Webmatters : The Battle of Loos, Hohenzollern Redoubt

Loos

Hohenzollern Redoubt, Auchy-les-Mines

10th October 2015

Following the more intimate ceremony at Quarry Cemetery in the morning a large parade was scheduled in the afternoon from the centre of Auchy-les-Mines to the memorial to the 46th (North Midland) Division near the site of the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

The Black Watch at Quarry Cemetery

Led by the town band, local association banners and the civic dignitaries the first section of the parade was followed by the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, members of the Black Watch (3 SCOTS) and Mercian Regiment plus numerous regimental associations.

Some photos from the Parade

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Waiting for the head of the parade to get far enough away

The Pipes and Drums lead the military contingent

Lieutenant Colonel Alasdair Steele, commanding the detachment

Members of the Black Watch Association and Lt General Sir Alistair Irwin

The military soon closed the distance on the civilians

In part because the civilians kept stopping for photos

Numerous Scottish flags were seen on the way through the estates

The head of the parade reaches the estates

A very mild reminder of what mud is like

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Having passed through the former mining estates the parade gathered at the Hohenzollern monument, forming up on a section of field that was now clinging mud. Even within a few paces the participants began to realise what it might have been like in the pouring rain and covered in the stuff.

Gathering around the small enclosure the crowd witnessed the unveiling of a new plaque dedicated to Major General George Thesiger, commanding 9th (Scottish) Division and Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon of the 1/8th Black Watch who were both killed in the vicinity on the 26th and 27th September 1915.

Following the laying of wreaths, Last Post and a lament, the parade retraced its steps as far as the Auchy Sports Centre where the Maire, Madame Joëlle Fontaine offered the gathering refreshments.

Speeches were made, children sang and the afternoon was brought to a suitable close by the Black Watch musicians.