Tyne Electrical Engineers
| Tyne Electrical Engineers, RE | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 September 1860 – present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Territorial Army
|
| Type | Searchlight unit |
| Role | Coast Defence Air Defence |
| Garrison/HQ | Tynemouth |
| Nickname(s) | Tyne Submarine Miners: * Deep-Sea Pitmen * Fish-Quay Lancers * Mussel Shifters Tyne Electrical Engineers: *The Electricals * The Tynes * Suicide Brigade |
| Engagements |
Suakin Expedition World War I * Home Defence * Western Front * Italian Front World War II * Battle of France * Battle of Britain * The Blitz * North African Campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Col Sir Charles Palmer |
The Tyne Electrical Engineers (TEE) is a Volunteer unit of the British Army that has existed under various titles since 1860. It has been the parent unit for a large number of units fulfilling specialist coastal and air defence roles in the Royal Engineers (RE) and Royal Artillery (RA), many seeing service during both World Wars. TEE companies currently form part of the RE and of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Army Reserve.
The 1st Newcastle Engineer Volunteers (EV) was raised at company strength in Newcastle upon Tyne during the first enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement engendered by the invasion scare of 1859; its officers' commissions were dated 1 September 1860. The first volunteers came from Armstrong's engineering works at Elswick. The company was attached for administrative purposes to the 1st Newcastle upon Tyne Rifle Volunteer Corps.
Eight years later another unit was formed at Jarrow on the opposite (County Durham) bank of the River Tyne. The 1st Durham EV was raised and commanded by Charles Palmer (1822–1907), founder of Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company and later the first mayor and Member of Parliament for Jarrow. The 1st Durham initially comprised six companies and Palmer was commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant.
By 1874 the Newcastle (1 Company) and Durham (8 Companies) units were united into the 1st Durham Administrative Battalion EV, consolidated in 1880 as the 1st Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham EV, with Palmer as commanding officer and an establishment of 1300 men.
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