Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Guillemont to mark Irish sacrifice in first World War liberation.  More than 1,200 Irish soldiers died fighting for villages during Battle of the Somme.

In 1926 the granite cross memorial to the 16th (Irish) Division, which stands outside the church was consecrated. On that day villagers hung out a banner saying Vive l’Irlande. Marshal Joseph Joffre, the saviour of France and the hero of the Battle of the Somme in the early part of the war, was present. The Bishop of Amiens told his Irish guests that Ireland and France were “sisters in sorrow”, but Ireland was already embarking on the act of national amnesia that would see places such as Guillemont fade from the collective memory.

On the front of the memorial is inscribed ‘1914-1918 – In commemoration of the victories of Guillemont and Ginchy September 3rd and 9th 1916 in memory of those who fell therein and of all Irishmen who gave their lives in the great war. RIP.”