Butte de Warlencourt

"One weeks farmers finds located near the Butte"

Harvest time invariably reveals a pile of do not touches.
Taken by Bob Paterson October 2023

"Autumn pathway repairs"

Charles crossan starting work to replace a piece of decayed pathway wood.
Taken by Bob Paterson October 2023

"Twenty years later - a first!"

Found near the Butte - down by Hexham Road.
Taken by Bob Paterson

"Welcome to a cold looking Butte!"

Great to see my old friend Ian Davidson and his wife visit the site last week. I've known Ian for years. He is a fine chap indeed. Former chairman of WFA Scotland South.
Taken by Ian Davidson October 2023

"The logo on the memorial at the top of the Butte"

Banksy was at the Butte refreshing the logo using Airfix paints!
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2023

"Go Kart racing at the Ulster Tower - Thiepval in August 2023"

It has to be the perfect hilly road. Ace fun!
Taken by Charles Crossan August 2023

"Found near the Meakin memorial at Lesboeufs"

Unexploded grenade found partially buried near the memorial on the Somme
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2023

"Battlefield glass find by a chasseur given to Bob"

a Great War era Paterson's Camp Coffee bottle in superb condition
Taken by Bob Paterson

"A lovely 'Now and Then' picture"

Sheffield Memorial park where the crater can still easily be seen
Taken by Bob Paterson 2023

"Now and Then (1919) comparison of Caisse Epargne in Bapaume"

A lovely Now and Then comparison. The bank is about three miles from the Butte.
Taken by Bob Paterson Card 1919, now photo July 2023

"The newly hoed area around the memorial"

Sadly yet again seeds have not grown
Taken by Bob Paterson May 2023

"The Butte sign at the bottom of the lane"

Looking rather tidy!
Taken by Bob Paterson May 2023

"A decayed pathway tread about to get replaced"

We reckon another three or four will need done soon
Taken by Bob Paterson May 2023

"A nice Spring 2023 photo of the Butte"

Taken by Butte associate Jim Jordan
Taken by Jim Jordan April 2023

"The Butte from the air in the 1950's"

The D929 runs through the photo, Butte in the centre. The Quarry looks like a quarry as opposed to looking like a wood these days. The track to the Butte is certainly not defined.
Taken by Courtesy of Paul Humphriss 1950's

"The DLI cross in Durham Cathedral England"

Stood on the Butte for many years. Removed in 1926.
Taken by Rob Nesbit January 2023

"Eaucourt l'Abbaye December 2022!"

Believe it not its there. Eaucourt seen through the cold December weather. Remember this will have been the view that some troops will have seen in the winter of 1916!
Taken by Bob Paterson December 2022

"A rather frozen information board at the Butte"

A serious frost hits the area mid December 2022
Taken by Bob Paterson December 2022

"Repair work taking place at Warlencourt British cemetery"

It is still possible to enter the cemetery. The work is a the entrance building
Taken by Bob Paterson December 2022

"Restoration work is taking place at Warlencourt British Cemetery"

It is still possible to enter the cemetery. The work is a the entrance building
Taken by Bob Paterson December 2022

"Icicles on the Butte sign - winter has arrived!"

The sign at the bottom of the track leading to the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson 16 December 2022

"Winter time arrives at the Butte"

The Butte overlooks the frozen fields
Taken by Bob Paterson 16 December 2022

"A nice Durham Light Infantry image"

The Durhams attacked the Butte on 5 November 1916
Taken by Copy donated by Charles Crossan Date unknown

"Another great image of the headstone found on the Butte"

Was previous owner before 1914. War damage can be seen
Taken by Charles Crossan circa 2018

"Superb WW1 advert from the company Gibbs"

Suggests the Germans should surrender to get Gibbs toothpaste and soap.
Taken by Le Pays de France 8 March 1917 Advert in paper 8 March 1917.

"A colourful autumnal Butte looking south east"

One of two photos taken by Steve Kerr in November 2022
Taken by Steve Kerr November 2022

"Thje Butte in November 2022"

Photo two of two taken by Steve Kerr when visiting
Taken by Steve Kerr November 2022

"A surprising harvest time find in the field next to the Butte"

A WW1 Stokes Mortar
Taken by Bob Paterson October 2022

"A decayed tread on the pathway about to be replaced."

