Friday, 12 September 2025

Op La Boisselle - 34th Divisional Memorial

 

34th Divisional Memorial La Boisselle

In the village of La Boisselle is a monument dedicated to the men of the 34th Division who fought on the battlefield around the village on 1st July 1916. It was the first major battle of the Division.

The Division was one of Kitchener's War Formed formations of Pals Battalions. It consisted of three Brigades, the 101st Brigade, the 102nd (Tyneside Scottish) Brigade, 103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade, together with integral combat support and logistics units. 

The memorial  was unveiled on May the 23rd, 1923 by Major-General Sir Cecil Nicholson, 34th Divisional Commander from  25th July 1916 until the end of the war.


Unveiling 34th Divisional Memorial La Boisselle

 34th Divisional Memorial La Boisselle
34 Division Veterans



The memorial features a statue of Victory holding a laurel wreath (now missing), together with the Divisional insignia, a chequered patch. 

34th Divisional Memorial La Boisselle


An inscription on the memorial remembers the men of 34th Division.

TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY
OF THE HEROIC DEAD
______

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED
TO COMMMORATE THE
ILLUSTRIOUS DEEDS OF THE
34TH BRITISH DIVISION NEAR
 THIS SPOT ON JULY IST 1916
THE FIRST BATTLE IN WHICH
THE DIVISION WAS ENGAGED

34th Divisional Memorial Inscription

The units of the Division that were involved on 1st July 1916 are recorded on the memorial.

INFANTRY
15th & 16th Royal Scots
21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th Northumberland Fusiliers
10th Lincolns
11th Suffolks

R.A.S.C.
101st 102nd & 103rd Companies 34th Supply Column

R.A.M.C.
102nd 103rd & 104th Field Ambulances

34th Divisional Memorial
Infantry | R.A.S.C. | R.A.M.C


ROYAL ARTILLERY
152nd 160th 175th & 176th Field Artillery Brigades
Divisional Ammunition Column

ROYAL ENGINERS
207th 208th & 209th Field Companies

34th Divisional Memorial
Royal Artillery | Royal Engineers