Source: File: Thiepval Chateau before the War. See an
original image at: <https://armycadetsgreatermanchester.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/gmacf-pay-respects-at-thiepval-cemetery/thiepval-chateau-before-the-war/>
[Accessed 31 July 2016]
Source: File: Thiepval Chateau. See an original image at: <http://gutenberg.polytechnic.edu.na/4/3/9/6/43969/43969-h/43969-h.htm>
[Accessed 31 July 2016]
Thiepval Chateau German Postcard showing destruction. Source: unknown
i
The Somme, from
time back in history,
Situated in
Nord-Pas-de-Calais Picardie -
The river of that
name deriving in Celtic
Origins, with the
meaning of tranquility.
In a notable year
Norman King William,
The Conqueror,
assembled an invading
Fleet where the
river formed Somme
Bay, flowing into the
English Channel.
In a foothold
on French soil, more kings
Of England made
claims to France,
That became the
hundred years war -
When Edward III
forded the Somme.
Emerged the battle
of Blanchetaque -
Then on into the
Lancastrian phase
In the Agincourt
campaign of 1415,
When Henry V
camped at Thiepval.
The river of
tranquility flowed through
310 years to a
different history stage,
In the year 1725 where foundations
Settled down to
build a new chateau.
Builders were the
Comte de Bréda
Family,
whose long lineage built
On the high
ground of a ridge, close
To the Somme
village of Thiepval.
ii
Amid its
rural setting this new chateau
Had a fine
view across a quiet idyll
Of the
Ancre valley, with extensive
Sloping
gardens; an impressive estate.
Once
biggest Somme village, Thiepval
Peaked at
400 - by 1844 the people's
Lives were
led by Thiepval chateau,
Whose family
they worked for; this
Included hamlet
of Saint Pierre Divion.
Though in isolation
amidst French
Countryside, Thiepval
was punctuated
With history's
events - in 5th century
Had been the building of a fort chateau.
Established by 1st
seigneur Thiedu
Thierry - still later another fort was
Constructed in 13th
century - on
Land close to where
a stone chateau
Was to stand
by the 18th century.
Ancre valley
views became enjoyed
By 1725, from a
70 metre high balcony
Of the chateau's frontage - the Thiepval
Name well
established by that time.
The place having
a German influenced
Origin - the land
had once been owned
By Thiebaut Waldgerman
- with Val for
Forest; two words
melded into Thiepval.
iii
Over following
145 years some ordinary
Normality settled
as the commune grew -
Villagers worked
for the Comte de Bréda
Family, with years farming their estate.
Even the
village of Thiepval relocated
From original
place of the valley, closer
To the
chateau - then came the Franco
Prussian war affecting this long peace,
When
Thiepval witnessed destruction.
Over 12 months from
1870 to 1871
Prussian troops
swept across lands -
Although the
chateau was left whole
The church of
Thiepval burnt down.
After conflicts
died away life once
More at Thievel, returned
to peace
To peace again -
along with village
Saint Pierre
Divion, prosperity came
For a time to Comte de Bréda family.
After
years the Thiepval house finally
Began to
fall into disrepair - the last
Family
member, Comte Jacques
De Bréda,
sold the ailing chateau.
Wealthy
Parisian Henri Portier, retired
Engineer
and military officer started
From 1912,
over the next two years,
Made renovation of the faded grandeur.
iV
On reaching the
summer of 1914,
The renewed
chateau was ready
For Portier to move into, to enjoy
His retirement - until another threat.
Conflict begun
to brew over borders
With Germany - feelings
of safety
Perhaps maintained a while, recorded
In various historique
and pictuersque
Postcards of M'suer Portier's chateau.
Within weeks, a German
invasion
Began a hold on France
to move
Onto the Somme - threat of danger
Brought fear to Henri Portier's family.
In a
hurried departure Portier left
Thiepval
chateau, soon followed
By the villagers
- 26th Division of
Wurttemberg having
once passed
Through, returned
by September.
Finding Thiepval chateau deserted,
The Germans
commandeered the
House as part
of their defences -
A good
situation on high ground.
Looking across
Ancre river and
Valley Thiepval
proved worthy;
Both as
observation of the French
Progress and as
Field Command
Headquarters to
house officers.
V
As the chateau's
new inhabitants
Settled, the
remainder of 1914
Passed quietly into
1915 that gave
Time for German
orders to dig in.
Dig in and dig
in deep - the chalk
Ground was dug
into and reinforced
With concrete -
utilising Thiepval's
Chateau’s well
built, solid cellars.
Within months
of work, German
Troops firmly
established Thiepval
As a fortress
village - though area
Of the Somme
remained quiet.
Part of the
western front plans
Of the allies
would set course in
Changing
that situation - Somme
Was chosen as ground for allies
Ideas of a Big
Push, for mid 1916.
Under steady
shells of demolition,
The village of
Thiepval was soon
Falling into
ruin - while an eighteen
Century chateau
was artillery target.
German leaders forced
to abandon
Grandeur, to its
now inevitable fate -
With a
situation on high ground
Any respect for
past was ignored,
In country's
defence of growing war.
Vi
French
postcards had once showed
A well-kept estate
of a Grand historic
Renovated home -
then within two
Years a German card
illustrated ruins.
In black and
white of barren blasted
Grounds, wall remnants stood beside
A road that
passed the estate's gates,
Where hacked
trees stood before
A battered, crumbling chateau edifice.
By Jamie Mann.
Source: File: The
village of Thiepval before the Great War. Available at: <http://sqmg.mobi/mobilepages/tag/109>
[Accessed 31 July 2016]
Source: File:
Battle of Thiepval Ridge. Available at:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thiepval_Ridge> [Accessed 31
July 2016]
Source: File: The
Thiepval Memorial. Available at:
<http://www.nevworldwonders.com/2014/04/53-wonder-thiepval-memorial.html>
[Accessed 31 July 2016]
Source: File:
Thiepval Village. Available at:
<https://www.facebook.com/Thiepval/posts/459286010788955> [Accessed 31
July 2016]
Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 31 July 2016).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Thiepval
