News & Fund Raising Details
The memorial will be unveiled at Givenchy on Saturday 19 June 2010. Timings and details
will be advised on the website later once arrangements have been finalised. All are welcome
to attend this unique event.
15 March 2010
We are delighted to announce that we have been contacted by Mr John Abraham, nephew of Thomas Collins.
John read of our appeal in the South Wales Evening Post and got in touch a few days later. Naturally, we were delighted and following a number of phone calls we travelled to Swansea on Friday 12 March to meet.
BBC Wales were in tow as we visited the Swansea Cenotaph to view
Thomas Collins’ name on the memorial, Thomas’ old address that he enlisted from (50 Shelley
Crescent – now High View) and then Colbourne Terrace where his family moved to post-war
(Thomas’ youngest brother William lived at No.58 until his death in the 1990s).
We then
capped a moving day by visiting John at his house where we were welcomed in and shown the
most amazing 3ft x 2ft framed picture of Thomas Collins in khaki with what looks like cards
that he sent home from France stuck around the outside of the frame. This had sat in his
mother’s parlour (along with a framed photo of his brother Daniel – sadly also killed in the
Great War whilst serving with the RNVR) for the rest of her lifetime. These remarkable pictures
were clearly treasured possessions and a real tribute to her two eldest boys lost in the war.
Mr Abraham has also indicated that he would be delighted to attend the memorial unveiling on
19 June along with other members of his family.
The BBC covered the story in a number of formats.
A four minute feature went out this morning on the breakfast radio show ‘Good Morning Wales’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rgj56/Good_Morning_Wales_15_03_2010/ - the new piece starts 1.18.30 in and can be listened to until 22 March.
There was also a feature on tonight’s ‘Wales Today’ at 6.30pm, the BBC’s national news programme for Wales. The BBC also covered this on their website today. The full story plus interview with John Abraham can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8565357.stm.
Please find below pictures of our visit to Swansea and meeting with John Abraham.
We are delighted to announce that we have been contacted by Mr John Abraham, nephew of Thomas Collins.
John read of our appeal in the South Wales Evening Post and got in touch a few days later. Naturally, we were delighted and following a number of phone calls we travelled to Swansea on Friday 12 March to meet.
Thomas Collins – note the Union Flag and Tricolor
The BBC covered the story in a number of formats.
A four minute feature went out this morning on the breakfast radio show ‘Good Morning Wales’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rgj56/Good_Morning_Wales_15_03_2010/ - the new piece starts 1.18.30 in and can be listened to until 22 March.
There was also a feature on tonight’s ‘Wales Today’ at 6.30pm, the BBC’s national news programme for Wales. The BBC also covered this on their website today. The full story plus interview with John Abraham can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8565357.stm.
Please find below pictures of our visit to Swansea and meeting with John Abraham.
John Abraham with the framed picture of Thomas Collins
John Abraham & Jeremy Banning go through the 1911 Census return for the Collins family
John Abraham & Peter Barton
Monday 1 March 2010
Today sees the start of our effort to trace descendants of Swansea-born Thomas Collins. This morning we were interviewed on ‘Good Morning Wales’, the breakfast show for BBC Radio Wales. Jeremy Banning also had an early start and a 6.50am interview with the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Bristol.
The BBC Wales website has also kindly covered this story. Please click here to view the BBC coverage.
For those of you in South West Wales, the daily newspaper ‘The South Wales Evening Post’ has an extended article all about the Tunnellers Memorial and Thomas Collins. This is in the ‘Looking Back’ section of the newspaper. Please click here to see a scan of this article.
We are grateful to the BBC and The South Wales Evening Post for helping us publicise our search. We would be delighted if any descendants of Thomas Collins could join us for the memorial unveiling on Saturday 19 June. Should any readers have any information about family or descendants of Thomas Collins then please contact us. Details can be found here.
Today sees the start of our effort to trace descendants of Swansea-born Thomas Collins. This morning we were interviewed on ‘Good Morning Wales’, the breakfast show for BBC Radio Wales. Jeremy Banning also had an early start and a 6.50am interview with the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Bristol.
The BBC Wales website has also kindly covered this story. Please click here to view the BBC coverage.
For those of you in South West Wales, the daily newspaper ‘The South Wales Evening Post’ has an extended article all about the Tunnellers Memorial and Thomas Collins. This is in the ‘Looking Back’ section of the newspaper. Please click here to see a scan of this article.
We are grateful to the BBC and The South Wales Evening Post for helping us publicise our search. We would be delighted if any descendants of Thomas Collins could join us for the memorial unveiling on Saturday 19 June. Should any readers have any information about family or descendants of Thomas Collins then please contact us. Details can be found here.
February 2010
As January’ news update mentioned, we are making a concerted effort to publicise the Tunnellers Memorial. The last month has seen us contact every regimental museum in the country and we have received great feedback and support from these establishments. We have also focussed on the mining industry, having recently contacted Camborne School of Mines, the premier world establishment dedicated to the teaching and the research into mining technology.
