The Royal Engineers Association

The Royal Engineers Association
(Registered under the Charities Act 1992 and a charity registered in Scotland)
All Management Committee Members
All Council Members
All Group Secretaries
All Branch Secretaries
Controller REA
Corps Treasurer
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
1
All correspondence to:
The Controller
RE Association
Brompton Bks
CHATHAM
Kent
ME4 4UG
Telephone: 01634 822407
Fax: 01634 822394
Website: www.reahq.org.uk
Email: info@reahq.org.uk
01 August 2012
MINUTES OF THE 117 th MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE ROYAL
ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION, HELD IN 032 MEETING ROOM 07, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, MAIN
BUILDING, LONDON, ON WEDNESDAY 18 th JULY 2012
PRESENT
Maj Gen J D Moore-Bick CBE DL Chairman
Col C N R Skeat Corps Colonel
Maj (Retd) P Bain Central Southern Group
Maj (Retd) B Wilks South East Group
Maj (Retd) R Macgregor Scotland & NI Group
WO1 (RSM) G Chaplin 1 RSME Regt
WO1 (RSM) S Lee 3 RSME Regt
WO1 (RSM) J Thomas 170 (Infra Sp) Engr Group
Mr J R V Mason South West Group
Mr M Crooke North West Group
Mr R Price North Midlands Group
Mr B Prosser North East Group
IN ATTENDANCE
APOLOGIES
Lt Col (Retd) J R McLennan Controller REA
Lt Col (Retd) N Jordan D Con REA and Secretary
Lt Col (Retd) J Townsley Corps Treasurer
Lt Col (Retd) R Murfin TD DL Reserve Army
Maj (Retd) B Henderson South Wales Group
Maj I Drummond RE Comd Wyke Regis
Mr G Littleford South Midlands Group
Mr P Markham London Group
Mr T Mitchley East Anglia Group

1. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present especially those who had
come from afar.
2. The Chairman noted that apologies had been received from those listed above. He welcomed
the following new members to the Committee for whom it was their first meeting:
� Col C NR Skeat Corps Colonel
� Maj (Retd) R Macgregor Scotland & NI Gp
� WO1 (RSM) J Thomas 170 (Infra Sp) Engr Group
ITEM 1 - TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE 116 th MEETING
3 The Committee accepted that the Minutes of the 116 th Meeting were a true record of the
proceedings.
4. Proposed: John Mason (South West Gp).
Seconded: Bob Prosser (North East Gp)
5. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
ITEM 2 – TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 116 th MEETING
6. There were no matters arising from the previous Minutes.
ITEM 3 – TO NOTE THE REPORT OF THE BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
7. The Controller presented the Benevolence Report for the 6 month period ending June 2012.
The report is at Annex A.
8. The Chairman said that at the last Chief Royal’s Cttee meeting there was high praise for the
work of the REA. The CR commented on the high reputation of benevolence within the Corps and how
important it was for the Corps.
9. The Chairman remarked upon the good work done by SSAFA case workers and asked the
Controller to invite Graham Littleford (REA Trustee), himself a SSAFA case worker, to tell the Trustees
at their next meeting about SSAFA’s work from the case worker’s point of view. In particular he asked
that Graham Littleford bring with him some copies of the SSAFA Form A’s so that Trustees could see
the detailed, behind the scenes work that was done by case workers.
Action: Controller and Graham Littleford
10. The Chairman asked if the RSMs present had any comments particularly from the serving
population, such as ‘do they know what they are paying their Day’s Pay for’? WO1 (RSM) Lee (3
RSME Regt) said that soldiers were briefed at Regt level but at a recent Army 2020 briefing a comment
from the floor asked, if when the Corps elements of the TA got bigger and the Corps elements of the
Regular Army were reduced, would there be more of a draw from the TA in terms of Day’s Pay
contributions than there is at the moment, or are the Regular Corps going to be paying for those who
don’t contribute? The Chairman asked if that comment was brought up spontaneously by the
audience, WO1 (RSM) Lee confirmed that this was the case and said it followed on from a remark that
there was some scepticism that RE reservists could ‘fill the void’, and a belief that the regular Corps
would have to ‘pick up the pieces’.
