Battle of Arras: Dawn ceremony at the Wellington Tunnels

In the early hours of the morning of 9 April 1917, the Battle of Arras commenced with 24,000 British soldiers emerging from the protection of underground chalk quarries under the south-eastern part of the city, painstakingly and intricately connected by tunnellers from New Zealand in the months preceding the attack.

This year is the 109th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Arras.

In what has become a noted annual event, all are welcome to commemorate those killed in the battle and the sacrifice of Commonwealth soldiers who came to fight in Artois during the Great War.

The ceremony will take place at La Carrière Wellington Memorial on Thursday 9 April 2026.

• Location: The Wellington Tunnels, Memorial to the Battle of Arras, Rue Arthur Delétoille, 62000 Arras.
• Time: 6.30am (arrive at 6.00am at the latest).
• Parking: Car Park E. Leclerc, Rue Arthur Delétoille, 62000 Arras
• Dress: Military – Uniform with medals; Civilian – Business attire

The ceremony will be followed by a breakfast in honour of the troops.