View source for Royal Engineers (UK)

{{short description|Engineering arm of the British Army}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Corps of Royal Engineers
| image                         = RE grad.png
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Insignia of the Corps of Royal Engineers
| dates                         = 1716–present
| country                       = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| type                          = 
| role                          = 
| size                          = 22 [[Regiment]]s
| command_structure             = [[Commander Field Army]]
| garrison                      = [[Brompton Barracks|Chatham]], [[Kent]]
| commander1                    = [[King Charles III]]
| commander1_label              = Colonel-in-Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = Colonel Richard Hawkins
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Corps Colonel
| ceremonial_chief              = Lieutenant General [[Christopher Tickell|Sir Christopher Tickell]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Chief Royal Engineer
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = {{lang|la|Ubique}} and {{lang|la|Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt}} ("Everywhere" and "Where Right And Glory Lead"; in Latin {{wikt-lang|la|fas}} implies "sacred duty")<ref name=motto>{{London Gazette|issue=18952|page=1583|date=10 July 1832}}</ref>
| colors                        = 
| march                         = ''Wings'' (Quick march)
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = 
| notable_commanders            = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Royal Engineers TRF.svg|120px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Tactical recognition flash]]
| website                       = {{Official URL}}
}}
{{British Army Arms}}
The '''Corps of Royal Engineers''', usually called the '''Royal Engineers''' ('''RE'''), and commonly known as the ''[[Sapper]]s'', is the engineering arm of the [[British Army]]. It provides [[military engineer]]ing and other technical support to the British Armed Forces and is headed by the [[Chief Royal Engineer]]. The Corps Headquarters and the [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] are in [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]] in Kent, England. The corps is divided into several regiments, barracked at various places in the [[United Kingdom]] and around the world.

==History==
[[File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H39321.jpg|left|thumb|190px|Royal Engineers embarking on a ship for [[Normandy]], 9 June 1944]]
[[File:Royal Engineers recruitment poster 1890.JPG|thumb|upright|Royal Engineers recruitment poster]]
The Royal Engineers trace their origins back to the military engineers brought to England by [[William the Conqueror]], specifically [[Gundulf of Rochester|Bishop Gundulf]] of [[Rochester Cathedral]], and claim over 900 years of unbroken service to the crown. Engineers have always served in the armies of the Crown; however, the origins of the modern corps, along with those of the [[Royal Artillery]], lie in the [[Board of Ordnance]] established in the 15th century.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Royal Engineers|url=http://www.masonslivery.org/Masons/media/PDFfiles/2-5-2-1-A-BRIEF-HISTORY-OF-THE-CORPS-OF-ROYAL-ENGINEERS-v3.pdf|publisher=The Masons Livery Company|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305045908/http://www.masonslivery.org/Masons/media/PDFfiles/2-5-2-1-A-BRIEF-HISTORY-OF-THE-CORPS-OF-ROYAL-ENGINEERS-v3.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In [[Woolwich]] in 1716, the Board formed the Royal Regiment of Artillery and established a ''[[Royal Military Academy, Woolwich|Corps of Engineers]]'', consisting entirely of [[commissioned officer]]s. The manual work was done by the ''Artificer Companies'', made up of contracted civilian artisans and labourers. In 1772, a ''Soldier Artificer Company'' was established for service in [[Gibraltar]], the first instance of [[non-commissioned officer|non-commissioned]] military engineers. In 1787, the Corps of Engineers was granted the ''Royal'' prefix, and adopted its current name; in the same year, a ''Corps of Royal Military Artificers'' was formed, consisting of non-commissioned officers and [[private (rank)|privates]], to be led by the Royal Engineers. Ten years later, the Gibraltar company (which had remained separate) was absorbed, and in 1812 the unit's name was changed to the ''Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners''.<ref name=history/>

The Corps has no [[Battle honours of the British and Imperial Armies|battle honour]]s. In 1832, the regimental [[motto]], ''Ubique'' & ''Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt'' ("Everywhere" & "Where Right And Glory Lead"; in Latin ''fas'' implies "sacred duty") was granted.<ref name=motto/> The motto signified that the Corps had seen action in all the major conflicts of the British Army and almost all of the minor ones as well.<ref>British Army Website: [http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/history/653.aspx Corps of Royal Engineers Badges and Emblems] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622224928/http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/history/653.aspx |date=22 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>Anon (1916) ''Regimental Nicknames and Traditions of the British Army''. 5th Ed. London: [[Gale and Polden]] Ltd. p. 36</ref>

In 1855, the Board of Ordnance was abolished, and authority over the Royal Engineers, Royal Sappers and Miners and Royal Artillery was transferred to the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Forces]], thus uniting them with the rest of the Army. The following year, the Royal Engineers and Royal Sappers and Miners became a unified corps as the ''Corps of Royal Engineers'', and their headquarters were moved from the [[Royal Arsenal]], Woolwich, to [[Chatham, Kent]].<ref name=history/>

The re-organisation of the British military that began in the mid-Nineteenth Century and stretched over several decades included the reconstitution of the [[Militia (Great Britain)|Militia]], the raising of the [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer Force]], and the ever-closer organisation of the part-time forces with the regular army.<ref>War Office Circular, 12 May 1859, published in ''The Times'', 13 May.</ref> The old Militia had been an infantry force, other than the occasional employment of Militiamen to man artillery defences and other roles on an emergency basis. This changed in 1861, with the conversion of some units to artillery roles. Militia and Volunteer Engineering companies were also created, beginning with the conversion of the militia of [[Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers|Anglesey]] and [[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers|Monmouthshire]] to engineers in 1877. The Militia and Volunteer Force engineers supported the regular Royal Engineers in a variety of roles, including the [[Submarine Mining Service]] operating the boats required to tend the submarine mine defences that protected harbours in Britain and its empire. These included a submarine mining militia company that was authorised for Bermuda in 1892, but never raised, and the [[Bermuda Volunteer Engineers]] that wore Royal Engineers uniforms and replaced the regular Royal Engineers companies withdrawn from the [[Bermuda Garrison]] in 1928.<ref>''Army Notes''. Royal United Services Institution Journal, Volume 73, Issue 490, 1928</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1928/mar/08/army-estimates-1928|date=8 March 1928|title=ARMY ESTIMATES, 1928.  |website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]}}</ref> The various part-time reserve forces were amalgamated into the [[Territorial Force]] in 1908,<ref>Tony Mason and Eliza Ried, Sport and the Military: The British Armed Forces 1880–1960 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p.39</ref> which was retitled the Territorial Army after the First World War, and the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19940848|title=Territorial Army 'to be renamed the Army Reserve'|work=BBC News|access-date=26 December 2015|date=2012-10-14}}</ref>

Units from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery were in Australia, even after Federation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-heritage/history/how-research-family-history|title=Our history|publisher=Australian Army |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>

In 1911 the Corps formed its [[Air Battalion Royal Engineers|Air Battalion]], the first flying unit of the [[British Armed Forces]]. The Air Battalion was the forerunner of the [[Royal Flying Corps]] and [[Royal Air Force]].<ref name=air>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/rfc_centenary/british-military-aviation-1862-1912/air-mindedness/the-air-battalion.aspx|title=The Air Battalion|publisher=The RAF Museum|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

