Canada, CEF. A First War Trio to Sapper Dyer, Royal Engineers

 A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 17500 SPR. W.J. DYER, R.E., light wear, very fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 17500 SPR. W.J. DYER. R.E., replacement ribbon, light wear, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 17500 SPR. W.J. DYER. R.E.., replacement ribbon, notable gilt loss to obverse, near very fine. 

Footnote: During the First World War, the Royal Engineer Sappers played a crucial and wide-ranging role across all theatres of the conflict. These highly skilled soldiers were responsible for essential military engineering tasks that supported both offensive and defensive operations. Their duties included constructing and maintaining trenches, dugouts, bridges, roads, and railways—ensuring that men and supplies could move efficiently and safely across the battlefield.

One of their most dangerous and specialized roles was tunneling, where they worked deep underground to dig mines beneath enemy lines and plant explosives. This subterranean warfare was particularly intense during battles like Messines Ridge in 1917, where massive mines were detonated under German positions.

Sappers also handled communications, laying telegraph and telephone lines, as well as building signal stations. They repaired damage from shelling and floods, set up water supplies, cleared obstacles like barbed wire, and were even involved in camouflage and constructing decoys to deceive the enemy.