Arras Memorial
Encyclopedia
The Arras Memorial is a World War I
memorial
in France
, located in the Faubourg d'Amiens British Cemetery, in the western part of the town of Arras
. The memorial commemorates 34,785 soldiers of the forces of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand, with no known grave, who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918.
The major battle in this area during this period was the Battle of Arras
. The cut-off date of 7 August 1918 signifies the start of the Advance to Victory, and casualties after that date are listed on other memorials. Also not included here are the names of the missing dead among Canadian and Australian servicemen, who are instead listed at the Vimy Memorial
and the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens
, the memorial includes sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick
. Located in the same cemetery is the Arras Flying Services Memorial (commemorating 991 airmen with no known grave).
Both memorials were unveiled by Lord Trenchard
on 31 July 1932. Lord Trenchard had served as the commander of Royal Flying Corps
in France from 1915 to 1917. In 1918, he briefly served as the first Chief of the Air Staff before taking up command of the Independent Air Force
in France. Also present at the unveiling ceremony was Richard Bell-Davies
, British First World War fighter pilot and Royal Navy officer, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
.
Those listed on this memorial include the following sportsmen: Isaac Bentham
, Walter Tull
, Sandy Turnbull
, James Williams
. There are a total of 13 recipients of the Victoria Cross
commemorated on the Arras Memorial or the Arras Flying Services Memorial: Ernest Frederick Beal
, Bernard Matthew Cassidy
, Alexander Edwards
, John Erskine
, John Harrison, Lanoe George Hawker, David Philip Hirsch
, Basil Arthur Horsfall
, George Jarratt
, Richard Basil Brandram Jones
, Edward Mannock
, Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson
, Albert White
.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, located in the Faubourg d'Amiens British Cemetery, in the western part of the town of Arras
Arras
Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
. The memorial commemorates 34,785 soldiers of the forces of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand, with no known grave, who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918.
The major battle in this area during this period was the Battle of Arras
Battle of Arras (1917)
The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during the First World War. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Australian troops attacked German trenches near the French city of Arras on the Western Front....
. The cut-off date of 7 August 1918 signifies the start of the Advance to Victory, and casualties after that date are listed on other memorials. Also not included here are the names of the missing dead among Canadian and Australian servicemen, who are instead listed at the Vimy Memorial
Vimy Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed or presumed dead in France who have no known...
and the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
, the memorial includes sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick
William Reid Dick
Sir William Reid, Dick was a Scottish sculptor known for his innovative stylization of form in his monument sculptures and simplicity in his portraits. He became an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1921, and a Royal Academician in 1928. Dick served as president of the Royal Society of British...
. Located in the same cemetery is the Arras Flying Services Memorial (commemorating 991 airmen with no known grave).
Both memorials were unveiled by Lord Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
on 31 July 1932. Lord Trenchard had served as the commander of Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in France from 1915 to 1917. In 1918, he briefly served as the first Chief of the Air Staff before taking up command of the Independent Air Force
Independent Air Force
The Independent Air Force , also known as the Independent Force or the Independent Bombing Force and later known as the Inter-Allied Independent Air Force, was a World War I strategic bombing force which was part of the British Royal Air Force and used to strike against German railways, aerodromes...
in France. Also present at the unveiling ceremony was Richard Bell-Davies
Richard Bell-Davies
Rear-Admiral Richard Bell Davies VC, CB, DSO, AFC , also known as Richard Bell Davies was a British First World War fighter pilot and Royal Navy officer...
, British First World War fighter pilot and Royal Navy officer, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Those listed on this memorial include the following sportsmen: Isaac Bentham
Isaac Bentham
Isaac Bentham was a British water polo player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was part of the British team, which was able to win the gold medal....
, Walter Tull
Walter Tull
Walter Daniel John Tull was an English professional footballer who played as an inside forward for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town...
, Sandy Turnbull
Sandy Turnbull
Alexander "Sandy" Turnbull was a Scottish football player who played as a forward for both Manchester City and Manchester United in the early 20th century....
, James Williams
James Williams (footballer)
James William Williams , also known as John William Williams and referred to as Ginger Williams, was a Welsh professional footballer who won two caps for the Wales national football team and played in the Football League for Birmingham. He died on active service during the First World War.-Club...
. There are a total of 13 recipients of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
commemorated on the Arras Memorial or the Arras Flying Services Memorial: Ernest Frederick Beal
Ernest Frederick Beal
Ernest Frederick Beal VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Bernard Matthew Cassidy
Bernard Matthew Cassidy
Bernard Matthew Cassidy VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, Alexander Edwards
Alexander Edwards
Alexander Edwards VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, John Erskine
John MacLaren Erskine
John MacLaren Erskine VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, John Harrison, Lanoe George Hawker, David Philip Hirsch
David Philip Hirsch
David Philip Hirsch VC was a British Army officer during World War I and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:Hirsch was born 28 December 1896 to Harry and...
, Basil Arthur Horsfall
Basil Arthur Horsfall
Second Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall, VC was a British-Ceylonese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Born on 4 October 1887 in Colombo, Ceylon , Horsfall...
, George Jarratt
George Jarratt
George Jarratt VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Richard Basil Brandram Jones
Richard Basil Brandram Jones
Richard Basil Brandram Jones VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Edward Mannock
Edward Mannock
Major Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO and Two Bars, MC & Bar was a British First World War flying ace. Mannock was probably born in Ireland, though of English and Scottish parentage....
, Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson
Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson
Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson VC DSO was an English soldier in the First World War. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Watson was commissioned into the Green...
, Albert White
Albert White (VC)
Albert White VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
.