The [[First World War]] saw a rapid transformation of the Royal Engineers as new technologies became ever more important in the conduct of warfare and engineers undertook an increasing range of roles.  In the front line they designed and built fortifications, operated [[Poison gas in World War I|poison gas]] equipment, repaired guns and heavy equipment, and conducted underground warfare beneath enemy trenches.  Support roles included the construction, maintenance and operation of railways, bridges, water supply and inland waterways, as well as telephone, wireless and other communications.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Corps of Royal Engineers in the First World War |url=https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-corps-of-royal-engineers-in-the-first-world-war/ |website=The Long, Long Trail |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>  As demands on the Corps increased, its manpower was expanded from a total (including reserves) of about 25,000 in August 1914, to 315,000 in 1918.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Corps of Royal Engineers |url=https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/corps-royal-engineers |website=National Army Museum |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>

In 1915, in response to [[German Empire|German]] [[Mining (military)|mining]] of British trenches under the then static siege conditions of the [[World War I|First World War]], the corps formed its own [[Royal Engineer tunnelling companies|tunnelling companies]]. Manned by experienced [[coal miners]] from across the country, they operated with great success until 1917, when after the fixed positions broke, they built deep dugouts such as the [[Vampire dugout]] to protect troops from heavy shelling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tunnellersmemorial.com/tunnelling-companies/|title=Tunnelling Companies in the Great War|publisher=Tunnellers Memorial|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

Before the [[Second World War]], Royal Engineers recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 4&nbsp;inches tall (5 feet 2&nbsp;inches for the Mounted Branch). They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve or four years and eight years. Unlike most corps and regiments, in which the upper age limit was 25, men could enlist in the Royal Engineers up to 35 years of age. They trained at the Royal Engineers Depot in [[Chatham, Medway|Chatham]] or the Royal Engineer Mounted Depot at [[Aldershot]].<ref>[[War Office]], ''His Majesty's Army'', 1938</ref>

During the 1980s, the Royal Engineers formed the vital component of at least three Engineer Brigades: [[12 Engineer Brigade (United Kingdom)|12 Engineer Brigade]] (Airfield Damage Repair);<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kendall |first1=Brigadier A J V |date=September 1985 |title="If You Know of a Better 'Ole, Go to It": The Development of Airfield Damage Repair" |url=https://www.nzsappers.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1985-September.pdf |journal=The Royal Engineers Journal |volume=99 |issue=3 |pages=153–onwards |access-date=2019-01-02}}</ref> [[29th Engineer Brigade]]; and [[30th Engineer Brigade (United Kingdom)|30th Engineer Brigade]].<ref>Isby and Kamps, ''Armies of NATO's Central Front''.</ref> After the [[Falklands War]], 37 (FI) Engineer Regiment was active from August 1982 until 14 March 1985.<ref>RE Journal, Vol 99, No. 3, p.141</ref>

==Regimental museum==
The [[Royal Engineers Museum]] is in [[Gillingham, Kent|Gillingham]] in Kent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-462674-royal-engineers-museum-brompton-barracks|title=Royal Engineers Museum|publisher=British listed buildings|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

==Major projects==
===British Columbia===
{{Main|Richard Clement Moody}}
The [[Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment]], which was commanded by Colonel [[Richard Clement Moody]], was responsible for the foundation and settlement of [[British Columbia]] as the [[Colony of British Columbia (1858–66)|Colony of British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite book|title= Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Volume 90, Issue 1887, 1887, pp. 453-455, OBITUARY. MAJOR-GENERAL RICHARD CLEMENT MOODY, R.E., 1813-1181}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalengineers.ca/Moody.html|title=The Royal Engineers: Colonel Richard Clement Moody|access-date=3 November 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808000743/http://www.royalengineers.ca/moody.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Royal Albert Hall===
[[File:BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall -26July2008-2rpc.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Royal Albert Hall]], designed by [[Captain Francis Fowke]] RE]]
The [[Royal Albert Hall]] was designed by [[Captain Francis Fowke]] and [[Henry Young Darracott Scott|Major-General Henry Y. D. Scott]] of the Royal Engineers and built by [[Lucas Brothers (company)|Lucas Brothers]].<ref>{{cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/49439 |title=Lucas, Charles Thomas |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49439}}</ref> The designers were heavily influenced by ancient [[amphitheatre]]s, but had also been exposed to the ideas of [[Gottfried Semper]] while he was working at the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://famouswonders.com/royal-albert-hall/|title=Royal Albert Hall|date=21 May 2013|publisher=Famous Wonders|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

===Indian infrastructure===
Much of the British colonial era infrastructure of India, of which elements survive today, was created by engineers of the three presidencies' armies and the Royal Engineers. Lieutenant (later General Sir) [[Arthur Thomas Cotton]] (1803–99), [[Madras]] Engineers, was responsible for the design and construction of the great irrigation works on the [[river Cauvery]], which watered the rice crops of [[Tanjore]] and [[Trichinopoly]] districts in the late 1820s. In 1838 he designed and built sea defences for [[Vizagapatam]]. He masterminded the [[Godavari River|Godavery Delta]] project where {{convert|720000|acre|km2}} of land were irrigated and {{convert|500|mi|km}} of land to the port of [[Cocanada]] was made navigable in the 1840s. Such regard for his lasting legacy was shown when in 1983, the Indian Government erected a statue in his memory at [[Dowleswaram]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Lady|last=Cotton|title=General Sir Arthur Cotton, RE, KCSI: His Life and Work|year=1900|url=https://archive.org/details/generalsirarthu01digbgoog|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton}}</ref>

Other irrigation and canal projects included the [[Ganges Canal]], where [[Colin Scott-Moncrieff|Colonel Sir Colin Scott-Moncrieff]] (1836–1916) acted as the Chief Engineer and made modifications to the original work. Among other engineers trained in India, Scott-Moncrieff went on to become Under Secretary of State Public Works, [[Egypt]] where he restored the [[Delta Barrage|Nile barrage]] and irrigation works of Lower Egypt.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=The Indian Biographical Dictionary |year=1915|title=Scott-Moncrieff, Sir Colin Campbell}}</ref>

===Rideau Canal===
The construction of the [[Rideau Canal]] was proposed shortly after the [[War of 1812]], when there remained a persistent threat of attack by the United States on the British colony of [[Upper Canada]]. The initial purpose of the Rideau Canal was military, as it was intended to provide a secure supply and communications route between [[Montreal]] and the British naval base in [[Kingston, Ontario]]. Westward from Montreal, travel would proceed along the [[Ottawa River]] to [[Bytown]] (now [[Ottawa]]), then southwest via the canal to Kingston and out into [[Lake Ontario]]. The objective was to bypass the stretch of the [[St. Lawrence River]] bordering [[New York State]], a route which would have left British supply ships vulnerable to attack or a blockade of the St. Lawrence. Construction of the canal was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel [[John By]] of the Royal Engineers. Directed by him, Lieutenant [[William Denison]], determined the strength for construction purposes of old growth timber in the vicinity of Bytown, findings commended by the [[Institution of Civil Engineers]] in England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/tales/bye-by.html|title=Bye By: The Story of Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E. and his fall from grace|first=Ken|last=Watson|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

