15 Squadron RE The 15 Field Squadron is a Field Squadron of the Royal Engineers of the British Army based in Ripon which has a long and distinguished history . Summary . The current title of this unit is 15 Field Squadron ( Search ) and it is located at Claro Barracks , Ripon . 15 Field Squadron ( Search ) is a specialist counter - IED search squadron , part of 36 Engineer Regiment ( Search ) , which itself comes under command of 29 EOD & Search Group , under control of 8 Force Engineer Brigade . Whilst it is co - located in Claro Barracks , Ripon , alongside 21 Engineer Regiment , its own Regimental Headquarters is 36 Engineer Regiment ( Search ) located in Maidstone , Kent . The Squadron is one of only five specialist search squadrons within the UK Armed Forces and is at the forefront of the fight to defeat improvised explosive device ( IED ) threat to forces deployed on operations . When not conducting search operations , it retains the capability to conduct the full range of specialist military engineer support . Prior to its current role , the Squadron was a Field Support Squadron role supporting 3 ( UK ) Divisional Engineer Group . As a Field Support Squadron its role was focused on the management and delivery of specialist military engineer logistic support . One of its most notable members , Lt Philip Neame , is the only holder of both the Victoria Cross and Olympic Gold Medal . Squadron badge . The Squadron ' s unit badge is the Native American Indian Chieftain ' s head , with XV imprinted in the middle , denoting 15 Squadron . Whilst its actual origins are unknown , it is believed to represent its early work in Canada , where it was sent as part of the military construction force to build the Rideau Canal . Squadron history . The Royal Warrant of 27 April 1825 authorised the formation of a Service Company of the Royal Sappers and Miners for service at Portsmouth . After training at Chatham , the new Company , the 15th , moved to Portsmouth . Since its formation 15 Squadron has been amalgamated and disbanded many times , only to be reformed ready to take on a new roles . Its history is one that includes service in almost all of the United Kingdom ' s major conflicts over a period of history spanning nearly 190 years . Rideau Canal . On 26 March 1827 a Royal Warrant was issued that ordered the augmentation of two Companies of 81 men each for works on the Rideau Canal . The officer commanding the 15th was Captain Victor . When the Company was up to strength it sailed on the transport ship " Southworth " and landed in Canada in 1 June 1827 . The Rideau Canal was to run between the Ottawa River Kingston . It was to provide a link between Upper and Lower Canada that would secure it from attack by the United States , Lt Col John By RE was selected to carry out the project , and , by the spring of 1827 , had completed his survey of the proposed route and had got it approved by the Earl of Dalhousier ’ s land beside the Ottawa river . This settlement was named Bytown and the project headquarters was set up there . 15 Company lived in a barracks at Bytown on the present site of the Ottawa Parliament buildings . Sadly , during the construction of the canal , 21 members of the Squadron perished . Lt Col By , the designer of the canal , is quoted as saying to the Governor General of Canada : " " I have the honour to report that I find the greater part of Captain Victors ’ [ 15th ] Company such intelligent and well instructed men , that they are of the greatest use to me " " . Previous unit titles . 15 Squadron has undergone many transformations during its service , this is a list of all known titles used in its history . Operational history . First World War . 15th Field Company , part of 8th Division , commanded by Captain PK Betty . Served on the Somme from July to November 1916 . 15th Field Company participated in the Battle of Asine ( 27 May to 2 June 1918 ) , where it suffered heavy casualties . Took part in the attack on Neuve Chapelle ( March , 1915 ) supporting 24th Brigade . List of Battles which 15 Squadron RE participated in : Second World War . Participated in D - Day as part of 3rd British Division , landing on Sword Beach , commanded by Major HC Dykes . List of Battles which 15 Squadron RE participated in : Ripon . Both the Corps of Royal Engineers and 15 Squadron have a long relationship with the city of Ripon , North Yorkshire . 15 Sqn first arrived in the city in December 1958 following its deployment to Christmas Island supporting nuclear - weapons testing that was conducted on the Islands . It arrived as part of the re - location of 38 Corps Engineer Regiment ( which included 48 and 63 Field Squadrons , and later 12 Squadron ) . In 1964 the Squadron was tasked with leveling of the ground for a new cemetery in Ripon . Notable members of the Squadron . Philip Neame VC < br > The Squadron ' s most famous member who on 18 December 1914 won the Victoria Cross during the First World War as Lieutenant in 15th Field Company . He later went on to reach the rank of Lieutenant General in the British Army and is the only Victoria Cross recipient to ever win an Olympic Gold medal , which he achieved in the 1924 Olympic Games . The citation for his Victoria Cross said : " " For conspicuous bravery on the 19th December 1914 near Neuve Chapelle , when notwithstanding the very heavy rifle fire and bomb throwing by the enemy , he succeeded in holding them back and rescuing all the wounded men whom it was possible to move " " He was decorated with the VC by HM King George V at Windsor Castle on 19 July 1915 . In 2012 , the Squadron deployed a Troop to provide personnel as a venue security force for the 2012 London Olympic Games . In honour of Philip Neame ' s achievement , this troop is named Neame Troop and is commanded by a Royal Engineer Lieutenant . Honours and awards . The following is a list of honours and awards earned by members of the Squadron .