The Lochnagar Crater was created by a large mine detonated beneath the German front line by the British Army’s 179th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers, at 7:28am on July 1st, 1916. The explosion marked the beginning of the Battle of the Somme and was the largest of 19 mines, placed beneath the German front line to assist the British infantry advance. It is the largest man-made mine crater from the First World War on the Western Front.

On July 1st every year, for over four decades now, people have joined together for a unique ceremony to remember the events of that fateful Saturday in 1916. We have created a Facebook Livestream broadcast and in 2020 we prepared a short film which encapsulates the Foundation’s commitment to Remembrance, Peace and Reconciliation.

We remember all the men and women who were denied their future, never achieving their potential, with their hopes and dreams unrealised.

We seek to maintain and preserve the site for future generations and invite people to join The Friends of Lochnagar.

There are two annual remembrance ceremonies, in July and November. We always seek to involve the local community as well as welcoming visitors from around the world.