John Gibson wrote:
>I'd like to find out a bit more about the sort of work the old chap did and
>about the sapper miners more generally.
Lyn Macdonald has written a few excellent books which tell the story of WW1
from the soldiers' experiences. 'They called it Passchendaele' , which is
about the third battle of Ypres, includes stories of sappers and mining and
counter-mining operations. I recommend the book.Though I don't have it
here, I recall a mention of the Cockney tube tunneller's kick-shovelling
technique being successful in the clayey ground.
Some of the larger craters made by mines still exist in the Ypres area. I
have visited the area on a number of occasions. Words fail me when I try to
describe my feelings when standing beside some monument, battlefield or
grave trying to comprehend what our grandfathers went through.
Let me know if you want more information about the remaining evidence of
mining operations and monuments to miners in the Ypres area.
Regards,
Malcolm
Temporarily in Singapore
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