Hutted Histories: The History Of Hawthorn Crater with HRCA

One of the most lasting and striking images of the Battle of the Somme shows the top of the Hawthorn ridge being blown off by an enormous mine detonated by the British army at the start of the battle of the Somme of the 1st July 1916.

Terry Berry, Chairman and Co-founder of the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association, explores the fascinating and often overlooked history of one of the Somme battlefield's most remarkable features.

The story begins with the occupation and fortification of the crater, the tunnelling beneath the German lines and the challenges of understanding the battlefield landscape. Terry will also look at the filming of the first detonation on 1 July 1916 by Geoffrey Malins, including his earlier footage of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers in Sunken Lane.

At the heart of the talk is what happened at 7.20am on 1 July 1916. Terry will examine what went wrong with the first attack and contrast this with the events surrounding the second detonation and attack on 13 November 1916. He will then trace what happened in the area in the years that followed the Battle of the Somme.

Terry will also introduce the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association, its committee and the work being undertaken to preserve the crater and ensure its unique story remains accessible to future generations.

Tanya Ferguson, Secretary of the Association, will explain how you can support this work through membership of the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association.

About Terry

Terry Berry is the Chairman and Co-founder of the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association. Terry is also the Co-owner of the Butte De Warlencourt and Owner/Director of Western Front Services which not only does battlefield tours but also commissioned restorations of private and divisional memorials on the Western Front.

Away from the battlefields, Terry is a Freeman of the city of London, an active Masonic Provincial Grand Officer in Surrey, season ticket holder at Crystal Palace and he played professional golf for 15 years on the European and other world tours. Terry avidly supports several charities and is a member of the Variety Club of Great Britain raising money to give sunshine coaches to underprivileged and disabled children.