Sappers Collection

A Miner Success by Bruce Bairnsfather, WW1 cartoon
" They must ave ad some good news or somethin, Alf; you can ear em cheerin quite plain." Two British Tommies, Bill and Alf

Steamer Point, Aden, Yemen - Bathing Pool at the Lido - Sappers Bay. Date: circa 1940s

The Battle of the Roer Triangle; Second World War, 1945
Sketch showing the Allied Second Army crossing the Vloed Beek in Holland during a night attack on the 17th January 1945. On the left of the image one can see sappers constructing an improvised

Mine and Countermine by Heath Robinson
A tunnelling stand off between a British and German soldier with the German soldier eventually burrowing so deeply he falls out of the other side of the world. Date: 1915

The War of Prodigies (Colour Litho)
2808551 The War of Prodigies (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War of Prodigies. An alpine corvee at three thousand meters)

R Es bridge building practice in preparation for the Royal Tournament at Olympia London England Practising at Christchurch Dorset England on 4 May 1920 eTopFoto

Sappers & Miners / Hill 60
Sappers and miners of the Royal Engineers drive a tunnel under Hill 60 at Ypres, obliterated by a mine fired by the British in April 1915

A fortress being attacked by a siege tower
5310332 A fortress being attacked by a siege tower; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a fortress being attacked by a siege tower incorporating a battering ram (right)

The King's Own Regiments of the Indian Army who came to the coronation of King George V, 1910
2915344 The King's Own Regiments of the Indian Army who came to the coronation of King George V, 1910. From The Illustrated London News, 1910.; Photo © Hilary Morgan.

The King's Own Regiments of the Indian Army who came to the coronation of King George V, 1910
2915345 The King's Own Regiments of the Indian Army who came to the coronation of King George V, 1910. From The Illustrated London News, 1910.; Photo © Hilary Morgan.

French Religious Wars 1562-1598. Siege of Chartres
535863 French Religious Wars 1562-1598. Siege of Chartres.; (add.info.: French Religious Wars 1562-1598. Siege of Chartres)

Aerostiers et Observateurs en Ballon; Tandis que le ballon, abandonne a son sort, acheve... 1917. Creator: Unknown
Aerostiers et Observateurs en Ballon; Tandis que le ballon, abandonne a son sort, acheve de bruler a terre, deux sapeurs s'efforcent de sauver la soupape qui est la plus precieuse de

Sapper of the Swiss Guards, 1779. Creator: Johann Georg Wille
Sapper of the Swiss Guards, 1779

Du tardenois a la Picardie; en Picardie: le passage de l'Avre, entre Morisel et Moreuil, le 8 aout Creator: Unknown
Du tardenois a la Picardie; en Picardie: le passage de l'Avre, entre Morisel et Moreuil, le 8 aout 1918, au matin; construction d'une passerelie par le genie et les chasseurs, 1918

Sur le Marne; le fusil allemand contre char d'assaut, examine par un de nos sapeurs, 1918. Creator: Unknown
Sur le Marne; le fusil allemand contre char d'assaut, examine par un de nos sapeurs, 1918. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Le telephone a l'arriere du front; apres un bombardement, les sapeurs telephonistes... 1918. Creator: Unknown
Le telephone a l'arriere du front; apres un bombardement, les sapeurs telephonistes, munis de leur masque, posent une ligne dans un fond ou persist l, action des gaz, 1918

Les specialistes dans la bataille: Pionniers et Sapeurs; La vie souterraine: construction... 1916
Les specialistes dans la bataille: Pionniers et Sapeurs; La vie souterraine: construction d'une galerie, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII

Les specialistes dans la bataille: Pionniers et Sapeurs; La Sape. Bas-relief par le... 1916. Creator: L'Homme
Les specialistes dans la bataille: Pionniers et Sapeurs; La Sape. Bas-relief par le sculpteur L'Homme, mobilise comme sapeur, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV

Destruction of the Docks, Sebastopol - from a sketch by J. A. Crowe, 1856. Creator: J. A. Crowe
Destruction of the Docks, Sebastopol - from a sketch by J. A. Crowe, 1856. Crimean War. It was the intention of our engineers to blow in a portion of the English half of the docks...the charges in

Inspection of the Royal Sappers and Miners at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, by Sir John Burgoyne, 1856 Creator: Unknown
Inspection of the Royal Sappers and Miners at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, by Sir John Burgoyne, 1856. More than ordinary interest attached to the occasion

'Un sapeur-mineur a son obscur et perilleux travail dans une galerie, 1915. Creator: Unknown
'Un sapeur-mineur a son obscur et perilleux travail dans une galerie, 1915. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919: Volume I" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1926]

Electric Telegraph for the Seat of War - Plough for Laying the Wire, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Electric Telegraph for the Seat of War - Plough for Laying the Wire, 1854. Crimean War. The appliances for laying out the wire over irregular ground, and through marshes and rivers

Sappers repairing the road between Schumla and Varna, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Sappers repairing the road between Schumla and Varna, 1854. British soldiers during the Crimean War. The fortified town of Schumla, now Shumen in Bulgaria, was strategically important

Sappers, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expédition de Rome, 1853. Creator: Auguste Raffet
Sappers, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expedition de Rome, 1853

Sappers going to the trenches, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expédition de Rome, 1854. Creator: Auguste Raffet
Sappers going to the trenches, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expedition de Rome, 1854

Sapping in full swing, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expédition de Rome, 1858. Creator: Auguste Raffet
Sapping in full swing, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expedition de Rome, 1858

Travelling sappers, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expédition de Rome, 1853. Creator: Auguste Raffet
Travelling sappers, from Souvenirs d'Italie: Expedition de Rome, 1853

