Ulster Memorial Tower, War memorial in Thiepval, France.
The Ulster Memorial Tower is a stone structure rising from Thiepval Ridge that resembles a medieval defensive tower. It houses a visitor center with displays about the 36th Division and their role in the fighting during World War I.
The memorial marks the location where the 36th Ulster Division attacked in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. It was built afterward to preserve memory of this battle and the thousands who died fighting there.
The memorial honors the Ulster Division, the soldiers who trained and fought here. Its tower design echoes Helen's Tower from the Clandeboye Estate in Northern Ireland, creating a direct link to their training grounds.
The site is easy to reach on Thiepval Ridge where several memorials stand together. Wear comfortable shoes as the terrain is hilly, and you can walk through the surrounding area to see the landscape where fighting took place.
Nine plaques at the tower entrance honor soldiers from the Ulster Division who received the Victoria Cross. This concentration of military honors reflects the exceptional bravery displayed by the unit during the Somme fighting.
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