Objectives of the Society

“To promote and advance the science of military engineering and to promote the military efficiency of the Corps of Royal Engineers.”

The Society’s object is the promotion of interest in the history of the Corps of Royal Engineers.  In support of the object, the Society will raise funds and do the following:

1. Encourage and promote interest in the history of the Corps of Royal Engineers and its antecedents (including the Commonwealth) in particular and military engineering in general.

2. Develop a wider understanding of the evolution of military engineering and of the role of the Corps within a national and multinational context and to assist the Institution of Royal Engineers, Museum, Library and Archive in further pursuing these goals.

3. Assist in the preservation, promotion and understanding of the heritage of the Corps of Royal Engineers and in the writing of the Corps history.

4. Provide a forum for informed discussion and debate, in pursuance of Objects a. to c. above, and for the advancement of associated scholarship through the publication of learned articles in the Royal Engineers Journal and other suitable publications.

5. Present an opportunity to stimulate an interest in military history in general.

Contact us

If you want to contact a member of the REHS committee do not hesitate to contact the REHS Secretary at secretary@rehs.org.uk If you have an administrative query or wish to find out about joining the REHS contact admin@rehs.org.uk

The Royal Engineers Historical Society – Committee Members & AGM Minutes

Books

Operation Trenton

Operation TRENTON has been a major commitment for the Corps over the last four years and 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 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.

Mediterranean Safari– March 1943 to 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 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.

Corps History Vols I – XII

All Volumes I – XII (less VIII) are available to purchase The history of the Corps is currently contained in eleven volumes, with Volume XII covering the years 1980-2000 due to be published in 2012. 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 of the Royal Engineers history archive into electronic documents, available for you to view and search on a CD-ROM.

Contact Hazel Whamond on 01634 822371 for further details.