The First of July 1916 marked the opening of the Battle of the Somme. It was the blackest day in the history of the British Army. Nearly 20,000 men lost their lives; a further 40,000 were wounded. The 16th Royal Scots (“McCrae’s Own”) were in the worst of it: almost three-quarters of the battalion became casualties, including several Heart of Midlothian footballers (pictured above) who had volunteered in 1914. In spite of these dreadful losses, McCrae’s were credited with achieving the most advanced penetration of the enemy line anywhere on the front that morning. Elements of C Company entered the tiny ruined hamlet of Contalmaison, deep inside the German trench system. After the war it was proposed to erect a substantial commemorative stone cairn close to the rebuilt village church. The scheme foundered through lack of funds. 

This website records the story of this wonderful battalion and explains how the commemorative plans were revived in 2003 and pushed through to successful completion within a whirlwind twelve months. The ‘Contalmaison Cairn’ is the most ambitious battalion memorial to be built on the Western Front since the 1920s. It’s a fitting tribute to Sir George and his lads. There’s a whole load of interesting text and images in the adjoining pages – including a version written especially for our many friends in France. On behalf of the Memorial Committee, I hope you enjoy your visit.