Chief Royal Engineer
Encyclopedia
The Chief Royal Engineer (CRE) is the official head of the Corps of Royal Engineers
. He was also the professional head of the Corps until 1941, when that role was moved to that of the Engineer-in-Chief.
a Chief Engineer was a pay grade and not defined. In 1660 King Charles II
appointed Sir Charles Lloyd, who had served in the English Civil War
, as head of a new department of engineers. The position was confirmed in a Royal Warrant
(26 May 1716), which also authorised the formation of the Corps of Engineers.
When in 1802, Sir William Green, 1st Baronet retired, the office was abolished and Robert Morse became the newly created Inspector-General of Fortifications and of Royal Engineers (IGF). Until 1855 the Inspector-General was attached to the Board of Ordnance
and then was subordinate directly to the Commander-in-Chief
.
In 1862 the office was extended to Inspector-General of Engineers and Director of Work, keeping the affiliation in the former function while being now responsible to the Secretary of State for War
in the latter. On the resignation of Edward Frome in 1869, both offices were separated for one year. The Director of Works was dropped in 1895 and the office was renamed to Inspector-General of Fortifications. It was again abolished in 1904 and replaced by the Director of Fortifications and Works.
was appointed by King George V. Sir Bindon was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1860 and had a distinguished active career until he retired in 1907 aged 65. He was thus 94 years old when appointed Chief Royal Engineer. He resigned in 1940 and died a month later aged 97.
Since 1941 the professional head of the Corps has been the Engineer-in-Chief (EinC) who as 'Director of Royal Engineers', acts as the engineer advisor to the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) as well as to the Royal Navy
, the Royal Air Force
and other government ministries on matters of military engineering on behalf of the CGS. On the domestic (regimental) side of the Corps he issues instructions on behalf of the 'Chief Royal Engineer'.
Today the Chief Royal Engineer is head of the Corps of Royal Engineers and is invariably a distinguished officer of the Corps, his tenure in the post is normally for a period of five years. He is responsible for seeing that the Corps' traditions and customs are preserved and the continuity of important matters of Corps policy. He keeps the Colonel-in-Chief (as of 2009 Queen Elizabeth II) informed on Corps matters and maintains contact with engineer units in the Commonwealth
. He will usually have previously served as a Colonel Commandant and will continue to fill one of the vacancies.
vacant for nine years
vacant for six years
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
. He was also the professional head of the Corps until 1941, when that role was moved to that of the Engineer-in-Chief.
Origin and development
Before the English RestorationEnglish Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
a Chief Engineer was a pay grade and not defined. In 1660 King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
appointed Sir Charles Lloyd, who had served in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, as head of a new department of engineers. The position was confirmed in a Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
(26 May 1716), which also authorised the formation of the Corps of Engineers.
When in 1802, Sir William Green, 1st Baronet retired, the office was abolished and Robert Morse became the newly created Inspector-General of Fortifications and of Royal Engineers (IGF). Until 1855 the Inspector-General was attached to the Board of Ordnance
Board of Ordnance
The Board of Ordnance was a British government body responsible for the supply of armaments and munitions to the Royal Navy and British Army. It was also responsible for providing artillery trains for armies and maintaining coastal fortresses and, later, management of the artillery and engineer...
and then was subordinate directly to the Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
.
In 1862 the office was extended to Inspector-General of Engineers and Director of Work, keeping the affiliation in the former function while being now responsible to the Secretary of State for War
Secretary of State for War
The position of Secretary of State for War, commonly called War Secretary, was a British cabinet-level position, first held by Henry Dundas . In 1801 the post became that of Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The position was re-instated in 1854...
in the latter. On the resignation of Edward Frome in 1869, both offices were separated for one year. The Director of Works was dropped in 1895 and the office was renamed to Inspector-General of Fortifications. It was again abolished in 1904 and replaced by the Director of Fortifications and Works.
Modern times
In 1936 the post of Chief Royal Engineer was recreated and Sir Bindon BloodBindon Blood
General Sir Bindon Blood GCB was a British military commander who served in Egypt, Afghanistan, India and Africa.-Military career:...
was appointed by King George V. Sir Bindon was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1860 and had a distinguished active career until he retired in 1907 aged 65. He was thus 94 years old when appointed Chief Royal Engineer. He resigned in 1940 and died a month later aged 97.
Since 1941 the professional head of the Corps has been the Engineer-in-Chief (EinC) who as 'Director of Royal Engineers', acts as the engineer advisor to the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) as well as to the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and other government ministries on matters of military engineering on behalf of the CGS. On the domestic (regimental) side of the Corps he issues instructions on behalf of the 'Chief Royal Engineer'.
