The Corps can trace its history back as a distinct organization to
1717, but Engineers or artificers were known before that. In 1722
the Corps was known as "The Soldier Artificier Corps," and later as
"The Corps of Military Artificers." In 1788, under Master-General the
Duke of Richmond, the Officers were constituted "The Corps of Royal
Engineers," the other ranks being "The Royal Line Artificers." The
title of "The Royal Sappers and Miners" replaced them in 1813, and
for their distinguished service in the Crimea all ranks were united
under the title of "The Corps of Royal Engineers." Of the services,
individual and collective, of the Corps during its history it would be
impossible to treat in detail, for they have served with distinction
in every battle and in all parts of the Empire, and have a glorious
history of unusual valour.
Nicknames: "The Sappers"; "The Mudlarks"; "The Measurers"; and "The
Mounted Bricklayers."
[Illustration]
(_Regimental Headquarters_, Buckingham Gate, S.W.)
"Tangier, 1680," "Namur, 1695," "Gibraltar, 1704-5," "Blenheim,"
"Ramillies," "Oudenarde," "Malplaquet," "Dettingen," "Lincelles,"
"Egmont-op-Zee," "Corunna," "Barrosa," "Nive," "Peninsula,"
"Waterloo," "Alma," "Inkerman," "Sevastopol," "Tel-el-Kebir,"
"Egypt, 1882," "Suakin, 1885," "Khartoum," "Modder River," "South
Africa, 1899-1902."
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Bearskin cap with white plume worn on left side.
_Forage cap_, Blue with scarlet band.
_Regimental March_, "British Grenadiers."
Buttons on the tunic are placed at equal distance apart.