The Lochnagar mine was an underground explosive charge planted by the British beneath the German front line. It was detonated on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The explosion – the largest and loudest man-made* explosion at the time – left a crater 70ft (21m) deep by 330 ft (100 m) wide.
The crater is now preserved as a WW1 memorial. A wooden walkway installed around the rim of the crater offers a good view of the depth. Twenty interpretive panels tell about the crater, the people and the aftermath of war.
Other memorials have been placed on the grounds. Two are dedicated to women in WW1. On 1 July 2015, an eight seat memorial bench was unveiled by Wenches in Trenches. Each seat back forms a Red Cross. The dedication across the bench:
IN MEMORY OF THE NURSES AND VADs OF ALL NATIONS WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR – À LA MÉMOIRE DES INFIRMIÈRES ET DES PERSONNES AUXILIAIRES VOLONTAIRES DE TOUS PAYS AYANT SERVI.
The following year, a granite stone was placed in front of the bench, “dedicated to the gallant women of all nations who served in the Great War.”
Best wishes to all for a healthy, peaceful 2020.
*An instance where this gender-specific term, often used inaccurately to describe endeavor by any humans, is appropriate.
Great War 100 Reads 