Its headquarters was established at Aldershot. It had been renamed 29 Engineer Group by 2008 and, because its main capability was Explosive Ordnance Disposal, it had been renamed 29 Group by 2011.

Structure in 1997

The following was the structure when it was reformed as a corps support engineer brigade in 1997:
After reformed as an engineer brigade for the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps, plans were made for the brigade to take under command other units from other ARRC engineer regiments. Therefore, under an operational deployment 101st Engineer Battalion, 5th Engineer Regiment, 6th Engineer Regiment, and A Engineer Company would all fall under its operational control.

Current Organisation

The brigade exists as 29 Group under 8th Engineer Brigade. The structure is as follows:
The group is tasked with " both deployed operations and Homeland Defence. The Group locates and disposes of conventional and improvised explosive threats. It provides technical expertise to ensure that the Army's ammunition is fit for purpose and all forms of Search capability including Military Working Dog support."

Group Commanders

Group Commanders included:
  • 1997–1998: Col. Robert J. Griffiths
  • 1998–2005: Col. John M. Heron
  • 2005–2007: Col. Nigel H.W. Fenn
  • 2007–2008: Col. Stephen P. Hodder
  • 2009–2012: Col. Jonathan A.H. Welch
  • 2012–2017: Col. A. Gareth Bex
  • 2017–2018: Col. Adam D. McRae
  • 2018–2021: Col. Daniel A. Reyland
  • 2021–Present: Col. Brian K. Howard