McCrae's Battalion Great War Memorial, World War I memorial cairn in Contalmaison, France
The stone memorial cairn stands in the French countryside, marking the location where Edinburgh soldiers fought during the First Battle of the Somme.
The memorial honors the 16th Royal Scots Battalion, formed in 1914 by Sir George McCrae with volunteers from Scottish football clubs and sports organizations.
Professional players from Hearts of Midlothian, Hibernian, Raith Rovers, and other Scottish football clubs joined the battalion to serve in World War I.
The memorial site receives regular visits from football supporters, school groups, and history researchers studying the connection between sports and military service.
The structure, completed in 2004, represents the final Great War memorial constructed from original 1919 plans proposed by battalion survivors.
Location: Somme
GPS coordinates: 50.02240,2.72970
Latest update: March 25, 2025 03:59
Thiepval Memorial
4.4 km
Mametz Wood Memorial
2.1 km
Capture of Schwaben Redoubt
4.6 km
Ulster Tower
5.6 km
Pozieres Memorial
1.7 km
Fricourt German war cemetery
2.2 km
Courcelette Memorial
3.9 km
Longueval New Zealand Memorial
5.5 km
Mill Road Cemetery
5.4 km
Mémorial de la tour d'Ulster
5.6 km
Bois des Fourcaux
5.3 km
Authuile Military Cemetery
5 km
The Windmill
2.6 km
Église Saint-Vaast de Carnoy
4.6 km
Ovillers Military Cemetery
2.8 km
Thiepval Anglo-French Cemetery
4.5 km
Authuille Church
4.9 km
Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial
4.5 km
Église Saint-Nicolas de Longueval
5.3 km
Église Saint-Gilles de Montauban-de-Picardie
4.1 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Martinpuich
4.1 km
Église Saint-Léger de Contalmaison
25 m
Église Saint-Vaast de Bécordel-Bécourt
4.8 km
Église de la nativité de la Sainte Vierge de Bazentin
2.5 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Fricourt
2.7 km
Église Saint-Pierre de la Boisselle
2.4 km
Église Sainte-Faire ou Saint-Fare d'Aveluy
4.9 km
18th Division Memorial
4.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes