On Saturday 25th March 2000 at Shepherdswell near Dover, Kent, Locomotive 427 stood resplendent with polished Brass Plates named "9th FIELD SQUADRON ROYAL ENGINEERS", the culmination of work by Chris Smith (East Kent Railway Member) a Grandson of a veteran Old Comrade. Original (somewhat tattered) Flags with Squadron White Horse Logo, preserved for nearly 60 years, covered the nameplates.

Paul LIewellyn, group secretary of South East Locomotive Group, opened the proceedings and welcomed everyone to the East Kent Railway. Chris Smith followed on and explained how this ceremony came to be and wished everyone a most enjoyable afternoon.

The unveiling was by the Association Chairman Maj. Geoff N. Giddings MC. closely followed by the traditional breaking of Champagne Bottle, performed by Mrs Toot Giddings. Present were the last few Old Comrades, wearing OCA ties and Service Medals who were accompanied by Relatives & Friends. Following the Ceremony the party boarded a Train refurbished by the East Kent Railway. The carriages pulled by "Spitfire", (the E.K.R steam Loco) and pushed by the newly named Ex Army Diesel made a short journey up the Line and back. Site Buffet Car served refreshments with background of happy reminiscing.

The 9th Field Squadron was founded in the summer of 1940 to be one of the Royal Engineer Units of the 8th Armoured Division. After months of arduous Training in Crowborough, East Sussex, it sailed in convoy via Cape Town to join the Eighth Army in Egypt. On landing, Tobruk had just fallen. The Division did not survive the heavy fighting of the Battle of El Alamein. The Field Squadron, however, battled across North Africa, clearing deadly Mines and providing water supply points until the German Africa Corps was defeated.

1943/44 it was brought back to UK, to be confronted with the task of clearance of obstacles from Sword Beach, Normandy on D-Day. It continued with Assault Bridging and roadwork through France, Belgium and Holland.

The date for this Unveiling Ceremony was fixed near the Anniversary of the forced crossing of the River Rhine when the Squadron Storm Boats carried across the Gordon Highlanders. Important tasks of clearing demolished bridges to facilitate renewal of Barge Traffic and the building of new bridges for road transport, were undertaken as Occupation Troops in Germany.

The Field Squadron was disbanded in November 1945 and founded the OCA. But the numbers of our Old Comrades are of course dwindling; and soon the only Memorial to these exploits will be the Brass nameplates on Locomotive 427.

Locomotive "427" is owned by the 'South East Locomotive Group' who own several Locomotives at the East Kent Railway.

427, a Ruston and Hornsby 0-6-0 type LSSH - 275 H.P diesel hydraulic Shunter was built in 1961. The Loco was purchased by the group in March 1998 and has been refurbished and repainted into full Military livery by the group for this very special event today.