Pathway tread replacing in October 2022
Taken by Bob Paterson October 2022

"The Historial at Peronne - a well known exhibit"

Rain stopped play so visit to Peronne time
Taken by Bob Paterson September 2022

"100 years on, they are still turning up!"

Unexploded grenade found partially buried near Combles on the Somme
Taken by Bob Paterson September 2022

"The Butte just before the rain came!"

Taken from the track leading past the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson September 2022

"The farmers find dumping ground near the Butte"

Eight weeks ago, this area was empty
Taken by Bob Paterson September 2022

"Hare, rabbit scraping filling in tonight at the top of the Butte"

Minute we leave, the hares will no doubt return!
Taken by Bob Paterson 15 September 2022

"Perfect footprints on the bench at the top of the Butte"

Many thanks to Associate carl Dycer for cleaning this bench and the other three on the Butte site.
Taken by Carl Dycer August 2022

"Three very welcome visitors to the Butte in July 2022"

A big warm welcome to Rich, Terry and Colin three of our friends from the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association to the Butte.
Taken by Courtesy HRCA. July 2022

"A familiar visitor to the Butte last week"

A warm welcome to the Butte to Associate Martin Barry. Martin is seen at the bottom of the track leading to the Butte. He was following the first walk as in Bob's recently published Butte de Warlencourt book.
Taken by Fiona Barry August 2022

"The Kaiser in nearby Bapaume"

not the best of quality but a lovely picture from WW1 showing the Kaiser in the Place d'Faidherbe in nearby Bapaume
Taken by Obtained from Charles Crossan 1914-1916

"New road sign pointing to the Butte"

At Martinpuich junction of D929
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2022

"Widening the road near Eaucourt l'Abbaye"

Thse locations can occasionally reveal a find!
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2022

"Bapaume Then and Now"

The view from the Place Faidherbe to the rue de Peronne
Taken by Bob Paterson From Battlefields of WW1 Then and Now Book

"The bush at the entrance nicely trimmed and the white stones painted"

All looking quite nice!
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2022

"Five cycling visitors from Surrey arrive at the Butte"

A three year trip in planning!
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2022

"Red edges looking quite nice"

The warning red step edges were painted in June
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2022

"Visit to the Sunken Lane and surrounds at Beaumont Hamel"

Sterling work across road by Hawthorn Ridge guys
Taken by Bob Paterson June 1916

"P.O.W. camp in nearby Bapaume"

Superb older postcard showing school used by the Germans
Taken by Property of Bob Paterson WW1 era

"The entrance to the Butte in 2008"

Screen grab from Google Maps. Its a bit different now!
Taken by Google maps 2008

"The new grass around the relaid stone cross at the top."

Has grown in perfectly but no doubt the hares will be back!
Taken by Bob Paterson March 2022

"Derek and Janet Smith plaque on the Butte"

Successfully revarnished and looking great
Taken by Bob Paterson - shadow on right! March 2022

"The Butte in the 1930's"

A hay cart passes along the D929. Butte in the background
Taken by Scanned from book - the Somme Twenty Years later Click on image to enlarge it.

"A nice addition to the collection"

The signature of the boss man Douglas Haig
Taken by Bob Paterson Bought at auction roughly 2006

"West side route around the Butte"

This will form part of new pathway around the Butte. Area inside fence when you come up to the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson circa 2020

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

The Butte in July 19
Taken by Carl Greener July 2019

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

The Butte in November 1916
Taken by Carl Greener November 2016

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

The relics of war 100 years later. Up path leading from the Butte
Taken by Carl Greener November 2016

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

Head stone RW Pitt 8 DLI
Taken by Carl Greener November 2016

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

General view of Warlencourt Cemetery
Taken by Carl Greener November 2016

"Visit by Carl Greener in honour of Grandfather 8 DLI KIA 5 November 1916"

Entrance to Warlencourt Cemetery
Taken by Carl Greener November 2016

"Death card for Franz Schmalzer Bavarian regiment"