11. The Corps Colonel said that in the future he understood that the Corps will own the training of
its TA personnel. It is at this stage that they will seek to engage them in the Day’s Pay Scheme
(Payroll Giving).
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12. The Chairman said that a Green Paper, a consultation about the future of the reserves, would
be published in September or October. He reminded the Cttee that the content of the Green Paper
was not just for Westminster or Whitehall use but would be of interest to TA soldiers and families, and
of course the REA who perhaps should comment on the impact a smaller regular Corps will have on
need to continue paying for benevolence.
13. The Benevolence Report was accepted.
ITEM 4 - TO NOTE THE CORPS COLONELS REPORT ON THE CORPS
14. The Corps Colonel presented his report. The report is at Annex B.
15. The Chairman thanked the Corps Col for his comprehensive and informative report and urged
Cttee members to share the information with branches and members as it contained some very
important information about the future shape of the Corps.
16. The Controller said that the Corps RSM has done an outstanding job at looking after the Corps
injured at Headley Court. He occasionally takes a group of ten or so injured from Headley Court out to
a local restaurant. This gives them the opportunity to relax, have a chat, a few beers and a bite to eat;
the cost is picked up by the REA and the activity is very much appreciated. The Controller asked that
this information be relayed back to branches.
17. The Corps Colonel’s report was accepted.
ITEM 5 – TO NOTE THE REPORT OF THE RECRUITING COMMITTEE
18. The D Con presented the Recruiting Cttee Report for the year ending June 2012. The report is
at Annex C.
19. Mr Bob Prosser (North East Gp) asked if there was any way of getting round the problem of the
provision of photographs for membership cards by potential members. He said the Airborne Engineer
branch had over a hundred potential members who had not provided a photograph for use on their
membership card. He has reminded them but had had little response. The D Con said that REA
Membership staff had also written to these potential members asking for photographs, but as with the
secretary, there has been very little response. Bob Prosser asked if there was any short cut to this
problem, the D Con said there was not, an ID card needed a photo and until the photo had been
reproduced on the membership card, the membership process could not be completed.
20. The Recruiting Cttee report was accepted.
ITEM 6 – TO COMMENT ON THE 2013 BUDGET
21. The Controller took members through the most up-to-date budget sheet provided at the
meeting. He advised them that this was their chance to influence changes to the budget through
Council.
22. John Mason (South West Gp) commented on the current and future cost of using Royal Mail.
The Chairman was unsure that there was any way around these high costs. The D Con said that there
was some scope for reducing postage and that was to make more use of email and the REA website.
The problem was that many branches had not provided contact email address on their branch
information sheets (Form 4). This could be because they did not have email accounts; it could also be
that they are unwilling to use their private email addresses for REA business. In any event, Cttee
delegates from Group areas were urged to take the message back to their branches that email
addresses would help reduce costs. The Deputy Controller would welcome email contact addresses
from all branches.
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23. The Chairman asked that the D Con look at ways of improving digital contact with branches and
the accessibility of documents through the REA website with a view to reducing postal charges.
Action: D Con
After notes:
a. The REA website already carries copies of the most up to date committee meeting minutes,
the latest copy of the HQ Circular and Association Rules 2009. These have been published
on the REA website for over 2 years.
b. The following branches have no email address for the branch secretary and it would be
most useful if a branch contact email address was made available to HQ REA:
Abergavenny
Barnsley
Bath & West Wilts
Birkenhead
Birmingham & Distr
Gosport
Malvern
Minley
Newcastle & Distr
Potteries
South Humberside
St Helens
Stafford
West Cumberland
Whitby & Distr
Wolverhampton
ITEM 7 – ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUMMARIES – DEBRIEF POINTS
24. The Chairman invited the Controller to brief the meeting on the status of Branch and Group
submissions for the FY 2011.
