The Sapper VCs: Story of Valour in the Royal Engineers and Its Associated Corps

by Gerald Napier

Only 1354 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since its inception in 1856. Over 50 of these have gone to the Sappers (Royal Engineers), a corps not always associated with the heroic side of warfare. The actions earning these awards run from the most renowned, such as Lieutenant John Chard leading 100 men in the defence of Rorke's Drift against the onslaught of 4000 Zulus; to the most poignant, like Sapper William Hackett's sublime self-sacrifice in remaining with a wounded comrade in the depths of a collapsing mine tunnel in Flanders in WWI. The 55 stories in this book are set in the context of the campaigns and battles in which they occurred, so illustrating how Sappers became involved in these affairs.

358 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1998