in september 1940 the kfre was organised into 582 and 583 army field companies and joined by 584 (from the suffolk fortress re) and 297 field park company (a london re unit) to form kent corps troops royal engineers (ctre). after helping the construction of coastal defences against the anticipated german invasion, and clearing up and making safe bomb damage in london, the new unit was moved to a camp near portadown, northern ireland as iii (kent) ctre. the time was spent on training exercises and assisting in belfast after the city had been bombed.