beaumont-hamel newfoundland memorial

232pauld

The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial is one of the more impressive and inspiring memorials on the western front. It is a somber place with few nods to victory and focuses on the soldiers and the battle. The baying elk is an impressive monument and the battlefield with its trenches and shell craters is well preserved. I would put it in my top five of western front sites, and a must see if you are visiting the Somme.

Cdn_Traveller505

Visiting this historic site is a must for any Newfoundlander visiting France, but also a good place for anyone to visit. We took my mother (who had lost a brother during WW1 and whose name we discovered on the plaque below the Caribou). I knew it would be a poignant visit, but found it to be even more so. Perhaps it was the connection to my family, or perhaps it's just a feeling that the place gives anyone that visits there. You can walk through the trenches, see a replica representation of the twisted tree known as the "danger tree", and try putting yourself into the mindset of those that battled there. The visitor's centre is staffed by young people from Canada (and often at least one from Newfoundland and Labrador) who can discuss the role the Royal Newfoundland Regiment played. I can't say it's a "fun" place to visit, but it is a very "important" place to visit and would go back again.

WifeofKent

The friendly Canadian guides can answer questions. What was really fascinating was being able to walk through the trenches and see just how close the German lines were and to see the notorious 'danger Tree' where so many soldiers died. The memorial to the Newfoundland regiment topped by the bronze caribou is impressive and poignant.

Peefor07

Very moving place. Made even more special that young Canadians show you around the place. The area itself is amazing - words can't quite describe what it is like.Check out the musuem too - some interesting facts and info.

MrsDetail

Standing in the trenches at this site, trying to imagine how they felt so far from home faced with the horrors of war is etched in my memory forever. So tragic! The Memorial is amazing - the trenches and the statue stand in honour of their sacrifice.

a_b_c_etc

Very interesting place to see actual WW1 trenches undisturbed for almost 100 years. The Canadian guides were excellent. A very sobering memorial remembering Canada's contribution and loss.

DrDonna98

This site is interesting because there are still trenches and craters left from the intensive bombing. Even if the site is now grassy and peaceful, it is not hard to imagine the horror of the soldiers who fought there. You can go around by yourself or get a guided tour on the premises. Another must-see site on what is called the "Circuit du Souvenir"

WhitehorseVancouver

This was a remarkable historic site. The story about the Newfoundlands is remarkable enough. But the well-preserved site is one of the only places on the Western Front where you can really feel the nature of the battle. The location is remarkable and it is easy to visualize the experience of that dreadful battle. The visitors' centre is also very good, with solid and informative displays.

dales238

This was a wonderful tribute to the Newfoundlanders who sacrificed their lives during WW1.The interpretive centre is very informative and the young Canadian guide is also very knowledgeable. There is a wonderful memorial of an elk overlooking the entire area which the women of Newfoundland raised money in order for their young men to be forever remembered. There is also ample parking .A memorial that is a 'must' see especially if you are Canadian.

iwr

A remarkable memorial to the men who lost their lives at Beaumont-Hamel.This preserved part of the battlefield, its visitor centre and the memorial really allows visitors to understand what took place here.

Dun123

Having visited the excellent nearby Ulster Tower and Thiepval Memorial, I did find this memorial had a more profound effect, whether it was because it was dedicated to men who travelled so far or whether it was very poignant statute of the Caribou I can't say. The memorial is well signposted and on arrival has plenty of parking on the opposite side of the road to the entrance. We were greeted by a very friendly young Canadian lady, who advised because of our arrival time the visitor centre was closed but we had free access to the park. The park/memorial was less formal than other memorials, the park consisting of the trench systems overlooked by a mound topped by the moving 'Caribou; statute. The park itself is surrounded by trees and at the far end there is a cemetery, however due to previous rain could not be accessed. This park gives you a chance to relate to the battlefield and in using the Caribou appearing to cry out, totally brings home the loss of this young men. This is a very fitting memorial and should be included in any visit to the Somme. Due to the visitor centre being closed I can't comment of toilets/refreshments.

ebobopa

Best place we visited! nicely kept, wonderful view of the front lines, no mans land and where the opposite sides trenches were.

jacqui43

We decided to visit this site as a tribute to the Newfoundland and Scottish soldiers who fought here. There are trenches here for both sides and it brought a lump to my throat how brave these young soldiers were in their fight for their country. The Caribou statue was beautiful and such a fitting tribute to the Newfoundland Soldiers, the monument to the Scottish Black Watch and other regiments was also very imposing. There were plenty of guides around the site and what struck me was that the majority of guides were Canadian and I thought that this was very fitting. The visitors centre is also very interesting and how it is built brings a piece of Canada to France.

TravellingSolo_11

Preserved English and German trenches here, and memorial, and cemetery, and also a visitor centre. Worth a visit, quiet a walk round, and it's in grass, so not very good for wheelchairs,

panther029

Perhaps the most moving of all the WW1 Memorials on the Somme. Why? Because in it's simplicity, it allows the visitor to not just reflect on what took place, but to view precisely where it took place. One can stand by the trenches where the Germans and Newfoundlanders faced each other 100 years ago. This is not a constructed memorial, it's a 74 acre preserved battlefield. The trenches and craters are still here, as are the spirits of those who fell, protected by an ever-alert Caribou.