Napper-Royal Engineers

[fm]

Hi There

My dad was a napper in the Royal Engineers during his National Service conscription during the late 1950's. I am sending for his army records but am also interested in knowing what his job description involved. I know he was in Osnabruck and Malta but that is it at the moment.
Where in the ranks was a Napper? What did he do? etc
Any ideas or info would be great.
Thanks

Fiona

[suey]

Hi Fiona - I think you mean that your Dad was a Sapper.

The Royal Engineers are commonly known as sappers, they provide engineering and technical support to the Army.

I think the name was coined during WW1 - 'sapping' means digging trenches and undermining defences.
I'm sure somene else will come up with a definitive description.

Suey

[manmack]

sueys right,it should read as sapper,its a mistranslation on his documents,sapper originated in the crimean war other sources say the napolionic war??
mack

[fm]

 

Thanks for that Suey and Manmack.

Was told Napper by my mother as my dad has passed away now. I have an application for his army records and had put Napper down as his rank. Will change it to Sapper now.

They may have not found his records as a Napper. Apparently the MOD have over thirty miles of Army records to trawl through each time they conduct a search.

This will narrow it down for them.

Thank you very much.
Regards
Fiona

[suey]

Hi Fiona, glad to be of help. 

I recall that the MOD were indexing all records by surname, the project was due to be completed by now, hope you don't have to wait too long.  Let us know if you find anything interesting

Suey

[lovin lass]

hi fiona
iv just put up a thread asking the same question.............sorry didnt see your thread first
my dad was also a sapper in the royal engerneers i have my dads release papers but not his army records
how do you obtain these

angie x

Moderator Comment:
Topic: what did a sapper do in the war
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,153846.0.html

[suey]

angie
For service records see here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,63691.0.html and follow the link    You will find all the info you need


Suey

[lovin lass]

many thanx sue
will take a look

angie x

[harribobs]

they take a while to come through but it's worth it