Thiepval in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
The Village of Thiepval Before the Great War
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. The Village of Thiepval Before the Great War Marker
Thiepval stands some 490 feet above sea level, high above the valley of the river Ancre in Picardy. It suffered during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, like many Somme villages, and its church was burnt down. By 1914 Thiepval was once again a peaceful farming community with a new church, 60 houses and a population of 200. Traditionally the villagers worked for the Comte de Bréda whose château, built in 1725, dominated the village. Comte Jacques de Bréda, the last of the family, sold the château in 1912 to Henri Portier, a retired army officer from Paris. After renovating it, Portier moved in only weeks before the start of the First World War. When the Germans entered Thiepval on 26 September 1914, Portier had already abandoned the château. Thiepval village was utterly destroyed during the war. The château was never rebuilt, being replaced instead by a farm.
This exhibition is presented by the Conseil General de la Somme and Historial de la Grande Guerre Péronne with the assistance of the Commonwealth War Graves Comssion Curated by Michael Barker, on behalf of
this page online
Graphic design by Minale Tattersfield & Partners, structure design by Cube3.Exhibitions.
Captions
Map of Thiepval village pre-1914
Postcard of Chatead of Thiepval
Le village de Thiepval, à quelque 150 m d'altitude, occupe une position dominante au dessus de la vallée de l'Ancre. Comme de nombreux autres villages de Somme, il a subi des dommages pendant la guerre franco-prassienne de 1870-1871, au nombre desquels la destruction de son eglise dans un incendie. En 1914, Thiepval était à nouveau une paisible communauté agricole de 200 habitants avec une nouvelle église et 60 maistes. Les villageois travaillaient traditionnellement pour le Comte de Bréda dont le château datant de 1725, dominait k village. Le demies Comce, Jacques de Breda, avait vendu le château en 1912 à un officier parisien à la retraite, Henri Portier Celui-ci le fit rénover et y emménages seulement quelques semaines avant le début de la Grande Guerre. Quand les Allemands pénétrerent à Thiepal le 26 septembre 1914, Portier avait déjà abandonné le château. Thiepval fut totalement détruit pendant la guerre et le château ne fut jamali reconstruit laissant place à une ferme.
Cette exposition a étée par le Consel genéral de la Somme et Historial de la Grande
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. The Village of Thiepval Before the Great War Marker
The reverse of the marker can be seen in this view towards the right outside of the Thiepval Museum.
Conception graphique: Minale Tattersfield & Partners, conception de la structure Cube E.
Erected by Lutyens Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is September 26, 1914.
Location. 50° 3.146′ N, 2° 41.285′ E. Marker is in Thiepval, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It can be reached from Rue de l'Ancre south of Route D73, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thiepval, Hauts-de-France 80300, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Battles of the Somme (here, next to this marker); Imperial War Graves Commission (a few steps from this marker); 'The Glorious Dead' ∙ Commemoration of the Missing (a few steps from this marker); Construction of the Thiepval Memorial and Franco-British Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Inauguration of the Thiepval Memorial in 1932 (within shouting distance of this marker); Subsequent History of the Thiepval Memorial and the Legacy of Lutyens in Northern France (within shouting distance of this marker); The Durham Pals (within shouting distance of this marker); The Thiepval Memorial (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thiepval.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
