_ ,,,,,:,II ---o-r-rc--rr.L -771 The Royal Engineers Journal. Fifty Years Ago. The S.M.E, 1881-1883. Brig.-Gen. Sir J. E. Edmonds 398 What is Required of a Railway in a Theatre of Operation Maj.-Gen. M. G. Taylor 402 The Design and Organization of an Advanced Base Major and Bt. Lieut.-Colonel C. C. Phipps 412 History of the Royal Engineer Yacht Club . Capt. W. G. Fryer 426 History of the 7th Field Company, R.E., during the War, 1914-1918 Capt. H. A. Baker 441 Moghalserai Goods Yard, East Indian Railway . Capt. R. Gardiner 461 Notes on the Acre . Capt. D. R. Martin 471 Annual Training of Field Companies of Divisional Engineers Capt. E. H. T. Gayer 491 A Small Survey of Iraq . Lient. A. J. H. Dove 502 Trees, Branches and Leaves . Lieut. G. V. Mickdam 607 Desert Roads . Capt. F. C. Noakes 615 Lieutenant-Colonel John By-A Biography . Hamnett P. Hill 622 The Calculation of Bivouac Areas . · Capt. V. Dykes 626 Memoirs. Books. Magazines. Correspondence 629 VOL. XLVI. SEPTEMBER, 1932. CHATHAM: THi INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS, TELZPHONE: CHATHAM, 2669. AGENTS AND PRINTERS: MACKAYS LTD, LONDON: HUGH RBES, LTD., 5, REGEN' STRZET, S.W.I, AU p INSTITUTION OF RE OFFICE COPY DO NOT REMOVE >.__________ _, __ .- iJ For - Reinforced Concrete say "Expamet "-Concrete " Expamet" Expanded Steel Reinforcement for Con- crete is supplied in flat sheets for suspended flooring and the like, and in rolled sheets for road and paving work, cut to size, ready for use, and is simple, eco- nomical and effective in practice; it has the great advantage for shipping purposes that it packs closely and is transported easily and handled quickly. Its unique feature is that it is a sheet of steel network, wherein all the strands or members are connected rigidly ; thus they cannot be displaced, when in position, by laying or tamping of concrete: it follows that "Expamet " Expanded Steel is entirely to be relied upon in either skilled or unskilled hands. The respective meshes "key " into each other, and interlock where sheets overlap; thus a layer of reinforcement may be made absolutely continuous, no matter how large the area to be treated. EXPAMET BRITISH STEEL BRITISH LABOUR THE EXPANDED METAL CO., LTD. Patentees and Manufacturers of Expanded Metal Engineersfor all forms of Reinforced Concrete and Fire-resistantConstruction Burwood House, Caxton St., London, S.W.1 Works: West Hartlepool. Established over 40 years "EXPAMET" :: "BB" LATHING :: "RIBMET" :: "EXMET" ADVERTISEMENTS. i. 1 VICTAULIC FOR DIFFICULT WORK KINGSTON (I.O.W.) ELECTRICITY WORKS. Edmundson's Electricity Corporation. CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE means CHANGE OF LENGTH With rigid jointing, change of length means leaky joints. In the Victaulic system, each joint accommodates the expansion and contraction of its adjacent pipes. The above illustration shows a 26-in. bore Circulating Water Main fitted with Victaulic joints-the use of which, on this scheme, was very appropriate. The pipes were laid along the jetty at Kingston, Isle of Wight, and are subject to alteration in length, due to atmospheric conditions as well as to differences'in temperature of the circulating water. The pipework could only be installed at low tide, and the rapidity and ease with which the Victaulic joint can be made greatly facilitated and expedited. the completion of the scheme. If you have any such difficulties, the Victaulic joint will overcome them automatically. VICTAULIC COMPANY Ltd. KINGS BUILDINGS, DEAN STANLEY ST. WESTMINSTER, LONDON, S.W. 1 rLlr I I,~ I I . AD VERTISEMENTS. - - -- WillcoisX Oi S FP l~>9ALMVH o (Reg | I a complete range of ENGINEERS' STORES including- Itigh-Grade LUBRICATING OILS AND GREASES; PACKINGS AND JOINTINGS; LEATIIER AND OTHER BELTINGS; PUMPS; HOSE; CELLAR AND SUMP DRAINERS; INJECTORS ; EJECTORS AND BOILER MOUNTINGS, TOOLS & HARDWARE. WVrite Jor LISTS and QUOT TIONS ! ------. ------ g - 1 .W. H. WILLCOX & Co. Ltd. I Teephone 32 to 38, SouthwarkSouthar St., LONDON, S.E.1S.E. Hop 14o (17lines) -e-cl ----- OF INTEREST TO STAFF COLLEGE CANDIDATES " Your Course for the Staff College Examination is exceedingly well arranged, and no trouble is spared to meet individual needs. The instruction provided was of a very high order. I consider that the full Course or any part of it provides very high value at very moderate cost, and is far superiorto any other method of preparation. (From an officer who succeeded in gaining admission to the Staff College at the 1931 Examination.) UP,TO-DATE POSTAL INSTRUCTION FOR STAFF COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (All obligatory and several optional subjects) PROMOTION EXAMINATION (all subjects) is provided by PROSPECTUS Principal: ON R. W. HOLLAND O.B.E.. M.A.. M.S~.., LL.D. APPLICATION CORIRESPONDENCE COLLEGE 304 SOUTHAMPTON ROW, LONDON, W.C.1 A D VERtISEMENtS. 