Died at Le Sars 6 October 1916
Taken by Collection of Bob Paterson 1916

"battlefield denris overlooked by the Butte"

A train showing the ravages of war
Taken by TBA 1917

"The Butte overlooks the ravages of war"

The D929 runs through the photo, Butte in the background. Click on photo.
Taken by From book '20 Years After' circa 1917

"20 years after - The Butte in the 1930's"

Butte is like a wood! Note the cart on the Bapaume to Albert Road. Click on photo
Taken by From book '20 Years After' late 1930's

"The WW1 pock marked Butte showing the Durham crosses"

From a sketch by the Rev. Lomax
Taken by Rev. Lomax Drawing circa 1917

"The Butte battlefields"

As shown in the history of the 9th Division
Taken by Everard Wyrrel book 1939

"Visitors to the Butte"

A warm welcome to members of KOYLI tours
Taken by John Battye November 2021

"The Crucifix at the village of Warlencourt"

A WW1 then and now photo - 1916 v 2021
Taken by Taken by the German Reserve Corps and Bob Paterson 1916 and 2021

"The grass around the stone cross is growing"

The grass repairs around the stone cross are working. We will keep the fence there until spring
Taken by Bob Paterson November 2021

"The Tail trench is just over the top of the banking"

This banking had to be climbed by the attacking Allied troops to allow an attack on the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson September 2020

"Bush cutting at the Butte entrance"

Charles Crossan seen wielding the chainsaw
Taken by Bob Paterson August 2021

"The French memorioal at nearby Rancourt."

A nice then and now photo - 100 years later!
Taken by Created by Bob Paterson August 2021

"A wonderful Battlefield drawing in a publication at the time"

The 'now famous' Butte is centre right
Taken by Courtesy Paul Humphriss Unknown article date

"Not the Butte but close by - a great photo."

The killing fields leading up to Delville Wood- Guillemont Road cemetery in the foreground
Taken by Bob Paterson November 2011

"Remaining antislip treads now in place on the new section of walkway."

Thanks again to Suregrp for the donation
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2021

"Durham Light Infantry booklet sold for WW2 prisoner of war funds"

The lovely front cover
Taken by Durham Light Infantry 1943

"The killing grounds leading to the Butte as seen today."

Taken from the Le Sars to Eaucourt road
Taken by Bob Paterson August 2020

"A view from the Butte - sixteen wind turbines dominate the sky"

Looking in the general direction of Ligny.
Taken by Bob Paterson June 2021

"Spanish officers inspecting a German ammunition dump near the Butte"

Picture from March 1917
Taken by courtesy Fronts Lines and Trenches March 1917

"British Officers on the Butte August 1918"

The South African memorial clearly seen
Taken by courtesy of Fronts Lines and Trenches August 1918

"The Memorial to the 6th, 8th and 9th Durham Light Infantry"

Situated on top of the Butte
Taken by courtesy of Fronts Lines and Trenches August 1918

"Looking splendid in the sunshine"

A nice colourful view
Taken by Carl Dycer August 2020

"A nice interesting article in the Voix du Nord"

100 years later WW1 is still getting articles in the press!
Taken by Charles Crossan May 2021

"A nice aerial overlay of the Butte"

Old and new views blended perefctly
Taken by Paul Humphriss - Fronts Lines and Trenches

"A 1922 photo of the main aisle in Warlencourt British cemetery"

A good example of the early days of colour photos
Taken by Albert Kahn collection 1922

"Architects final drawings for the Montgomery private grave memorial near to the Butte"

as highlighted in the news section of this website March 2021
Taken by Courtesy of CWGC July 1926

"Former Montgomery private grave memorial near to the Butte"

A copy of the 1966 document transferring the ground to M. A Leprince of Behagnies, as highlighted in the news section of this website March 2021
Taken by Courtesy of CWGC 1966

"Former Montgomery private grave memorial near to the Butte"

Entry in war diary of 9 R.F.A showing deaths of Montgomery and Tarras in October 1916 as highlighted in the news section of this website March 2021
Taken by National Archives 1916

"A war torn landscape"

A superb picture of the village of Morval taken on the day it fell 25 September 1916.
Taken by Donated by Rob Thompson 25 September 1916

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"The King on the Butte"

The King visiting the Butte de Warlencourt, accompanied by military officials.

