Corps Mottoes

The Corps motto, originally granted by King William VI, symbolises the Corps' service throughout the world.

The motto is:

• "Ubique; Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt"

This has by custom and practice been separated into two mottoes:

• Ubique (Everywhere)
• Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt (Where Right and Glory Lead)

Where the term Sapper originated

The Corps are affectionately referred to as 'Sappers'. The term comes from the role of 'sapping', that is digging trenches or 'saps' towards an enemy fortification during siege warfare.

From medieval times to the 19th century one of the prime functions of the Engineers attached to field armies was to assist in siege warfare, either as builders of defences (fortifications) or their destroyers (siegecraft).

The term 'Sapper' originates from the act of besieging; for to get close enough to the walls of a fortress to lay mines to breach them, zigzag trenches had to be dug. These trenches or 'saps' were dug progressively deeper as they drew closer to the walls, the whole process was known as 'sapping' and the persons digging them, were directed by Engineers and, were called 'Sappers'.

The nickname Sapper can be used to refer to the Corps as a whole 'The Sappers' or to members of the Corps.

The rank Sapper (Spr) is the designation given to a private soldier of the Corps of Royal Engineers.

Corps Marches

The Corps has two Regimental Quick Marches Wings and the British Grenadiers. The Quick March Wings is the preferred tune for the Corps. The Corps has no official Slow March.