The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

ROYAL ENGINEERS

The Royal Engineers are a British army regiment intrusted with the construction of all military works, plans, surveys, etc. They had some kind of existence as far back as 1683 but were made part of the ordnance by an Order of Council in 1717. In 1772 the first company of 'sappers and miners' was organized at Gibraltar. In 1783 the engineers were raised to be a royal corps, and in 1812 several companies of artificers were converted into 'sappers and miners.' This name was abolished and that of royal engineers substituted in 1857. The modern Royal Engineers are concerned with mining and building work, but are also called upon to fight as infantry.
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