===Dover's Western Heights===
[[File:Drop Redoubt - geograph.org.uk - 170889.jpg|thumb|Drop Redoubt.]]
The [[Dover Western Heights|Western Heights of Dover]] are one of the most impressive fortifications in Britain. They comprise a series of forts, strong points and ditches, designed to protect the United Kingdom from invasion. They were created to augment the existing defences and protect the key port of Dover from both seaward and landward attack. First given [[Siege|earthworks]] in 1779 against the [[Armada of 1779|planned invasion that year]], the high ground west of [[Dover]], England, now called Dover Western Heights, was properly fortified in 1804 when Lieutenant-Colonel [[William Twiss]] was instructed to modernise the existing defences. This was part of a huge [[British anti-invasion preparations of 1803–1805#Fortifications|programme of fortification]] in response to [[Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom]]. To assist with the movement of troops between [[Dover Castle]] and the town defences Twiss made his case for building the Grand Shaft in the cliff:
<blockquote>
"...&nbsp;the new barracks.&nbsp;... are little more than 300 yards horizontally from the beach.&nbsp;... and about {{convert|180|ft|m}} above high-water mark, but in order to communicate with them from the centre of town, on horseback the distance is nearly a mile and a half and to walk it about three-quarters of a mile, and all the roads unavoidably pass over ground more than {{convert|100|ft|m}} above the barracks, besides the footpaths are so steep and chalky that a number of accidents will unavoidably happen during the wet weather and more especially after floods. I am therefore induced to recommend the construction of a shaft, with a triple staircase&nbsp;... the chief objective of which is the convenience and safety of troops&nbsp;... and may eventually be useful in sending reinforcements to troops or in affording them a secure retreat."<ref name=ingleton>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=muSelO__PQ8C&q=%22are+little+more+than+300+yards+horizontally+from+the+beach%22&pg=PA115|last=Ingleton|first=Roy|title=Fortress Kent|pages=115–116|publisher=Pen & Sword Military|year=2012|isbn=978-1848848887}}</ref>
</blockquote>
Twiss's plan was approved and building went ahead. The shaft was to be {{convert|26|ft|m}} in diameter, {{convert|140|ft|m}} deep with a {{convert|180|ft|m}} gallery connecting the bottom of the shaft to Snargate Street, and all for under an estimated £4000. The plan entailed building two brick-lined shafts, one inside the other. In the outer would be built a triple staircase, the inner acting as a light well with "windows" cut in its outer wall to illuminate the staircases. Apparently, by March 1805 only {{convert|40|ft|m}} of the connecting gallery was left to dig and it is probable that the project was completed by 1807.<ref name=ingleton/>

===Pentonville Prison===
[[File:Pentonville Prison ILN 1842.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pentonville Prison]] designed by Capt [[Joshua Jebb]] RE]]
Two Acts of Parliament allowed for the building of [[Pentonville (HM Prison)|Pentonville Prison]] for the detention of convicts sentenced to imprisonment or awaiting transportation. Construction started on 10 April 1840 and was completed in 1842. The cost was £84,186 12s 2d. Captain (later Major General Sir) [[Joshua Jebb]] designed [[Pentonville Prison]], introducing new concepts such as single cells with good heating, ventilation and sanitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elton-engineeringbooks.co.uk/highlights/jebb.htm|title=Joshua Jebb on Pentonville Prison, London|publisher=Elton Engineering Books|access-date=31 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309015051/http://www.elton-engineeringbooks.co.uk/highlights/jebb.htm|archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref>

===Boundary Commissions===
Although mapping by what became the [[Ordnance Survey]] was born out of military necessity it was soon realised that accurate maps could be also used for civil purposes. The lessons learnt from this first boundary commission were put to good use around the world where members of the Corps have determined boundaries on behalf of the British as well as foreign governments; some notable boundary commissions include:<ref>{{cite book|last=Fenwick|first=SC | title=Boundary Commissions – 1832–1911|work=Corps History – Part 12: Engineers in a Civic role (1820–1911) | publisher=[[Royal Engineers Museum]]}}</ref>

*1839 – Canada-United States
*1858 – Canada-United States (Captain (later General Sir) John Hawkins RE)
*1856 and 1857 – Russo-Turkish (Lieutenant Colonel (later Sir) [[Edward Stanton (British Army officer)|Edward Stanton]] RE)
*1857 – Russo-Turkish (Colonel (later Field Marshal Sir) [[Lintorn Simmons]] RE)
*1878 – Bulgarian
*1880 – Græco-Turkish (Major (later Major General Sir) John Ardagh RE)
*1884 – Russo-Afghan (Captain (later Colonel Sir) [[Thomas Holdich]] RE)
*1894 – India-Afghanistan (Captain (later Colonel Sir) Thomas Holdich RE)
*1902 – Chile-Argentine (Colonel Sir Delme Radcliffe RE)
*1911 – Peru-Bolivia (Major A. J. Woodroffe RE)

Much of this work continues to this day. The reform of the voting franchise brought about by the [[Reform Act 1832|Reform Act (1832)]], demanded that boundary commissions were set up. Lieutenants Dawson and [[Thomas Drummond]] (1797–1839), Royal Engineers, were employed to gather the statistical information upon which the Bill was founded, as well as determining the boundaries and districts of boroughs. It was said that the fate of numerous boroughs fell victim to the [[heliostat]] and the Drummond light, the instrument that Drummond invented whilst surveying in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www1.chem.leeds.ac.uk/delights/texts/Demonstration_19.htm| title=Demonstrations 19 – Limelight| publisher=Leeds University| access-date=31 January 2015| archive-date=6 June 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606200355/http://www1.chem.leeds.ac.uk/delights/texts/Demonstration_19.htm| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Abney Level===
An [[Abney level]] is an instrument used in [[surveying]] which consists of a fixed sighting tube, a movable spirit level that is connected to a pointing arm, and a protractor scale. The Abney level is an easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and when used correctly an accurate surveying tool. The Abney level was invented by Sir [[William de Wiveleslie Abney]] (1843–1920) who was a [[Royal Engineer]], an English astronomer and chemist best known for his pioneering of colour photography and colour vision. Abney invented this instrument under the employment of the [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] in Chatham, England, in the 1870s.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers|pages=12–14|year=2014|isbn=978-1-4419-9917-7|doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-9917-7_10|title = Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers|last1 = Hearnshaw|first1 = John|chapter=Abney, William de Wiveleslie}}</ref>

===H.M. Dockyards===
In 1873, Captain Henry Brandreth RE was appointed Director of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, later the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] Works Department. Following this appointment many Royal Engineer officers superintended engineering works at [[Royal Navy Dockyard]]s in various parts of the world, including the [[Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda]], home base for vessels of the [[North America and West Indies Station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/research/survey-of-london/woolwich/documents/48.2_Woolwich_Dockyard_Area.pdf|title=Woolwich Dockyard Area|publisher=University College London|access-date=31 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623011612/https://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/research/survey-of-london/woolwich/documents/48.2_Woolwich_Dockyard_Area.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Ireland Island Woodcut.jpg|thumb|center|800px|1848 Woodcut of HMD Bermuda, Ireland Island, Bermuda.]]