25. The Controller said that although the submission and accuracy of Financial Summaries was
better this year, it was still not perfect. He reminded Group Cttee members to take the message back
to their branches that it was extremely important to ensure branch Financial Summaries were
submitted before the 31 st Jan deadline. It was good practice for Financial Summaries to be with HQ
REA by mid-January, this would provide adequate time for them to be checked and any errors rectified
before the deadline.
26. The D Con said he would like Group HQ’s to be more involved in ensuring branches submitted
their Summaries on time. He asked that Group Secretaries maintain robust contact with branch
chairmen during the first half of each January to ensure branches do submit their Summaries in good
time. He did not want branches to send their completed Financial Summaries to Gp HQ’s as this would
only further delay submission.
ITEM 8 – TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL THE AGENDA FOR THE 2012 AGM
27. The Committee considered the AGM Agenda.
28. The Chairman said the CRSM’s presentation at the 2011 AGM was very good and asked the
Corps Colonel to ask the CRSM if he would be prepared to do a further presentation at this year’s
AGM.
Action: Corps Colonel
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29. The Controller said he would like to say very well done to the CRSM and thanks him for a very
good presentation at the last AGM. He asked that the Management Cttee endorse his thanks. There
was total agreement.
31. The Cttee recommended the draft AGM agenda to Council.
ITEM 9 – AMENDMENTS TO ASSOCIATION RULES 2009
32. The Chairman reminded members that since the demise of the EinC(A) appointment there
would no longer be an ex-officio Trustee for that post. Additionally, where the EinC(A) had
responsibilities detailed in Association Rules 2009 these would need to be moved to another ex-officio
appointment. It was agreed that Association Rules 2009 be amended to reflect (a) the demise of the
EinC(A) as a Trustee, and (b) the relocation of the responsibilities previously held by the EinC(A).
33. The Controller said that the removal of the EinC(A) as a Trustee would reduce the number of
ex-officio members to three. He said that this would give more control to elected trustees which, as the
REA is a membership organisation, was no bad thing. There was agreement on this point.
34. The Chairman did not think that the potential changes needed in Association Rules 2009
warranted the formation of a small cttee to carry out the work. He was content that the work be done
by HQ REA. There was Cttee agreement on this matter.
35. The Chairman noted that, in a military context, the Comdt RSME had taken on some of the
functions of the EinC(A). As the Comdt RSME was already a Trustee he might be best placed to take
on the REA responsibilities previously assigned to the EinC(A). The D Con suggested that the Corps
Colonel might be in a better position to take on those responsibilities. The Chairman agreed but added
that he would like the Corps Colonel to look at the problem and determine whether or not it was an
appropriate task for the Corps Colonel in his enlarged role.
Action: Corps Colonel
After note: Comdt RSME has indicated that he would prefer that the Corps Colonel appointed for the
REA. Corps Colonel is happy to discharge function.
ITEM 10 – REA CENTENARY 2012
36. The Chairman said that the events at Windsor Castle and the NMA had been wonderful once in
a lifetime events, never to be forgotten. The Sapper Magazine had provided excellent cover of both
events and recommended the June edition to members.
37. Group delegates were invited to provide updates on the status of their Group Centenary
Receptions.
a. Bob Prosser (North East Gp) reported that the Group had held a very successful parade
and reception at the Eden Camp Modern History Museum on 23 June. It was well attended
with over 200 veterans on parade and over 300 spectators. VIP’s included such luminaries
as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Major General Naylor, General Peck, the Lord Mayors of
Bradford, Leeds, the Mayors of Harrogate, Witterton, Ripon and Scarborough.
b. John Mason (South West Gp) advised the Cttee that the Gp event would be held on 22
July.
c. Maj R Macgregor (Scotland & NI Gp) advised the Cttee that the Gp event would be held on
6 Oct.
d. Roger Price (North Midlands Gp) reported that the Gp held a Centenary Dinner on 22 June
at Chesterfield FC. It was well attended and VIP guests included the Lord Lieutenant of
Derbyshire. Other subsidiary events were held over the weekend.
