NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2026

BOURNEMOUTH & DISTRICT ROYAL ENGINEERS

ASSOCIATION

BRANCH MEETING

held at

CANFORD MAGNA COMPLEX, CANFORD MAGNA

WIMBORNE, DORSET

Meeting commenced at 14.00hrs

 1. CHAIR - Sue Procter welcomed Branch Members to our new venue and expressed her thanks to the President Peter Bridle for his support acting as Chairman during the re-organisation of our branch and also thanked John Cusack (Vice Chairman & Treasurer) who despite ill heath still carried out his Treasurer duties which included complying with the new banking  arrangements as  required by HQ

APOLOGIES

Arthur Dixon

2. MINUTES of the EGM held on 18th September 2026

 No amendments were offered so approval of the report was proposed by J Procter and seconded by J Bridle.

3. MATTERS ARISING

We now have the Christmas Dinner costs. No-one has requested transport assistance. Monthly breakfasts will now be at the Canford Magna Complex starting on 9th January start time TBC

4. SECRETARY’S REPORT

Details concerning our transfer from the Owls Nest to the Canford Magna Complex will be updated after the next Brunch on the Sapper website including dates for the lunches, and future breakfasts, plus the Christmas lunch. We are waiting to hear from HQ REA to see if we can self fundraise with collecting tins at local supermarkets.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT

As previously stated costs for the Christmas dinner are now available, but the guest list is not completed at this time.

The new banking system is still tricky – it should be noted that despite early assurances that financially by transferring our finances to HQ we would be better off. We are now incurring charges for payment of bills – we await clarification on how we will benefit as a branch from the new system. All Accounts up to 30th September 2026 when the new system kicked in are up to date and have been sent off to HQ

6. UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

Remembrance – John Procter is laying the wreath at West Moors on Sunday 8th November and Mike Herring is laying the wreath on Armistice Day Wednesday 11th November at the Royal British Legion, Ferndown.

Christmas Lunch is on Friday 18th December at the Magna Complex

8. A.O.B.  

Members are requested to notify the Branch Secretary of any items that they wish to raise under A.O.B in advance of each Branch Meeting.

9. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING  

Tuesday 24th November 2026 – lunch first- followed by the Branch meeting. Members enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Canford Magna Complex, providing an opportunity to meet friends, share experiences and strengthen the spirit of our branch.

CHRISTCHURCH, ST CATHERINE’S HILL AND THE ROYAL ENGINEERS LEGACY

Many residents know St Catherine’s Hill as one of Christchurch’s most distinctive landmarks, offering spectacular views across the Avon Valley, Christchurch Harbour and Hengistbury Head. What is less well known is the important role the hill and the nearby Christchurch Barracks played in military engineering history.

For generations, St Catherine’s Hill was used as a Military training area. Troops from Christchurch Barracks exercised on the hill, and during both World Wars the area was used for military training including trench warfare, exercises and weapons training. Its commanding position overlooking the surrounding countryside made it an ideal location for military activities.

The Christchurch Barracks themselves had a long military association and in 1919, became home to the Experimental Bridging Company of the Royal Engineers. It was here that military bridging concepts were developed and tested. Christchurch became one of Britain’s most important centres for military engineering, research and development.

The story begins with the Inglis Bridge, developed during the First World War by Sir Charles Inglis. This portable steel bridge gave the British Army, a reliable means of crossing obstacles quickly and efficiently. It was a major step forward in military mobility and laid the foundations for future developments in assault and support bridging.

The real breakthrough came during the Second World War with the development of the Bailey Bridge. Designed by Sir Donald Bailey and developed at Christchurch, the bridge’s simple modular construction allowed Royal Engineers to build strong crossings rapidly often under enemy fire. Prototype Bailey Bridges were tested in Christchurch before going on to play a crucial role in Allied operations across Europe. General Eisenhower stated that the bridge was one of the 3 most vital elements in the war in Europe, Middle East and the Far East.

Today visitors standing on St Catherine’s Hill can look down across the landscape, where generations of soldiers trained and where some of the world’s most successful military engineering and bridging equipment was developed. The hill and the barracks form an important part of Christchurch’s Military heritage and is a proud chapter in the history of the Royal Engineers. A reminder that our town played a small but significant role in Military engineering For members of the Bournemouth and District Branch of the Royal Engineers Association. This connection was instrumental in many achievements that helped changed the outcome of the two world wars.