The explosion was witnessed from the air by 2nd Lieutenant C.A. Lewis of No. 3 Squadron RFC:
“The whole earth heaved and flashed, a tremendous and magnificent column rose up in the sky. There was an ear-splitting roar drowning all the guns, flinging the machine sideways in the repercussing air. The earth column rose higher and higher to almost 4,000 feet. There it hung, or seemed to hang, for a moment in the air, like the silhouette of some great cypress tree, then fell away in a widening cone of dust and debris.
Lochnagar Crater, 6 October 2002. (Ref 0203876)
Some of the British infantry waiting in no man's land were struck by falling debris and one man, having braced himself in a trench, had his leg broken and later required amputation.
The Lochnagar mine lay on the sector assaulted by the Grimsby Chums Pals battalion (10th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment).
When the main attack began at 7:30 am, the Grimsby Chums successfully occupied the crater and began to fortify the eastern lip which now dominated the surrounding ground.
However elsewhere the attack at La Boisselle went badly and infantry sought shelter in the crater, particular those who had been attacking up Sausage Valley to the south of the village.
The prominent crater drew fire, including from British artillery although eventually it was learnt it contained sheltering infantry and the British shell fire ceased.
Memorial at the Lochnagar Crater, 6 October 2002. (Ref 0203877)
The Lochnagar crater still exists today. Early attempts to fill it in were resisted and the land was eventually purchased by Richard Dunning on 1 July 1978 to ensure it would be preserved.
The Lochnagar memorial and a cross made with wood from Tyneside now mark the site.
The aim is to preserve the site and create a unique Garden of Remembrance to commemorate the gallant men and women of all nations who suffered in the Great War.
No profit has, nor ever will be made from Lochnagar. Its upkeep is not funded by any government or official organisation.
With a diameter of approximately 300ft (91 metres)and a depth of 70ft (21 metres) it remains the largest crater ever made by man in anger.
The crater is supported by the Friends of Lochnagar who give generously of their time, effort and money to help maintain it.
Each year on the anniversary a Remembrance Ceremony is held there.
Private Reginald Giles. A wreath laid in the memory of Private Reginald Giles, killed on August 20, 1916 aged just 14. 6 October 2002. (Ref 0203878)
