Battle of the Boar's Head, Richebourg l'Avoué

2016 marked the centenary of the Battle of the Boar's Head in Richebourg l'Avoué, France:

See also:

About the Battle of the Boar's Head

First World War Centenary - WW1 (150x131px - red)

“The day that Sussex died”

On 30th June 1916, Richebourg l'Avoué in France was the site of the Battle of the Boar's Head that owes its peculiar name to the network of trenches forming a salient in the shape of a boar's head.

This battle aimed to distract the Germans and to make them believe that the Great Offensive would be launched in Richebourg and not in the Somme. The 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions of the Southdowns Brigade were involved in this battle that lasted only 5 hours. Even so, 349 British soldiers and 17 officers died and over 1,000 were wounded or taken prisoners. Ever since, the 30th of June has been regarded locally as “The day that Sussex died”.

A memorial to commemorate the honoured soldiers from the town who lost their lives in this infamous First World War battle was erected in the Beach House Park in Worthing in 2016 to mark the 100-year centenary anniversary of the battle.

2016 was the Centenary, and a number of events took place between 25th June and 3rd July in Richebourg l'Avoué to commemorate. These events are detailed in the booklet below (in French and English):

Centenary of the Battle of the Boar's Head, Richebourg (2,727KB)

See also a descriptive paper on the Battle of the Boar's head at Richebourg-l'Avoué:
(note: you may need to 'accept' the copyright restrictions to access the paper)

Worthing, Richebourg and the League of Help for the Devastated Areas of France (PDF on the Sussex Archaeological Collections website) - Reproduced with the kind permission of the Sussex Archaeological Society

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Exhibitions, commemorations and photos of events

Exhibition panels:

Richebourg Worthing exhibition panels (9,039KB)

Summary of the events that took place (in French) which also contains cuttings from local papers and other coverage:

Summary of Commemoration events in Richebourg l'Avoué, France (Bilan de fréquentation Richebourg-Worthing) - in French (1,427KB)

Also below are photos from the events and parade that took place:

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Map and views of Richebourg l'Avoué, France

Richebourg l'Avoué Church and war memorial

Where the Commemoration and Parade took place:

Richebourg l'Avoué Church with war memorial outside - on Google Street View

St Vaast Post Military Cemetery,
off Rue des Charbonniers

Where the Commemoration and Parade took place (to the north east of the town):

Rue des Berceaux Military Cemetery
off Rue du Haut Chemin / Rue du Moulin l'Avoué

Another Military Cemetery in Richebourg l'Avoué (to the south of the town):

Other Military Cemeteries near Richebourg l'Avoué

Other Military Cemeteries near Richebourg l'Avoué - on Google Maps

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Useful weblinks

See also a descriptive paper on the Battle of the Boar's head at Richebourg-l'Avoué:
(note: you may need to 'accept' the copyright restrictions to access the paper)