241859 Spr. Alfred James Richards British Army 255 Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers from:Porth, Rhondda, Glamorgan, Wales My grandfather, Alfred Richards, enlisted in the Army on 3rd July 1914, into the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. His rank was Private, and his Army Number 12411.
Some time after this he transferred to the Royal Engineers, Tunnelling Company No. 255. His new Rank was Sapper and his Army Number 151541.
The 255th Tunnelling Company was formed in January 1916 by taking some officers and men from the 173rd Tunnelling Company, and moving into the Red Lamp Neuve-Chapelle sector. They were relieved in the area by the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company early in spring 1916.
Alfred was engaged in digging subways to the Vimy Ridge front early in 1917. The 255th also constructed two underground 50,000-gallon water reservoirs for use of troops in the upcoming battle for Vimy Ridge of April 1917.
Late in 1917 part of the company was working in tunnels near Givenchy. They were forced to move from camp at Boeschepe in April 1918, when the enemy broke through the Lys positions. The 255th were then put on duty that included digging and wiring trenches over a long distance from Reninghelst to near St Omer.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
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