; Chatham Dockyard
[[File:ChathamHDYCoveredS0005.JPG|thumb|left|[[Chatham Dockyard#Dry docks and covered slips|Slip 7]] at [[Chatham Dockyard]], designed by Col. G. Greene RE]]
[[File:ChathamCoveredSlipNo3.JPG|thumb|right|[[Chatham Dockyard#Dry docks and covered slips|Slip 3]] at [[Chatham Dockyard]], designed and built by the Corps]]
[[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]], being the home of the Corps, meant that the Royal Engineers and the [[Chatham Dockyard|Dockyard]] had a close relationship since Captain Brandreth's appointment. At the Chatham Dockyard, Captain [[Thomas Rawlings Mould|Thomas Mould]] RE designed the iron roof trusses for the [[Chatham Dockyard#Dry docks and covered slips|covered slips, 4, 5 and 6]]. Slip 7 was designed by Colonel Godfrey Greene RE on his move to the Corps from the Bengal Sappers & Miners. In 1886 Major Henry Pilkington RE was appointed Superintendent of Engineering at the Dockyard, moving on to Director of Engineering at the Admiralty in 1890 and Engineer-in-Chief of Naval Loan Works, where he was responsible for the extension of all major Dockyards at home and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/pdf-docs/pembrok1.pdf|title=Chatham Royal Naval Barracks|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

==Trades==
[[File:CCT - Spr Alderson welding.JPG|thumb|ME – Fabricator in Iraq]]
[[File:X 21 A in ERV.JPG|thumb|ME – Armoured operating an [[Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers|AVRE]] in Canada]]All members of the Royal Engineers are trained [[combat engineer]]s and all [[sapper]]s ([[private (rank)|privates]]) and [[non-commissioned officer]]s also have another trade. These trades include: air conditioning fitter, electrician, general fitter, plant operator mechanic, plumber, bricklayer, plasterer / painter, carpenter & joiner, fabricator, building materials technician, design draughtsman, electrical & mechanical draughtsman, geographic support technician, survey engineer, armoured engineer, driver, engineer IT, engineer logistics specialist, amphibious engineer, [[Bomb disposal|bomb disposal specialist]], [[Army engineer diver#Royal Engineers and Commandos|diver]] or search specialist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Your_Guide_to_the_Royal_Engineers.pdf|title=The Roles |pages=12–35|magazine=Army life: Your guide to the Royal Engineers|access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903033653/http://army.mod.uk/documents/general/Your_Guide_to_the_Royal_Engineers.pdf|archive-date=3 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> They may also undertake the specialist selection and training to qualify as [[All Arms Commando Course|Commandos]] or [[Paratrooper|Military Parachutists]]. Women are eligible for all Royal Engineer specialities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Your_Guide_to_the_Royal_Engineers.pdf|magazine=Army life: Your guide to the Royal Engineers|publisher=Ministry of Defence|page=3|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215073954/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Your_Guide_to_the_Royal_Engineers.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Units==
{{further|Units of the Royal Engineers}}

==The Royal School of Military Engineering==
[[File:HQ Royal School of Military Engineering.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|HQ Royal School of Military Engineering.]]
The [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] (RSME) is the British Army's Centre of Excellence for [[Military Engineering]], [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD), and counter terrorist search training. The school is located on several sites in Chatham, Kent, [[Camberley]] in Surrey, and [[Bicester]] in Oxfordshire. The Royal School of Military Engineering offers training facilities for the full range of Royal Engineer skills. The RSME was founded by Major (later General Sir) [[Charles Pasley]], as the '''Royal Engineer Establishment''' in 1812.<ref name=re>[http://www.remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_part6.htm Corps History Part 6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505195341/http://remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_part6.htm |date=5 May 2009 }} Royal Engineers Museum</ref> It was renamed the '''School of Military Engineering''' in 1868 and granted the "Royal" prefix in 1962.<ref>[http://www.remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_part17.htm Corps History Part 17] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430105749/http://www.remuseum.org.uk/corpshistory/rem_corps_part17.htm |date=30 April 2009 }} Royal Engineers Museum</ref>

* [[Royal School of Military Engineering]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24479.aspx|title=Royal School of Military Engineering|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
** Combat Engineer School
*** 3 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment, in [[Minley]]:<ref name="Units October 20182">{{cite web|title=Royal Engineers Units|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/6848|access-date=15 August 2019|publisher=British Army}}</ref>
**** 55 Training Squadron
**** 57 Training Squadron
**** 63 Headquarters and Training Support Squadron
*** Communication Information Systems Wing
** Construction Engineer School
*** 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment, in Chatham:<ref name="Units October 20182"/>
**** 24 Training Squadron
**** 36 Training Squadron
**** Boat Operations
**** Hackett Troop (Plant)
*** Civil Engineering Wing
*** Electrical and Mechanical Wing
** Royal Engineers Warfare Wing (Founded in 2011 and split between Brompton Barracks, Chatham and [[Gibraltar Barracks, Minley|Gibraltar Barracks]] at [[Minley]] in [[Hampshire]], this is the product of the amalgamation between Command Wing, where Command and Tactics were taught and Battlefield Engineering Wing, where combat engineering training was facilitated.)
*** United Kingdom Mine Information and Training Centre
** Defence Explosive Munitions and Search School (formally Defence EOD School and the National Search Centre)
* 28 Training Squadron, Army Training Regiment<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theraa.co.uk/blog/article/army-training-centre-pirbright-say-farewell-to-76-battery-royal-artillery|title=Army Training Centre Pirbright say farewell to 76 Battery Royal Artillery|publisher=Royal Artillery Association|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040044/http://www.theraa.co.uk/blog/article/army-training-centre-pirbright-say-farewell-to-76-battery-royal-artillery|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Diving Training Unit (Army), (DTU(A))<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/units/28786.aspx|title=Diving Training Unit (Army)|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
* Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers (The band are part of the [[Royal Corps of Army Music]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/music/23944.aspx|title=Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

==Corps' Ensign==
[[File:Flag of the Corps of Royal Engineers Camp.svg|left|thumb|Camp Gate Flag of the Royal Engineers]]
[[File:Royal Engineers Ensign.png|thumb|left|Royal Engineers' Ensign]]
The Royal Engineers, Ports Section, operated harbours and ports for the army and used mainly specialised vessels such as tugs and dredgers. During the [[World War II|Second World War]] the Royal Engineers' Blue Ensign was flown from the [[Mulberry harbour]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30018035|title=Flag, Blue Ensign: Royal Engineers|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

==Bishop Gundulf, Rochester and King's Engineers==
[[File:Rochester Castle engraved by H.Adlard after G.F.Sargent. c1836 edited.jpg|thumb|right|Rochester Castle from across the [[River Medway|Medway]]. Engraving from image by G.F. Sargent c1836.]]
[[File:Rochester Cathedral from west.jpg|thumb|right|Rochester Cathedral from the West]]
[[Bishop Gundulf]], a monk from the Abbey of Bec in Normandy came to England in 1070 as [[Archbishop]] [[Lanfranc]]'s assistant at [[Canterbury]]. His talent for architecture had been spotted by [[William I of England|King William I]] and was put to good use in [[Diocese of Rochester|Rochester]], where he was sent as bishop in 1077. Almost immediately the King appointed him to supervise the construction of the [[White Tower (Tower of London)|White Tower]], now part of the [[Tower of London]] in 1078. Under [[William Rufus]] he also undertook building work on [[Rochester Castle]]. Having served three kings of England and earning "the favour of them all", Gundulf is accepted as the first "King's Engineer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kateshrewsday.com/2014/02/18/the-towers-that-gundulf-built/|title=The Towers that Gundulf Built|publisher=Kate Shrewsday|date=18 February 2014|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