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e. Maj Barry Wilks (South East Gp) advised the Cttee that the Gp event would be held on 18
August.
f. Mike Crooke (North West Gp) advised the Cttee that the Gp event would be held on 24
November.
g. Maj Peter Bain (Central Southern Gp) and WO1 (RSM) Lee reported that the Gp centenary
event was held on 15 May in the WO’s and Sgts’ mess. The event was linked to the Comdt
Beating Retreat in order to take advantage of the visit of the Corps Band.
38. The D Con reminded members that in recognition of the REA centenary, the Royal British
Legion had invited the REA to parade its National Standard at the 2012 Festival of Remembrance.
The Association has accepted the invitation and the Standard will be carried by the REA Captain of
Standards.
ITEM 11 - BRANCH MATTERS
39. Maj R Macgregor (Scotland & NI Gp) had a proposal for the formation of a new branch called
the Falkirk and District Branch. Before making the proposal Maj Macgregor advised the meeting that
the Scotland & NI Gp has not had a Gp Director or Gp Secretary for some time; the Gp Secretary has
only just been replaced and the new Group Director is not due in post until the middle of August. Maj
Macgregor advised the Cttee that a letter of objection to the formation of the branch had been sent to
the Group Director. The Chairman said that the Cttee were not in a position to consider the proposal
and that the Scotland & NI Group Director should make a recommendation based on what is in the
best interest of the REA. Maj Macgregor was asked to take this message back to the Gp Director.
This was fully supported by all members of the Cttee.
Action: Maj Macgregor
ITEM 12 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
40. Postal and Courier Services (PCS) 100 th Anniversary 28 Feb 2013.
a. A proposal had been received from the REA PCS Branch. It was proposed that the
100 th Anniversary of the PCS be commemorated by the planting of a tree on the site of the
Corps Memorial at the NMA.
b. The Cttee discussed the proposal but did not approve of the planting of a further tree on
the site of the Corps Memorial. It did not object in principle to the PCS Branch planting a
commemorative tree elsewhere within the NMA.
c. The proposal was not carried
41. Expansion of the Management Cttee (Original proposal 24 Jan 2002).
a. John Mason (South West Gp) asked the Cttee to consider whether to revive the 2002
proposal for the expansion of the Management Cttee whereby branches with 500 or more
members were granted a seat on the Management Cttee, or if the required number of members
should be 500 or some other more appropriate number.
b. John Mason continued by saying that even though the proposal had been passed in
2002, there had been no amendment to REA Rules to provide guidance on the subject.
c. It was proposed that 500 members was the right number and that membership of the
Management Cttee by any branch achieving that number would be subject to a biennial review.
d. HQ REA was requested to provide a form of words for Association Rules that provided
guidance on membership of the Management Cttee by branches achieving a membership of
500 or more.
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Proposed: John Mason
Seconded: Maj R Macgregor
Carried
Action: D Con REA
42. WO1 (RSM) Lee 3 RSME Regt said that the Minley Weekend had been a terrific success. It
was made all the more special through the attendance of the Corps Band. The veterans attending the
event were full of praise for the professionalism and overall standard of the Band.
43. The Chairman advised the Cttee that it would be the last meeting for the following members:
a. WO1 (RSM) S Lee – 3 RSME Regt
b. Mr J R V Mason – South West Gp
44. He thanked them for their time, effort and input into the decision making process of the REA.
45. The Chairman also advised the Cttee that it would be the last Management Cttee meeting for
both himself and the Controller REA. He thanked the Controller for all his hard work but reminded the
Cttee that they would both be around until the next AGM.
46. The Controller said he would like to thank the Cttee for their support and also the Chairman and
all previous Chairmen for making his tenure of 13 years simply wonderful. He said he was totally
staggered to have received the Badge of Merit at Windsor and thanked all of those responsible.
ITEM 13 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING
47. The date of the next meeting is expected to be 24 th January 2013 in MOD Main Building.
01 August 2012 Deputy Controller
Minutes Approved
Date Chairman
7

Benevolence Report for 117 th Meeting of the
REA Management Committee
Wednesday 18 th July 2012
8
Annex A to
Minutes of 117 th Man Mtg
Dated 01 August 2012
1. Trends. There is no discernible trend in the actual numbers we have helped over the past
year but we have notice a distinct trend in the number of separated younger families unable to remain
together in the matrimonial home. The REA Benevolence Committee is particularly concerned for the
welfare, well-being and care of the children in such cases.
