Memorial Construction
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A view of the memorial site from the direction of Violaines. Fir trees and a thick hedge mar any view of the field containing the Red Dragon crater and Shaftesbury Shaft.
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The site also contains the 55th (West Lancashire) Division memorial – a tribute to their tenacious defence of the village in spring 1918.
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Scrub covers much of the site.
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The memorial is to sit between the trees in centre of frame.
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The site after clearance work by the CWGC – an amazing transformation. The shovel marks the proposed site of the memorial.
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Peter Barton and Gary Andrews begin digging the foundation for the base.
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The circular base and memorial bottom ready for the addition of concrete.
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Peter and Gary add the necessary concrete to stabilise the memorial footing.
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The memorial begins to take shape
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The horizontal piece completes the outer ‘frame’ representing the timber ‘sett’.
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The front panel is slid into place.
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The memorial, as seen from the rear. Clear evidence of the extensive site landscaping by CWGC workers is evident.
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Iain McHenry, Gary Andrews and two local helpers next to the near-completed memorial.
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Gary and Iain carry the information panel into place.
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The site begins to take shape – memorial and information panel are now in place.
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The base is concreted and levelled.
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The circular base panels are put in place.
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Peter and Gary complete the tricky process of adding the base panels.
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Black mastic sealant completes the operation and pea shingle is spread around the site.
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The construction team of Iain McHenry, Peter Barton and Gary Andrews stand proudly by the completed Tunnellers Memorial.
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A view from the field – Tunnellers Memorial and information panel sit easily alongside the 55th (West Lancashire) Division memorial.
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Memorial and information panel are boxed up ready for 19 June and the unveiling ceremony.