Publications
Over the years the Institution and REHS have enabled the access to a wealth of information and printed material. As well as our Journals and Supplements, we also supply books documenting the experiences, histories and achievements of Sappers over the centuries.
The Institution is proud to offer the following books for sale with further information available by contacting our dedicated staff.
Corps History Vols I – XIII
All Volumes (excluding Vol I, VI and VIII) are available to purchase. Volume XIII has now been published and is available for purchase at £25.00.
Although the main significant dates are 1716 (the Ordnance Train separated into artillery and engineers), 1787, (Corps of Engineers given ‘Royal’ title) and 1856 (Royal Engineers amalgamate with the Royal Sappers and Miners), the volumes cover the whole history of military engineering commencing with the works of the King’s Engineers who came from France with King William I in 1066. The earlier volumes cover greater periods, but the later ones have settled down into twenty-year blocks. All are illustrated with drawings and maps, and latterly, photographs.
The Institution of Royal Engineers has painstakingly converted each volume (Less Vol XII and XIII) of the Royal Engineers history archive into electronic documents, available for you to view and search on a copy of the original CD-ROM.
Costs
If you are a member of the Institution the CD-ROM is £10.00 plus postage and packing. If you are not a member the purchase price is £25.00 plus postage and packing.
Volumes of the Corps History:
- Members only pay £10.00 per available Volume, less Vols V and XII that are £12.50 each respectively. The 2024 release of Corps History Vol XIII (covering years 2000-2019) can be purchased for £25.00.
- A complete set including Vol XIII (excluding Vol I, VI & VIII which are now out of print, with no plans for a reprint) will cost £130.00 for members only. This can include a complimentary copy of the original Corps History CD-ROM covering the Vol I – XI.
- Non-Members pay £20.00 per Volume, except for Vol V and XII that are £12.50 respectively. The 2024 release of Corps History Vol XIII (covering the years 2000-2019) can be purchased for £25.00
- A complete set (excluding Vol I, Vol VI and VIII which are now out of print with no plans for a reprint) will cost £240.00 for non Members, this will also include a copy of the original Corps History CD-ROM.
Please note p&p to be added.
All book purchases are subject to an additional charge for postage and packaging that will need to be calculated and added at the time of ordering.
We have also produced a DVD-ROM containing an electronic archive of the Royal Engineers Journal, from 1905 to 2005. For more information, or to register for a copy, please email us.
Contact Hazel for further details.
The full Short History of the Corps of Royal Engineers is available from the Institution of Royal Engineers
Sublime Shock Troops - For sale from the Institution of Royal Engineers
‘An absorbing history of an outstanding airborne engineer squadron and an uplifting description of its soldiers exceptional human qualities.’ Brig (Retd) Ian McGill CBE.
‘This is a superb book. It is easy and interesting to read, the facts are authoritative and very well referenced with copious supporting annexes, a human story and a stirring tale.‘ Maj Gen Chris Elliott CB MBE.
‘The author has done a superb job. This is an outstanding tribute to The 1st Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, including the role of my Uncle.’ Ruth Minshall.
‘This book gives a captivating and poignant account that delves into the heroic exploits of the 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers during World War II.’ Dave Gillies.
Cost £15 + P&P
Contact for further detailsOperation Trenton - for sale from the Sapper shop
Operation TRENTON has been a major commitment for the Corps over the last four years. This book captures the eight deployments in a remarkable collection of photographs, many taken by individual members of the Corps, who have kindly donated them to the project. As you look through the book, note the several commentaries that set the scene for the whole operation and for each deployment. The book provides a valuable record of the Royal Engineers’ contribution to Operation TRENTON and the United Nations, so forming a key element of our Corps history. This is but another part of the Corps’ story and achievements in recent years; it is a story of immense success. Ubique!
The book will retail at £5.00 + P&P. Sapper shop is the sole outlet.
Sapper shopJournals
The Journal is published tri-annually in April, August and December. In addition, periodically the Institution produces papers to inform the membership. Previous examples have included “The Royal Engineers in Afghanistan 2001-2015” and “The Royal Engineers in Iraq 2003-2010. Both papers can be found within the back copies of the Journals.