==Corps Band==
[[File:Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers MOD 45157610.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Musicians from the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers during a Medals Parade for 32 Engineer Regiment.]]
The Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers is the official [[military band]] of the RE. The RE Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1880. It was recognised by [[Queen Victoria]] seven years later, with her command that they perform at [[Buckingham Palace]] for a banquet on the occasion of [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria|her Diamond Jubilee]]. In 1916–1917, the band toured [[France]] and [[Belgium]], giving over one hundred and fifty concerts in a journey of 1800 miles. The band continued its tour of Europe following the cessation of hostilities. In 1936, the band performed at the funeral of [[George V]] and played the following year for the [[coronation of George VI]] in 1937. The band appeared at the [[coronation of Elizabeth II]] in 1953, and has since been called on to play at state occasions, [[military tattoo]]s and [[military parades]]. It has notably performed during the opening ceremonies of the [[Channel Tunnel]] and the [[Queen Elizabeth II Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web |author=ether |url=https://kentshowground.co.uk/the-band-of-the-corps-of-the-royal-engineers/ |title=The Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers |publisher=Kent County Show |date=2014-03-25 |access-date=2020-04-24 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728224523/https://kentshowground.co.uk/the-band-of-the-corps-of-the-royal-engineers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==The Institution of Royal Engineers==
[[File:Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Rd, Gillingham (2) - geograph.org.uk - 1148711.jpg|thumb|right|The Ravelin Building at the Royal School of Military Engineering, Chatham, is now home to the Institution and the Corps Museum.]] 
The Institution of Royal Engineers, the [[British professional bodies|professional institution]] of the '''Corps of Royal Engineers''', was established in 1875 and in 1923 it was granted its [[Royal Charter]] by [[King George V]]. The Institution is collocated with the Royal Engineers Museum, within the grounds of the [[Royal School of Military Engineering]] at [[Brompton, Medway|Brompton]] in Chatham, Kent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.instre.org/|title=The Institution of Royal Engineers|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

''Royal Engineers Journal'' - published tri-annually and contains articles with a military engineering connection. The first ''Journal'' was published in August 1870. The idea for the publication was proposed at the Corps Meeting of May 1870 by Major R Harrison and seconded By Captain R Home, who became its first editor (The ''Journal'' eventually superseded the ''Professional Papers'', which were started by Lieutenant WT Denison in 1837 and continued to be published until 1918).<ref name="Baker Brown 1952">{{cite book |last=Baker Brown |first=W |title=History of the Corps of Royal Engineers Vol IV |year=1952 |publisher=The Institution of Royal Engineers |location=Chatham}}</ref>
[[File:Royal Engineers Cypher.jpg|thumb|upright|Corps of Royal Engineers Cypher]]
The ''History of the Corps of Royal Engineers'' is currently in its 12th volume. The first two volumes were written by Major General [[Whitworth Porter]] and published in 1889.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.remuseum.org.uk/articles/rem_article_institute.htm|title=Institution of Royal Engineers (InstRE)|work=Articles|publisher=Royal Engineers Museum|access-date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601075722/http://www.remuseum.org.uk/articles/rem_article_institute.htm|archive-date=1 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''The Sapper'' is published by the Royal Engineers Central Charitable Trust and is a bi-monthly magazine for all ranks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/about/625.aspx |title=The Sapper Magazine|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>

==The Royal Engineers' Association==
The present Royal Engineers Association promotes and supports the Corps among members of the Association in the following ways:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reahq.org.uk/|title=Royal Engineers' Association|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Baker Brown 1952"/>
*By fostering esprit de corps and a spirit of comradeship and service.
*By maintaining an awareness of Corps traditions.
*By acting as a link between serving and retired members of the Corps.
*To provide financial and other assistance to serving and former members of the Corps, their wives, widows and dependants who are in need through poverty.
*To make grants, within Association guidelines, to the Army Benevolent Fund and to other charities which further the objectives of the Association.

==Sport==
===Royal Engineers' Yacht Club===
[[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|thumb|left|Un-defaced [[Blue Ensign]] flown by members of the REYC.]]
[[File:REYC Burgee.gif|thumb|left|REYC Burgee.]]
The Royal Engineers' Yacht Club, which dates back to 1812, promotes the skill of watermanship in the Royal Engineers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sapper Sailing |url=https://www.sappersailing.org/about/history |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>

They have entered every Fastnet Race since the second in 1926, which they won sailing ''IIlex''.<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.sappersailing.org/page/about |website=sappersailing.org |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>

===Royal Engineers Amateur Football Club===
{{main|Royal Engineers A.F.C.}}

The club was founded in 1863, under the leadership of Major [[Francis Marindin]]. Sir [[Frederick Wall]], who was the secretary of [[The Football Association]] 1895–1934, stated in his memoirs that the "[[combination game]]" was first used by the Royal Engineers A.F.C. in the early 1870s.<ref name="Wall 2005">{{cite book |last= Wall|first= Sir Frederick|title= 50 Years of Football, 1884–1934|year= 2005|publisher= Soccer Books Limited|isbn= 978-1-86223-116-0}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>Cox, Richard (2002) ''The Encyclopaedia of British Football'', Routledge, United Kingdom</ref><ref>[http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Fhistory.htm History of Football<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418122238/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Fhistory.htm |date=18 April 2007 }}</ref> Wall states that the "Sappers moved in unison" and showed the "advantages of combination over the old style of individualism".

; FA Cup
[[File:RoyalEngineers1872.jpg|thumb|right|The Royal Engineers pictured in 1872. Back: [[William Merriman|Merriman]], Ord, [[Francis Marindin|Marindin]], [[George William Addison|Addison]], [[Hugh Mitchell (Royal Engineers)|Mitchell]]; Front: Hoskyns, [[Henry Renny-Tailyour|Renny-Tailyour]], [[Edmund Creswell|Creswell]], [[Alfred Goodwyn|Goodwyn]], Barker, [[Henry Rich (footballer)|Rich]].]]

The Engineers played in [[1872 FA Cup Final|the first-ever FA Cup Final]] in 1872, losing 1–0 at [[Kennington Oval]] on 16 March 1872, to regular rivals Wanderers.<ref name="fchd">{{fchd|id=ROYALENG|name=Royal Engineers A.F.C.}}</ref> They also lost the [[1874 FA Cup Final]], to [[Oxford University A.F.C.]]

