Unveiling Ceremony – 19 June 2010
-
-
The Salle des Fetes is decorated with wartime aerials, images and panoramas.
-
-
Two barrels of the specially brewed ‘William Hackett Ale’ await the guests.
-
-
The ‘William Hackett Ale’ brewed specially by Barngates Brewery is checked.
-
-
Peter Barton dismantles the protective box around the memorial.
-
-
The large-scale yellow ‘T’ to mark the site of the Shaftesbury Shaft is put together.
-
-
…and carried into place by Jeremy Banning.
-
-
The yellow ‘T’ is fixed in place.
-
-
A line of red flags marks out the destroyed gallery in which William Hackett and Thomas Collins still lie.
-
-
Villagers get into the spirit of the day – a modern day entente
-
-
Nottingham Band of the Royal Engineers begins their repertoire and tour of the village.
-
-
A study in concentration
-
-
French standard bearers join the march around the village.
-
-
The band plays at the village war memorial which commemorates villagers lost in both world wars.
-
-
Pierre Dervaux, the piper from The Ypres Surrey Pipes and Drums joins in the parade.
-
-
An Honour Guard provided by 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group lead the march to the Salle des Sports.
-
-
Crowds of attendees walk past the memorial to the Salle des Sports for the start of the ceremony.
-
-
The ceremony begins.
-
-
M. Jacques Herbaut, Maire de Givenchy with Givenchy resident, Mme. Tracy Bernard who provided translation.
-
-
An address was made by Lieutenant General David Bill (late Royal Engineers).
-
-
A few words from Peter Barton.
-
-
Jeremy Banning reads from the diary of Sapper John French, 254TC.
-
-
The ceremony was very well attended.
-
-
Following the speeches the crowds moved down to the roadside opposite the field where Hackett and Collins still lie.
-
-
Reverend Pat Aldred at the site of the Shaftesbury Shaft. The memorial, as yet unveiled, can be made out in the background.
-
-
The Blessing
-
-
The Blessing
-
-
The attendees move down to the Tunnellers Memorial.
-
-
The memorial, draped in black with a yellow ‘T’ is flanked by the Honour Guard and French standard bearers.
-
-
M. Jacques Herbaut and M. René Cuvelier prepare to unveil the memorial.
-
-
Unveiling.
-
-
The memorial is unveiled to the public.
-
-
Piper Pierre Dervaux at the site of the Shaftesbury Shaft.
-
-
Wreath laid by M. Jacques Herbaut on behalf of the village of Givenchy.
-
-
Wreath laid by Lieutenant General David Bill (late Royal Engineers).
-
-
Wreath laid by Canadian officials.
-
-
Wreath laid by the Defence Attaché of New Zealand.
-
-
The national anthems of France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia were then played.
-
-
A member of the Honour Guard.
-
-
Geoff Hackett – great nephew of William Hackett VC lays his wreath.
-
-
John Abraham, Terry Carroll & John Carroll – nephews of Thomas Collins lay their wreath.
-
-
Attendees came from all ages.
-
-
David Poultney, a Chelsea Pensioner pays his respects. His uncle, David Hughes, was a tunneller and was killed in October 1915.
-
-
John Abraham, Terry Carroll & John Carroll with the Tunnellers Memorial.
-
-
Peter Barton joins the Honour Guard from 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group at the memorial.
-
-
Geoff Hackett with a detachment from Hackett Troop.
-
-
The Tunnellers Memorial resplendent with wreaths after the unveiling ceremony.