Today the Chief Royal Engineer is head of the Corps of Royal Engineers and is invariably a distinguished officer of the Corps, his tenure in the post is normally for a period of five years. He is responsible for seeing that the Corps' traditions and customs are preserved and the continuity of important matters of Corps policy. He keeps the Colonel-in-Chief (as of 2009 Queen Elizabeth II) informed on Corps matters and maintains contact with engineer units in the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
. He will usually have previously served as a Colonel Commandant and will continue to fill one of the vacancies.
Chief Royal Engineers, 1660–1802
- 1660–1661: Sir Charles Lloyd
- Apr – Dec 1661: Sir Bernard de GommeBernard de GommeSir Bernard de Gomme was a Dutch military engineer. By some he is considered the most important figure in 17th century English military engineering.-Early life:...
- 1661–1685: Sir Godfrey Lloyd
- 1685–1702: Sir Martin Beckman
vacant for nine years
- 1711–1714: Michael Richards
- 1714–1742: John ArmstrongJohn Armstrong (surveyor)Major-General John Armstrong was a British Engineer and Soldier.-Military career:Armstrong joined the Williamite Army of Ireland in 1691...
- 1742–1751: Thomas Lascelles
vacant for six years
- 1757–1781: William Skinner
- 1781–1786: James Bramham
- 1786–1802: Sir William Green, 1st Bt
Inspector-Generals of Fortifications, 1802–1862
- 1802–1811: Robert Morse
- 1811–1830: Gother Mann
- 1830–1832: Sir Alexander BryceAlexander BryceSir Alexander Bryce , was a major-general and colonel-commandant Royal Engineers.Bryce entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, as a cadet on 7 Oct. 1782, and passed out as a second lieutenant, Royal Artillery, on 25 Aug. 1787. In the autumn of that year he was employed with Captain W...
- 1832–1834: Robert Pilkington
- 1834–1845: Sir Frederick Mulcaster
- 1845–1862: John Fox BurgoyneJohn Fox BurgoyneField Marshal Sir John Fox Burgoyne, 1st Baronet GCB was a British Army officer.-Military career:Burgoyne was the illegitimate son of General John Burgoyne and opera singer Susan Caulfield. In 1798, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant...
Inspector-Generals of Engineers and Directors of Work, 1862–1869
- 1862–1868: Sir John Burgoyne, 1st BtJohn Fox BurgoyneField Marshal Sir John Fox Burgoyne, 1st Baronet GCB was a British Army officer.-Military career:Burgoyne was the illegitimate son of General John Burgoyne and opera singer Susan Caulfield. In 1798, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant...
- 1868–1869: Edward Frome
Inspector-Generals of Engineers, 1869–1870
- 1869–1870: Sir John William GordonJohn William GordonMajor-General Sir John William Gordon KCB was a British Army officer and Inspector-General of Engineers.He obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers in 1823 and served in the United Kingdom, North America and Bermuda before the outbreak of the Crimean War.Due to casualties during the Siege of...
Inspector-Generals of Fortifications and Directors of Work, 1870–1895
- 1870–1875: Sir Frederick Chapman
- 1875–1880: Sir Lintorn SimmonsJohn Lintorn Arabin SimmonsField Marshal Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons GCB GCMG , was a British soldier.-Military career:Simmons was the fifth son of Captain Thomas Frederick Simmons, Royal Artillery of Langford in Somerset...
- 1880–1882: Thomas Lionel John Gallwey
- 1882–1886: Sir Andrew ClarkeAndrew Clarke (administrator)Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Clarke, GCMG, CB, CIE was a British soldier and governor as well as a politician in Australia.-Background and education:...
- 1886–1895: Lothian NicholsonLothian NicholsonLieutenant-General Sir Lothian Nicholson KCB was Governor of Gibraltar.-History:Educated at Mr Malleson's School in Hove and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, Nicholson was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Engineers in 1846. In 1855 he was sent to the Crimean War where he took part in...
- 1891–1895: Sir Robert Grant
Inspector-Generals of Fortifications, 1895–1904
- 1895–1898: Sir Robert Grant
- 1898–1903: Sir Richard HarrisonRichard Harrison (British Army officer)General Sir Richard Harrison GCB, CMG, DL was a British soldier and engineer.-Personal life:Born in Essex, he was the second son of Benjamin John Harrison and his wife Emily, daughter of Richard Hall. Harrison was educated at Harrow School. In 1870, he married Amy, the daughter of J. Doyle O'Brien...
