Supporting Tunnelling Operations in the Great War

The Alphabet Company: Supporting Tunnelling Operations in the Great War By Damien Finlayson In the midst of one of history's most brutal conflicts, a small but vital unit played a crucial role in maintaining the war effort. The Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company, later renamed the 'Alphabet Company', was a tiny force of fewer than 300 men who operated and maintained pumps, generators, ventilation fans, drilling equipment, and other ingenious devices in extreme conditions. Led by Major Victor Morse, DSO, the Alphabeticals worked tirelessly to support the troops, often in nightmarish settings. Their work was desperately needed, given the horrendous conditions in which soldiers lived and fought. This book tells the story of the men, their machinery, and the extraordinary grit they displayed in performing some of the most difficult tasks during World War I. For the first time, this account brings to light the dynamic little unit that was the Alphabet Company, a unit that has been neglected by history for a century. The story of the men who served with this remarkable unit is one of courage, ingenuity, and determination in the face of unimaginable hardship.