Thiepval Memorial

The Thiepval Memorial is a triumphal arch in the northern French community Thiepval.

The 45 meters high, resting on 16 pillars arch was designed by Edwin Lutyens commissioned by the British government and built in 1932 of brick. The monument commemorates soldiers of the British and South African army units that have fallen in the First World War at the Battle of the Somme and were no longer buried in a separate grave. Under the current (2010) 72,090 names carved there is also the British composer George Butterworth. The cemetery behind the monument marks the front line on July 1, 1916, the first day of the battle. Later discovered and identified Fallen be buried here with military honors, then removed their names from the monument. Our own tomb holds the remains of 300 fallen French and Commonwealth soldiers.

The Thiepval Memorial is the most important Thiepval Memorial in France and is visited annually by over 160,000 people. Since 2004 it is connected to an information center. Every year on July 1 and November 11 ( Veterans Day ) joint British-French Commemorative ceremonies are held.