The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched a free app helping visitors to locate soldiers’ names on the Thiepval Memorial and read some of their personal stories.
The monument remembers more than 72,000 men of the British and South African forces whose bodies were never recovered after the Allied offensive on the Somme in 1916.
Carl Liversage, Head of External Engagement for the CWGC in Western Europe said “As we prepare to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of The Somme this new app allows you to search for all the casualties we commemorate on the Thiepval Memorial.
“Not only will you be able to view a detailed plan of the memorial but you can pin point a name on the panel, read personal stories and discover interesting facts.”
Thiepval will be the focus for daily centenary commemorations from July-November 2016 marking the 141 days of the battle.
The monument also commemorates the joint stand of the British and French Armies on the Somme during the First World War. Equal numbers of French and Commonwealth soldiers lie buried in the adjoining military cemetery.
The Thieval App can be downloaded for free on IOS and Android devices. It’s also available for iPads (Image: CWGC)
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission says the app allows visitors to:
*Easily locate a soldier’s name on the Thiepval Memorial
*Read more than 900 personal stories bringing you closer to the person behind the soldier. They’ve been provided and written by Pam and Ken Linge, authors of Missing but Not Forgotten: Men of the Thiepval Memorial – Somme
*Explore interesting facts by theme such as VC holders, poets, sportsmen
*Read historical background information about the 141 days of the Battle of the Somme
*View a Timeline where you can see the number of casualties per year, month and day
Visit the CWGC website for full details and download information.
Images: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Thiepval App screenshot); Centenary News (Thiepval Memorial)
Posted by: CN Editorial Team