HISTORY OF THE RASC & RCT
With its earliest origins linking to the Commissariat, the RASC and RCT’s predecessors provided food and supplies to Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army.
Our evolution 1794 to 1993
The very first military transport unit, the Corps of Waggoners, was formed in 1794. This evolved into the Royal Waggon Train which served throughout the Napoleonic Wars, notably at the Battle of Waterloo.
Following its disbandment in 1833, there were a number of short-lived organisations such as the Military Train and the Land Transport Corps, but it was not until the formation of the Army Service Corps (ASC) in 1888 that transport and supply support became the responsibility of a well-organised permanent body.
At the outbreak of the First World War, the ASC numbered 6,500 men. By 1918 this number had grown to 325,000 men. In recognition of the ASC’s contribution to the war effort during 1914 to 1918, the Corps was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix and was subsequently known as the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC).
The RCT was formed in 1965 when the RASC’s functions of supply and transport were separated. The RCT became responsible for transport whilst supplies became the responsibility of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
To find out more visit the Medal Collection webpage and the RLC Museum website. Better still visit the Museum and Medal Collection at Worthy Down.
use the arrows to view the full timeline
1794 – 1833
The Royal Waggoners were the first uniformed transport Corps in the British Army. It served in Flanders but was abolished after one year in 1795 before being revived as the Royal Waggon Corps in 1799. This was renamed to the Royal Waggon Train in 1802, which served with distinction in the Peninsular Campaign and at the battle of Waterloo. It was disbanded once more in 1833.
1855 – 1869
The disastrous beginning to the Crimean War highlighted the requirement for organised transport under control of the Army, resulting in the raising of the Land Transport Corps on the 24th January 1855. It gradually improved the logistic situation in the Crimea and was renamed to the Military Train in 1856, establishing a permanent military transport Corps in the British Army.
1888 – 1914
The Army Service Corps
Since the disbandment of the Military Train in 1869, various supply and transport organisations, had been responsible for the supply and transport functions of the Army. In 1888, the Commissariat and Transport Staff and Commissariat and Transport Corps were merged to form the Army Service Corps. It remained as such until after the First World War fulfilling supply, transport and barrack duties under one united Corps.
1914 – 1918
The First World War
At the outbreak of the First World War, the ASC had 6,431 Officers and Other Ranks serving within it. By August 1918, this had grown to 325,881 personnel carrying out supply and transport functions across the globe. This included the supply and transport of over 12,000,000 tons of supplies and stores to the BEF in France alone. In recognition for its service, the ASC was granted a Royal prefix in November 1918 and became the Royal Army Service Corps
1939 – 1945
The Second World War
Throughout the Second World War, the RASC operated in every theatre that the British Army could be found. This included North-West and Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, Burma and many more. Its soldiers provided vital logistics, delivering food, fuel, clothing, water, ammunition and other supplies to soldiers over land, sea and air.
1945 – 1967
Korea, Aden, Kenya, Malaya and the formation of RCT in July 1965
In the period following the end of WWII the RASC continued to be involved in several conflicts around the globe. These included emergencies in Malaya, Aden and Cyprus, the Mau-Mau Uprising in Kenya and the Korean War. The Royal Corps of Transport was formed in July 1965. It took on all the RASC’s transport functions but transferred its responsibility for supplies to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
1969
Northern Ireland
The British Army formally deployed to Northern Ireland in the summer of 1969 in response to the escalating violence, notably ‘The Battle of the Bogside’. Op BANNER lasted for the next 37 years with over 300,000 soldiers deploying over that period. The RCT drove vehicles like the Humber Pig and Saracen APCs but also carried out patrols alongside infantry regiments and continued to provide logistical support.
1982
The Falklands War
On the 2nd April 1982 Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands, followed by South Georgia the following day. A British taskforce sailed to retake the Islands on the 5th April. Many RCT units were involved with Op CORPORATE. 17 Port Regiment RCT used Mexeflotes to move stores ashore using their LSLs. However, Movement Control, JHSU, Port Operators and Air Despatchers all played a vital part in the operation.
1990 – 1991
The Gulf War
The United Kingdom deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of an US -led international coalition in 1990. RCT units provided logistical support to the British 1st Armoured Division in its efforts to liberate Kuwait prior to and after the commencement of hostilities on the 16th January 1991. 17,000 wheeled and tracked vehicles were sent to the Gulf, many of which were driven by the RCT to carry ammunition, armoured vehicles and supplies to wherever they were need.
2025
RCT 60 Celebrations
In 2025 the Association celebrated 60 Years since the formation of the RCT on 15th July 1965. In addition to a National celebration during Corps Weekend, numerous branches held their own commemorative and celebratory events.
The historical record
ROYAL WAGGONERS 1794 – 1795
ROYAL WAGGON CORPS 1799 – 1802
ROYAL WAGGON TRAIN 1802 – 1833
LAND TRANSPORT CORPS 1855 – 1856
MILITARY TRAIN 1856 – 1869
ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1869 – 1881
CONTROL DEPARTMENT AND ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1869 – 1875
COMMISSARIAT AND TRANSPORT
DEPARTMENT AND ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1875 – 1880
COMMISSARIAT AND TRANSPORT STAFF
AND ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1880 – 1881
COMMISSARIAT AND TRANSPORT CORPS 1881 – 1888
ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1888 – 1918
ROYAL ENGINEERS (TRANSPORTATION) 1916 – 1965
ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS 1918 – 1965
ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT 1965 – 1993
See What The RLC Has Been Up To
The Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps