Sapper?

[jenniferwaller]

One of my relatives James Rutherford was a sapper in the Royal Engineers

What exactly was a sapper and what would have been his job??

Jen

[truthergw]

Hi Jen. A sapper is a Royal Engineer. He is the equivalent of a private in the infantry. As an engineer he may have carried out any one of a multitude of tasks. They were tunnelers and train drivers and bridge builders and bridge demolishers. That is only a start. If you go to the Long Long Trail site , you will get a start.

[the gunners dream]

Hi there,

Here's a few links to explain what the RE were all about.

http://www.1914-1918.net/cre.htm

http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_history.htm

Steve

[jenniferwaller]

Hi Jen. A sapper is a Royal Engineer. He is the equivalent of a private in the infantry. As an engineer he may have carried out any one of a multitude of tasks. They were tunnelers and train drivers and bridge builders and bridge demolishers. That is only a start. If you go to the Long Long Trail site , you will get a start.

Thanks for the help

Jen

[squirrel]

You might just even come to the conclusion that it might have been easier to ask what they didn't do - their motto "Ubique" (everywhere) sums it up.

[stevem49]

First in and Last out.

'Many believe the Royal Engineers to be the most impressive unit in the British Army' - G Millar, The Rifle Brigade.

'The Royal Engineers, as everyone knew, were mad, married or methodist' - From The Longest Retreat - The Burma Campaign 1942 by Tim Carew

Kitchener was a Royal Engineer, as was Gen Gordon and numerous others in the Top Brass.

(not that I am biased of course)

Steve M, (RE and Married )