The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:48 am Post subject: 51st Division, Beaumont Hamel

Rather unbelievably, despite numerous visits, I can only find one very poor photo of the 51st Division memorial at Beaumont Hamel. Embarassed

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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

jamiemcginlay · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 930 Location: Glasgow

Its still much appreciated Derek...believe it or not its the first photograph I've ever seen of this monument which seems to have been completely forgoten.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Jamie,
The memorial is far from forgotten and is probably the most visited Scottish memorial on the old Western Front.
I'm quite annoyed to say that I could only find one photograph and equally annoyed that I have seen quite alot of information on the history of the memorial but I can't lay my hands on it.
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject:

The Highlander statue was the work of George Henry Paulin.
Others involved were the architect Augustus G Breyett of London and Messrs. Garden & Co of Aberdeen with whom the contract for the granite cairn was placed, most of the work being carried out by ex-soldiers of the 51st (Highland) Division.
It was erected on the German front line at Newfoundland Park, Beaumont Hamel, to commemorate its capture by the 51st Division on 13 November, 1916.
The statue itself was modelled by CSM Bob Rowan DCM, MBE, Croix de Guerre who was the CSM of B Company, the Glasgow Highlanders at High Wood in 1916.
The face is said to be a portrait of Paulin's brother, who died serving in the Indian Police during the war.
The memorial was unveiled by Marshall Foch.
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

I dug out all my old 35mm photos from a trip to France a few years ago which included a trip to Beaumont Hamel and several photos of this memorial but unfortunartely my scanner will not scan photos today. Once I figure out what to do I'll get them posted. I'll maybe photograph the photographs with my digital camera.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

Here are some photographs of 35mm photographs so apologies for the quality.

The heavens opened just as we arrived at Newfoundland park so everything was soaking by the time we got to the 51st Div Memorial. I have another image of the statue & plinth which I will post at a later date. I have no photos of the lions.

This photo shows the plaque from 1958 when the memorial was rededicated for the 51st Div of the Second World War as well as the famous 'Friends are good on the day of battle' inscription. The English version varies from translator to translator.

This nice touch, an HD motif, is on the lower level below the memorial

And here is a picture of Y Ravine which the Highlander is looking over.

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:20 pm Post subject:

And here's the missing photo.

Adam

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Apologies here.

Was the memorial specifically erected for the taking of Beaumont Hamel by the 51st HD or is it in commemoration of all 51st HD who fell during the war? - both seem to be suggested here.

thanks,
Mark

DerekR · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject:

Mark,

The memorial is dedicated to all those of the 51st Division who fell throughout the war. It isn't solely to commemorate the taking of Beaumont Hamel.
In 1919 it was felt that, with the graves of the 51st scattered between Flanders and Champagne, a central memorial should be erected.
The Mayor of Beaumont Hamel donated a site which lay in the centre of the divisional attack on 13th November 1916 but the ground was found to be unsuitable and the Newfoundland authorities gave permission for it to be sited near Y-ravine instead.

The unveiling 28th September, 1924;

Marshal Foch
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject:

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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

Malcolm · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Location: Edinburgh

This gives an indication of the scale of the memorial. Most of my other photos are similar to the ones already here.

Aye
Malcolm

IanA · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 949

john burnett · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 790 Location: Fife

Thanks to Andrew Black for the following.

A Poem to the 51st (Highland) Division.
The following poem was found, typed on a tatty sheet of paper, tucked into a copy of the Report of First Annual General Meeting and First Reunion Dinner of the 51st (Highland) Division Dinner Club. The Dinner Club was formed in 1920 from officers who had served, from any arm of service, overseas with the 51st Division. 2,600 eligible officers had been traced of whom 654 had joined prior to the inaugural reunion. The Club was instrumental in initiating the Memorial Fund, which culminated in the Highland Division Memorial: the "Stane Jock" at Beaumont Hamel.

THE HIELAN' DIVISION
When war was declarit; the chief of the Huns
Thocht he'd march across France wi' his men and his guns;
But he made in his plans an unlucky omission,
He didna' take count o' the Hielan' Division.

Men frae the Tweed up to Johnnie o' Groats,
Trained upon parritch an' haggis an' oats;
Ah Willie, wee mon, 'twas a mournful omission,
Ye didna' tak coont o' the Hielan' Division.

Beaumont Hamel, Festubert, Wipers an' Roeux,
When they're owre the bags, they're a cert to get through;
And they mop the Blue Line wi' unco precision -
The bonny bold lads o' the Hielan' Division.

Laddies frae Johnnie o' Groats to the Tweed,
Broucht up on whisky, an' a' hairy-kneed;
They mop up the trenches wi' awfu' precision.
The bonneted lads o' the Hielan' Division.

If the Jocks are wa' back for a bit o' a rest,
Then the Army wi'oot them is waefully pressed;
An' wee Duggie Haig mak's a sudden decision
To send up the lads o' the Hielan' Division.

Frae the braes o' the Somme to the banks o' auld Wipers,
The Army is cheered by the sound o' their pipers;
They're glad Duggie Haig made the sudden decision
To send up the lads o' the Hielan' Division.

You can cut doon our bully, and dock us oor jam,
Gie the cheese to the corbies - we don't care a damn;
But there's ane thing to mind when ye're makin' provision -
A ration o' rum for the Hielan' Division.

If you're a gunner, or sapper, or follow the drum,
Ye're a' o ye better o' a guid tot o' rum;
So look to it, mon, ye'll be makin' provision
For a bon tot o' rum for the Hielan' Division.

When the fechtin' is done, an' we gang awa hame,
Even Mr. Beech Thomas will hear o' oor fame;
And then, if the Army should need some revision,
They'll tak for their model the Hielan' Division.

Men from the Tweed up to auld John o' Groats,
Brocht up on whisky, an' parritch, an' oats,
Ye ken ye were wise when ye made ye're decision,
To throw in ye'r lot wi' the Hielan' Division.

Adam Brown · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

We don't actualy have close up photographs of the statue or the lions. If anyone is travelling to Newfoundland Park in the near future can they take a few detailed snaps for here.

Regards

Adam

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject:

A couple of shots from other angles. Thanks to Morag Sutherland of Brora for passing them on to me.

Adam