Old soldiers fall in for memorial

May 1 2007

HUNDREDS of army officers, past and present, saw the opening of a war memorial to commemorate soldiers who have fallen over the last 100 years serving with the Royal Engineers.

Together they saw four massive 'floating' granite blocks unveiled in memory of Sappers who have served Queen and country.

Officers trained to undermine enemy positions by tunnelling and building trenches were praised for their courage and bravery at the service at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

More than 400 Colonels, Commandants and senior officers joined dozens of Royal Engineers as General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue, Chief Royal Engineer, officially opened the plot.

Each granite boulder weighed 10 tonnes and was presented by the Falkland Islands.

Raised 15 cm above the ground on stainless steel pins, the huge rocks appeared as if they are floating over the grass and concrete foundations.

The idea was to reflect the ability of a Sapper to control and manipulate the physical environment they work in.