We are John and Karen, I decided to start a Blog as I neared retirement. I have been a Combat Engineer (Sapper) in the Canadian Army for the past 35 years. Both Karen and I are looking forward to pursuing our many hobbies over the next decades post retirement, these include (but not limited to):
a) Camping (with our trailer and backcountry camping from our canoe);
b) Travel of every kind (We hope to spend every winter travelling – neither of us are a fan of winter in Canada);
c) I enjoy photography, and may try my hand at video if I can figure out the editing aspect;
d) We both enjoy the company of our American Cocker spaniel, Marcus (he will be featured in many of our adventures and travels);
e) Hiking, walking, cycling and motorcycling; and
f) If I can get the hang of it – Fly fishing….
We hope you enjoy our travels.
What is a Sapper……
“He is a man of all work of the army and the public: astronomer, geologist, surveyor, draftsman, artist, architect, traveler, explorer, antiquary, mechanic, diver, soldier and sailor; ready to do anything or go anywhere; in short, he is a sapper.” Capt T.W.J. Connolly (1815-1885), Royal Engineer Historian
The term “sapper” has been associated with engineers for many generations. The origin of this term lies in the French word “sape,” meaning undermine and the Middle French word “sap” that was a spade or a hoe. The dictionary defines a “sap” as a trench that is prolonged by digging away the earth from within the trench itself.
In medieval times, when armies laid siege to a fortification, one of the common methods of breaching the defenses was to dig a trench, or “sap,” up to the base of the castle wall. A tunnel would then be dug under, or into, the wall. Prior to the introduction of explosives, a breach of the defensive wall would be accomplished by replacing blocks of stone with wooden supports. The supports would then be burned causing a section of wall to collapse. In the French Army, digging a trench under fire was known as “driving a sap” and the men who did this were known as “sapeurs.” Thus, the terms “sappers” became associated with engineers. After the discovery of gunpowder, an explosive “mine” was used to breach the wall. This task was, of course, also the responsibility of the engineers.
In 1813, the Royal Engineers officially adopted the title Royal Sappers and Miners and, in 1856, the rank of the common soldier was changed from private to sapper. The CME has continued to use this designation and, just as privates in the artillery are referred to as “gunners,” field engineers of the rank of private are referred to as “Sappers.” A sapper should always be addressed as Sapper Smith, not as Private Smith. The term may also be used to refer to a group of field engineers who are not necessarily of the rank of private: for example, “here come the sappers to breach the minefield.” All ranks in field engineer units traditionally referred to themselves as sappers because other trades in the unit were first trained as field engineers. Today it is primarily combat engineers that are referred to as sappers. Military engineers throughout the world are integrated members of the profession of arms. Internationally, military engineers share a common background in a discipline that encompasses the use of demolitions and land mines, the design, construction and maintenance of defensive works and fortifications, lines of communications, and bridges. They also provide water, power and other utilities, provide fire, aircraft crash and rescue services, hazardous material operations, and develop maps and other engineering intelligence. In addition, military engineers are experts in deception and concealment, as well as the design and development of equipment necessary to carry out these operations.
The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces. Their roles are to conduct combat operations, support the Canadian Forces in war and peace, support national development, provide assistance to civil authorities, and support international aid programs. Military engineers’ responsibilities encompass the use of demolitions and land mines, the design, construction and maintenance of defensive works and fortifications, urban operations (hostile room entry), breaching obstacles, establishing/maintaining lines of communication, and bridging. They also provide water, power and other utilities, provide fire, aircraft crash and rescue services, hazardous material operations, and develop maps and other engineering intelligence. In addition, military engineers are experts in deception and concealment, as well as in the design and development of equipment necessary to carry out these operations. The official role of the combat engineer is to allow friendly troops to live, move and fight on the battlefield and deny that to the enemy.
