25 (Close Support) Engineer Group (United Kingdom)

Headquarters, Royal Engineers 3rd (United Kingdom) Division is a engineering group of the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers. The group was first formed to support Eastern Command but was disbanded following the 1957 Defence White Paper. The group was later reformed in 2018 to support the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division.

TA and AER
In 1948, following the re-constitution of the Territorial Army, the 25th Engineer Group was formed. This new groups's task was to control the engineer units formed within or assigned to Eastern Command's HQ. After formation, the group had the following structure;


 * Group Headquarters in Colchester
 * 120th Construction Regiment (V), Gravesend
 * 122nd Field Engineer Regiment (V), Cambridge
 * 134th Construction Regiment (V), Colchester

Following the group's formation, the units based within it were tasked with the same tasks as their "semi-paired" regular engineer regiments. The 129th and 134th tasked with construction duties supporting the civilian populations and RAF, and the 122nd supporting the HQ of Eastern Command for deployment duties and training. In 1950, the 129th Construction Regiment was disbanded and not replaced. Finally in 1957, following the 1957 Defence White Paper, the group was disbanded.

In 1957, following the disbandment of the former 25th Engineer Group of the TA, a new engineering group of the same number was formed within the army emergency reserve. After formation, the group had the following structure;


 * Group Headquarters
 * 116th Army Engineer Regiment
 * 129th Plant Park Regiment
 * 251st Construction Regiment
 * 570 Army Park Squadron

The group was finally disbanded in 1961, following the disbandment of the Army Emergency Reserve.

Army 2020 and Today
In 2014, following the Army 2020 reforms, the group was reconstituted by re-designation of 3rd Division Engineer Group, and placed under control of the 8th Engineer Brigade. This new group controlled the five close support engineer regiments; 21, 22, 26, 32, and 35 regiments. In 2016, following the Army 2020 Refine, the group was reduced to three units; 22, 26, and 35 engineer regiments. Also as part of the re-designation, the group was moved under direct control of the 3rd (UK) Division.

Following this move, the group is officially known as Headquarters, Royal Engineers 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, but operationally still referred to as 25 (Close Support) Engineer Group. After the Army 2020 Refine, the group now has the following structure (Volunteer units have RHQ shown);


 * Group Headquarters at Gibraltar Barracks [Supporting HQ 3 (UK) Division]
 * The Royal Monmouthshire Militia [Engineers] (V), Monmouth Castle [Supporting HQ 3 (UK) Division]
 * Jersey Militia Field Squadron (V), Jersey
 * 21 Engineer Regiment, Claro Barracks [Supporting 1 STK Brigade] (Close Support Engineers)
 * 103 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Field Squadron (V), Newcastle
 * 22 Engineer Regiment, Swinton Barracks [Supporting 12 AI Brigade] (Armoured Engineers)
 * 26 Engineer Regiment, Swinton Barracks [Supporting 20 AI Brigade] (Armoured Engineers)
 * 32 Engineer Regiment, Marne Barracks [Supporting 2 STK Brigade] (Close Support Engineers)
 * 106 (West Riding) Field Squadron (V), Bailey Barracks

Following this refine, the group now has all of the close support and armoured engineers under its disposal to support HQ, 3rd (UK) Division. The group is also moved under the full tactical command of 3 (UK) Division, and no longer under 8 Engineer Brigade.