- 1903–1904: William Terence Shone
Directors of Fortifications and Works, 1904–1936
- 1904–1908: Richard Matthews Ruck
- 1908–1911: Frederick Rainsford-Hannay
- 1911–1918: George Kenneth Scott-Moncrieff
- 1918–1920: Philip Geoffrey TwiningPhilip Geoffrey TwiningGeneral Sir Philip Geoffrey Twining KCMG , Companion of the Order of the Bath, MVO was a Canadian born and educated soldier who served with the British Army in England, Canada, East Africa, India and China.-Education:He was born in 1862...
- 1920–1927: Sir William Andrew Liddell
- 1927–1936: Philip Gordon Grant
Chief Royal Engineers, 1936–present
- 1936–1940: Sir Bindon BloodBindon BloodGeneral Sir Bindon Blood GCB was a British military commander who served in Egypt, Afghanistan, India and Africa.-Military career:...
- 1940–1946: Sir Ronald Charles
- 1946–1951: Sir Guy WilliamsGuy Williams (British Army officer)General Sir Guy Charles Williams KCB CMG DSO was a British Army General during World War II.-Military career:Guy Williams was commissioned into the Royal Engineers and served in World War I....
- 1951–1958: Sir Edwin MorrisEdwin Morris (British Army officer)Lieutenant General Sir Edwin Logie Morris KCB OBE MC was a British Army General during World War II.-Military career:Edwin Morris was commissioned into the Royal Engineers: he was an Instructor at the Staff College, Camberley between 1926 and 1930: he went on to become a General Staff Officer at...
- 1958–1961: Sir Kenneth CrawfordKenneth CrawfordGeneral Sir Kenneth Noel Crawford KCB MC was a British Army General who reached high office in the 1940s.-Military career:Crawford was commissioned into the Royal Engineers and went on to serve in World War I being awarded the MC in 1919....
- 1961–1967: Sir Frank SimpsonFrank Simpson (British Army officer)General Sir Frank Ernest Wallace Simpson GBE KCB DSO was a British Army General during the 1940s.-Military career:Educated at Bishop Cotton Boys' School, Frank Simpson was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1916...
- 1967–1972: Sir Charles JonesCharles Phibbs JonesGeneral Sir Charles Phibbs Jones GCB CBE MC was a British Army General who reached high office in the 1950s.-Military career:Charles Jones was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1925...
- 1972–1977: Sir Charles RichardsonCharles Leslie RichardsonGeneral Sir Charles Leslie Richardson GCB CBE DSO was a British Army General who reached high office in the 1950s.-Military career:...
- 1977–1983: Sir David WillisonDavid WillisonLieutenant-General Sir David Willison KCB, OBE, MC was a British soldier who served with the Royal Engineers between 1939 and 1963, from when he served in a series of military intelligence roles until his retirement from the army in 1975...
- 1983–1987: Sir Hugh BeachHugh BeachGeneral Sir Hugh Beach, GBE, KCB, MC is a British soldier who, in retirement, researches and advises on defence policy, arms control and disarmament, with an active interest in promoting concerns about ethical issues of peace and war....
- 1987–1993: Sir George CooperGeorge Cooper (British Army officer)General Sir George Leslie Conroy Cooper GCB MC DL is a former Adjutant-General to the Forces.-Military career:Educated at Downside School and Trinity College, Cambridge, George Cooper was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1945. He joined the Bengal Sappers & Miners...
- 1993–1999: Sir John StibbonJohn StibbonGeneral Sir John James Stibbon KCB OBE is a former Master-General of the Ordnance.-Military career:Educated at Portsmouth Southern Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Stibbon was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1954.He was appointed Commanding Officer of 28th...
- 1999–2004: Sir Scott GrantScott GrantLieutenant General Sir Scott Carnegie Grant KCB is a former Quartermaster-General to the Forces.-Military career:Educated at The King's School, Pontefract, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Clare College, Cambridge, Scott Grant was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1965.He...
- 2004–2009: Sir Kevin O'DonoghueKevin O'DonoghueGeneral Sir Kevin O'Donoghue KCB, CBE is a retired British Army officer and former Chief of Defence Materiel. He retired from the service in December 2010, being succeeded as Chief of Defence Materiel by Bernard Gray.-Career:...
- 2009-present: Sir Peter WallPeter Wall (British Army officer)General Sir Peter Anthony Wall, KCB, CBE, ADC Gen. is a senior British Army officer, currently the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army....