Monday 13th October was the 110th anniversary of the bloody attack made by men of the 5th/Lincolns alongside the 4th/Leics, 5th/N. Staffs and 5th/S. Staffs. The fighting on this day resulted in the 46th Division suffering 3,763 casualties, and for a number of Lincolnshire communities, including Sleaford, it was their bloodiest day of the war, even eclipsing 1st July 1916.
In the early 2000’s, Michael Credland, and a band of dedicated volunteers raised sufficient money and received all of the necessary permissions to erect a new 46th Divisional memorial at a site just to the rear of the Redoubt. This memorial, designed by Mike, was unveiled in 2006 and apart from the first Covid year of 2020, there has been an annual service of remembrance held each year, including a large event in 2015 for the centenary of the fighting.
The village of Auchy les Mines, where you will find the memorial in the farmyard at the bottom of Rue de Dunkerque, has taken this service very seriously and it is always attended by the town Mayor, civic dignitaries and a good turnout of French veterans and members of the public from both France and the UK.
This year was no different and the splendid service was followed by speeches and refreshments in the Salle de Fetes (village hall). Here are a selection of my photos from the event last Monday.
Mike Credland laid a wreath on behalf of the Friends of the Hohenzollern Redoubt.
French veterans were in attendance.
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