2. Benevolence Cases 2005 – 2011 & 6 Months Jan-Jun 2012
Annual
Totals
Requests
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Jan-Jun Jan-Dec Jan-Dec Jan-Dec Jan-Dec
78
(101in
2011)
969 953 1071 984
Jan-
Dec
1048
Jan-Dec Jan- Dec
936 910
Grants 75 957 943 1053 975 1026 919 886
3. Cost of Benevolence 2011. The audited net cost of REA benevolence made up of Grants,
Christmas grants, weekly allowances and grants to other charities for 2011 was £676,675 (£699,971 in
2010).
4. REA Branch Observers. Observers are always most welcome to visit REA Benevolence
meetings in London to see how the Committee carries out the business of making financial grants on
behalf of the Corps. The Chairman and Controller REA invite REA Branch observers to attend and
participate with the aim reporting back to their Branches on the extensiveness of cases that are
considered and how we are able to help.
5. Christmas Cards. Christmas cards and a modest Christmas box are sent out from HQ REA
each year to over one thousand Members or their widows and to those being treated for Combat
Stress. We receive many letters of appreciation for this thought and consideration and although it
creates a heavy workload for the REA Staff to complete this task it is most rewarding to see that the
gesture is very much appreciated. The total cost of REA Christmas cards & grants was £26,515.
6. Grants to Other Charities. REA Council has approved grants to other Service charities who
are involved in the care and benevolent work for our Sappers and their families. The ABF received
£35,000, SSAFA Forces Help received £7,500 and Combat Stress received £2,500 for their excellent
work. Veterans Aid, a small charity that works closely with the “rough sleepers” in London and other
cities, has also been helped.
7. Kitchener Scholarship. The REA Council has accepted the responsibility of running the
Kitchener Scholarship on behalf of the Corps and has delegated the day-to-day running of the fund to
the REA Benevolence Committee. We are currently funding, Miss Kathryn Francis and Miss Lauren
McLeish.
8. REA Website. On the “In Memoriam” section of the REA website there is a link to the Corps
Memorial Book with names of those who have died in years past. This initiative is being well used and
populated by friends and families to commemorate the lives of those Sappers who have died whilst on
or off duty. There has been a quantum leap in its usage.

9
Annex B to
Minutes of 117 th Man Mtg
Dated 01 August 2012
CORPS COLONEL REPORT TO THE REA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - AS AT 1 JUL 12
OPERATIONS AND DEPLOYMENTS
Herrick 16 (Mar – Sep 12) Herrick 17 (Sep 12 – Mar 13)
TFH 12 Mech Bde 4 Mech Bde
Engr Regt 26 Engr Regt 21 Engr Regt
HQ & Sp Sqn 38 HQ & Sp Sqn 7 HQ & Sp Sqn
CS Sqn 1 8 Armd Engr Sqn 4 Armd Engr Sqn
CS Sqn 2 30 Armd Engr Sqn 73 Armd Engr Sqn
CS Sqn 3 33 Armd Engr Sqn 42 Fd Sqn
Talisman Sqn 25 Fd Sqn 1 Armd Engr Sqn
Log Node 7 HQ & Sp Sqn 7 HQ & Sp Sqn
Engr Gp TA R Mon RE (M) 75 Engr Regt (V)
Backfill
591 Indep Fd Sqn (V)
Engr Wks Gp 67 Wks Gp/ 64 Wks Gp 64 Wks Gp/ 62 Wks Gp
Wks Gp TA Backfill 65 Wks Gp (V)
CIED TF RHQ 33 Engr Regt (EOD) 36 Engr Regt (Search)
EOD Sqn RE 49 Fd Sqn (EOD) 21 Fd Sqn (EOD)
EOD Sqn RLC 11 EOD Regt RLC
Search Backfill 20 Fd Sqn (Search) [10]
69 Fd Sqn (Search) [8]
23 Pnr Regt [4]
23 Pnr Regt [4]
MWD 101 Sqn, 1 MWD 105 Sqn, 1 MWD
ECM FP 10 Sig Regt
CIED TF TA Backfill 29 EOD & Search Gp
MSSG MSSG/ OCE
Op BAM/TRP Engr
Surge Sqn
53 Fd Sqn (Air Sp) 48 Fd Sqn (Air Sp)
Engr Regt Gp. Although dominated by construction work, the Engr Gp continues to conduct a wide
range of tasks from bridging to demolitions and diving with 70% LIVE, 20% MOVE and 10% FIGHT.
