The Haig Statue Restoration Fund Montreuil-sur-Mer, France

A Major Centenary Project

Standing in the beautiful, peaceful town of Montreuil-sur-Mer in front of the theatre, the equestrian statue of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig is one of the few reminders of the pivotal role played in this northern French town by Britain and its Empire during the Great War.

It was the Entente Cordiale dating back to 1904 which paved the way for a new era of diplomacy and warmer Anglo-French relations. A decade later, Britain unflinchingly answered the call to defend Belgium and support France against a powerful aggressor, and the bitter struggle lasted over four years. Haig was Commander-in-Chief of the British Army on the Western Front for most of the war, from December, 1915. From the Spring of 1916, the British GHQ was based in Montreuil. WWI was finally brought to a close by the resolute determination of allied European and Empire forces, later joined by the US, in the first display ever of total warfare on an hitherto unimaginable scale – involving infantry, cavalry, armoured vehicles, aircraft,  ships, and submarines.

An imposing statue of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig stands in the peaceful, beautiful French town of Montreuil-sur-Mer.  The original statue was inaugurated on 28th June 1931.   Situated barely an hour’s drive from the Channel Tunnel, the town is surrounded by towering, well-preserved ramparts and, despite its name, it is not now within sight of the sea.

Haig is the only British military figure to be commemorated in France with an equestrian statue. The statue, by the world famous sculptor, Paul Landowski, was paid for entirely through public subscription. The campaign was organised in the 1920s by French Veterans’ Associations, in recognition of the crucial contribution of an army consisting of British and Empire troops in winning the war.

Ideally situated on account of its ‘central remoteness’ (as it was described in the book ‘GHQ’ by Sir Frank Fox), it was in Montreuil-sur-Mer that Haig, after leaving St Omer in 1916, chose to establish his General Headquarters. From then and until 1919, Haig’s GHQ became the very nerve centre of all British and Empire Army operations, the hub of all decision-making and logistics.

Having been removed and destroyed by the Germans in 1940, an identical replacement was unveiled in 1950. Today, that statue stands proudly and serenely in front of the theatre in the main square of Montreuil. It is a fitting location. This same theatre was designated in 1916 as the GHQ’s original Communications’ Centre – the Telephone Exchange – until it had to be moved underground below the ramparts, to avoid being destroyed by German bombs.

This beautiful statue in Montreuil is one of the few reminders in France, and the only one in Montreuil, of the crucial role played by Haig and the British and Empire Armies during the Great War.

But this historic statue was in urgent need of restoration

In order to restore the statue to its former pre-eminence, a well-coordinated Cross-Channel Appeal campaign was launched to raise the necessary €42,000.

Thanks to the generosity of over 300 donors in England and in France, this sum was raised over a two-year period. The Committee acknowledges with gratitude their help in realising this ambitious project. Their contributions serve to remember and honour all those British and Empire Forces who fought and died during the Great War, that most terrible of wars.

A dedicated team volunteered to manage the project; professional restorers were commissioned; all necessary authorisations  obtained from the French Heritage authorities; vital approval of the local administration granted; and the programme of works defined.

The restored statue was officially unveiled finally at a public ceremony, involving both French and British dignitaries, which took place during the weekend of 18th-19th June, 2022. A full programme of events was also arranged for that weekend to which all those who had helped us with their donations, both large and small, were welcomed.

The unveiling ceremony commemorated also the launch in the UK of the Earl Haig Poppy Fund in 1921.

In the following pages you will discover the history of this statue, its sculptor, and the reasons behind its national importance. 

You will also learn of the tireless devotion and commitment of Haig to former combatants, and his determination to help those who were disabled and maimed as a result of the war. Not only did he set up the Earl Haig Poppy Fund, the Royal British Legion was also launched as a result of his initiative. Field Marshal Haig’s single-minded desire to help and support ex-servicemen and their families continued right up until his untimely death in January 1928. 

We have added an extensive photo gallery covering the events which took place in Montreuil during this historic weekend. [See the section “Photo Gallery”].

We welcome you to this site and we very much appreciate your interest.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with the Haig Statue Restoration Fund Committee, please contact us through our address e-mail: contact@haigstatuemontreuil-sur-mer.org