Thiepval in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
Imperial War Graves Commission
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. Imperial War Graves Commission Marker
So many men were killed during the First World War that a new organisation was needed to keep track of where they were buried. Led by a remarkable British civilian, Fabian Ware, in May 1917 the organisation was formally established as the Imperial War Graves Commission. By 1918, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Reginald Blomfield had been appointed as Principal Architects for France and Belgium, followed in 1920 by Charles Holden. Under them, teams of assistant architects based along the old Western Front dealt with the colossal task of building over 1000 cemeteries. The first cemeteries were completed in 1920. The main architectural style adopted for the distinctive loggia buildings was a modern Classicism, while landscaping with irnaginative planting and paving became a notable feature. The larger cemeteries included a Cross of Sacrifice designed by Blomfield and a Stone of Remembrance, designed by Lutyens with an inscription suggested by Kipling, ‘Their Name Liveth for Evermore'.
Captions
Lovencourt Military Cemetery designed by Charles
this page online
A temporary war cemetery at Thiepval
Le Trefont Military Cemetery designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield
La Grande Guerre avait fait tellement de victimes dans l'Empire britannique qu'il fallut créer un organisme spécialement chargé de leurs sépultures. Sous l'impulsion de Fabian Ware, un civil britannique remarquable, cet organisme fut formellement institué en mai 1917 sous le nom d'« Imperial War Graves Commission » (Commission impériale pour les sépultures de guerre). En 1918, Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Herbert Baker et Sir Reginald Blomfield en étaient les Architectes en Chef pour la France et la Belgique, rejoints en 1920 par Charles Holden. Sous leur direction, des équipes d'architectes assistants accomplirent la construire plus de 1000 cimetières sur l'ancien front occidental. Les premiers furent achevés en 1920. Ils se caractérisent par la richesse de leur paysagement et par le classicisme moderne de leurs pavillons. Les plus grands cimetières comportent une « Croix du Sacrifice », dessinée par Blomfield, et une « Pierre du Souvenir », dessinée par Lutyens, sur laquelle est inscrite la phrase suggérée par Kipling: « Que leur nom vive pour l'éternité ».
Erected by Lutyens Trust.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. Imperial War Graves Commission Marker
The marker is in the distance near the entrance to the Thiepval Museum.
Location. 50° 3.145′ N, 2° 41.277′ E. Marker is in Thiepval, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It can be reached from Rue de l'Ancre, on the right when traveling south. The marker is just north of the Thiepval Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 Rue de l'Ancre, 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); 'The Glorious Dead' ∙ Commemoration of the Missing (here, next to this marker); The Village of Thiepval Before the Great War (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 (a few steps from 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 27, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
