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.
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: the interview was broadcast 07.53 and can be listened to again on the BBC iPlayer for the next week. The interview starts at 1:53.50 into the programme. Listen to the BBC Radio Wales interview.
Jeremy Banning also had an early start and a 6.50am interview with the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Bristol. The interview starts at 0.49 minutes into the programme. Listen to the BBC Radio Bristol interview.
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.
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: the interview was broadcast 07.53 and can be listened to again on the BBC iPlayer for the next week. The interview starts at 1:53.50 into the programme. Listen to the BBC Radio Wales interview.
Jeremy Banning also had an early start and a 6.50am interview with the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Bristol. The interview starts at 0.49 minutes into the programme. Listen to the BBC Radio Bristol interview.
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.
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