Robin Sanderson Posted 15 January , 2009 Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Can anyone please give me information on where to obtain a company history of the above Company or other reports by the above officer Alexander Sanderson who was my paternal grandfather.I have many family archives that I need to supplement to produce a more comprehensive overview of the 3 tunnelling companies and especially the 3rd. nb in 2006 Andrew P (member 43) posted that he had a copy of a history written by a 3rd Tunnelling Officer,probably my grandfather? I am a new member and unsure how to contact other members via the Forum! Many thanks Robin Sanderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted 15 January , 2009 Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Hi Robin Hope that i can point you in the direction of the unit war diary. Many Australian war diaries are available online. Unfortunately it seems those of the Tunneling units are not amongst them. You will find they are filed in Class 16 at the following site www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww1 Maybe an email to them will get you some info on how to access the war diary. Hope of a little help Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain mchenry Posted 15 January , 2009 Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Hi Robin, The Australian Tunnelling Company diaries are held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. They are slowly putting Australian units War Diaries on line. I was at the AWM, Canberra last month and asked the ladies in the reading room when the Tunnelling Company diaries would be going oin line. They said it would be in the next 2 years. The Royal Engineer Library at Chatham should hold copies of the diaries and any surviving plans from the companies. The UK National Archives should also hold copies. I do know that some Royal Engineer Tunnelling Company Officers personal diaries are held at Chatham. It may be worth seeing if even a cpoy of his private diary is at Canberra or Chatham. Best regards Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Sanderson Posted 15 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Hi Robin, The Australian Tunnelling Company diaries are held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. They are slowly putting Australian units War Diaries on line. I was at the AWM, Canberra last month and asked the ladies in the reading room when the Tunnelling Company diaries would be going oin line. They said it would be in the next 2 years. The Royal Engineer Library at Chatham should hold copies of the diaries and any surviving plans from the companies. The UK National Archives should also hold copies. I do know that some Royal Engineer Tunnelling Company Officers personal diaries are held at Chatham. It may be worth seeing if even a cpoy of his private diary is at Canberra or Chatham. Best regards Iain Many thanks Chris and Iain :I will visit Chatham to check this up and contact the awm. Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Banning Posted 15 January , 2009 Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Hi Robin, Indeed, 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company War Diaries are available at the National Archives at Kew at refs: WO95/553-557 inclusive. Click the link HERE! Regards, Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Sanderson Posted 15 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2009 Hi Robin, Indeed, 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company War Diaries are available at the National Archives at Kew at refs: WO95/553-557 inclusive. Click the link HERE! Regards, Jeremy Thanks Jeremy. Apparently I need to visit to gain access:however, thanks to you I have the references to ask for the files when I go Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 16 January , 2009 Share Posted 16 January , 2009 Hi Robin The manuscript of the 3rd Tunnelling Company was indeed written by an officer of that unit but unfortunately it wasn't written by your grandfather, though he is mentioned in the text quite a lot. Even though this wasn't written by your grandfather if you are still interested in obtaining a copy I can give you the manuscript details. Also, there is a history of the 3 Australian Tunnelling Companies which is hopefully coming out this year which has been written by Damian Finlayson. Another member of this forum, Chris Donnelly is researching the 3rd Tunnelling Company so it might be worth getting into contact with him as he may have more information on your grandad. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Sanderson Posted 16 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 16 January , 2009 Hi Andrew Many thanks for this post.I would be extremely interested and grateful to see a copy of this manuscript by the A 3 T Officer.I am also very interested to hear that Damian Finlayson is bringing out a book on the 3rd this year.How could I contact him please? Incidentally, I have inherited from my father (who was a Burma Shangshak para veteran-another story!) many historic documents that belonged to Alex Sanderson ie one unique 60 page file of Inspector of Mines' reports to The 3rd Co and other English, Canadian Tunnelling companies (Do you think these are held on record elsewhere?) on eg booby trap devices, German land and road mines , grenades, prisoner reportsetc that were all vital to our advance following the German rapid planned retreat to the Hindenberg line plus many unpublished trench maps &a rchive ground and aerial photos, Unit calendars,cartoons, Xmas cards between tunnellers,photos,interview report/letters by EW Bean to Alex etc ; plus his personal account so I guess even if a book is out this year I have a wealth of material to add to the debate.I am keen to produce as definitive a history as possible given the source materials I hold. Thank you.I am very grateful for any leads to fit the last pieces in the complete jigsaw. Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Starlight Posted 16 January , 2009 Share Posted 16 January , 2009 I have a nasty feeling I know who is editing Damien's book .... Will make some enquiries. It is apparaently called Crumps and Camouflets the story of the Australian Tunnelling Companies in France and Belgium 1916 – 1919. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 21 January , 2009 Share Posted 21 January , 2009 Hi Robin Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The manuscript is titled 3rd Australian Tunnelling Coy History December 1915-May 1919 AWM 224 MSS78 Parts 1-2 The following link will take you to the reference in the National Archives of Australia database *Link Deleted* see Chris's post below* Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Sanderson Posted 21 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 21 January , 2009 Hi Robin Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The manuscript is titled 3rd Australian Tunnelling Coy History December 1915-May 1919 AWM 224 MSS78 Parts 1-2 The following link will take you to the reference in the National Archives of Australia database http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail...=0&B=934842 Cheers Andrew Many thanks Andrew.Kind of you.Appreciate this greatly Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Sanderson Posted 21 January , 2009 Author Share Posted 21 January , 2009 Many thanks Andrew.Kind of you.Appreciate this greatly Robin Andrew I tried but it would not give me access.When I registered as a guest user and searched there was no access to the files just the statement 'Access status:open 'and barcode number. I suppose one has to take a trip to Oz to see the files?! Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green_acorn Posted 26 January , 2009 Share Posted 26 January , 2009 Robin, No need to come to Oz to access our National Archive records, go to their Records search homepage NAA Record Search and log in as a guest. The reason the link wouldn't work would be because of the unique cookie for Andrew and the timeout facility. Anyway, I have the email address of the volunteer curator of the RAE Museum, he is very helpful and I am sure would be interested to hear from you, PM me if you want it. Cheers, Chris Henderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmi01 Posted 17 November , 2009 Share Posted 17 November , 2009 Just wondering if anyone has heard anything more about this book? I'm keen to know when it's due out. Crumps and Camouflets the story of the Australian Tunnelling Companies in France and Belgium 1916 – 1919 Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 19 November , 2009 Share Posted 19 November , 2009 Hi Mick Your post made me realise it was a long time since I'd heard anything on this too - so I emailed Damien, and have just had a reply. Seems there have been a few problems with the publishing side of things - but should soon be smoothed out - and with a bit of luck, the book may be out in time for Anzac Day. Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmi01 Posted 19 November , 2009 Share Posted 19 November , 2009 Hi Mick Your post made me realise it was a long time since I'd heard anything on this too - so I emailed Damien, and have just had a reply. Seems there have been a few problems with the publishing side of things - but should soon be smoothed out - and with a bit of luck, the book may be out in time for Anzac Day. Cheers, Frev Hi Frev, Sounds good - are you able to PM me his email address by any chance? I have some more questions for him. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 24 November , 2009 Share Posted 24 November , 2009 Hi again Mick Might be best if you PM me your email address & I'll pass it on to Damien. Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmi01 Posted 24 November , 2009 Share Posted 24 November , 2009 Hi again Mick Might be best if you PM me your email address & I'll pass it on to Damien. Cheers, Frev It's all good - another mate put me in touch. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmi01 Posted 13 June , 2010 Share Posted 13 June , 2010 Looks like "Crumps and Camouflets: Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front" will be out soon. Looking forward to it. Link here. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Starlight Posted 2 December , 2010 Share Posted 2 December , 2010 Looks like "Crumps and Camouflets: Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front" will be out soon. Looking forward to it. Link Mick Well and truly out now. Picked up my copy via a publisher's "stall" at the Chief of Army's History Conference.... About a third of the way through now (yes there were books to be read in line ahead of it!) and find it extremely well written and presented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 2 December , 2010 Share Posted 2 December , 2010 Hmmm....I've had my copy since July, but haven't had a chance to get to it yet.....despite moving it 'up the line' just recently....might have to make it my New Year resolution (so to speak!) Hope you'll do a review on it when you've finished!?? Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Burrows Posted 23 September , 2019 Share Posted 23 September , 2019 Hi I was looking for info on my great uncle and came across your site I hope you are still in operation. My great uncle was Sgt Hugh Stafford Reg no 1159. I believe he was with the 3rd Tunnelling Aus group. He may have also been with the 6th Tunnelling group. He was married to my great aunt Katherine Main. I have, thru the Australian War Memorial his enlistment. What I can’t find is wether or not he survived the war. Can anyone from your group help? His brother in law, Alfred Ernest Main has a memorial at VC Corner Fromelles. His other brothers in law David Alexander and Charles Main also died in France. My Granfather Walter Sydney Main came home from the war but fell from the roof of his home and was electrocuted in 1921. Just wondered if anyone can can tell me where I can find more records on my family please. Especially Hugh Atchison Stafford. Regards Kerry Burrows. Family on my maternal side is Holt Main Furphy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travers61 Posted 23 September , 2019 Share Posted 23 September , 2019 Hugh Atchison Stafford seems to have survived the war & lived until 1954. There are several trees on Ancestry that feature him, and a couple mention service in a "WW1 Mining Corps unit". As ever any information on these trees is only as could as their creators research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 24 September , 2019 Share Posted 24 September , 2019 Hi Kerry, and welcome to the forum… Some info for you: STAFFORD, Hugh Acheson (Sgt 1159, 3rd Tunnelling Coy) Service Record: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8091649 Hugh enlisted in the AIF on the 2/10/1915 Embarked in Sydney 20/2/1916 on the A38 Ulysses [the Ulysses was held up at Fremantle, WA, for repairs following an accident, and finally departed WA on the 2/4/1916] Disembarked Marseilles, France 5/5/1916 and entrained for Hazebrouck War Diaries for the 3rd Tunnelling Coy: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1339272 While on Leave in England in 1917, he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall 7/7/1917 with Sciatica Invalided home, he embarked in London on the A24 Benalla 25/8/1917 for return to Australia for Home Service Discharged from the AIF 9/11/1917 He was a resident of 1 Isabel St, Bentley Park, WA, when he died on the 10/1/1954, aged 89 – following a Methodist Service held in the Crematorium Chapel on the 13/1/1954, he was cremated and his ashes dispersed at the Karrakatta Cemetery http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/details.php?id=KC00008231 MAIN BROTHERS: *MAIN, Alfred Ernest (Pte 3394, 53rd Bn) Service Record: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8212044 Roll of Honour Circular: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1648692 Red Cross Wounded & Missing File: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1495181 *MAIN, David Alexander (Pte 5383, 16th Bn) SR: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8212052 Roll of Honour Circular: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1648800 *MAIN, Charles Hay (Pte 5134, 13th Bn) https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8212048 Roll of Honour Circular: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1648693 *MAIN, Walter Sydney (Pte 1627, 32nd Bn) SR: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8206641 *MAIN, Robert John (Gnr 27743, 3rd FAB) SR: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8206635 Best of luck with your research Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Burrows Posted 24 September , 2019 Share Posted 24 September , 2019 13 hours ago, travers61 said: Hugh Atchison Stafford seems to have survived the war & lived until 1954. There are several trees on Ancestry that feature him, and a couple mention service in a "WW1 Mining Corps unit". As ever any information on these trees is only as could as their creators research. Thank you. I use My Heritage, so I will update my info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now