JournalsThe Bengal Sappers 1803 - 2003
General Sir George Cooper GCB MC and Major David
Alexander. ISBN 0-903530-24-4
This book was published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the formation of The Bengal Sappers and Miners – a distinguished Corps of engineers with a formidable reputation for campaigning practically all over the world. The volume is a lively anthology of historical narratives and personal recollections of those who served in the Corps over the 200 years the story covers.
Cost £15.00 plus + P&P
Contact for detailsMediterranean Safari - March 1943 - October 1944
A P de T Daniell OBE MC TD
ISBN 0-7212-0816-9
In his book, Major Daniell chronicles the adventures and activities of 59 Field Company RE during the final battles in Tunisia and the Italian campaign, including the battle of Monte Cassino. The unit took part in all the major battles of the campaign. One of their best known exploits being the building of The Amazon Bridge under fire over the River Rapido – an operation later immortalized on canvas by Terence Cuneo to hang to this day in the RE HQ Officers’ Mess, Chatham.
Costs £6.00 + P&P
Contact for Details
The History of Central Volunteer Headquarters Royal Engineers
Col GF Edwards TD – ISBN 978-090353036-1
Cost £6.00 inc P&P
Contact Hazel for further details.
The Paintings of Terence Cuneo
Commissioned by the Institution of Royal Engineers
Contact Hazel for further details.
Medal Rolls
The Institution is currently supporting the work of the Friends of the Royal Engineers Museum (FoREM) in the production of various Medal Rolls.
Contact Hazel for further details.
The Bala Hissar of Kabul
by Brig CW Woodburn – ISBN 978-090353035-4
The Bala Hissar, or “High Fort”, of Kabul was, for many centuries, the seat of a ruler and played an essential part in state development in Afghanistan. Fortified from perhaps the 6th Century, the fortress reached its peak under Mughal rulers in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Its palace was rebuilt by an Afghan king in the late 18th Century and British troops were stationed in the fort during each of the 19th Century Anglo – Afghan wars. This paper examines what can be learnt about the former structure of the Bala Hissar when it was still a great fortress – palace and then identifies the changes that were made in the later 19th Century. Cost £6.00 + P&P
Contact Hazel for further details.
THE HISTORY OF BROMPTON BARRACKS
Richard Cooke MInstRE
and
Philip Moffitt MInstRE
Foreword by
Major General Mungo Melvin CB OBE FInstRE
As Royal Engineers we should all feel very proud that the home of our Corps and our principal School remain in Chatham. As this guide reveals, Brompton Barracks represents hallowed ground in our Sapper story. Although some of the material described may be relatively well known, such as Spong’s giant leap, there is much new detail to enjoy, not least the history of the Crimean and South African Memorial Arches. No doubt, the remarkable innovative exploits of William Howard Livens of First World War fame should continue to inspire future generations.
POTTED HISTORY OF BROMPTON BARRACKS
In 1667 during the second Anglo-Dutch war, the Royal Navy suffered its most humiliating defeat. A Dutch raiding force sailed into the Medway, burning 13 ships and towing away two, including the flagship HMS Royal Charles, shown in this image from the 
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. It is called ‘Attack on the Medway’ by van Soest. Sheerness Fort was captured and the Dutch spent the following weeks marauding and landing along the Medway, the Thames and the south east coast. Samuel Pepys recorded “I do fear so much that the whole Kingdom is undone, that I do this night resolve to study with my father and wife what to do with the little that I have in money by me … hardly slept all night.” The result was a somewhat forced peace treaty with the Dutch, followed by significant investment by successive monarchs in protecting Chatham from sea and land attacks. Later works included the construction of ditches and guns to defend the dockyard. In the 1700s and 1800s Fort Amherst, Fort Pitt and Fort Clarence were built to protect other potential approaches to the area. Labour for the building of the forts included convicts and Napoleonic Prisoners of War.
Read the full history here.
Postage and Packaging
Postage and Packaging costs are changeable as costs increase according to current charges, based on weight and size. The cost you pay for postage and packaging is what we pay for postage and packaging.
