RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: eadaoin on Thursday 10 July 14 22:52 BST (UK)

Title: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: eadaoin on Thursday 10 July 14 22:52 BST (UK)
I'm assuming that a Royal Engineer might be a sailor or a soldier?

I have John Begg in Limerick 1901 - Royal Engineer - unemployed.
He was born in 1875 and died in 1905.

I have his parents, siblings etc, but I'd like to know a little more about his job.

regards eadaoin
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: Man of Kent on Thursday 10 July 14 23:36 BST (UK)
 A Royal Engineer or sapper is a Mechanical or Civil Arm of the Army.
They have been based near me in Kent for 200 years and there Museum is also here in Gillingham.
http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/29593.aspx
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: philipsearching on Friday 11 July 14 20:33 BST (UK)
In John Begg's time, the Royal Engineers were supporting front-line soldiers in places like South Africa mainly by developing construction and communications - building bridges, laying roads, digging defences, setting up telegraph wires and a variety of other activities.  In the UK they were kept busy on a variety of construction projects and receiving training.

Hope this helps
Philip
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: eadaoin on Friday 11 July 14 21:07 BST (UK)
thanks, Man of Kent and Philip ... interesting website, I'll have a proper look at it presently.

I suppose, if he was a soldier, maybe Military Records are available ...

regards eadaoin
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: gortonboy on Friday 11 July 14 22:01 BST (UK)
looks like his service record is available on Findmypast.  ;)
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: gortonboy on Friday 11 July 14 22:06 BST (UK)
doesn't make good reading ,,seems he was basically kicked out after serving from 1899-1900.  :-[
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: eadaoin on Friday 11 July 14 22:50 BST (UK)
Quote from: gortonboy on Friday 11 July 14 22:06 BST (UK)
doesn't make good reading ,,seems he was basically kicked out after serving from 1899-1900.  :-[

dear me! I'll have to look at that .. should  be glad he's one of OH's, not mine!
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: John915 on Friday 11 July 14 23:06 BST (UK)
Good evening,

That would explain why he is described as 'unemployed'. Probably found it difficult to find a job once kicked out of the army.

John915
Title: Re: What's a Royal Engineer?
Post by: Rudolf H B on Friday 11 July 14 23:18 BST (UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Engineers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Engineers)

Regards
Rudolf