Mametz Wood was the objective of the 38th (Welsh) Division during the First Battle of the Somme (France), between 7th and 12th July 1916. By the 12th July the wood was effectively cleared of the enemy, but the Welsh Division had lost about 4,000 men killed or wounded.

On the 11th July 1987 at 3pm a Memorial, in the form of a Red Dragon, was dedicated to the fallen and injured.


  • Plinth Base Plinth Base The plinth is laid November 1986
  • Work continues Work continues Tools of the trade May 1987
  • The Dragon overlooking Mametz Wood The Dragon overlooking Mametz Wood June 1987
  • The working party Branch members Members of the South Wales branch of the Western Front Association circa 1987.

     

Many people worked without wanting reward or recognition to bring the memorial at Mametz into realisation.

This site endeavours to give the story behind the memorial itself. It by no means detracts from the sacrifice and suffering made by the soldiers of that battle.

The South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association will hold a ceremony in July to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the memorial. Leaving Wales on the 6th July and returning on the 9th July. The Commemoration will take place on the 7th July. Sunday the 8th July will be touring sections of the Somme and visiting several Cemeteries to allow members to visit family graves.
Staying at Albert, the cost of the trip including Hotel B&B for 3 nights and the return journey is 199 pounds per person sharing. Single room Supplement 81 pounds.
Mr Tom Price whose request for a memorial started the appeal

Tom Price the Inspiration for the Monument

In the 1980s, whilst a guest of the British army, Tom Price, a veteran of the Welsh Divisions' attack on Mametz Wood, commented that he was disappointed to find that there was no memorial on the Somme to fallen Welsh. In particular, that there was no memorial at the site where some 4,000 of his comrades had been killed or wounded in July 1916 - Mametz Wood.

Les Hughes Chairman of the South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association at the time of the construction of the memorial

Les Hughes Chairman of the South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association

It was decided by the south Wales branch of the Western Front Association to appeal for the erection of such a memorial and this interest led to the formation of a committee pledged to raise the necessary sum by public subscription. He worked tirelessly during the planning, construction of the site and during and after the dedication.

Mr Irving Jones who survived the battle

The Memorial

The magnificient Red Dragon was sculptered by Mr David Peterson, the stone was donated by a local quarry and carved by Mossfords in Cardiff

Poppies at the memorial

Poppies laid at the Memorial

Tributes given during the dedication ceremony.