The Tyneside Memorial was unveiled by Field Marshal Foch. It commemorates the 34th Division who lost more heavily than any other Division that attacked on July 1, 1916. The Tyneside Irish and the Tyneside Scottish in particular suffered a very high casualty rate. Almost 80% of the men of the Division became casualties – most of them in the initial ten minutes of the attack – and all for a very small advance.
The inscription on the Tyneside Memorial reads:
Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.
In front of this memorial on the 1st July 1916 the "Tyneside Scottish" and the "Tyneside Irish" brigades attacked the enemy. For many hours the fortunes of arms fluctuated, but, ere night had fallen, the two Tyneside Brigades with the aid of other units of the 34th Division attained their objective.
Think not that the struggle and the sacrifice were in vain.
Inscription on the Tyneside Memorial, La Boiselle. 6 October 2002. (Ref 0203819)
Panel on the Tyneside Memorial, La Boiselle. 6 October 2002. (Ref 0203820)
