Free talk on a World War One tunnelling company

A last minute reminder about a talk in Hayle, Cornwall, this Thursday 19 July - Robert Johns will be talking about the Cornish miners who tunnelled under enemy lines in World War One. Very tough and dangerous work. Robert is an expert - should be fascinating. Entry free - at the Passmore Edwards Hall. Poster below - all very welcome! 7pm

Patriotism at the butcher's in Barnard Castle

Tour of the north continues - keeping an eye open for World War One commemorations.
None spotted (yet) in Barnard Castle, but there is an impressively patriotic display in the butcher's shop window - England sausage meat and sausages, inspired by the World Cup team's heroic exploits.

A wall of poppies, a crooked spire and a wedding in Chesterfield

Chesterfield is famous for its crooked spire...

 

This wonderful church is marking the centenary of World War One, with a wall - or waterfall of poppies remembering the war dead.

Very much alive on this beautiful summer morning were preparations for a wedding....

which was absolutely spectacular.

Sunshine, poppies and a new icon at Lichfield

Always interesting to see how people are marking the centenary of the end of World War One. At Lickfield Cathedral they are creating a new icon. Artists are actually working in a studio created in the cathedral and you can peer through a window at them.

Next to the studio are more traditional ways of remembering the war dead - a chapel and Remembrance Book. They are very moving in the summer sunshine. This candle will be kept lit until Armistice Day 2018.

It's next to one of the most beautiful illuminated books I've ever seen - filled with the names of local men who died.

These flowers were on the way out - a reminder of summer outside.

And the stunning Cathedral facade in the sunshine.

Tunnelling Company talk - the poster

Thank you, David Cross - the designer who has done such a brilliant job creating these posters for our project Heroes of Hayle.
This work is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and marks the centenary of World War One in Hayle, Cornwall.

Battle Beneath The Trenches

Next up in our project, HEROES OF HAYLE, marking the centenary of World War One ....

The 251st Tunnelling Company

A FREE talk  by Robert K. Johns, author of Battle Beneath the Trenches

All welcome

 Thursday 19 July 7pm

Passmore Edwards Institute, Hayle  TR27 4BU

Background:
The 251st Tunnelling Company was formed at Hayle, Cornwall. This Company took over from 170th Tunnelling Company in the Loos area in October 1915, around Cuinchy-Cambrin-Auchy, where it remained for a considerable time. It blew the last mine fired by the British in the Great War, near Givenchy, on 10 August 1917. By April 1918, the 251st Tunnelling Company were in the area between the Lys and La Bassee canal, working on defensive schemes. 251st Tunnelling Company took part in the successful defence of Givenchy when the Allied units there were attacked by German forces in that month.
In addition, specialist tin miners were also recruited from the Cornish mines mainly joining the 251st Tunnelling Company. To attract the tin miners, a per diem of six shillings a day was offered to underground miners, which was around double to that was being paid in the mines.
On Friday, 10 August 1917, the Royal Engineers fired the last British deep mine of the war, at Givenchy-en-Gohelle near Arras. Around 7:05 a.m., the 251st Tunnelling Company on the 5th Infantry Brigade front of the 2nd Division, exploded a mine at the northern end of the brigade sector, near Surrey Crater, which became known as Warlingham Crater.
For more information, please email info@bridging-arts.com

or call 07772 128 014B

War graves remembered thanks to local historian

Local historian Chris Berry gave a fascinating talk on the war graves in Phillack Churchyard, Hayle, Cornwall, on Wednesday 4 July. Chris has put heart and soul into this research and has produced a really valuable piece of work for future generations. This talk was part of Heroes of Hayle, our work marking the centenary of World War One. Next up: a talk by historian Robert Johns on the 251st Tunnelling Company.