The REME Magazine

The Craftsman magazine is the best source for REME news. Published monthly, the magazine prints updates on operations, exercises, new appointments, sport, events and much more. With articles from across the Corps and the wider REME family, a subscription is essential if you want to stay in the loop.

You can subscribe to The Craftsman by joining REME Connect.

Articles should be emailed to [email protected]. You can find more information about submitting articles on the Craftsman Magazine page of the REME Connect website website.

Recording Corps History

Initially, REME news was reported in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Gazette which, for a few years, featured the REME badge on its cover. The first issue of an independent REME magazine appeared in January 1946.

In October 1959 the magazine was renamed The Craftsman. That title was previously used for a weekly newsletter published by 22 Advanced Base Workshop during the Second World War.

In addition to the Corps magazine, the REME Journal was published annually between 1951 and 2012. This publication focused on sharing professional, technical knowledge, as well as general military, historical and travel articles.

The first issue of the magazine, January 1946 (PDF, 4.8 MB), and the October 1959 (PDF, 2.5 MB) issue, the first with the new name, The Craftsman. Click the links (opens in pdf) to read extracts from these issues.

Accessing Back Issues

The Museum holds a complete set of Corps magazines and journals as well as various newsletters and other Corps publications. These can be viewed by appointment. Please visit our Research page for details.

The Museum does not sell back issues of The Craftsman. Select commemorative editions can be purchased through the REME Shop. 

View digital copies of some recent issues: The Craftsman August 2023, The Craftsman September 2023.

Issues of the Craftsman from the late 1960s and early 1970s.