This is far, far more than a straightforward biography of the author’s most distinguished grandfather, Major Alexander Sanderson DSO MC* in which he creates a remarkably clear and compelling account of the Australian contribution to First War tunnelling operations. The author draws heavily on official records and most skillfully weaves them together with the significant personnel contribution made by his grandfather as recorded in his own notes and in post-War interviews with CEW Bean the Official Australian historian of the War. Sanderson was a qualified and experienced “civil and mining engineer and licensed surveyor” when War broke out and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Australian Military Forces in December 1915. In February 1916 he volunteered for overseas service and rapidly found himself on the strength of the newly formed, all volunteer, Mining Corps; a battalion sized unit with three Tunnelling Companies, all members of the Royal Australian Engineers, of mostly, experienced miners aged up to 50. The Corps was raised in response to the demand for tunnellers to support operations in France and Flanders and in October 1916, soon after arrival, Sanderson was partly instrumental in the 300 strong Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining & Boring Company (AE&MM&BC), known colloquially as the “Alphabet” Company, being formed to support Australian and other Allied tunnelling activity. Sanderson served with and subsequently commanded No.3 Australian Tunnelling Company after his CO was killed by a sniper. Some tunnelling officers were known for their technical contributions behind the lines rather than for their fighting spirit. Alex Sanderson, although one of the ablest and most experienced mining engineers to serve on the Western Front, was a very different character as his DSO, two MCs, mention in despatches and two wound stripes testified. He was no simple mining academic and such was his contribution to tunnelling operations that after the War he was interviewed at length by Charles Bean to contribute to the Official History. The author has drawn heavily on the detailed War Diary of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company and a vast number of other sources which are listed in full. Part Four of the book records the post- War activities of Alex Sanderson when, for example, during the Blitz, he was put in charge of repairs to the bomb damaged London underground and appointed a consultant structural engineer for the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill’s underground bunker. Until recently little had been published about the Australian Tunnelling Companies during the First World War, beyond brief mention in the various well known books published in the UK on the subject which focus almost entirely on the British tunnelling companies with whom the Australians worked so closely. This was put right by the very recent “Crumps and Camouflets – Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front” and “Supporting Tunnelling Operations in the Great War – The Alphabet Company” both by Damien Finlayson and first published by Big Sky Publishing in Australia in 2010 and 2017 respectively. The latter was reprinted by Pen & Sword Military in 2028. “A 19th July 1916 Fromelles Soldier - Tunnelling Commander on the Western Front” fleshes out the earlier books and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the tunnelling operations and the underground war or more generally in the First World War. It is outstanding and most highly recommended. .
CRE

Clive Elderton