The memorial commemorates more than 72,000 men of British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave, the majority of whom died during the Somme offensive of 1916.
On the high ground overlooking the Somme River in France, where some of the heaviest fighting of the First World War took place, stands the Thiepval Memorial. Towering over 45 metres in height, it dominates the landscape for miles around. It is the largest Commonwealth memorial to the missing in the world.
Thiepval Memorial is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the missing in the world.
The memorial commemorates British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 who have no known grave. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and comprises a series of intersecting arches which increase in height and proportionate width. Construction began in 1928 following lengthy negotiations about the site with foundations dug to a depth of 30 feet. Wartime tunnels and unexploded ordnance were discovered during construction.
Below are the heroes names that are on the Cenotaph in St Marks Church yard, Mosborough, Sheffield, England.
Private Ernest Bacon – 11th Battalion, Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment, Regimental No. 22615
Died 1 July 1916
Private Oscar Guest -2nd Battalion Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment, Regimental No 26453
Died 15 September 1916 aged 27 years.
Private William Lidgett – King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Died 14 Apr 1917
Private Samuel Moore – 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, London Regiment, Regimental number E/1413
Died 13 November 1916 at France and Flanders
Private Harry Pearson – 2nd Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment, Regimental No 17948 Died 29 July 1916
Private Thomas Wilkinson – 15th/17th Battalion Sherwood Foresters Regimental No 29858
Died 9 August 1917
It was unveiled on 1 August 1932 by Prince Edward, Prince of Wales. The ceremony was in English and French
Each year on 1 July, a ceremony is held at the memorial to mark the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Commemorated at THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Location: Somme, France Number of casualties: 72396
