Historical information

RAEME Corps was first established in 1942 when the Ordnance Corps and the Service Corps were combined. The royal ascent was granted in 1948. The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) is a technical corps tasked with the maintenance of the Army's modern hardware and equipment. RAEME personnel are represented in most Army units. The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers corps motto is ‘Arte et Marte’, which is Latin for ‘With Skill and Fighting’.

This item, was presented to the Council of the Rural City of Wodonga in 1978. RAEME has a long association with Wodonga due to its service at the Bandiana base just outside of Wodonga. The inscription on the side of the base reads: "Presented to the Citizens of the Rural City of Wodonga by the Commanding Officer and members of RAEME Trg Centre on the occasion of the granting of the Freedom of the Rural City of Wodonga to RAEME Trg Centre 21 October 1978

Significance

RAEME Corps has a long association with the city of Wodonga through its involvement in training and logistics at the army base at Bandiana.

Physical description

An award featuring a small model of the cannon "Zamzama" (Captor of Forts) mounted on a polished wooden base. The award includes a plaque outlining the significance of "Zamzama" on the top and another plaque explaining the significance on this award on the front of the base.

Inscriptions & markings

Explanation of "Zamzama" beside cannon: "ZAMZAMA (CAPTOR OF FORTS)/ The original 14' 4 1/2" long, with 9 1/2" bore, was cast in brass in one/ piece by Muslim engineers in the year 1757 on the orders of the/ emperor AHMAD-SHAH-ABDALI. It was used in several battles and/ proved its value as a great weapon of destruction. It soon became to be/ regarded as a "Tallsman of Power" and continued as such until it was/ ruined in 1818 at Multan. Today it is housed in Lahore, where it was/ placed by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh in 1870."