Achiet-le-Grand during WW1

              

  

In 1914, Achiet-le-grand had a population of about 500 people.

The village was very active because of the train station and the veal market, which took place every Saturday (300 veal were for sale).     On the 2nd August 1914 , the residents of Achiet heard words of war.        Many men going to join the army by train stopped at Achiet for a few minutes where villagers gave their support by offering treats and comfort. British troops arrived in the first two weeks of August, and then moved on (no more details).    On the 27th August, Achiet-le-grand was in the middle of the German and French patrols.

Many German troops arrived on the 18th September and the colonel established his headquarters at the castle of Tourtois in Bihucourt. The French soldiers retreated to establish camp in Logeast Wood until the 3^rd October when the fighting began.

Between Achiet and Courcelles the loss of men was enormous and the citizen of both villages were ordered to bury the dead men , every year the closest Sunday to the 3rd October is a remembrance day at Courcelles le comte . The men aged 14 to 50 were send to Germany to work in camps and the women had to take over daily tasks.

thanks to the senior citizen club