SAPPERS old and young came together when the 49th Annual Reunion Dinner for the 2nd Cheshire Royal Engineers was held at the TA Centre in Birkenhead.

Hosted by 107 Field Squadron, Royal Engineer (Volunteers), the dinner enabled younger soldiers to update the more senior members with their talk of today's equipment and training, while the ex-soldiers reminded the junior members of the traditions and history behind the Royal Engineer Volunteers and the Drill Hall in Birkenhead.

The history of 'The Cheshire Engineer Voluntary Corps' and the Drill Hall at Harrowby Road dates back to 1860, which marked the beginning of the oldest Volunteer Sapper Unit in Britain.

Over the years, the Unit grew in size, changing role and name on a number of occasions - but always remaining Engineers.

The volunteer soldiers performed many ceremonial duties in Birkenhead and Liverpool - and they were also involved in many campaigns abroad, such as the battles of Ypres and Arras, and became the first Territorial Sapper unit to arrive in France in World War I.

Finally, the Unit was re-named '107 (Lancashire and Cheshire) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (Volunteers)' in 1967 and remains unchanged today.

There is still much history within the Unit, spanning generations of families.

Take the Hanson family, for instance. The grandfather was the first Sgt Major of 107 Field Squadron (Volunteers), his son, Robbie, is currently the caretaker of the TA Centre and the grandson has recently joined the ACF, also based at Harrowby Road.

Then there is the Bulmer family. All three brothers have been long-serving members of 107 Field Squadron (Volunteers), the eldest joining in 1967, when the Unit was re-named. Progressing up the ranks together, two attained the position of Sgt Major in the Squadron. Alan Bulmer, now commissioned, holds the post of Quartermaster.

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