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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Significance of "Queens Nullah"


whkay

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Can someone please tell me what was the purpose of this piece of land (if indeed that is what it was?) and why was it so named?

Many thanks

Mark

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Mark

A "Nullah" is the Indian name for a dried up watercourse or river bed. 2nd Queens occupied this position on 1st July 1916.

Terry Reeves

Edited by Terry_Reeves
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This was an area south of Mametz wood and west of the Dragon memorial. If you go west along the track from the memorial you will se it on your lefthand side.

Essntailly it was a forward holding area for troops, up a slope and in a slight depression.

Try these links:

here

and

here

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It was an old quarry, and used as a staging post for later attacks on Mametz Wood; it is in dead ground and affords good cover. It is mentioned in almost all the war diaries of units in 38th (Welsh) Division in July 1916. Below is a photo of how it looks today.

post-6-1135698681.jpg

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Many thanks Gents...

Can I presume that the lane that runs to the "Dragon" is on the left hand side of your picture Paul?

Mark

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Yes, approximately. To the right is a track going uphill to Dantzig Alley Cemetery. Behind the photographer is a track that leads onto the Mametz road, and if you turn right there, it will take you to the signposted route to the Dragon.

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my yuletide befaggled mind tells me it was also the place that Ingouville Williams was killed.

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Absolutely Bill and thanks Paul.. A little clearer now..

You wouldnt have a photgraph of the view from Dantzig to the Nullah would you?

Mark

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Yes, 'Inky Bill' was mortally wounded here. Apparently standing on the top bank of the Nullah watching the fighting. This is a view from the Dantzig Alley area looking down into the Nullah with Mametz Wood in the background. Hope that helps!

post-6-1135716974.jpg

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It does indeed sir..

Many thanks Paul, I find that even when you've visited such places it is still hard to get a picture of what went on in those first 13 days of July and if you dont take the right photographs at the time it's very difficult to get a picture in your head.

Once again, thank you..

Mark

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:) Great Pictures Paul. Visited there in March.

Tony

Edited by KIRKY
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