Their greatest triumph was the [[1874–75 FA Cup]].<ref name="fchd" /> In [[1875 FA Cup Final|the final]] against [[Old Etonians F.C.|Old Etonians]], they drew 1–1 with a goal from [[Henry Renny-Tailyour|Renny-Tailyour]] and went on to win the replay 2–0 with two further goals from Renny-Tailyour.<ref>{{cite news |title=The English Association Football Challenge Cup |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001421/18750319/052/0004?browse=False |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin Review |date=19 March 1875 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Memoirs: Col. H.W. Renny-Tailyour |journal=The Royal Engineers Journal |date=September 1920 |volume=XXXII |pages=123–125 |url=https://www.nzsappers.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1920-September.pdf |access-date=30 June 2020}}<br />{{cite journal |title=The late Colonel H. W. Renny-Tailyour. |journal=The Royal Engineers Journal |date=February 1922 |volume=XXXIV |page=103 |url=https://www.nzsappers.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1922-February.pdf |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> Their last [[FA Cup Final]] appearance came in [[1878 FA Cup Final|1878]], again losing to the Wanderers.<ref name="fchd" /> They last participated in [[1882–83 FA Cup]], losing 6–2 in the fourth round to [[Old Carthusians F.C.]]<ref name="fchd" />

The Engineers' Depot [[Battalion]] won the [[FA Amateur Cup]] in 1908.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History Section – Welfare and Sports|url=http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_welfare.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021064409/http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_welfare.htm |archivedate=21 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 7 November 2012, the Royal Engineers played against the [[Wanderers F.C.|Wanderers]] in a remake of the 1872 FA Cup Final at [[The Oval]]. Unlike the actual final, the Engineers won, and by a large margin, 7–1 being the final score.<ref>{{cite news |title=First FA Cup final recreated |date=8 November 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/20260462 |access-date=8 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Rugby===
The Army were represented in the [[1871 Scotland versus England rugby union match|very first international]] by two members of the Royal Engineers, both playing for [[England national rugby union team|England]], Lieutenant [[Charles Arthur Crompton]] RE and Lieutenant [[Charles Sherrard]] RE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aru.org.uk/aru-history.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901234113/http://www.aru.org.uk/aru-history.htm|url-status=dead|title=aru.org.uk|archivedate=1 September 2009|website=www.aru.org.uk}}</ref>

==Related units==
Several Corps have been formed from the Royal Engineers.
*[[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC) 1912 - [[Air Battalion Royal Engineers]] (formed 1911) was the precursor of the [[Royal Flying Corps]] which evolved into the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1918.<ref name=air/>
*[[Royal Corps of Signals]] (R Sigs) 1920 -The Telegraph Troop, founded in 1870,<ref>{{cite book |last=Porter |first=Maj Gen Whitworth |title=History of the Corps of Royal Engineers Vol II |year=1889 |publisher=The Institution of Royal Engineers |location=Chatham}}</ref>{{rp|121}} became the Telegraph Battalion Royal Engineers who then became the Royal Engineers Signals Service, which in turn became the independent [[Royal Corps of Signals]] in 1920.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Signals Heritage |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/25054.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
*[[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] (REME) 1942 - When REME was created in 1942, it was formed from personnel previously in the [[Royal Army Ordnance Corps]], the [[Royal Army Service Corps]], [[Royal Signals]] and Royal Engineers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |url=https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/corps-royal-electrical-and-mechanical-engineers |website=National Army Museum |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>  After the war, the responsibilities of REME were increased in stages so that, by 1968, it had taken over responsibility for the maintenance of all Royal Engineers equipment, except construction equipment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers -- History |url=https://www.26thregra-asc.com/reme.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516054732/http://www.26thregra-asc.com/reme.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 May 2008 |website=26th Regiment RA Association |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>
*[[Royal Corps of Transport]] (RCT) 1965 - The Royal Engineers were responsible for railway and inland waterway transport, port operations and movement control until 1965, when these functions were transferred to the new [[Royal Corps of Transport]]. (See also [[Railway Operating Division]].)<ref>{{cite book|url=http://yorsearch.york.ac.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do;jsessionid=41CB7D1AAC89A55A9952F5D557097CB1?tabs=detailsTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=44YORK_ALMA_DS21199051110001381&indx=1&recIds=44YORK_ALMA_DS21199051110001381&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&dscnt=0&scp.scps=scope%3A%2844YORK_NRM_LIB%29&frbg=&tab=tab1&dstmp=1422750012747&srt=rank&vl(49795196UI0)=any&mode=Basic&dum=true&vl(freeText0)=royal%20engineers%20in%20france%20and%20belgium&vid=NRM|title=The Railway Operating Division on the Western Front : the Royal Engineers in France and Belgium 1915-1919|last=Aves|first= William A. T.|date=2009|isbn= 978-1900289993 |publisher=Donington : Shaun Tyas}}</ref> The Royal Corps of Transport merged into the [[Royal Logistic Corps]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Royal Logistic Corps and Forming Corps|url=http://www.rlcmuseum.co.uk/docs/history.html|publisher=The Royal Logistic Corps Museum|access-date=13 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814155505/http://rlcmuseum.co.uk/docs/history.html}}</ref>
*[[Royal Logistic Corps]] (RLC) 1993 - In 1913, the [[BFPO|Army Post Office Corps]] (formed in 1882) and the Royal Engineers Telegraph Reserve (formed in 1884) amalgamated to form the Royal Engineers (Postal Section) Special Reserve. In 1959 it was restyled Royal Engineers (Postal and Courier Communications) and added to the regular cadre of the British Army, it was renamed Royal Engineers (Postal and Courier Services) in 1979. On 1 August 1988 the IRA bombed an accommodation block at the Postal & Courier Depot, [[Inglis Barracks]], Mill Hill, London killing one lance corporal and injuring nine soldiers.<ref>{{cite news|title=I.R.A. Bombing in London|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/02/world/ira-bombing-in-london-kills-1-british-soldier-and-wounds-10.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2 August 1988|first=Bernard|last=Weinraub|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=I.R.A. in London: Decade of Violence|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/08/world/ira-in-london-decade-of-violence.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=8 February 1991|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref> The RE (PCS) became a Defence Agency known as the Defence Postal and Courier Service in 1992 and in the same year Postal & Courier trained operators of the [[Women's Royal Army Corps]] (WRAC) were re-cap badged as Royal Engineers. The Service was transferred to the Royal Logistic Corps on its formation in 1993. – see ([[BFPO|British Forces Post Office]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwar1postcards.com/soldiers-mail.php|title=Tommy's Mail & the Army Post Office|publisher=World War 1 postcards|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225225514/http://www.worldwar1postcards.com/soldiers-mail.php|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==Notable personnel==
* [[:Category:Royal Engineers soldiers]]
* [[:Category:Royal Engineers officers]]

==Engineering equipment==
{{Main|Royal Engineers bridging and trackway equipment|Modern equipment of the British Army}}

==Order of precedence==
{{S-start}}
{{order of precedence |
 before= [[Board of Ordnance]] |
 title= [[British Army Order of Precedence|Order of Precedence]]|
 after= [[Royal Corps of Signals]]
}}
{{S-end}}

