1906 – The end of the Submarine Mining Service

 
In 1906, the Submarine Mining Service was disbanded.

The mines and equipment were handed over to the Navy.  Diving was abolished as an Army service and the diving gear transferred to the Navy.

The Army took over the buildings at Port Laing, as part of Carlingnose Barracks.

The various submarine mining corps were converted to Electrical Engineers and managed the searchlight facilities as part of the new Territorial Force – later the Territorial Army.

1906 A New Life for the Forth Volunteers

The Forth Volunteer Division (Submarine Miners) became the Forth Division (Electrical Engineers) (Volunteers), in 1906. In 1907 the Haldane Reforms led to a major reorganization of the British Army, with all volunteer units being combined into the Territorial Force (TF). The Forth Division was retitled as the City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers.

Press announcement in 1908

THE MIDLOTHIAN ADVERTISER–SATURDAY, APRIL 4 1908

The City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers, who will become a unit of the Territorial Force, was originally raised in 1887. The Corps efficiently carried out its work in connection with the defences of the Forth at Inchkeith and Queensferry until the abolition of submarine mining in 1905, and since then it has, with somewhat reduced numbers, been entrusted with the work of the search lights at the latter station.

By World War I, the unit’s organisation was as follows:
City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers
• HQ at 28 York Place, Edinburgh
• No 1 Works Company
• No 2 Electric Lights Company

1926 Territorial Army

The Territorial Force was demobilised at the end of WWI, then reinstated in 1926, as the Territorial Army.

The City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers continued to train at Carlingnose until at least 1936

The Scotsman, July 25th 1936
TERRITORIAL CAMPS

Annual Training of City of Edinburgh (Fortress) R.E.

The City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers, under the command of Major W. H. Mackenzie, R.E. (T.) have just concluded their annual training at Carlingnose Camp, North Queensferry, where a fortnight was spent under canvas.  The weather was somewhat broken.

The programme of training this year was more interesting than usual.  During the first four days of camp the unit manned the Forth defences, and interesting nights were spent operating the searchlights.  On Monday night the men were visited by Colonel D. Cree, M.C. Chief Engineer, Scottish Command.

On Wednesday an infantry exercise was carried out over Ferryhills golf course.  An enemy raiding party had landed at St Andrews, and attempted to capture the Forth Bridge.  A very realistic “battle” ensued, and after heavy losses, the raiding party was forced to retire.

The social side of camp life was not neglected.  The annual sports were carried out last Saturday, the individual championship cup being won by Sapper C. Bona, with a total of nine points; second, Sapper J. Murphy (five points); and third, Sapper J. Skivington (four and a half points.)  Dances and concerts held in the evenings were open to all ranks.  Last night the unit held their farewell dance.  The music was provided by the regimental band, under Bandmaster H. G. Toombs, and a large number of guests were entertained. The unit arrives back in Edinburgh this afternoon.