I still have about another 12 posts-worth of photos from our recent visit to NW Europe. This post concludes Day 1 with a visit to the Newfoundland Memorial Park near Beaumont Hamel, south of Arras.
Above - the park was on the Somme battlefields and some of the original trench lines are still in evidence.
The 29th Division memorial. This division saw action on day 1 of the Somme battles.
Some of the trenches have been floored in order that visitors may experience their twists and turns. And yes, by now it was raining. But that seemed somehow fitting - after all, some mild weather-related discomfort is a small price to pay compared that levied on the parks permanent residents.
In a corner of the park is Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No.2. Most of the 200 inmates were killed on 1 July 1916. Over 50 remain unidentified.
I always look out for Black Watch graves. Here L. Cpl Hutchison shares space with Pvt. Mansbridge of the Royal Fusiliers.
Hunter's Cemetery (named after a chaplain attached to the Black Watch) occupies a large shell crater and it's 40+ dead are mostly from 51 Highland and 63 Royal Naval divisions. It dates from the November 1916 battles.
All the cemeteries are beautifully kept.
I particularly wanted to visit the 51st (Highland) Division memorial...
...which is very imposing.
This bench in the park had been presented by a Freemasons Lodge in Newfoundland, Canada.
The Y Ravine Cemetery holds over 400 casualties....
...including several Black Watch...
...Royal Navy...
...and Newfoundlanders.
The impressive Newfoundland monument features a Caribou
Well worth a visit whatever the weather.
In 1916 Newfoundland was not yet part of Canada and July 1st has been a day of commemoration there ever since even though it now rubs shoulders with Canada Day celebrations.
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