==Decorations==

===Victoria Cross===
The following Royal Engineers have been awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Engineers |url=http://www.armynavyairforce.co.uk/royal_engineers.htm|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Alphonse de Neuville - The defence of Rorke's Drift 1879 - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Rorke's Drift]], 22–23 January 1879, a battle fought under the command of [[John Rouse Merriott Chard|Lt. John Chard, RE]]. Eleven Victoria Crosses were won during the battle, including one by Chard. Painting by [[Alphonse de Neuville]]|alt=Burning hut in the background; red-jacketed soldiers fighting in the foreground]]
*[[Tom Edwin Adlam]], 1916, [[Thiepval]], France
*[[Adam Archibald]], 1918, [[Ors]], France
*[[Fenton John Aylmer]], 1891, [[Nilt Fort]], India
*[[Mark Sever Bell]], 1874, [[Battle of Ordashu]], Ashanti (now Ghana)
*[[John Rouse Merriott Chard]], 1879, [[Rorke's Drift]], South Africa
*[[Brett Mackay Cloutman]], 1918, [[Pont-sur-Sambre]], France
*[[Clifford Coffin]], 1917, [[Westhoek (region)|Westhoek]], Belgium
*[[James Morris Colquhoun Colvin]], 1897, [[Mohmand Valley]], India
*[[James Lennox Dawson]], 1915, [[Hohenzollern Redoubt]], France
*[[Robert James Thomas Digby-Jones]], 1900, [[Siege of Ladysmith|Ladysmith]], South Africa
*[[Thomas Frank Durrant]], 1942, [[St. Nazaire Raid|St. Nazaire]], France
*[[Howard Craufurd Elphinstone]], 1855, [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854)|Sevastopol]], Crimea
*[[George de Cardonnel Elmsall Findlay]], 1918, [[Catillon]], France
*[[Gerald Graham]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[William Hackett (VC)|William Hackett]], 1916, Givenchy, France
*[[Reginald Clare Hart]], 1879, [[Bazar Valley]], Afghanistan
*[[Lanoe Hawker]], 1915 {While serving with the RFC}
*[[Charles Alfred Jarvis]], 1914, [[Jemappes]], Belgium
*[[Frederick Henry Johnson]], 1915, [[Hill 70]], France
*[[William Henry Johnston]], 1914, [[Missy-sur-Aisne|Missy]], France
*[[Frank Howard Kirby]], 1900, [[Delagoa Bay Railway]], South Africa
*[[Cecil Leonard Knox]], 1918, [[Tugny-et-Pont|Tugny]], France
*[[Edward Pemberton Leach]], 1879, [[Maidanah]], Afghanistan
*[[Peter Leitch (soldier)|Peter Leitch]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[William James Lendrim]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[Wilbraham Oates Lennox]], 1854, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[Henry MacDonald]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[Cyril Gordon Martin]], 1915, [[Spanbroekmolen]] on the [[Messines Ridge]], Belgium
*[[James McPhie]], 1918, [[Aubencheul-au-Bac]], France
*[[Philip Neame]], 1914, [[Neuve Chapelle]], France
*[[John Perie]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[Claud Raymond]], 1945, [[Talaku]], Burma (now Myanmar)
*[[John Ross (VC)|John Ross]], 1855, Sevastopol, Crimea
*[[Michael Sleavon]], 1858, [[Jhansi]], India
*[[Arnold Horace Santo Waters]], 1918, [[Ors]], France
*[[Thomas Colclough Watson]], 1897, [[Mohmand campaign of 1897–98|Mamund Valley]], India
*[[Theodore Wright]], 1914, [[Battle of Mons|Mons]], Belgium

===''The Sapper VCs''===
In 1998, [[Office of Public Sector Information|HMSO]] published an account of the 55 [[Sapper#Commonwealth of Nations|British and Commonwealth 'Sappers']] who have been awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]. The book was written by Colonel GWA Napier, former Royal Engineers officer and a former director of the [[Royal Engineers Museum]]. The book defines a 'Sapper' as any "member of a British or Empire military engineer corps, whatever their rank, speciality or national allegiance", and is thus not confined to Royal Engineers.<ref name="Sapper VCs">{{cite web|url=http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_vc.htm |title=History Section - Sappers VCs |publisher=Royal Engineers Museum |access-date=19 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810230716/http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_vc.htm |archive-date=10 August 2006 }}</ref>

===Memorials===
*[[Rochester Cathedral]], Kent has major historical links with the corps and contains many memorials including stained glass, mosaics and plaques. The cathedral hosts services on the annual Corps Memorial Weekend and is supported by the corps on [[Remembrance Sunday]].
*[[La Ferté-sous-Jouarre memorial#Royal Engineers memorials|Royal Engineers First World War memorial at La Ferté-sous-Jouarre]]
*[[National Memorial Arboretum]] at Alrewas, Staffordshire
*The memorial to the Royal Engineers at [[Arromanches]], the site of the [[Mulberry Harbours]] during the Second World War<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMQDJ_Monument_to_the_Royal_Engineers_at_Arromanches_Saint_Combe_de_Fresne_France|title=Monument to the Royal Engineers at Arromanches Saint-Combe-de-Fresne France|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

