There are few words capable of conjuring the futility and the staggering losses of the First World
War like the Somme., By the end of August 1916 the manpower on the Somme was running low,
the first three divisions of the Canadian Corps were relocated to the battle to help with the
offensive, still grinding on under the orders of British Generals. They captured Courclette, Theipval
and Ancre Heights. Fighting alongside British troops they helped capture the German stronghold of
Regina Trench. Rain and snow finally brought the Battle of the Somme to an end. After five months
of fighting the Allies had only penetrated 13Km along a 35Km front. Allied losses were estimated
at 623,907 of whom more than 24,700 were Canadian and Newfoundlanders. German losses were
estimated at 660,000.
Norman is buried at Orange Hill Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux. Orange Hill and Orange Trench were
features of the country south of the river Scarpe, through which Commonwealth forces fought their
way in April 1917 during the Battle of Arras and again in August 1918, when Norman must have
lost his life.
Orange Hill was reached by the 12th Division on 10th April 1917. The cemetery, however, was
made by the Canadian Corps after the hill was taken for the second time at the end of August 1918.
ALISTAIR NORMAN BROWN