"Preparing defences"

Soldiers prepare defences for the next attack by filling sandbags. The Butte de Warlencourt is in the background.

"Cemetery near the Butte de Warlencourt"

Cemetery near the Butte de Warlencourt

"The pathway that was."

The pathway– looking down from the summit
Taken by Bob Paterson 18 August 2011

"The butte from an unusual angle"

The butte from an unusual angle – from the north east facing south west
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2018

"A stunning early morning view of the Butte."

A stunning early morning view of the Butte.
Taken by Richard Smith 22 February 2019

"A Scottish visitor to the Butte"

A Scottish visitor to the Butte - Mr Ed Dixon
Taken by Ed Dixon May 2013

"The site of German gun placements near Warlencourt"

The site of German gun placements near Warlencourt
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2018

"The War memorial in Warlencourt-Eaucourt"

The War memorial in Warlencourt-Eaucourt
Taken by Bob Paterson November 2018

"Le Transloy communal cemetery"

Le Transloy communal cemetery
Taken by Bob Paterson 19 January 2019

"The Butte from le Sars Communal cemetery"

The Butte from le Sars Communal cemetery
Taken by Bob Paterson 18 January 2019

"The Butte de Warlencourt from the driveway"

The Butte de Warlencourt from the driveway
Taken by Bob Paterson

"A superb wintry sky wintry picture of the Butte"

Looking good in the winter sun
Taken by Stevie Kerr

"A stunning WW1 picture of the Butte and its defences"

Actual picture taken by 53 Squadron BEF. Bought at auction.
Taken by Bob Paterson Unknown but would say 1916

"Taken when the Derek and Esther Smith plaque was erected"

Richard Smith at the erection of the plaque to his parents
Taken by Bob Paterson 2016

"The late great David Easton of the WFA"

David Easton, a true Butte stalwart, sadly missed indeed.
Taken by Bob Paterson Summer 2014 not long before he passed.

"A well earned rest!"

Julia, in working clothes, after helping erect the new boards
Taken by Bob Paterson 29 May 2019

"Another well earned rest!"

My great friend Charles Crossan, adorned his Butte working clothes enjoys a rest after the boards are finished.
Taken by Bob Paterson 29 May 2019

"Looking towards Eaucourt L&#039;Abbaye over area of The Pimple"

Looking towards Eaucourt l'Abbaye over area of The Pimple. Taken from ground at base of the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson May 2019

"Warlencourt CWGC cemetery"

Warlencourt CWGC cemetery
Taken by Bob Paterson May 2019

"The area from above in October 191"

The Butte can clearly bee seen
Taken by Bob Paterson bought from IWM October 1916

"The King on the Butte"

The iconic picture of the King on the Butte in 1917
Taken by Copyright I.W.M. 1917

"What the attacking troops saw - 2019 version"

The ground which saw many attacks on the Butte covering the well fought over Pimple, Tail trench, Snag trench and more.
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2019

"The Butte from Warlencourt CWGC cemetery"

The Butte taken from the Warlencourt CWGC cemetery.
Taken by Bob Paterson 18 July 2019

"Roland Boys Bradford"

Roland Bradford won the V.C. for his action in the area of the Butte. One of the information boards on the site is dedicated to him.
Taken by Bob Paterson 19 July 2019

"Repainting took place in July 2019"

The walkway to the top - as was.
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2019

"Repainting took place in July 2019"

The walkway to the top after repainting
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2019

"Repainting took place in July 2019"

The walk to the first bend as was.
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2019

"Repainting took place in July 2019"

The walkway to the first bend now
Taken by Bob Paterson July 2019

"The Butte"

A lovely picture from November 2016
Taken by Charles Crossan November 2016

"Returning to normal after the war."

Le Sars in 1922
Taken by From the collection of Jean Magnier, Warlencourt Postcard stamped August 1922

"100th anniversary ceremony on the Butte November 2016"

The coach arrives!
Taken by Charles Crossan November 2016

"Bapaume in 1919"

The road to Albert
Taken by From the collection of Jean Magnier, Warlencourt Picture from 1919.

"South African Death Plaque"

The 'death penny'of EC Babb of the 2nd South African Brigade who was killed at the Butte on 12 October 1916.
Taken by Bob Paterson August 2019

"Grave marker of EC Babb in Warlencourt cemetery."

The actual grave of Ec Babb whose death plaque picture is shown here separately.
Taken by Victoriacrosson line Instagram

"Henry Parkers funeral service"

Private buried 100 years later
Taken by Owner of document Blanche Crossan October 2019

"Henry Parkers funeral service"

Voix du Nord coverage of the funeral
Taken by Article owned by Blanche Crossan October 2019

"A lovely distance view of the Butte in WW1"

The Butte dominates the landscape
Taken by Australia War Memorial 1917

"The entrance to a German dug out on the butte"

Courtesy Australian War Memorial
Taken by AWM 1917

"WW1 German bunker on the outskirts of Loupart Wood"

Situated on the outskirts of Warlencourt on the Grevillers road. Not far from the Butte
Taken by Derek Muir November 2019

"The crossroads at Le Sars - approx one mile from the Butte"

Pivotal in the capture of the village by the 23rd Division in October 1916
Taken by Bob Paterson November 2019

"Found in the neighbouring fields"

located at the post at the top of the track at the Butte
Taken by Derek Muir 9 November 2019

"A lovely panoramic view from the Butte"

Eaucourt in distance on right hand side
Taken by Derek Muir November 2019

"VC winner buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery"

New Zealander Donald Brown VC 2nd Otago Regiment. The Butte is the distance.
Taken by Derek Muir November 2019

"Extract trench map of the area"

From October 1916
Taken by IWM

"Buried in Warlencourt Cemetery"

A brave Australian soldier with an unusual name.
Taken by Bob Paterson 24 January 2020

"An unusual angle of the Butte taken from across the D929 road at Warlencourt"

Taken on a foggy Somme January day
Taken by Bob Paterson January 2020

"The 1870-1871 memorial in Bapaume Communal Cemetery"

A nice 'before' picture.About three miles from the Butte.
Taken by Bob Paterson's collection. Circa WW1 days?

"The nearby village of Le Barque in 1917"

The village in ruins early 1917
Taken by Courtesy of the French Achives. March 1917

"The view from the D929"

A nice black and white version of the view seen by the passer by
Taken by Bob Paterson November 2019

"The Somme battlefield conditions late 1916"

Mud, mud and more mud. Plus water of course.
Taken by Archives de La contemporaine - Pas de Calais VAL Autumn 1916

"Albert - the street leading to La Boisselle and beyond"

A pre bombardment photo of the street leading to the current day McDonalds, La Boisselle etc. The bakers shown is still a bakers today. One of the more popular photos posted on the Butte&#039;s Instagram account.
Taken by Bob Paterson&#039;s collection Date unknown

"Butte sponsors - Intona Limited"

Big welcome to Ron Mitchell director of Intona Limited seen standing at Drummond Castle near Crieff in Scotland where Intona were working
Taken by Bob Paterson Summer 2019

"Memorials on the Butte"

1922/23 early days of colour picture
Taken by Kahn Collection 1922/1923

"The Entrance to Eaucourt l'Abbaye"

Rather rare WW1 period picture
Taken by aken by from a book owned by Bob Paterson 1916

"Looking to Eaucourt l'Abbaye from the Butte"

A perfect view over the battlefields leading to the Butte
Taken by Bob Paterson August 2020

"The 1870-71 war near bapaume still hits the newspapers 150 years later!"

From La Voix du Nord 2 September 2020
Taken by Spotted by Charles Crossan Article dated 2 September 2020

"The entrance to the Butte - looking nice"

Grass cut, stones painted white, trees tidied
Taken by Mika Kotoviez September 2020

"Pathway changes - the wood bought and ready to go"

Work starts around 10 October - all going to plan!
Taken by Bob Paterson October 2020

"Visiting Bapaume - new Flyer printed in English available"

What to see in Bapaume - a3 Double sided
Taken by Published by Bureau d'Info Touriste September 2020