Thiepval Memorial
9 Old Bristolians
Thiepval Memorial (CWGC, 2016)
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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.
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On the high ground overlooking the Ancre 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.
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Thiepval Memorial is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the missing in the world
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The memorial commemorates British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 who have no known grave
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It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and comprises a series of intersecting arches which increase in height and proportionate width
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Construction began in 1928 following lengthy negotiations about the site with foundations dug to a depth of 30 feet
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Wartime tunnels and unexploded ordnance were discovered during construction
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It was unveiled on 1 August 1932 by Prince Edward, Prince of Wales. The ceremony was in English and French
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Each year on 1 July, a ceremony is held at the memorial to mark the first day of the Battle of the Somme
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The memorial commemorates men of British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector. The dead of other Commonwealth countries, who died on the Somme and have no known graves, are commemorated on national memorials elsewhere.
Casualties
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Thomas, David Cuthbert
Born 15/07/1892
School 1903-1911
Served as a Rifleman in the Rifle Brigade 1st Bn.
Died 19/10/1916
"left the School about 1910 with a scholarship at Oxford. He enlisted in the ranks of the Rifle Brigade, and was reported first missing and finally killed in action October 19th of last year. Many will remember his brilliant rendering of the part of Bob Acres in 'The Rivals' in his last year at the School." - December 1917
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Alford, Allan Charles George
Born 17/02/1894
School 1909-1913
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant, in the Gloucestershire Regiment 10th Bn. attd. 3rd Bn. Previously, Worcestershire Regiment.,
Army.
Died 03/09/1916
Cooke, Reginald Charles
Born 17/06/1886
School 1901-1903
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant, in the Welsh Regiment 9th Bn, Army.
Awarded the MC.
Died 07/07/1916
Forsyth, James
Born 22/06/1896
School 1907-1912
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant, in the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 7th Bn., Army.
Died 13/07/1916
Humphris, John Harold
Born 22/11/1892
School 1904-1907
Served as a Private, in the Gloucestershire Regiment 1st/6th Bn., Army.
Died 23/07/1916
Naish, Edwin Athelstan
Born 11/08/1892
School 1906-1911
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant , in the Gloucestershire Regiment 10th Bn., Army.
Died 22/07/1916 - 23/07/1916
Spring, Harold Albert Arden
Born 04/04/1897
School 1908-1910
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant, in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 10th Bn. Previously, Kings Royal Rifle Corps., Army.
Died 15/09/1916
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Turner, Crosby Russell Swanson
Born 22/11/1896
School 1908-1909
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant, in the Dorsetshire Regiment 3rd Bn. attd. Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Army.
Died 27/07/1916
