The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July , when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, close to where the Ulster Tower stands today then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back.
The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5, in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.
Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission.
Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour. Click here for more information. The following Officers reported for duty: Major V. G Whitla Captain F. L Smith. A football match was held later in the afternoon, the Battalion team versus the North Irish Horse draft team, which the Battalion team won by 2, 1.
H Hutchinson, F. J Whalen, H. S Dean and C. Havrincourt Wood K. Corps have ordered all Battalions to be continually on the offensive while holding the line.
