Lot 162: Charles Louis Geoffroy-Dechaume, (French, 1877-c.1940)

The crater at Hawthorne Ridge, Beaumont Hamel
signed with monogram 'CLGD', inscribed 'Le cratere de Beaumont-Hamel' and dated 'Aout 1917'
watercolour
35 x 52.1 cm. (13 3/4 x 20 1/2 in.)

On 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme soldiers of the 1st Royal Newfoundland Regiment advanced to engage the German lines.

Just prior to the attack, mines had been detonated beneath enemy positions on Hawthorne Ridge but the regiment was still decimated, of the 801 that left their trenches only 69 answered the roll-call at the end of the day.

The 84 acre site was purchased by the Newfoundland Government and in 1925 opened as the Newfoundland Memorial Park.