CORPS STRUCTURES
Army 2020. At the time of writing no formal announcement had been made about the Corps’ detailed
future structure, although presentations at RUSI and elsewhere have made some information
available. While the Corps will be smaller, its capabilities have been retained and in some cases
enhanced. All Field Army Royal Engineer force elements will be grouped together in 8 Engineer
Brigade.
The proposition focuses Military Engineer support onto the ”Reaction Force” of three Armoured Infantry
Brigades and the Specialist Brigades. Support will be largely based on Regular structures for reasons
of training complexity and readiness. Greater integration of Regular and Reserve forces will be
required
Territorial Army. As at Jul 12, RE TA strength was 230 officers (70% manned) and 2230 soldiers
(55% manned); this includes >600 (27%) in training, a reduction in numbers since last year. Ongoing
uncertainty over the future role and structures of the TA in the post SDSR era is hampering retention
and Commanding Officers are hard pressed to maintain impetus in the absence of clear decisions as
to the way forward.
PEOPLE ISSUES
Soldier Recruiting. Inflow into the Corps remains healthy with the annual soldier figures increasing
for 2012/13 to c800 pax. Academic standards have been re-visited and amended where necessary
prior to Capita taking over responsibility for Army Recruiting as part of the Recruiting Partnering
Project.

Officer Recruiting. We commissioned 66 officers in Trg Year (TY)11/12; 2 more than our DM(A)
quota which reduces to 54 under Future Officer Structures. Nine had no academic basis for further
engineering or geotechnical training; 40 held qualifications that put them on the road to chartership.
Despite this healthy inflow we are still struggling to deliver sufficient chartered engineers; we aim to
rectify this with incentive measures, better marketing and improved PET nurturing by (170 Infra Sp)
Engr Gp. There is currently a spike in officers leaving the Corps and this situation will require
monitoring to ensure that the future structures are not affected.
Manning. The total number of Corps personnel is sound; strength is 9470 against a liability of 9409.
Soldiers numbers are balanced but masks the deficit of c480 JNCOs and excess of c530 Sappers.
The excess of approx 50 officers is predominately from the LE Community.
Redundancy. Tranche 2 yields amounted to 233 Officers and SNCOs from UKTAP and QGE.
Applicants comprised 94% of UKTAP and 23% QGE. Applicants will discharge by 11 Dec 12 and
Compulsory Redundees by 11 Jun 13.
HEADQUARTERS ROYAL ENGINEERS (CHATHAM)
� Corps Activities. The Corps prepares to celebrate its 200 th anniversary in Brompton with a series
of commemorative events. It is hoped to dovetail the Corps activity with that being planned by
local authorities – to include: 200 th anniversary of Dickens’ birth; 100 th anniversary of the Corps
Museum; World Heritage status for the Great Lines; City Status for Medway; HM The Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee and of course, the 2012 Olympics. Specific activity includes:
o Brompton 200 Commemorative Booklet (by Jul 12) – this will be available for £5.00
o Loan of Dickens Collection to Rochester Guild Hall
o Corps Football Team to play Gillingham FC (Jul 12)
o English Heritage Book on Medway to include RE Foreword.
o Corps Guest Night (Oct 12) to be 200 th Anniversary Dinner
o 2 nd delivery of Sapper Ale produced and delivered to units.
o Corps Memorial Weekend focus on 200 th Anniversary.
o Former Comdts RSME to gather on 15 Sep 12 for Lunch and Photograph.
o Renovation of Brompton Barracks Gordon Statue and Obelisk (War memorial) funded
by War Memorial Trust.
o REA Reception hosted by HM The Queen (as Patron REA) at Windsor Apr 12.
o REA 100 th at NMA in May 12.
