As part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Technical Training Change Programme, all military training at Arborfield and Bordon garrisons, including the REME Museum, will relocate to Lyneham by the end of 2015. Since 1958 the museum has been the epicentre for education about the heritage of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and its technical support to the army.

Museum director Major Rick Henderson said: “It is a double edged sword for us, we have been here since ’58 and the corps has been here since ’42, however the move will be an exciting challenge for us.

“We are looking to make the museum a much more interactive experience, that tells a chronological story of REME’s involvement in the military. We want to make it an immersive experience.” Major Henderson added that it was important to keep the museum running not only to remember what REME had done in the past but to also commemorate the corps’ current military involvement.

Jennifer Allison, museum curator, said: “I think it is a great opportunity for us to design the museum from scratch.” Ms Allison added that the REME story in the new museum will be much more selective, focusing on the important parts of the REME history.

She said: “We would not be so successful if it was not for the support of the local community. They are the ones who keep us going by always coming back to find out more and this is why we wanted to put on an event like today to thank them for all their support over the years and to give us a chance to say goodbye.” From tanks to jacket buttons, more than 100,000 items will be transferred to Lyneham during the move.

As part of the farewell celebrations, children were able to tackle an obstacle course and navigate through a minefield, as well as having their faces painted and getting customised dog tags.

Rose Ross, whose father, Sgt Frank McNamme was one of the REME founders, visited the big bash with her son, Sam, to say a final goodbye.

She said: “I actually got a bit teary when I went into the museum. My father was assigned to the REME as the first intake from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. During the latter part of WWII he served in North Africa with Montgomery’s Eighth Army and went with them up through Italy.

“My son Sam is army barmy and has so enjoyed all the great events that the REME Museum has put on. They have been brilliant and I have enjoyed sharing this part of my heritage with Sam, so a big thank you to the team.” The REME Museum is now closed to the public, as the team packs up ready to move before the end of 2015.