Contact has also been made with the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Big Pit:National Coal Museum in Wales and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (situated within a mile of William Hackett’s old mine and house at Mexborough).
The memorial organisers would be delighted to hear from anyone with suggestions for other organisations/establishments to contact. Our email address can be found on the ‘Donate’ page.
As January’ news update mentioned, we are making a concerted effort to publicise the Tunnellers Memorial. The last month has seen us contact every regimental museum in the country and we have received great feedback and support from these establishments. We have also focussed on the mining industry, having recently contacted Camborne School of Mines, the premier world establishment dedicated to the teaching and the research into mining technology.
Contact has also been made with the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Big Pit:National Coal Museum in Wales and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (situated within a mile of William Hackett’s old mine and house at Mexborough).
The memorial organisers would be delighted to hear from anyone with suggestions for other organisations/establishments to contact. Our email address can be found on the ‘Donate’ page.
January 2010
The start of the New Year sees us making a concerted effort to ensure people know about the Tunnellers Memorial. Updates have been added to the Great War Forum and the WFA Forum. The next few months will see posters appearing at popular battlefield sites and information being disseminated via regimental organisations – we would like all those who wish to attend the unveiling on 19 June to be assured of a warm welcome in joining us to remember the endeavours of the Tunnelling Corps.
In recognition of the huge interest shown in the First World War by both serving and retired police officers we contacted the National Association of Retired Police Officers and are delighted that they have included the following appeal on their website and plan to include this in their May issue of the NARPO News.
The start of the New Year sees us making a concerted effort to ensure people know about the Tunnellers Memorial. Updates have been added to the Great War Forum and the WFA Forum. The next few months will see posters appearing at popular battlefield sites and information being disseminated via regimental organisations – we would like all those who wish to attend the unveiling on 19 June to be assured of a warm welcome in joining us to remember the endeavours of the Tunnelling Corps.
In recognition of the huge interest shown in the First World War by both serving and retired police officers we contacted the National Association of Retired Police Officers and are delighted that they have included the following appeal on their website and plan to include this in their May issue of the NARPO News.
November 2009
November saw the launch of Barngates Brewery’s new William Hackett Ale. This commemorative beer has been brewed to help raise funds for the Tunnellers Memorial Fund. The ale was a great success and has now sold out. A further brew will take place later this year prior to the memorial unveiling. Details and advance warning will follow.
November saw the launch of Barngates Brewery’s new William Hackett Ale. This commemorative beer has been brewed to help raise funds for the Tunnellers Memorial Fund. The ale was a great success and has now sold out. A further brew will take place later this year prior to the memorial unveiling. Details and advance warning will follow.
October/November 2009
The national press covers the finding of Sapper John French’s diary. In 30 years of research by Peter Barton this newly-discovered diary gives the first detailed account of the blowing of the Red Dragon mine and the subsequent rescue attempt of Hackett, Collins and their comrades. Please read NEW EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT section for diary entries.
The national press covers the finding of Sapper John French’s diary. In 30 years of research by Peter Barton this newly-discovered diary gives the first detailed account of the blowing of the Red Dragon mine and the subsequent rescue attempt of Hackett, Collins and their comrades. Please read NEW EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT section for diary entries.
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Read the Daily Telegraph story on Hackett VC, The 'most noble' Victoria Cross hero
Of all the acts of heroism that have been rewarded with a Victoria Cross, it is, perhaps, the most noble. [...] Sapper William Hackett spurned the opportunity to crawl to safety in order to remain behind to comfort a wounded comrade, before a second collapse sealed the two men in forever.
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Read The Sun story on John French, War hero's diary found 90 years on
A Tommy's amazing long-lost diaries telling of the hell of life in the trenches have come to light after more than 90 years.
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Read the Daily Mail story John French, Hidden diary reveals amazing trench truces
With shells screaming overhead and German snipers only 75 yards away, just staying alive was a remarkable achievement. Yet huddled in the mud-filled trenches, Sapper John T French found the time to compile a remarkable diary.
October 2008
Press coverage of the proposed memorial in the Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire area – William Hackett’s birthplace.
Press coverage of the proposed memorial in the Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire area – William Hackett’s birthplace.
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Read the BBC Nottingham story on Hackett VC, Tunneller William Hackett
The tragic story of the Nottingham miner awarded a Victoria Cross after refusing to leave an injured colleague. Hackett was one of 10,000 other tunnellers whose work was an official secret until the 1960s.
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Read the Nottingham Evening Post story on Hackett VC, Divine courage below the ground
Somewhere beneath this golden field of wheat lies the body of a remarkable hero of the First World War
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Read the South Yorkshire Times story, Special memorial to honour WWI soldier who won Victoria Cross
Sapper William Hackett was posthumously awarded the VC - the British Army's highest decoration for valour - for giving his life to help an injured comrade on the battlefields of the Western Front in 1916