� RE Museum, Library & Archive
o Grounds. The grounds continue to be landscaped with additions to the collection. The
last of the bridges was delivered in late-June.
o Bridge Gallery. Work continues apace on the Bridge Centre, set to become the world’s
largest model bridge collection. The opening date is set for Sep 12 with enhancing works to
continue throughout 2012.
o V1/V2. We hope to install the V1/V2 rockets by September 2012. The installation will
impact on the courtyard and access – we will minimise the disruption to the public.
o A donation of £1 million has been received by REMLAC which should be matched by
‘catalyst’ funding – this should underwrite the Transformation Project.
� Institution Royal Engineers
o Vol XII of the Corps history has been delivered and is available for sale through the Inst
RE offices (price £12.50 for members).
o With effect from May 12, all serving members of the Corps will automatically become
members of the Inst RE (originally founded as an officer-only charity). This seminal event sees
the end of the journey towards universality. With all serving personnel awarded membership
(Sappers will be Apprentice Technicians), the Inst RE becomes a mid-size institution within
Engineering Council UK with concomitant increase in influence.
o Inst RE will undertake to refurbish some of the Corps’ more significant memorials (within
Brompton 2012).
10

Summary
� This has been a period of significant change.
� HQ RE staff turnover is beginning to plateau with Corps Treasurer and Controller REA the final C
grades to take retirement in year.
� The Corps is in good order but will be impacted on by the A 2020 fallout – we might expect a 10%
cut to manpower in line with wider-Army cuts.
� We are rapidly developing the Corps heritage and history and are well-placed to manage the
welfare benevolence demands placed on the Corps by the injured and damaged.
� The Corps Colonel will post out with effect July 2012 and will be replaced by Col Callum Skeat,
currently CRE 1(UK) Armd Div.
Corps Colonel
Royal Engineers
11

RECRUITING COMMITTEE REPORT
FOR THE MEETING OF
12
Annex C to
Minutes of 117 th Man Mtg
Dated 01 August 2012
THE ROYAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
REA AWARENESS TRAINING
JULY 2012
1. Since the last report in July 2011, 709 (930 in 2011) Phase 2 recruits, have received REA
Awareness Training and been given the ‘Welcome Pack’.
2. REA Awareness presentations continue to be given to all 1 RSME Command Courses. This is
normally given by the Corps Colonel as part of his wider brief to the courses.
RECRUITING INITIATIVES
3. Contact with Serving Soldiers prior to discharge. In order to activate Life Membership of the REA
and obtain a long term civilian address to maintain contact with serving soldiers on discharge, HQ
REA have written to all Corps RCMO’s asking for their assistance in activating REA membership on
discharge of all Royal Engineers. The initial response has been positive and the committee continues
to monitor its success.
4. Recruiting Banner.
a. REA advertising banners which can be attached to unit perimeter fences, prompting readers who
were Royal Engineers to join the REA, were distributed to each REA Group who passed them to
units within their group area.
b. These Banner proved to be very popular and a second batch of banners was produced and
distributed through REA Groups.
5. Beer Mats. The committee approved the production and issue of a quantity of Beer Mats with a
Sapper Ale design on one side and a REA advert on the other. The Corps Colonel on our behalf
negotiated with Shepherd and Neame and they produced 50K beer mats at no cost. These were
distributed through REA Groups.
6. Bookmarks. The committee approved the issue of bookmarks last year advertising the REA which
was produced in conjunction with some information on ‘Legacies’ on the reverse side. This recruiting
aid has been well received and a 2 nd tranche of bookmarks has been produced and distributed.
RECRUITING STATISTICS
7. During the period of this report the number of new Life Members recruited has been 468 (432 in
2011) throughout all the REA Groups.
Peter Lund 11th July 2012
Chairman
Recruiting Committee