*VIRTUAL TOUR - The Somme Offensive Continued*

Thiepval Wood


Renovated Trench
Thiepval Wood was the actual Frontline Battleground for the 36th (Ulster) Division, who fought over the land during the Somme Offensive; the original trenches have been carefully uncovered, and are continually undergoing preservation. The Connaught Cemetery is at the edge of the wood. However, under French law, Thiepval Wood is Private Property, used by the local French population for various activities such as timber gathering, and hunting; anyone entering Thiepval Wood without the permission of the Somme Association will be trespassing. Therefore, it is important to pre-book your visit via the Ulster Memorial Tower visitor centre, at least 24 hours in advance; the tour guides who show you around the site are excellent, and are able to ignite the Battle in your mind.

The British experimented with new techniques in gas warfare, machine-gun bombardment and tank -infantry co-operation, as the German defenders on the Somme front struggled to withstand the mass of men and material fielded by the Anglo -French, despite reorganisation and substantial reinforcement of troops, artillery and aircraft from Verdun. September became the month most costly in casualties for the German armies on the Somme. When the Ulster Division moved into the wood in 1916, they found a mixture of old French trenches as well as those dug by the Scottish Regiments who had been the previous occupants.


Thiepval Wood
Immediately to the left of the entrance is a section of Whitchurch Street which was occupied by men of the Royal Inniskilling Regiment on the 1st July 1916. Along the front line trenches a sap had been dug to house gas cylinders, in preparation for the attack up the sloping hill towards the German trench line. At this stage of the war we did not have the ability to deliver gas by shell, and the propulsion of gas towards the enemy depended on the wind; enough to blow it up the slope but not so strong that it would dissipate it. On the morning of the attack, engineers tested the gas and found the wind direction caused the gas to blow back towards their own trenches. In the end the gas was not used and the cylinders along the front of Thiepval Wood were covered over. At least two were left behind, and were found during excavations in 2007.

Many stories can be told about this area, along with many more from other Battlefields. However, one does stand out:
A 20-year-old man called Billy McFadzean, he was a tall, well-built Soldier who had played rugby for Collegians RFC prior to signing up. His build had made him the perfect material for a Company Bomber. These were the Men who would be in the front of an attack carrying sacks of grenades. The grenades were called bombs by the soldiers, and were the most efficient way of clearing enemy dugouts or fighting along trenches. Before going into Battle, it would be customary to hand out grenades to other soldiers to carry forward. That way if a bomber ran out he only had to ask the nearest soldier for his two.
It was here in Thiepval Wood whilst distributing grenades that Billy McFadzean would win the first Victoria Cross of the Battle of the Somme; before the attack had even commenced.

London Gazette dated 8th September 1916

For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment’s hesitation he gave his life for his comrades. His body was never found, and his name can be found on Panel 15a of the Thiepval Memorial. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross which was handed to his father by King George V at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

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