Le Quesnel Memorial
Encyclopedia
The Le Quesnel Memorial is a Canadian war memorial
that commemorates the actions of the Canadian Corps
during the 1918 Battle of Amiens during World War I
. The battle marked the beginning of a 96 day period that saw the crumbling of the German Army and ultimately the Armistice that ended the war The memorial is located just to the southwest of the village of Le Quesnel
(from which it takes its name), on the road between Amiens
and Roye
, in northern France.
The location for the memorial was selected as it was the deepest point the Canadians (and indeed any of the Allied armies) had reached at the end of the first day of the Battle of Amiens; 8 miles or 13 kilometres into German-held territory.
was formed in November 1920 to discuss the process and conditions for holding a memorial competition for the European sites. In October 1922, the submission of Toronto sculptor and designer Walter Seymour Allward
was selected as the winner of the competition, and the submission of Frederick Chapman Clemesha placed second. The commission selected Vimy Ridge in France as the preferred site for Allward's design.. Clemesha's Brooding Soldier
design was selected for the remaining sites but was later, for a number of reasons, erected only at St. Julien in Belgium. The remaining six sites received identical Canadian white granite blocks inscribed in both English and French with a brief description of the battle they commemorate. The blocks are situated in small parks that vary in shape and design and are typically situated on key points of the battlefield they memorialize.
Canadian war memorials
The history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. Many of these armed engagements are commemorated today with memorials across Canada and around the world...
that commemorates the actions of the Canadian Corps
Canadian Corps
The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 1915 and the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916...
during the 1918 Battle of Amiens during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The battle marked the beginning of a 96 day period that saw the crumbling of the German Army and ultimately the Armistice that ended the war The memorial is located just to the southwest of the village of Le Quesnel
Le Quesnel
Le Quesnel is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated at the D161 and D41 crossroads, some southeast of Amiens.-Population:-Places of interest:...
(from which it takes its name), on the road between Amiens
Amiens
Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Picardy...
and Roye
Roye
Roye is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Roye, Haute-Saône, in the Haute-Saône département* Roye, Somme, in the Somme département* Roye-sur-Matz, in the Oise département-People:...
, in northern France.
The location for the memorial was selected as it was the deepest point the Canadians (and indeed any of the Allied armies) had reached at the end of the first day of the Battle of Amiens; 8 miles or 13 kilometres into German-held territory.
Location & Design
The Le Quesnel Memorial site is a small keyhole shaped park situated beside the D934 highway between Amiens and Roye on the southwest fringe of Le Quesnel village. Fittingly, maple trees and a hedge of holly line the edges of the park and well kept lawns and stone pathways surround the low circular flagstone terrace that the granite memorial block rests on.Selection
At the end of the war, The Imperial War Graves Commission granted Canada 8 sites - 3 in France and 5 in Belgium, on which to erect memorials. Each site represented a significant Canadian engagement in the war and for this reason it was originally decided that each battlefield would be treated equally and graced with identical monuments. The Canadian Battlefields Memorials CommissionCanadian Battlefields Memorials Commission
The Canadian Battlefields Memorials Commission was a special commission established by the House of Commons of Canada, on the recommendations of the British Battle Exploits Memorials Committee...
was formed in November 1920 to discuss the process and conditions for holding a memorial competition for the European sites. In October 1922, the submission of Toronto sculptor and designer Walter Seymour Allward
Walter Seymour Allward
Walter Seymour Allward was a Canadian monumental sculptor.- Early life :Allward was born in Toronto, the son of John A. Allward of Newfoundland. Educated in Toronto public schools, his first job was at the age of 14 as an assistant to his carpenter father...
was selected as the winner of the competition, and the submission of Frederick Chapman Clemesha placed second. The commission selected Vimy Ridge in France as the preferred site for Allward's design.. Clemesha's Brooding Soldier
Saint Julien Memorial
The St. Julien Memorial is a Canadian war memorial and small commemorative park located in the village of Saint Julien , Belgium. The memorial commemorates the Canadian First Division's participation in the Second Battle of Ypres of World War I which included the defence against the first poison...
design was selected for the remaining sites but was later, for a number of reasons, erected only at St. Julien in Belgium. The remaining six sites received identical Canadian white granite blocks inscribed in both English and French with a brief description of the battle they commemorate. The blocks are situated in small parks that vary in shape and design and are typically situated on key points of the battlefield they memorialize.