254th Royal Engineers

[Adam Llewellyn]

Good day to you all,

After having a look on the long, long trail website, I'm now under the impression that the 254th were a Tunnelling Company and would have been in the Ypres area in June/July 1917. I have a gent on the Anstey memorial, Harold Clarke 132985 with the 254th and would appreciate some sort of confirmation that my research is there or there abouts. If not could some one please let me have the correct location and type of company that the 254th were. Harold died on the 6th July 1917 and is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.

Regards. Llew.

[Terry_Reeves]

Llew

254 was a Tunnelling Company. It was sent to Gallipoli in December 1915 and moved to France in in 1916. It was with Fourth Army by Nov 1918.

TR

[stevem49]

SDGW has -

Clarke, Harold, born Glenfield Leics, enlisted Coalville Leics, abode - Anstey Leics, 132985, Spr, killed in action, F & F, 6/7/17, (254th Tunn Coy, RE.)

[Adam Llewellyn]

Terry, Thanks for the reply.

Steve, After reading the information on the long, long trail about the tunnelling companys it sounds like it was not unusual for one side tunnellers to meet up with the opposition underground and end up fighting thier way out of a sticky situation. I wonder if this is how Harold lost his life, I would guess that we will never know just like most of the other gents who fought and lost thier lives in the Great War.

Regards to you both. Llew.

[stevem49]

i would have thought that as he is buried in Pop New cemetery, he would have died of wounds despite what the SDGW has. Many battles were fought underground and also men lost to cave ins etc.

Of course he could also have been killed moving in to or out of the line.

steve m

[Tunneller]

254 Tunnelling Company have the honour of the only VC won by a Tunneller, Sapper William Hackett who is remembered on the memorial at Hyde Park Corner Ploegsteert.

Jim

[Adam Llewellyn]

Jim,

Do you know what the date and circumstances of the VC being awarded were.

Regards. Llew.

[Tunneller]

Try this link

http://www.remuseum.org.uk/vc/rem_vc_hackett.htm

Jim

[Adam Llewellyn]

Thanks Jim, appreciated.

Llew.

[BroadwayWarMemorial]

2nd Corporal 86297 Edgar Cook, 254th Tunnelling Company, was awarded the Military Medal. He died on 29th October 1917 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.