Sappers Reunite to Restore Historic Vehicles at Royal Engineers Museum

March 2025 – Chatham

Members of the Royal Engineers Association (REA) donned their overalls and picked up their brushes for a hands-on heritage restoration event at the Royal Engineers Museum (REM) in Chatham. Over the course of the weekend, veterans and serving personnel worked side by side to clean and repaint a Bailey bridge and a Churchill bridge layer tank, both of which are key pieces in the Museum’s nationally recognised collection.

The vehicle painting event, delivered in partnership with the Royal Engineers Museum, provided more than just a maintenance task. It served as a unique opportunity to foster Esprit de Corps, reinforce the shared identity of Sappers past and present, and challenge misconceptions about the REA’s role in the modern Corps community.

“This wasn’t just about paint, it was about pride, purpose, and people,” said the event organiser, Nigel ‘Spence’ Spencer, Community Events Manager from the REA. “We had everyone from young veterans to a 78-year-old former Sapper who was overwhelmed to be part of the team again. For many, it wasn’t the tanks that mattered, it was the chance to be a Sapper once more.”

The weekend struck a careful balance between graft and good company. Mealtimes were organised as social occasions, giving members the chance to reconnect, share stories, and forge new friendships. At the Saturday evening dinner, one participant shared that this was the first weekend he hadn’t felt miserable since the recent passing of his wife, a moving reminder of the important role these events play in supporting veterans’ mental health and wellbeing.

Participants were issued commemorative polo shirts, which they wore with pride throughout the weekend. The visible presence of the REA on site sparked positive engagement with serving Royal Engineers stationed at Brompton Barracks, several of whom expressed their appreciation for the preservation of Corps history and even raised a glass to their forebears.

The event also had strong practical outcomes. In addition to the successful restoration of two key military artefacts, the Royal Engineers Association has seen a surge in interest for future events, with multiple attendees signing up for the upcoming 1 Charlie Normandy Battlefield Tour and others returning in late April to finalise the bridge repaint ahead of its official unveiling.

The Royal Engineers Museum played a pivotal role in enabling the event, providing access to the vehicles, supporting materials, and ensuring the REM site was ready for taskings. Their contribution helped ensure the operation ran smoothly from start to finish and delivered a memorable experience for all involved.

“The perception that the REA is all about blazers and formal dinners is outdated,” Spence added. “These kinds of events show that we are active, engaged, and focused on meaningful work that benefits both the Corps and our members. With continued support from the wider military community, funders, and institutions like the Royal Engineers Museum, we can go further, do more, and continue serving the Sapper family in new and relevant ways.”

For more information about the REA, future events, or to get involved, contact HQ REA directly info@reahq.org.uk

About the Royal Engineers Association (REA)
The Royal Engineers Association is the Sappers’ charity dedicated to supporting serving and former members of the Corps of Royal Engineers and their dependants. Through a combination of welfare support, community engagement, and career training, the REA upholds the motto Ubique—Everywhere—by standing alongside Sappers throughout every stage of life. From funding hardship grants to organising inclusive events that foster wellbeing and esprit de corps, the REA ensures that no Sapper is left behind.