Contalmaison

Contalmaison
Contalmaison

Coordinates: 50°01′26″N 2°43′52″E / 50.0239°N 2.7311°E / 50.0239; 2.7311Coordinates: 50°01′26″N 2°43′52″E / 50.0239°N 2.7311°E / 50.0239; 2.7311
Country France
Region Hauts-de-France
Department Somme
Arrondissement Péronne
Canton Albert
Intercommunality Pays du Coquelicot
Government
 • Mayor (2001–2008) Bernard Senechal
Area1 5.67 km2 (2.19 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 120
 • Density 21/km2 (55/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 80206 / 80300
Elevation 87–161 m (285–528 ft)
(avg. 120 m or 390 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Contalmaison is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

Geography

Contalmaison is situated on the D147 and D20 crossroads, some 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Amiens.

History

As with many towns in this part of France, Contalmaison saw a great deal of fighting during World War I and was one of the allied objectives in the first Battle of the Somme.

A high number of casualties fell on the first day: 1 July 1916. The advance from the British line in front of Albert, was led by the 34th Division, a New Army formation recruited in Edinburgh, Northumberland, Grimsby and Cambridge. Elements of the 16th Royal Scots ('McCrae's Battalion') and of Tyneside Irish battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers succeeded in penetrating the village defences on 1 July before being outnumbered and forced to withdraw by stubborn German opposition.

The village is notable for its McCrae's Battalion Great War Memorial which honours the fallen of the 16th Royal Scots. Designed by the historian Jack Alexander, the 'Contalmaison Cairn' was unveiled in November 2004, completing a project first proposed by veterans of the battalion in 1919. As such, it remains the last of the 'original' Great War memorials to be built.[1]

Population

Historical population of Contalmaison
Year1962196819751982199019992006
Population928410610110498120
From the year 1962 on: No double counting—residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) are counted only once.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mccraesbattaliontrust.org.uk/historical-background/
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