1i1111% The Three Essentials A NOTE I. Quality of Cloth TO THOSE II. Skilful Craftsmanship III. Character ABROAD \/R. MORRIS claims that his large clientele has been achieved by 30 years' adherence to the factors enumerated above, which, when com- bined, give a result as nearly perfect as is humanly possible. He specially caters for officers requiring dress clothes and mufti. In fact he specializes in these things. Mr. Morris has an attractive offer to place before past and present officers of the R.E. Write to him. Tweed Suitings from 9 Gns. The"CORSTAY"Figure Belt (Reg.) Angola Suitings from Io Gns. Recommended by the Medical Profes- Worsted Suitings from It Gns. sion. Prevents rheumatism, lumbago Dinner Suits from z1 Gns. and kindred ailments. Reduces the Overcoats from 8 Gns. figure SWornby the naval and military Riding Breeches from 41 Gns. men all over the world. Price 25/-. If you are not coming home, write for patterns. By a special system peculiar to ourselves, and very easy for the client, we are able to obtain a complete out- line of the figure, and this, with the data of measurement, ensures 28phn:REGENT 553 aStreet ABC Cod. a perfect fit. TIlephon: REGENT 5534. Cables: A.B.C. Code. J. G. PLUMB & SON VICTORIA HOUSE, 117, VICTORIA ST.. WESTMINSTER, S.W.1 Established 1895 Telephone : Victoria 3434 Military Tailors and Outfitters By Appointment to THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY, WOOLWICH for the past Quarter of a Century Mess Jacket, Vest and Overalls conplete £14 7 6 Dinner Suits - - - from £9 19 6 Lounge Suits - - - rom £6 6 0 A special discount of io% is always given to Gentlemen Cadets. past and present. EXTENSIVELY EMPLOYED BY OFFICERS RECENTLY COMMIISSIONED FROM THE SHOP AND APPOINTED TAILORS TO TIIE ROYAL ENGINEERS TRAINING BATTALION CHATHAIM iv. A D VERTISEMENTS. Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War, 1914-1919. For sale in the office of the Secretary, Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham. COMPRISING THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES:- Bridging.-With 3 maps, 59 photographs and 3I plates. Price i2s. (to members, 3s). Military Mining.-With 25 photographs and 62 plates. Price I2s. 6d. (to members, 3s. gd.). Geological Work on the Western Front.-With 19 plates and 9 photographs. Limited to 500 copies. Price i5S. (to members, 5s.). Signal Service in the European War, 1914 to 1918, The.-(By special arrangement with the Signals Association) R. E. Priestley, t.c., n.A. (late Major, R.E.). With 2 photos and 20 plates. Price i2S. 6d. (to members, 5s. 3d.). Supply of Engineer Stores and Equipment.-Price 7s. (to members, is. 9d.). Water Supply (Egypt and Palestine).-With 7 maps, 6 photos, io plates, and 20 sketches in the text. Price 8s. (to members, 2s. 6d.) Water Supply (France).-With so maps, 37 photographs and 41 plates. Price i6s. (to members, 5s.). " A simply invaluable compendium of the work done in this vital respect on the Western Front."-Spectator. Work under the Director of Works (France).-With 6 maps and 71 plates. Price 2IS. (to members, 7s. 3d.). "Miscellaneous," comprising:-(x) The Organization of the Corps, 1914-1918. (2! Engineer Intelligence. (3) Camouflage. (4) Concrete Defences and Factories. (5) Forward Communications. (6) Machinery, Workshops and Electricity. (7) Inundations. (8) Anti-Aircraft Searchlights. (9) Schools. With lo5 Plates and Photographs. Price 2os. (to members, 6s. 6d., plus 9d. postage). "A mine of interest and value."-The Daily Telegraph. Promotion & Staff College Entrance The Advertisement Con- Examinations NO matter where you are stationed, trollers-Messrs. C. Rowley, the Metropolitan Services College can be of the greatest possible assis- tance to you in your preparation for Ltd., 53-54, Avenue Cham- tile Army Promotion Examinations [Subjects (a), (b), (c) and (d) ] and bers, Southampton Row, for the Staff College Entrance Exam- inations (Camberlcy and Quetta). * * * London, W.C.1-would deem CAMBERLEY RESULTS, 1932 At the recent examination for it a favour if members of Entrance to the Staff College at Camberley, more than the Institution of Royal 7 OF EVERY 10 successful Candidates were coached mention by the Metropolitan Services College. Engineers would The Quetta list is not available at the date of going to press. "The R.E. Journal" when VWrite TO-DA Y for a Free Copy of communicating with Adver- the College Lates! Prospectus "The Army Promotion and Staft College Entrance Exams." to Dept. 3il2, tisers. METROPOLITAN SERVICES COLLEGE, ST. ALBANS AD VERTISEMENTS. V. To F. P. Baker & Co. "W e live in such sloppy, slovenly days that it is a special pleasure to me to congratulate and to thank you /or the prompt and efficient service you have rendered. Colonel." "Prompt and Efficient Service" NO business could have held together over 63 years and achieved the extent of the present organisation of this firm unless it did all it claimed. Unless it gave full measure-and over. THIS ORGANISATION CAN UNDOUBTEDLY SAVE YOU MONEY.