French WW1 memorials to Commonwealth soldiers: Visitor guide

Thiepval memorial

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme is one of the most famous war memorials in the world. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens it was unveiled in 1932 and commemorates more than 72,000 Officers and men of the British and South African armies who died in the region and who have no known grave. 

The men commemorated here died during the Battle of the Somme. The battle lasted from 1 July 1916 to November of that year and cost an incredible number of lives. The opening day of the battle is the worst in British military history, such was the sheer number of deaths. 

Thiepval itself was one of the main objectives of the battle, although it wasn’t captured until the end of September. Throughout the battle, Allied forces faced incredible opposition from resilient German defenders and inclement weather, which made rapid advance all but impossible.

The memorial was built on Thiepval ridge, overlooking the battle field, and acts as a joint Anglo French memorial in recognition of the alliance between the two nations on the Western Front and the rest of the war.

Vimy Memorial

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial stands atop Vimy Ridge, the site of one of the most famous Canadian actions of the war. The capture of the ridge itself was a huge tactical achievement, its height allowing unobstructed views across the surrounding landscape but held additional importance as the first time the four Canadian divisions of the Canadian Corps had fought together. 

The ridge was chosen as the location of a memorial to the more than 11,000 Canadians that fought and in the battle for the ridge and in battles in the surrounding area, but also stands as a national memorial to the more than 60,000 Canadians who lost their lives during the war. 

The memorial itself is one of the most striking. Twin pillars rise from a stone base, adorned with statues and carvings, such as the maple leaf and fleur-de-lis which decorate the pillars and represent the unity and sacrifice of both Canada and France.

Neuve-Chapelle Memorial

Fought in northern France between 10-13 March 1915, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle was the first planned offensive by the British Army on the Western Front. Nearly 40,000 British, Canadian and Indian troops took part. This was also the first battle where the Indian Corps fought its first major action as a single unit.

The battle began in the early hours of 10 March with a heavy artillery bombardment from hundreds of guns. When the artillery fire lifted, the infantry assault commenced with the Indian battalions in the lead. The assaulting battalions managed to break through German lines and into the village of Neuve Chapelle, fighting from house to house. By 9am Neuve Chapelle had been secured, but communications difficulties made it difficult to capitalise on this success.

Neuve Chapelle was captured but this victory had been limited and came at the cost of heavy casualties. More than 11,000 were killed, wounded or missing, including around 4,200 from the Indian Corps. The British line had advanced around 1,000 yards on a front of two miles, but severe losses had also been inflicted on the Germans.

The Neuve Chapelle Memorial was built by the CWGC on ground where Indians fought in March 1915. It honours the efforts of the Indian Army across the Western Front and commemorates some 4,700 soldiers and labourers who died in France and have no known grave.

La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial

The early stages of the war were very positive for the German Army. By the start of September 1914, they had taken a large part of Belgium and their advance through France had put them within touching distance of Paris. 

The British and French forces protecting the capital had to act, and a counter attack was begun on 5 September, known as the Battle of the Marne. On 8 September, British troops encountered a strong enemy presence at La Ferte-sous-Jourre, where the German army had established a crossing over the Marne. 

British troops made an assault on the town. In their retreat, the German forces destroyed the two bridges over the river, delaying the attack as the Royal Engineers constructed a floating bridge in their place to continue the pursuit. As a result of the Battle of the Marne, the German advance was stunted - Paris was saved, but the years of trench warfare were only just beginning. 

La Ferté-sous-Jouarre Memorial in France commemorates some 3,740 British servicemen who died serving with the BEF in August, September and early October 1914, who have no known grave.

Caterpillar Valley New Zealand Memorial

The New Zealand division landed in France in September 1916, and joined the front line between Delville Wood and High Wood - thrusting them into action in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, one of the battles of the Somme offensive. 

By the time the New Zealand Division was relieved on 4 October, they had advanced three kilometres, suffering more than 7,000 casualties. Caterpillar Valley Cemetery contains more than 5,500 Commonwealth burials, many brought in from smaller cemeteries and burials in the region. In it stands Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, which commemorates more than 1,200 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who died in the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and who have no known grave. 

New Zealand’s ties with Caterpillar Valley were reinforced in 2004, when the remains of an unidentified New Zealand soldier were taken from Caterpillar Valley Cemetery and returned to New Zealand. The remains were laid to rest in the New Zealand Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Wellington, to act as a point of remembrance for all of the New Zealand servicemen and women who lost their lives at war.

Beaumont-Hamel (Newfoundland) Memorial

While the opening day of the Battle of the Somme is recognised as one of the worst in British Military history, it was also devastating for the Newfoundland Regiment. 

The Newfoundlanders were part of the advance near the village of Beaumont-Hamel. 800 men strong, the Newfoundland regiment advanced onto the battlefield and attempted to cross no-mans-land, walking into withering German fire. The following morning, only 68 Newfoundlanders were available for roll call the following morning. More than 700 had been killed, wounded or were missing. 

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial stands among the preserved trenches of Beaumont-Hamel Memorial Park, marking the sacrifice of those who fell on the opening day of the Somme. 

The striking memorial includes a bronze caribou, standing sentinel on a rocky outcrop  overlooking the battlefield. It lists the names of 800 servicemen of Newfoundland who have no known graves, including some 220 members of the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine lost at sea.