==Rivalry==
The Royal Engineers have a traditional rivalry with the [[Royal Artillery]] (the Gunners).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Hansard |date=4 July 2016 |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-07-04/debates/16070443000002/RoyalRegimentOfArtilleryCorpsOfRoyalEngineers|title=Royal Regiment of Artillery/Corps of Royal Engineers|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
*[[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]]
*[[Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment]]
*[[Bermuda Volunteer Engineers]], a territorial unit that replaced the Regular Army RE companies of the [[Bermuda Garrison]] in 1930. Disbanded 1946.
*[[Canadian Military Engineers]], created in 1903 to provide a replacement for the RE in Canada
*[[List of international professional associations]]
*[[The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors]]
*[[Institution of Engineers (India)|Institution of Engineers]]
*[[Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers|AVRE]]
*[[List of roles in the British Army]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Boothby|first=Charles|title=With the Royal Engineers in the Peninsula & France|publisher= Leonaur|year=2011|isbn=978-0-85706-781-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Brazier|first=C. C. H.|title=XD Operations. Secret British Missions Denying Oil to the Nazis|publisher= Pen and Sword|year=2004|isbn=1-84415-136-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Boyd|first=Derek|title=Royal Engineers|publisher= Cooper|year=1975|isbn=0-85052-197-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Connolly|first=Thomas William John|title= The History of the Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners: From the Formation of the Corps in March 1772, to the Date when Its Designation was Changed to that of Royal Engineers, in October 1856|publisher=Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans|year=1857}}
* {{cite book|last=Cooper|first=George|title=Fight, Dig and Live. The Story of the Royal Engineers in the Korean War|publisher= Pen and Sword|year=2011|isbn=978-1-84884-684-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Daniell|first=A. P. de T.|title=Mediterranean Safari March 1943 – October 1944|publisher= Orphans Press|year=2000|isbn=0-7212-0816-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Duke|first=Sir Gerald|title=The History of the Royal Engineer Yacht Club|publisher=Pitman Press|year= 1982|isbn=0-946403-00-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Durie |first1=William |title=The British Garrison Berlin 1945–1994: nowhere to go ... a pictorial historiography of the British Military occupation / presence in Berlin |date=2012 |publisher=Vergangenheitsverlag ([[:de:Vergangenheitsverlag|de]]) |location=Berlin |isbn=978-3-86408-068-5 |language=English |oclc=978161722}}
* {{cite book|last=Edwards|first=Colonel G. F.|title=The History of Central Volunteer Headquarters Royal Engineers|publisher= Institution of Royal Engineers}}
* {{cite book|last=Eke|first=Richard|title=A Game of Soldiers|publisher= Digaprint |year= 1997|isbn=0-9534264-0-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Emden|first=Richard Van|title=Sapper Martin, The Secret War Diary of Jack Martin|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4088-0311-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Evans|first1=J. |last2=Palmer|first2=E. |last3= Walter|first3=R. |title=A Harbour Goes to War. The story of the Mulberry and the men who made it happen|publisher=Brook House|year=2000|isbn=1-873547-30-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Gander|first=Terry|title=The Royal Engineers|publisher= I. Allan|year= 1985|isbn=0-7110-1517-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Garson|first=Yvonne|title=Versatile Genius: The Royal Engineers and Their Maps: Manuscript Maps and Plans of the Eastern Frontier, 1822–1870|publisher=University of the Witwatersrand Library|year= 1992|isbn=1-86838-023-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Hall|first=Lieutenant Colonel L. J. |title=Inland Water Transport in Mesopotamia|publisher=Naval & Military Press|year=1919|isbn=1-84342-952-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Hall|first=Malcom|title=From Ballon to Boxkite. The Royal Engineers and Early British Aeronautics|publisher=Amberley Press|year=2010|isbn=978-1-84868-992-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Hartcup|first=Guy|title=Code Name Mulberry. The Planning – Building & Operation of the Normandy Harbours|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2006|isbn=1-84415-434-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Head|first=Francis Bond|title=The Royal Engineer|publisher=John Murray|year=1869}}
* {{cite book|last=Hogben|first=Major Arthur|title=Designed to Kill. Bomb Disposal from World War I to the Falklands|publisher= Patrick Stevens|year=1987|isbn=0-85059-865-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Hudson|first=S. A. M. |title=UXB Malta. Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal 1940–44|publisher= The History Press|year= 2010|isbn=978-0-7524-5635-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Hunt|first=H. J. |title=Bombs & Booby Traps|publisher= Romsey Medal Centre|year= 1986|isbn= 978-0948251191}}
* {{cite book|last=Macintosh|first=Hugh|title=Middle East Movers, Royal Engineers Transportation in the Suez Canal Zone 1947–1956|publisher=North Kent Books|year= 2000|isbn=0-948305-10-X}}
* {{cite book|last=Mortimer|first=Gerald|title=Never a Shot in Anger|publisher=Square One Publications|year=1993|isbn=1-872017-71-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Napier|first=Gerald|title=Follow the Sapper: An Illustrated History of the Corps of Royal Engineers|publisher= The Institution of Royal Engineers|year=2005|isbn=0-903530-26-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Owen|first=James|title=Danger UXB. The Heroic Story of the WWII Bomb Disposal Teams|publisher=Little, Brown|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4087-0195-9}}
* {{cite book|last1=Porter|first1= Whitworth |last2=Watson|first2=Charles Moore |title=History of the Corps of Royal Engineers|publisher=Longmans, Green|year=1889}}
* {{cite book|last=Raschen|first=Dan|title=Send Port & Pyjamas!|publisher= Buckland Publications|year=1987|isbn=0-7212-0763-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Raschen|first=Dan|title=Wrong Again Dan! Karachi to Krakatoa|publisher= Buckland Publications|year=1983|isbn=0-7212-0638-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Robinson|first1=P.|last2=Cave|first2=N.|title=The Underground War. Vimy Ridge to Arras|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2011|isbn=978-1-84415-976-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Salmon|first=M. J. |title=Oh! To be a Sapper|publisher= The Institution of Royal Engineers|isbn=0-9524911-4-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Sandes|first= Edward Warren Caulfeild|title=The Royal Engineers in Egypt and the Sudan|publisher= Institution of Royal Engineers|year=1937}}
* {{cite book|last=Sliz|first=John|title=Commander Royal Engineers. The Headquarters of the Royal Engineers at Arnhem|publisher= Travelouge 219|year=2013|isbn=978-1-927679-04-3}}
* {{Cite book|last=Smithers|first=A. J. |title=Honourable Conquests: An Account of the Enduring Work of the Royal Engineers Throughout the Empire |publisher=Pen & Sword|year=1991 |isbn=978-0-85052-725-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Steadman|first=Peter|title=Platoon Commander (Memoirs of a Royal Engineers Officer)|publisher= Pentlandite Books|year=2001|isbn=1-85821-901-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Tinsley|first=Terence|title=Stick & String|publisher= Buckland Publishing|year= 1992|isbn=0-7212-0897-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Turner|first=John Frayn|title=Highly Explosive, The Exploits of Major Bill Hartley MBE GM late of Bomb Disposal|publisher= George G. Harappa & Co. |year= 1967}}
* {{cite book|last=Wakeling|first=Eric|title=The Lonely War. A story of Bomb Disposal in World War II by on who was there|publisher=Square One Publication|year=1994|isbn=1-872017-84-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Walker|first=Eric|title=Don't Annoy The Enemy|publisher= Gernsey Press Co.}}
* {{cite book|last=Watkins|first=Leonard|title=A Sapper's War|publisher= Minerva Press|year=1996|isbn=1-85863-715-5}}
* {{cite book|last1=Williams|first1=Gerard|last2=Williams|first2=Michael|title=Citizen Soldiers of the Royal Engineers Transportation and Movements and the Royal Army Service Corps, 1859 to 1965|publisher= Institution of the Royal Corps of Transport|year=1969}}
* {{cite book|last=Wolfe|first=Celia|title=Summon up the Blood. The war diary of Corporal J A Womack, Royal Engineers|publisher= Leo Cooper|year= 1997|isbn=978-0-85052-537-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Younger|first=Major General Tony|author-link=Elton Younger|title=Blowing Our Bridges. A Memoir from Dunkirk to Korea via Normandy|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2004|isbn=1-84415-051-8}}
* [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433090927165;view=1up;seq=9 ''Drainage Manual – Revised Edition'', 1907], by Locock and Tyndale.
* ''Papers on Subjects Connected with the Duties of the Corps of Royal Engineers'', by Great Britain Army. Royal Engineers. Published by The Corps, 1874.
* ''Professional Papers of the Corps of Royal Engineers'', by Great Britain Army. Royal Engineers, Royal Engineers' Institute (Great Britain). Published by Royal Engineer Institute, 1892.
* ''A Short History of the Royal Engineers'', by The Institution of Royal Engineers. Published by The Institution of Royal Engineers, 2006. {{ISBN|0-903530-28-7}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
*[http://www.instre.org Institution of Royal Engineers]
*[http://re-cpd.org.uk Royal Engineers – Continuous Professional Development]
*[http://www.reahq.org.uk/ Royal Engineers Association]
*[http://www.re-museum.co.uk/ Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010615091956/http://www.royalengineersband.co.uk/ Royal Engineers Band]}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060812044437/http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/cap/royalengineers/ The Royal Engineers in Halifax: Photographing the Garrison City, 1870–1885]}}
*[http://www.airbornesappers.org.uk/ Airborne Engineers Association]
*[http://www.sappers.co.uk// Calling all Royal Engineers] 
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160313145838/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/documents.php?aid=161&nid=23&start=0 Royal Engineers Companies 1944 - 1945 at www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk]}}

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[[Category:Royal Engineers| ]]
[[Category:British administrative corps]]
[[Category:Military engineer corps]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Chatham, Kent]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Kent]]
[[Category:1716 establishments in Great Britain]]
[[Category:Engineer units and formations of the British Army|Royal Engineers]]