The Tyneside Scottish Branch Royal Artillery Association conducted a commemoration at the Lochnagar Crater supported by the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band (SBPB). The event was conducted in a rain storm with a background of thunder and lightning.
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Lochnagar Crater Commemoration
Tyneside Scottish RAA and Mayor La Boisselle |
The Mayor of La Boisselle and representatives from the local community joined the Tyneside Branch Royal Artillery Association and the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band at the Lochnagar Crater to remember the men of the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish.
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Lochnagar Crater Commemoration
Tyneside Scottish Branch RAA |
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| Lochnagar Crater Commemoration |
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| Lochnagar Crater Commemoration |
The Mayor spoke of the significance of the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish to the local community;
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Lochnagar Crater Commemoration
Mayor of La Boisselle |
"Ladies and gentlemen, Dear Friends and fellow Veterans,
We are gathered today at this historic place on the banks of the Lochnagar Crater to remember and honour.
109 years ago, at the dawn of 1st July 1916, the explosion of this gigantic mine marked the beginning of one of the bloodiest days in British military history, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
This crater is not just a hole in the ground; it's a scar in the landscape, a silent witness to the immeasurable sacrifices made here. This is the resting place of so many young men whose bodies were never found. Standing here, we stand at their tomb, and it is with profound humility that we pay tribute to them.
Further on stands the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish Brigades memorial. On July 1, 1916, these two brigades attacked from the British trenches, suffering terrible losses to intact German defenses. The monument dedicated to them is not just a stone. It is a symbol of their courage, comradeship and determination in the face of horror. It reminds us of the unbreakable bond that unites their families, their descendants, and our local community, which has welcomed and honored them for a century.
These men have come a long way to fight on our soil. They made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom and peace. Their story, etched in the land of the Somme, imposes a duty of memory and great respect. We must remember not only the soldiers, but also the horror of war itself, so that we never repeat it.
As Mayor of this borough, I am immensely proud of the friendship we have with the descendants of these soldiers, the Tyneside Scottish Association and the British community. Together, we continue to keep their memory alive, preserve these sites, and pass on their history to future generations.
May this ceremony be a testament to our undying gratitude and commitment to building a more just and peaceful world, worthy of the sacrifice of all the fallen. "
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