Introduction

Of the five memorials established in France and Belgium in memory of major actions fought by the 1^st Battalion of the Newfoundland Regiment, the largest is the thirty hectare site at Beaumont-Hamel, nine kilometres north of the town of Albert. This site commemorates all Newfoundlanders who fought in the Great War, particularly those who have no known grave. The site was officially opened by Field Marshal Earl Haig on June 7, 1925.

On a mound, surrounded by rock and shrubs native to Newfoundland, there stands a great bronze caribou, the emblem of the Newfoundland Regiment. Situated close to the Headquarters dugout of the 88^th Brigade, of which the 1^st Battalion, Newfoundland Regiment was a part, the Caribou nobly faces in the direction of the former foe, overlooking the trenches and ground across which the Battalion advanced on July 1, 1916. At the base of the mound, three bronze tablets carry the names of 820 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve, and the Mercantile Marines who gave their lives in the First World War and have no known grave. [It should be noted that several of these have been subsequently found and buried in nearby Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries.]

The nearby Visitors Centre, officially opened on July 1, 2001, explains the historical and social circumstances of Newfoundland at the beginning of the 20^th century and, through displays, memorabilia and video vignettes, traces the history of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and some of its personalities, from its formation in 1914 to the end of the First World War. A Memorial room within the Centre houses a copy of the Newfoundland Book of Remembrance, along with a bronze plaque listing the Battle Honours won by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and paying tribute to its fallen. The plaque was unveiled in 1961 by the Honourable Joseph Smallwood, then Premier of Newfoundland.

The site is one of the few in France or Belgium where a visitor can see the trench lines of a Great War battlefield and the related terrain. The particular problems and hazards of attacking strong and robustly held defences across such ground, as well as aspects of trench life, can be appreciated. A number of Canadian students based at the site are available to provide guided tours or explain particular facets of the battlefield and the Newfoundland involvement. Pre-booking is advisable for large parties requiring a conducted tour.

Directions

GPS Coordinates: N50.073611, E2.648056

The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial is located on route D73 approximately 1.5 kms southeast of Auchonvillers, 35 kms northeast of Amiens, 40 kms south of Arras and 150 kms north of Paris. You can reach Amiens by train or by bus and from there take a taxi to the Memorial. The trip to the Memorial is approximately €75 return. You can also take the train as far as Albert and from there take a taxi; the trip to the Memorial is approximately €24 return. You can rent a bike at the train station; which costs approximately €5 per day, €11 per week and €17 per month.

Note: The cost of a taxi is based on return trips without a waiting period. If you want the taxi to wait for you while you visit the site you will be charged € 17.90 per hour. Bus connections are difficult and there are not many of them in the rural areas of the department of the Somme.

If you are travelling by car, please follow the directions below:

Note: Speed limits in France are 50 km/h in city limits and residential areas (generally unmarked), usually 90 km/h on secondary roads (but it may vary in areas) and 130 km/h on the motorway. Motorists should be aware of the priority from the right rule.

From Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport take the A1 motorway direction Lille. Continue on this road for approximately 135 kms and take exit 14 for Bapaume, when in Bapaume follow directions for Albert D929. On the Bapaume/Albert road you will come to the community of Pozières. About halfway through the community you will see a large black and white sign with a Canadian flag on it, indicating the direction for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Follow the signs through the communities of Thiepval and Hamel and they will lead you to the Memorial. It should take you approximately 1 1/2 hours to reach the Memorial.

From Amiens take the D929, direction Bapaume. On the Bapaume/Albert road you will come to the community of Pozières. About halfway through the community you will see a large black and white sign with a Canadian flag on it, indicating the direction for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Follow the signs through the communities of Thiepval and Hamel and they will lead you to the Memorial. It should take you approximately 45 minutes to reach the Memorial.

From Arras take the A1 motorway, direction Paris. Continue on this road for approximately 25 kms and take exit 14 for Bapaume. When in Bapaume follow directions for Albert D929. On the Bapaume/Albert road you will come to the community of Pozières. About halfway through the community you will see a large black and white sign with a Canadian flag on it, indicating the direction for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Follow the signs through the communities of Thiepval and Hamel and they will lead you to the Memorial. It should take you approximately 45 minutes to reach the Memorial.

From Calais take the A26 and continue on this road for approximately 130 kms. Turn south on the A1 towards Paris and drive for about 30 kms. Take exit 14 for Bapaume; when in Bapaume follow directions for Albert D929. On the Bapaume/Albert road you will come to the community of Pozières. About halfway through the community you will see a large black and white sign with a Canadian flag on it, indicating the direction for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Follow the signs through the communities of Thiepval and Hamel and they will lead you to the Memorial. It should take you approximately 2 hours to reach the Memorial.

From Lille take the A1, direction Paris. Continue on this road for approximately 70 kms. Take exit 14 for Bapaume; when in Bapaume follow directions for Albert D929. On the Bapaume/Albert road you will come to the community of Pozières. About halfway through the community you will see a large black and white sign with a Canadian flag on it, indicating the direction for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Follow the signs through the communities of Thiepval and Hamel and they will lead you to the Memorial. It should take you approximately 1 1/4 hours to reach the Memorial.

For additional information on travel in the region, visit the Somme Tourism Web site.

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