Lone Tree

A remarkable feature of the Loos battlefield landscape in 1915 was a single tree sitting up in No Man's land.

Swiftly dubbed The Lone Tree it even found itself marked on the trench maps and in the Official History.

On 25 September 1915 it found itself in the path of the British 1st Division.

Following the battle the tree was rather unceremoniously cut down by the British soldiers, many of whom kept a piece as a souvenir.

A small piece can be found in the Loos museum.

When peace returned to the area the farmer decided not to replant the tree, and indeed why would he, it would only get in the way of his tractors.

However, in 1995 on the 80th anniversary of the battle, the Western Front Association approached the landowner and asked if they could replant a tree on the site and he agreed.

A service of remembrance, commemorating the Battle of Loos, is held here every 25th September.

Location

If you are in Loos you may notice a panel out towards the countryside suggesting a footpath to the Lone Tree. Be aware that it will be a very long walk and once you get there you have to turn round and walk back again

The easiest way to get to the tree is probably to start by following the road out of Loos to Hulluch and from there turning left following the signs to St Mary's ADS Cemetery.

This is situated on the D 39 between Hulluch and Vermelles. The former being pronounced closer to oo-loosh than hulluck, should you try asking for directions from the French!

From the cemetery continue driving towards Vermelles and across the British front line.

If the crops are not too high you will see the tree sitting out on the plain to your left.

In the distance on the left you will see a large farm accessed by a road off to the left at a small oratoire (shrine).

This farm is in fact Le Rutoire and was behind the British lines on the day of the battle.

Immediately after you turn left towards the farm there is a laneway that heads back up across the fields. This will soon turn into nothing more than a farmers track. If you value your car - walk, it will take you about 20 minutes or so to get there.

I did take my car up quite a distance but even then had to abandon it a few hundred metres short of the tree as the going was just too rough and it was going to be very difficult to get turned.

Looking towards the cemeteries - the white line in front of the trees

At its base you will find a small plaque dedicating the newly planted cherry tree to all those who lost their lives at the Battle of Loos in 1915.

Le Rutoir Farm