The Royal Engineers Association (REA) is the Regimental Association of the Royal Engineers.
As with all our members, we at HQ REA share a common goal, ‘service not self’. We are committed to providing our membership with a top quality service, be it with benevolence matters, membership or Branch issues, keeping you up to date with REA issues or just having a chat.
****URGENT UPDATE***** REA Gibraltar May 2022 - see full details on News and Events page.
Latest news: 2nd Edition of Follow the Sapper now available from the Sapper Shop see news for full details
REA HQ email addresses have changed with effect from 17th May 2021 - see News & Events page for more details. Please also note that the office contact number for all REA HQ staff is 01634 847005.
Branch Continuity Plan - Let's make sure we support all our members during the current coronavirus outbreak; put a branch plan together to ensure we all stay in contact and support the most vulnerable in the Sapper family. Visit the Group and Branch Meetings section on the Resources and Documents page to download a continuity plan template.
Need Help to alleviate the suffering caused by PTSD and associated mental issues, call Sapper Support on 08000407873 http://www.sappersupport.com
Esprit De Corps
The Aims of The Association are to promote and support the Corps of Royal Engineers among members of the Association by fostering esprit de corps and a spirit of comradeship and service, and by maintaining an awareness of Corps traditions. The Association also acts as a link between serving and retired members of the Corps and it provides financial and other assistance to serving and former members of the Corps, their spouses, widows and dependents who are in need. Grants, within Association Guidelines, are made to the Army Benevolent Fund and to other charities that further the objectives of the Association.
What is the main effort of the REA?
Each year the Association considers hundreds of requests for assistance, and annual benevolence grants in meeting these requests is in the region of £300,000. It's not only serving personnel that are considered for assistance. Most of our cases are from the retired service community and their families. If you want to know more about the type of assistance we offer and guidance on how to seek assistance, just visit the Benevolence pages.
Groups & Branches
There are over one hundred REA Branches at home and abroad. Branches are established in towns, districts or units of the Corps. There are also a growing number of National Branches which relate to various activities within the Corps. Social life is as full as you make it - take advantage of it...Documents & Resources
Download all REA HQ Correspondence and archived Committee Minutes.Sappers Network
Sappers Network is designed to help you find jobs. Some of your colleagues thought of it, and it has the potential to benefit all of you. And it helps retention and recruiting too. Sappers Network is run commercially by ex-Sapper professionals. Profit is not the main objective – you are – but any profit will be ploughed back into Corps funds to support benevolence, sport etc.Sappers Network is the right thing to do – please use it.
Membership Benefits
- Membership of the REA allows you to join a Branch of the REA, be it a National Branch or a geographically based Branch.
- Membership of a Branch will enable you to take part in the Branch activities, and for National Branches this usually takes the form of a weekend reunion at a large hotel.
- Branch membership puts you in touch with like-minded individuals and is considered a valuable networking tool. This is particularly relevant if you are leaving the Corps and settling in an area served by an REA Branch. There will be lots of people out there eager to help you.
- Membership of the REA will allow easier access to the veterans' weekends held at Chilwell, Minley and Chatham.
- Membership of the REA implies that you will support the aims of the REA (this is your only obligation), those that apply being:
- To promote and support the Corps among members of the Association in the following ways:
- By fostering esprit de corps and a spirit of comradeship and service.
- By maintaining an awareness of Corps traditions.
- By acting as a link between serving and retired members of the Corps.
How Do I Join the REA?
Anyone who served in the Corps of Royal Engineers, Regular or Reserve, is eligible to join the REA. Those that contributed to the Days Pay Scheme (DPS) can take up Life Membership free of charge; you only need to activate your membership by completing the online Membership Application Form on the Membership page.
Those that did not subscribe to the DPS will be required to pay a membership fee. The cost of Life Membership is £36 but there are age related concessions available. Contact the Membership Secretary for further information on membership fees and click here to find out more about the DPS.
Join a Branch
Being a Branch member also gives you early access to tickets to watch the annual Army V Royal Navy Rugby Match at Twickenham – the cost of the ticket also includes access into the Sapper Bar.
Old Comrades
Do you want to make contact with an old army mate with whom you served?
Is anyone trying to contact you?News & Events
Keep up to date with REA and Corps news and events.Benevolence
Benevolence is the main effort of the REA. Each year the Association considers hundreds of requests for assistance and makes annual grants to the ABF 'The Soldiers Charity' and to SSAFA.