The division included a Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) column, which came into existence on 1 January, though recruiting did not open until 1 May.

The War Office announced that 16th Abn Div (TA) would disband the following year and be replaced by a single parachute brigade.

1956 In October, 44th Independent Parachute Brigade Group (TA) was created, with headquarters at The Duke of York's HQ, Chelsea, London SW3.

On the demise of the RASC, there had still been a requirement for a combat supplies function to provide ammunition, fuel and rations to 44 Parachute Brigade (V).

This platoon was based at Southall and manned by RAOC Territorial Army soldiers trained in that particular role (see potted history of this sub unit below).

The REME workshop was commanded by either a captain or subaltern with a warrant officer class two, who held the appointment of artificer quartermaster sergeant (AQMS), as 2I/C.

These units supplied ammunition, fuel, composite rations, fresh meat, bread, and vegetables to the front line.

The Airborne was no different except for the fact that every thing they needed had to be delivered by air or sourced locally from the indigenous population when on the ground as supplies by road could not be guaranteed.

Personnel with the relevant civilian trade experience were all Para trained and, later, they were to have acquired rigging skills on Medium and Heavy Stressed Platforms at J.A.T.E.

This unit also had another function: when the brigade was in a static location, it would be required to provide a source of high quality fresh meat, vegetables, and other foodstuffs from local suppliers so as to feed the paratroopers on the ground.

This would mean that they would have to identify fresh vegetable suppliers, local baking and slaughtering facilities and, if necessary, bring them up to the required military standard using existing civilian labour.

562 Parachute Combat Supplies RAOC was tasked to visit the local meat supplier to the UNCYP Forces based on the island.

Sgt Dalton, Corporals Preston and Laing (who are all qualified Master Butchers in civilian life) were on hand to advise on the latest slaughtering techniques and meat preparation, which included sausage making.

Until 1965, when the RASC became the RCT, the REME within 562 Parachute Company comprised a light aid detachment, located in the workshop area of the drill hall at Southall Middlesex.

During the 1970s, the workshop regularly took part in Exercise Southern Craftsman (the annual REME fitness for role/field engineering competition) and won on three occasions.