Squad of sappers and miners coming ashore in a sampan at Chemulpo, c1904. Creator: Robert Lee Dunn
Squad of sappers and miners coming ashore in a sampan at Chemulpo, c1904

The Royal Engineers Diving Establishment at Marchwood near Southampton. The Flipper Brigade report for training as they pass a sign erected for drivers to warn them. 2nd April 1980

Soldiers of The Royal Engineers build bridges to help local residents after heavy floods in Kent. 17th September 1968

The Mayor of Stratford Upon Avon, Councillor Patrick Dare, pictured with Major General THF Foulkes, representing the Commandant of the Corps of Royal Engineers

Sappers tunnelling at Hill 60, Ypres, - WW1
Sappers tunnelling at Hill 60, Ypres, during the First World War

The underground war, the explosion of our mines southwest of San Martino del Carso (colour litho)
2777547 The underground war, the explosion of our mines southwest of San Martino del Carso (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The underground war)

French and German sappers who meet in the excavation of underground tunnels to reach... (colour litho)
2815717 French and German sappers who meet in the excavation of underground tunnels to reach... (colour litho) by Beltrame

Sappers, miners and engineers in the Imperial Army, 19th century (handcoloured copperplate engraving)
5986515 Sappers, miners and engineers in the Imperial Army, 19th century (handcoloured copperplate engraving) by Verico, Antonio (1775-after 1822); (add.info.: Sappers)

The sappers and miners meeting the enemy in the cavern at Tournay (engraving)
7192567 The sappers and miners meeting the enemy in the cavern at Tournay (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Second Lieutenant Cecil Calvert unearths and rescues two men from a mine gallery which had fallen in
976466 Second Lieutenant Cecil Calvert unearths and rescues two men from a mine gallery which had fallen in, 6 September 1915 (litho) by Ripperger, H

Japanese soldiers attacking Russian trenches, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho)
2795847 Japanese soldiers attacking Russian trenches, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Japanese soldiers attacking Russian trenches)

The Indian Frontier Rising (litho)
1598087 The Indian Frontier Rising (litho) by Holland Tringham, Joseph (1861-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Indian Frontier Rising)

Sappers, miners and engineers in the Imperial Army
Sappers, miners and engineers in the German (Holy Roman Empire) Imperial Army, 19th century. Zappatori, Minatori, Guastatori e Pontonieri

Lancers or Uhlan light cavalry in the Imperial Army
Lancers or Uhlan light cavalry in the (German) Imperial Army, 19th century. Ulani. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Antonio Verico from Giulio Ferrarios Costumes Ancient

Tense Moment in Trench Mining Operations, 1914-19 (litho)
STC359745 Tense Moment in Trench Mining Operations, 1914-19 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Roman siege engines: shelter for sappers digging a tunnel, Vineae 1, semi-circular shelter Pluteus 2, shelter Testudo with battering ram Aries 3, shelter on rolling cylinders Musculus 4

The underground fight, ours finish a tunnel to make a counter shine (colour litho)
2808568 The underground fight, ours finish a tunnel to make a counter shine (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The underground fight)

Bulgaria in the Crimean War (engraving)
1607589 Bulgaria in the Crimean War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bulgaria in the Crimean War)

Review of Her Majestys Troops and Volunteers at Cape Town by Prince Alfred (engraving)
1612466 Review of Her Majestys Troops and Volunteers at Cape Town by Prince Alfred (engraving) by Bowler, Thomas William (1812-1869); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Sappers and Miners repairing the Embankment of Plumstead Marshes after the Explosion on Saturday Last (engraving)
1613268 The Sappers and Miners repairing the Embankment of Plumstead Marshes after the Explosion on Saturday Last (engraving) by English School

The Siege of Plevna, Bird s-Eye View of the Russian and Turkish Positions from the South-East (engraving)
1049861 The Siege of Plevna, Bird s-Eye View of the Russian and Turkish Positions from the South-East (engraving) by English School

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"Sappers: Masters of Ingenuity and Resilience" From the trenches of World War I to the battlefields of World War II, they have always been at the forefront of engineering excellence. Bruce Bairnsfather's iconic cartoon "A Miner Success" captures their unwavering determination amidst chaos. At Steamer Point in Aden, Yemen, a momentary respite is found at the Lido's bathing pool. Here, sappers unwind, rejuvenating their spirits before returning to duty. In the Battle of the Roer Triangle during WWII, these skilled soldiers showcased their expertise in bridging gaps both physical and strategic. Their efforts turned tides and paved way for victory. "The War of Prodigies" lithograph portrays sappers as true prodigies - masters in defusing mines with precision while navigating treacherous terrains. Heath Robinson's whimsical illustration "Mine and Countermine" showcases sapper ingenuity as they outsmart enemies through intricate tunneling techniques. With meticulous bridge-building practice ahead of Olympia's Royal Tournament, R Es engineers demonstrate their commitment to perfection and innovation. Hill 60 became synonymous with sapper bravery during WWI. Tunnels dug deep beneath enemy lines exemplified their audacity and resourcefulness against formidable odds. Durham miners turned into valiant sappers during WWI; harnessing their mining skills for military purposes proved instrumental on Hill 60 once again. The Royal Engineers Diving Establishment near Southampton highlights another facet of a sapper's versatility - mastering underwater operations with finesse and courage. When heavy floods ravage communities, it is often soldiers from The Royal Engineers who step forward to build bridges that reconnect shattered lives with hope and resilience. Sappers embody unwavering dedication towards creating paths where none exist. Through history’s trials and tribulations, they remain steadfast pillars supporting progress amidst chaos – heroes whose legacy will forever be etched in the annals of engineering excellence.