Ovillers-la-Boisselle in Somme, Upper France, France — Western Europe
Attack: An account by Pte. Tom Easton, 2nd Battalion Tyneside Scottish
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
1. Attack: An account by Pte. Tom Easton, 2nd Battalion Tyneside Scottish Marker
‘On July 1st, I was not yet twenty. When the whistles blew for the assault, the bagpipes started and we advanced towards the crater side by side, we didn't want to look like cowards.
There were enormous losses. Out of a thousand men there remained only one officer and two hundred men.
Later there was one event that remains etched in my memory.
During the attack we moved along the German front line where I saw one of my best friends sitting at a German artillery position.
He called me over and when I got to him he asked me to sit down.
I protested, telling him we had other things to do.
He said it wouldn't take long and asked me if I could hear music. I could hear absolutely nothing.
He described to me what he could see: "The whole sky was opening up. Orchestras were playing, choirs were singing, and all the ancestors were there telling him to come and join them". He held his arms out. "There's my old father" he says, "they're waiting for me". He fell forward and I saw he
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These things shake you. But it was a momentous experience for me, and in spite of the shock, it gave me the courage to do my duty as a soldier.'
Captions
Top: © Clement Masson (Illustration), Cedric Masson (Text).
Below: Tom Easton standing in the Crater – 1960s.
Lochnagar Crater is privately owned by Richard Dunning MBE and is dedicated to Remembrance, Respect and Reconciliation.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
'The Lochnagar Promise For Peace'
“In Remembrance of all those who have suffered in conflict, and those who are suffering still may we live our lives today with more Compassion and Kindness. Understanding and Forgiveness Reconciliation and Unity. Let us now, in their honour, wage Peace.”
The Trustees are grateful for the generous bequest which enabled the refurbishment of these Visitor Information Panels.
www.lochnagarcrater.org
« L'assaut : d'après le récit du Soldat Tom Easton 2ème Bataillon Tyneside Scottish
Le 1er juillet, je n'avais pas encore vingt ans. Au coup de sifflet donnant le signal de l'assaut, les cornemuses commencèrent à jouer et nous avancions vers le cratère côte à côte, nous ne voulions pas avoir l'air lâche.
Il y avait des pertes énormes. Sur mille hommes, il ne restait
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 10, 2024
2. Attack: An account by Pte. Tom Easton, 2nd Battalion Tyneside Scottish Marker
Plus tard, un évènement qui reste gravé dans ma mémoire arriva.
Pendant l'assaut, nous longions la ligne de front allemande où j'ai vu l'un de mes meilleurs amis assis sur une position d'artillerie allemande.
Il m'appela et lorsque j'arrivai devant lui, il me demanda de m'asseoir. Je protestai, lui disant que nous avions autre chose à faire.
Il me dit que ça ne prendrait pas longtemps et me demanda si j'entendais de la musique. Je n'entendis absolument rien.
Alors il me décrivit ce qu'il voyait : « Tout le ciel s'ouvrait, des orchestres jouaient, des chorales chantaient et les ancêtres l'appelaient à venir les rejoindre. » Il ouvrit ses bras. « C'est mon vieux père », dit-il, « ils m'attendent ». Il tomba en avant et je vis qu'il n'avait plus de dos. Un éclat d'obus lui avait traversé la poitrine. Ce genre de chose, ça secoue. Mais ce fut pour moi une expérience mémorable, et malgré le choc, cela m'a donné le courage de faire mon devoir de soldat. »
Erected by The Locknagar Crater Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant day of the year for for this entry is July 1.
Location. 50° 0.923′ N, 2° 41.784′ E. Marker is in Ovillers-la-Boisselle, Hauts-de-France (Upper France), in Somme. It is on Route de la Grande Mine south of Route D20, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Rte de la Grande Mine, Ovillers-la-Boisselle, 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: RAF Mountain Rescue Association Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Bretons at La Boisselle (a few steps from this marker); Roy Bealing and his best friend Pte. Alfred Moxham (within shouting distance of this marker); A German defender's experience (within shouting distance of this marker); Women of the Great War (within shouting distance of this marker); Pte. 1216 Charles R. Frankish (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sacrifice of All Nations (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pilgrimage: Tom Easton's visits to his friends at Bécourt (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovillers-la-Boisselle.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
