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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Tunneling training.


Mick M

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I have evidence of the 7 days from enlistment to digging in France for former coal miners and sewer workers, and that many officers were former engineers from around the Empire. I suspect most training was on the job, was there any formal school and where, (RE Base depot at Rouen perhaps) and was there any established regulations from which they worked or was that developed following the implementation of the tunnelling programme?

 

A Canadian friends Great Grandad was in a pioneer Btn and his record shows a week spent at 1st army mining school late in 1917.

 

 

Edited by Mick M
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1 hour ago, Mick M said:

I suspect most training was on the job, was there any formal school and where, (RE Base depot at Rouen perhaps) and was there any established regulations from which they worked or was that developed following the implementation of the tunnelling programme?

Without having any specialist knowledge of your subject [that's me without the knowledge!] - you may find an answer here:  Royal Engineers Museum  

https://www.re-museum.co.uk/collections/research

:-) M

Edited by Matlock1418
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Thanks I'll give that a try.

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Thanks I'll give that a try.

 

Just for interest there is a reference to  mining rescue school at Armentieres on Long Long Trail but the RE museum is closed just now for obvious reasons.

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2 hours ago, Mick M said:

Thanks I'll give that a try.

 

Just for interest there is a reference to  mining rescue school at Armentieres on Long Long Trail but the RE museum is closed just now for obvious reasons.


When you are able to contact them, this is what you should seek: 

“Royal Engineers' Institute (1922). The Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War 1914–1919: Military Mining. Chatham, England: Secretary, Institution of Royal Engineers. OCLC 317624346.”

 

NB.  The initial tunnelling training was set up at the Royal Engineers School at Chatham, Kent.  The basic course of instruction was apparently a fortnight long.

 

There is an excellent potted history if you haven’t seen it here: http://www.tunnellersmemorial.com/tunnelling-companies/

Edited by FROGSMILE
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1 hour ago, FROGSMILE said:

“Royal Engineers' Institute (1922). The Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War 1914–1919: Military Mining

Reprints of the RE history(ies) are usually available.

See: https://www.naval-military-press.com/?s=Work+Of+The+Royal+Engineers+In+The+European+War%2C+1914-19.+Military+Mining&post_type=product

and/or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Engineers-European-1914-19-Military-Mining/dp/184574120X

:-) M

Edited by Matlock1418
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I believe Tunnelling officers got a week's instruction at the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Mines Rescue Association school in Dudley.  

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5 minutes ago, John(txic) said:

I believe Tunnelling officers got a week's instruction at the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Mines Rescue Association school in Dudley.  

That would make sense, as officers they would have needed to know how to mount rescues.

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8 hours ago, FROGSMILE said:


When you are able to contact them, this is what you should seek: 

“Royal Engineers' Institute (1922). The Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War 1914–1919: Military Mining. Chatham, England: Secretary, Institution of Royal Engineers. OCLC 317624346.”

 

NB.  The initial tunnelling training was set up at the Royal Engineers School at Chatham, Kent.  The basic course of instruction was apparently a fortnight long.

 

There is an excellent potted history if you haven’t seen it here: http://www.tunnellersmemorial.com/tunnelling-companies/

Thank you

7 hours ago, alf mcm said:

The war diary for 1 Army Mine School is here  https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/4e5c3333b73e4eabb33c4696c47ed12e   Free if you register.  It's not a very big file.

 

Regards,

Alf McM

Thank you

7 hours ago, alf mcm said:

The war diary for 1 Army Mine School is here  https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/4e5c3333b73e4eabb33c4696c47ed12e   Free if you register.  It's not a very big file.

 

Regards,

Alf McM

Thank you

If i missed a thank you......thank you...this is a great learning place.

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26 minutes ago, Mick M said:

this is a great learning place

Another handy place to look/read for the general situation is "UNDER FLANDERS FIELDS - The Tunnellers' War 1914-18" by Peter Barton, Peter Doyle & Johan Vandewalle

Available from many booksellers and libraries.

:-) M

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9 hours ago, FROGSMILE said:

There is an excellent potted history if you haven’t seen it here: http://www.tunnellersmemorial.com/tunnelling-companies

Contains one photo described as:

A group of potential Tunnelling officers seated outside the RE Library, Chatham [REM]

 

18 minutes ago, Matlock1418 said:

"UNDER FLANDERS FIELDS - The Tunnellers' War 1914-18"

Contains one photo described as:

1915 tunnelling officer hopefuls on the steps of what is today the Royal Engineers Library - No. 39 (Tunnelling Officers) Class [REL]

 

Don't know what access you might get but the Royal Engineers Library but looks like an option to search for/within - think it may be co-located with the RE Museum.

All roads seem to be leading the same way ;-)

:-) M

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9 hours ago, Matlock1418 said:

Another handy place to look/read for the general situation is "UNDER FLANDERS FIELDS - The Tunnellers' War 1914-18" by Peter Barton, Peter Doyle & Johan Vandewalle

Available from many booksellers and libraries.

:-) M

I've got that it's invaluable ta.

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